Dr June Brawner

June is an anthropologist of data, studying how societies create knowledge through data, measurement and AI.

Her work explores how data, metrics and classification systems are created; what they make visible, what they leave out, and how these choices shape decisions across science, policy and public life.

Before joining the ODI, June led AI and data policy programmes at the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. There, she developed research-informed policy initiatives spanning privacy-enhancing technologies, AI ethics, scientific frontiers of AI, data for scientific research and inclusive digital systems. She has worked with partners including the OECD, the United Nations, UK government and regulators, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the US National Academies.

June’s work has been cited in the UK Parliament, featured in TIME, and contributed to major international initiatives including the UK–US PETs Prize Challenge and the UN AI Advisory Body. She regularly speaks on AI, data governance, privacy-enhancing technologies and responsible innovation, including at events organised by All Tech Is Human, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the Dubai Future Forum, Computing on Encrypted Data, the University of Cambridge, the UK Embassy in Beijing, and IIT Bombay.

Alongside her research leadership, June has experience in research consultancy and has held fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, Columbia University’s Council for European Studies, the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Science and Policy, and the University of Tübingen’s Forum Scientarium with Professor Bruno Latour. June holds a PhD in anthropology, with an interdisciplinary background bridging sociology, ecology and the arts.