Pro-democracy public sector tech
The aim of this event is to bring together technology, digital and data professionals to explore how to design and future-proof the UK's public sector technology so that it is pro-democracy.
Authoritarian leaders in multiple countries are currently demonstrating that public data and public sector technology can be used in undemocratic and harmful ways. A technology practice that seems like a no-brainer today might have a totally different set of impacts as social norms, legislation, or leadership shift or change. Meanwhile, existing practices might unwittingly create conditions for undemocratic practices. The people who research, make and design technology products and systems are well-placed to notice and anticipate some of these vulnerabilities.
The event will start with a short presentation on how digital platforms, data infrastructure and AI have been misused outside the UK. Attendees will then nominate topics to discuss in interactive sessions. We hope the topics will cover both risks and practical opportunities that can be taken to make current and future public sector technology pro-democracy.
After the event the organisers will collate and, under the Chatham House rule, share information about how the event was run and the lessons learned in sessions.
The event is intended to be suitable for practitioners from a range of areas such as design, product, operations, regulation, engineering, policy and research. This event is experimental and being run on a voluntary basis, so we are capping attendance at 40 people. Please bring your own refreshments.
Any questions? Get in touch at sycamorecollective@proton.me.
This is a Sycamore Collective event, supported by CAMRI.
The Sycamore Collective includes people with experience working across the technology sector, government, academia and civil society. Find out more at: https://sycamore-collective.org/
The Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) is based at Westminster University, London. It is a world-leading centre in the study of media and communication and is renowned for its critical and international research. CAMRI builds on a long tradition of research in media and communication that spans five decades and has consistently ranked highly in media and communication studies.
CAMRI’s research is based on a broader purpose and vision for society. Our work examines how media and societies interact and aims to contribute to progressive social change, equality, justice, and democracy. CAMRI takes a public interest and humanistic approach that seeks to promote participation, facilitate informed debate, and strengthen capabilities for critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and creativity. Find out more at: https://camri.ac.uk/