Find out what the BCS Digital Divide SG is about, what has happened to date. Come and join the SG Committee to use #techforgood.
Watch the video
Speakers
- Freddie Quek
- Dave Donaghy
- Fiona Dawson
- Tristi Tanaka
- Charlie Houston-Brown
- Margaret Ross
- Sean Sadler
- James Davenport
- Alastair Irons
Synopsis
Closing the digital divide is one of four top strategic priorities for BCS. In its second year, it has driven a joined-up DPA-BCS submission in Mar 2023 to the UK Parliament’s call for evidence to address digital exclusion supported by the UK tech sector and communities, it has supported the launch of the DPA National Delivery Plan in May 2023, and most recently in Sep 2023, it is proud to witness the signing of the BCS-DPA MOU to advocate for action by government, industry and the third sector around ending digital poverty.
This provides a strong single voice by the technology sector in support and collaboration. Come and join our annual AGM and find out how you can get involve so that we “leave no one digitally behind”.
About the speakers
Freddie Quek is Chair of the BCS Digital Divide Specialist Group.In 2021, he started the #joiningthedots initiative to address #digitalinclusion becoming a Community Board member of the Digital Poverty Alliance. He serves on the boards at University of Bristol, BCS Influence Board and eLife, and a member of the Technology Advisory Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He co-founded TechLinkUkraine to help displaced Ukrainian tech professionals. Freddie is a Fellow of BCS and judge for the UK IT Industry and Women in IT awards.
Dave Donaghy has worked in Bristol and Bath as a software engineer for around 25 years, and is currently at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Bristol, where he works closely with Level 4 and Level 6 apprentices. He works voluntarily as a trustee of the League of Friends of the Royal United Hospitals (Bath), which manages volunteers providing additional services to patients and staff. He recently finished a three-year term on BCS Council, and a one-year term on Trustee Board. He is the Inclusion Officer of the Pride Specialist Group, and Chair of the Bristol & Bath branch, and is currently working on expanding the scope of the branch beyond Bristol into Bath and surrounding areas.
Fiona Dawson is Director at Mayden. She is passionate about what technology can do to support healthcare and advocates for the health informatics profession, both as a BCS Fellow and FEDIP Leading Practitioner. She holds a degree in Applied Computing from the University of Bath and is in her final year of a Masters in Healthcare Data at Cambridge University. Fiona has lived in Bath all her adult life after falling in love with the city as a student. She is passionate about addressing the digital divide and is involved with bringing together groups of like-minded individuals as Director of the Bath Bridge CIC. Recent projects have supported improved digital access for refugees and digital skills for young people in the city. She is a Digital Poverty Alliance ambassador and also supports the One Healthtech Bristol Hub, promoting diversity and inclusion in the vibrant healthtech community in the local area.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us make IT good for society. Join BCS today.
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
COVID-19
BCS is following government guidelines and we would ask attendees to continue to also follow these guidelines. Please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for more information, advice, and instructions.
This event is brought to you by: BCS Digital Divide specialist group
