Event round-up
23 Jun 2021

The importance of Geospatial Data showcased at CogX 2021

techUK recently partnered with CogX on their Planet and Smart City stage to bring Geospatial Data to CogX. Joined by Ed Parsons of Google and Vanessa Lawrence of the Alan Turing Institute

On 16th June techUK were joined by leading experts in the Geospatial ecosystem to explore reinventing the high street with Geospatial and place-based innovation

Speakers included:

Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist, Google

Vanessa Lawrence, Director, Location International

Laura Foster, Programme Manager Tech & Innovation, techUK

You can watch the panel here:  

This panel emphasised the role of Geospatial data as the 'unsung hero' underpinning UK innovation and being widely used across the UK. Indeed, Geospatial Data has helped communities track and understand how their local communities have changed and adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what this now means for use and utilization of UK high streets going forward. The move to digitization is the first time many small businesses have been mapped and tracked interaction, and this will be crucial in helping understand how local communities can work and empower the people who live in them.

The panel pointed out we are coming from a place of strength in the UK with a rich history of location mapping and foundational data, and we also need to look internationally to showcase the use cases of Geospatial data. However, there is still some way to go in conveying Geospatial data to the wider community and build public trust.

techUK’s Geospatial data campaign has been dedicated to showcasing the value of Geospatial intelligence across the UK, the role this will play in innovation, and the impact this will bring to the UK economy. We want to take the conversation to as many industry and sectors as possible, from climate change, to local Government, transportation and healthcare. You can read more about techUK’s work on Geospatial Data here.

Laura Foster

Laura Foster

Head of Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Head of Programme for Technology and Innovation.

She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster

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Chris Hazell

Chris Hazell

Programme Manager - Cloud, Tech and Innovation, techUK

Chris is the Programme Manager for Cloud, Tech and Innovation

Email:
[email protected]

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Sue Daley

Sue Daley

Director, Technology and Innovation

Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.

This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy. She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame. A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK Sue is co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.

Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2055
Twitter:
@ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue

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