Speakers and Themes

When we started work on Beyond the Smart City we set out with an idea of the themes we wanted to cover and a list of speakers who’d help us get them across. Over the past few months that list has grown and evolved into what we think is a pretty amazing line-up.

If you’re interested in the role played by big data and open data in shaping where we live then come and hear what Charlie Ewen (Chief Information Officer, Met Office), Richard Stirling (International Director, Open Data Institute) and Antonio Acuña (Head of data.gov.uk) have to say.

For smart initiatives and data in rural contexts we’re delighted to have Ann Cousins (Senior Consultant, Arup) and Tom Guilbert (Senior Team Leader, Environment Agency). Bringing things back to sustainable cities will be Rupert Green (Smart Design Lead, Parsons Brinckerhoff).

Agriculture and the food supply are major links between urban and rural places and we’re lucky enough to be hearing from Dr. Sian Thomas (Head of Information Management, Food Standards Agency) and Toby Mottram (Founder and Chief Engineer, eCow).

Pulling the themes together, putting people and collective intelligence back at the heart of everything, we’ll be hearing from Abhay Adhikari (Dyhaan Design), Julie Hawker (Chief Executive, Cosmic), Anne McCrossan (Founder, Visceral Business) and Francesca Bria (Senior Project Lead, Nesta Innovation Lab).

So, who should come? Firstly, anyone interested in what all this technology means for the places we live in. Our ability to capture, process and use data across every part of our lives is increasing exponentially. How can we make sure it’s used for the right things?

Secondly, whether you’re a developer, a farmer, a scientist, an engineer, or anyone with a job that involves data, the boundaries are being blurred. Join us to find out what’s Beyond the Smart City for technology, strategy, policy and daily life. Get your ticket here.