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 16^th 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.

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.

Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.

This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.

Email:: [email protected]
LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/

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Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director 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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Elis Thomas

Programme Manager, Tech and Innovation, techUK

Elis joined techUK in December 2023 as a Programme Manager for Tech and Innovation, focusing on AI, Semiconductors and Digital ID.

He previously worked at an advocacy group for tech startups, with a regional focus on Wales. This involved policy research on innovation, skills and access to finance.

Elis has a Degree in History, and a Masters in Politics and International Relations from the University of Winchester, with a focus on the digitalisation and gamification of armed conflicts.