Reading between the lines: information literacy in the 21st century

We are bombarded by information that competes for our attention or money. Our own information is used to channel this to us in ways that we might not want. Loss of control over our own information can lead us to believe in false narratives that harm other people and ourselves. Young people in particular need tools to control their own information and to separate fact from fiction.

This session asks: how can we nurture responsible and ethical consumers of information in the digital age?

Chair: Professor Martin Hendry, Vice Principal, University of Glasgow and Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow

Panellists:

Dr Fiona McNeill is a reader in computer science education at the University of Edinburgh. She gained her PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 2006, focussing on dynamic data integration and ontology matching. Throughout her career, she has spent significant time on issues around CS and STEM Education, in particular access to education and inequalities within that. She represents the British Computer Society in the RSE’s Learned Societies’ Group and chairs the BCS Scottish Computing Education Committee.

Zoe Lambourne is director of strategy with Childlight, Global Child Safety Insitute at the University of Edinburgh. Zoe comes from a background of working with governments and agencies globally to improve public safety, specifically designing and building new multi-sector organisations. She has a passion for helping to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation and a particular interest in evidence-driven, responsible and ethical impact.

Angela Balakrishnan is executive director of strategic communications and public affairs, with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Angela oversees the development and delivery of the ICO’s strategic communication and engagement activities across the organisation. Angela encourages her team to find the human in the densest of subjects to drive change in how people think, feel or act on their information rights. She co-chairs the UK Regulators communications network and is part of the Women in PR committee. Before the ICO, she worked in government communication.

Jason Boxt is a partner at RXN Group in Washington DC. He has worked in public affairs and opinion research for more than 20 years, with expertise in communications and digital research, reputation and brand management, campaign and message development, political strategy. Jason began his career in polling and research at Roper Starch in 1999, before joining the Democratic political polling firm Global Strategy Group. Prior to coming to RXN, Jason was the Founder and Principal of 3W Insights, a research-driven strategic consultancy.