Exploring Ethical Digital Innovation: Head of the Digital Citizen Division at the Scottish Government Visits the School of Computer Science

Abd Alsattar Ardati
Tuesday 26 November 2024

On 18 November 2024, the School of Computer Science hosted Eilidh McLaughlin, Head of the Digital Citizen Division at the Scottish Government, for an engaging discussion on advancing ethical digital innovation. Eilidh was joined online by her colleagues, including Michaela Omelkova, Data Ethicist, Christine Johnstone, Senior Policy Adviser, and Fiona Colligan, lead of the Digital Inclusion Alliance.

The hybrid meeting brought together representatives from the University of St Andrews and the School of Computer Science (CS), fostering dialogue on collaborative efforts to shape Scotland’s vision of an Ethical Digital Nation. From left to right in the group picture, attendees included:

  • Ian Miguel, Head of School, CS
  • Vice Principal Digital Monique Mackenzie
  • Eilidh McLaughlin, Head of the Digital Citizen Division at the Scottish Government
  • Abd Alsattar Ardati, Lecturer and IDEA Network Co-founder
  • Ozgur Akgun, Director of Impact, CS
  • Loraine Clarke, Head of SACHI Research Group
  • Susmit Sarkar, Director of Research, CS

Onsite attendees included Dharini Balasubramaniam, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, and Truman Venters, a PhD Candidate in International Relations. Joining online were IDEA Network Co-founders Kirsty Ross, Industrial Liaison at the School of CS, and Alex Voss, an Honorary Lecturer in Software Engineering, both contributing valuable expertise to the discussion.

The meeting showcased key initiatives from the IDEA Network, including The Role of Universities in the Ethical Digital Nation, New Scots Digital Connect and Digital Inclusion WikiConnect. These projects address digital social issues and promote inclusion through participatory design and interdisciplinary collaboration. Discussions underscored the important role of Eilidh and her team in providing the right environment for ethical and inclusive digital practices, with attendees exploring actionable pathways for collaboratively tackling community challenges.

A significant focus of the meeting was on aligning academic efforts with the Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy, particularly in the context of ongoing and upcoming research grant applications. The shared aim is to advance inclusive socio-technical systems that prioritise communities’ advancement and address Scotland’s digital equity challenges.

The visit was a testament to the strong commitment between the Scottish Government and the School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews to build impactful partnerships. Plans were also discussed for additional meetings and workshops to deepen this collaboration. These include a workshop scheduled for 13 December, which will explore the evolving relationship between the Scottish Government and the University. This event will focus on co-developing actionable strategies for digital inclusion, ethical practices, and community engagement, further solidifying the University’s role in shaping Scotland’s Ethical Digital Nation.


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