During this hybrid event we will reflect on the rapidly evolving 21st Century knowledge ecosystem, considering the impact of new technologies, changing societal norms regarding what is valued as knowledge, the threats to and attacks on knowledge, and the exclusion of communities from knowledge generation due to imbalanced power and privilege structures.
In a time of rapid technological change, global challenges, and shifting digital landscapes, the symposium will address critical themes, including:
🔹 Knowledge and its impact on humanity and society
🔹 Breaking knowledge hierarchies and democratising knowledge
🔹 Impact of technologies (such as AI) on knowledge, trust and intellectual property
🔹 Decentralising and decolonising knowledge production
🔹 Digital inclusion, accessibility and closing the knowledge divide
🔹 Misinformation, disinformation and knowledge assurance
We are currently finalising the full programme for the day; however, we are pleased to announce the following confirmed keynote speakers and panellists, with further names to be shared in due course:
🔹 Prof. Christopher Smith (Executive Chair of the AHRC)
🔹 Stian Westlake (Executive Chair of ESRC)
🔹 Amina Shah (National Librarian and Chief Executive of NLS)
🔹 Prof. Jeff Grabill (Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Student Education, University of Leeds)
🔹 Prof. Nick Plant (Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Research & Innovation, University of Leeds)
🔹 Jonathan Bengtson (University Librarian of the University of Victoria)
🔹 Lindiwe Soyizwapi (Director of Library Services at University of Pretoria)
🔹 Dr. Rangashri Kishore (Ex Founding Director of Ashoka University & Ex Dean of Library Services of Krea University India)
🔹 Dr. Allan Sudlow (Director of Partnerships and Engagement at AHRC)
🔹 Dr. Hilde van Wijngaarden (Director University Library, VU Amsterdam)
🔹 Ian Wiggins (Director of International Affairs, The Royal Society)
🔹 Bella Abrams (Group Chief Technology Officer, Jisc)
