Dr. Erin Young is Head of Innovation and Technology Policy at the Institute of Directors where she leads the IoD’s policy, strategy and thought leadership work on technology, science and innovation. Before joining the IoD, Erin was Project Co-Lead and Research Fellow in Public Policy at The Alan Turing Institute, where her work influenced the UK’s National AI Strategy and AI Opportunities Action Plan. Previously, Erin held positions at the UN in Paris, WPP in London, MediaX at Stanford University, and Thomson Reuters in New York City. She sits on the Strategy Steering Board for the City of London Corporation’s Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce and advises the Hg Foundation on AI, inequalities and skills. Erin holds a BA from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Education (Learning and Technology) from the University of Oxford, a PGC in International Business Practice, Finance and Organisational Behaviour, and a DPhil in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Oxford.
Geography: Sub-Saharan Africa
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Doris Li
Doris is a technology policy leader with experience shaping regulatory approaches to emerging technologies and designing frameworks that center safety and accessibility. She is currently a Tech Policy Manager at Ofcom, where she leads projects and programs for regulating generative AI under the Online Safety Act. Prior to Ofcom, she spent several years at Meta as a Senior Product & Regulatory Operations Specialist, where she managed a global safety program to combat the abuse of content moderation systems. As Meta’s Inclusive Product Council Member, she evaluated company priority products against safety and accessibility standards to provide guidance for research, engineering, and product teams innovating in AI and the Metaverse.
In addition to her day-to-day work, Doris is an Inclusion Advisor to Open Data Institute’s Solid Initiative, an open-source project which reimagines data use and sharing, and regularly volunteers with organisations promoting diversity in tech spaces, including Women in Data. She is passionate about bridging policy, product, and community engagement to amplify historically underrepresented voices in the development and governance of data-driven technologies.
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Devika Malik
Devika brings a decade and a half of experience across tech, policy and journalism to her work as an international consultant and researcher on platform governance. Previously she led Meta’s work hate speech, misinformation and violent extremism in South Asia. Based in New Delhi, Devika is working with the Council on Tech and Social Cohesion as well as the Integrity Institite on catalytic prosocial tech regulation in the Global South.
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Dani Dhiman
Dani joined Formation Advisory in 2024, bringing a deep expertise in tech policy and digital regulation. Over her career, she has advised tech companies, startups, regulators, and policymakers around the world on emerging digital regulation issues at the forefront of technological innovation. Dani has held a range of policy, research and technical roles at organisations such as the UK’s largest tech trade body, techUK, Vodafone Group, Digital Catapult, and Starling Bank. Dani currently serves on the AI Futures Council for the generative AI startup, Synthesia.
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Caroline Hurst
Caroline Hurst is Global Digital Child Safety Lead at the LEGO Group. She is part of the Child Rights and Safety team, who represent the voices and needs of children and provide tools to the business to ensure the LEGO Group can responsibly engage with children.
Caroline brings many years of experience as a child safety policy expert, having worked in Trust and Safety roles at Meta and Spotify previously. She holds a deep understanding of online safety trends impacting children, especially issues related to age-appropriate design, harmful content and empowering children and their families to be digitally smart, happy and healthy online.
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Ashly Jiju
Ashly Jiju is a researcher and policy professional specialising in geopolitics and technology policy, with a focus on artificial intelligence and data protection. Drawing on experience across the UK, UAE, India, and Nepal, she bridges academic research, stakeholder engagement, and strategy consulting to thoughtfully address the complexities of technological change.
She holds an MPhil in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge, where her research focused on how AI and big data reshape privacy, security, and global governance. She also holds a BA (Hons.) in Political Science with Economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. She is dedicated to advancing innovation that benefits society through thoughtful and ethical governance.
Ashly has played a key role in advancing high-impact initiatives addressing complex challenges in technology and governance. She has engaged with governments, companies, NGOs, and international bodies to craft strategies, lead research, and drive policy development. Her work includes contributing to multiple books and policy reports, advising a rapidly expanding digital media startup, and leading large-scale fundraising efforts for projects focused on digital inclusion and worker support. She has led sizeable, cross-functional teams and designed digital safety programmes that have empowered thousands to engage confidently and safely in digital spaces.
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Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma is a leading voice in space innovation and inclusive technology strategy. As the founder of Naaut, her past work includes supporting NASA’s AI accelerator, ESA-backed initiatives, building partnerships across the global AI and technology ecosystem and was previously Senior Technical Programme Coordinator for DiRAC, a national supercomputing facility. Before space she worked in politics, growing the UK startup and deep tech ecosystem and was Protocol Manager for the Olympic Stadium – London 2012.
At the Space Academic Network (SPAN) she builds relationships across academia, industry and government to advocate for UK academics and researchers in Earth Observation, Space Science and Engineering, Space Environment, and Space for Society. In addition, she sits on the Oversight Committee for the UK Regional Centre of the Square Kilometre Array, one of the world’s most ambitious scientific collaborations.
As Co-founder of the London Space Network, Anushka has built one of the UK’s most vibrant space communities, now over 2,000 members strong, with monthly events connecting 90+ organisations across industry, academia, and government.
A recognised science communicator, Anushka appears regularly on national and international media to share insights on the societal impact of space. Her 12+ accolades include Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech and Computer Weekly’s Most Influential Women in UK Tech (2020–2024).
She is a connector, ecosystem builder, and trusted voice on the future of space and technology.