Tech Policy Expertise: Emerging technologies (e.g.: quantum, biotech etc)

  • Oyetola Florence Idowu

    A dynamic digital transformation Tech leader, Global AI Delegate for the United Kingdom with Gafai and an advocate for responsible AI, ethics and sustainability in Tech with over 13 years of experience driving digital transformation across healthcare, government, public, private, and consulting sectors.


    I currently work with the NHS, where I lead cross-functional teams to deliver innovative digital products and process re-engineering initiatives using Agile (Scrum), Waterfall, and Lean methodologies. My expertise spans Digital Product Delivery, Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Process Improvement, and Responsible AI. An award-winning researcher and co-author in AI Automation Framework, sustainability, Embedding ethics into AI collaboration, and healthcare technology.


    I am a mentor and an Early Career Advocate with the British Computer Society (BCS), showcasing my passion for empowering the next generation of tech professionals. I also mentor young professionals with the Association for black and minority Engineers (AFBE)UK, and MSc Big Data Analytics students at the University of Derby during the MSc enrichment week, guiding and empowering the next generation of tech professionals.


    I am an active member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET), a Professional member of the British Computer Society (BCS), a Corporate member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE), Registered Engineer with council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Internet Society UK, cementing my reputation as a respected leader in the global tech ecosystem.

  • Rowan Wilkinson

    Rowan Wilkinson is a research associate in the Digital Society Programme, where she supports research on digital public infrastructure, the information space, tech sovereignty, and AI governance. Her expertise lies at the intersection of technology, humanitarianism, and international development.

    She previously worked with the UN and international NGOs on global development, crisis response, conflict, and human rights. Her previous research explored themes such as e-cash transfers in complex emergencies, and the use of technology to counter extremism.

  • Kirsten Nelson-de Búrca

    Kirsten Nelson-de Búrca is a product policy manager at Mozilla, where she leads work on ads, age verification, and AI product launches globally – shaping how emerging technologies intersect with public interest and trust. With a background spanning global tech companies, startups, and the non-profit sector, she brings a rare blend of policy insight, operational know-how, and product expertise.

    Before joining Mozilla, she drove global digital policy engagement for a European scale-up, HelloFresh, and at Meta she launched trust & safety product lines and political advertising transparency tools in over 100 markets. She has also advised governments, political organisations, and civil society organisations (UN entities and EU institutions) on leveraging new technologies responsibly, and navigated the fast-moving fintech startup world from a regulatory risk perspective.

    A passionate advocate for responsible innovation, Kirsten speaks about the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of technology, policy, and society – with a focus on AI governance, online integrity (especially when it comes to elections, politics and social issues), and platform accountability.

  • Victoria Baines

    Victoria (they/them) works as Head of Cross-Government Strategy for the National Data Library, a manifesto commitment housed in the Government Digital Service. Prior to this role, they developed the world-leading Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, leading on areas including biometrics, fraud and inclusion.

    They have also worked as a researcher at the think tank Demos, where they researched a breadth of topics online safety, platform regulation and data protection. Intellectual rigour, relationship-building and a strong sense of social purpose form the bedrock of their work.

    When they aren’t working in the world of tech policy, Victoria facilitates meditation and teaches yoga, primarily in LGBTQ+ spaces.

  • Shivani Lodhia

    Shivani Lodhia is a cofounder of Parisi Consulting, where she advises clients in the emerging technology and digital infrastructure sectors, providing practical and trusted guidance. She also advocates for policy changes to support firms in these spaces, as well as issues affecting scaleups, using her Substack and an ongoing programme mentoring emerging talent from Warwick University to tackle and evaluate complex, future-facing industry challenges.

    She recently presented her team’s data and analysis on government engagement with digital infrastructure in the House of Lords at a private roundtable, has participated in high-level discussions on the future of the UK’s semiconductor industry, and has been quoted in Politico and City AM.

    Shivani is also studying for an MBA at Warwick Business School, bringing academic rigour to her work while championing a new generation of policy thinking within the technology sector. She is the CIPR’s Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year 2025.

  • Shahd Asfour

  • Sandy Tung

    Sandy is the technology and innovation policy lead at City Hall, responsible for developing economic strategy and the role of tech and innovation in boosting London’s growth. She runs Challenge LDN, the Mayor’s open innovation programme, that invites a diverse cohort of innovators to co-design solutions that tackle the capital’s most pressing problems.

    A scientist by training, she built her career around embedding innovation into cities around the world. She’s led smart cities programmes including Sharing Cities, a €24.5 programme that tested and scaled innovative technologies across European cities and was a founding staff member of Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities, working with cities around the world to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Sandy is a Grow London Innovation Fellow and holds a master’s degree in physics from Imperial College London

  • Sabine Jacques

    I explore the intersection of copyright, freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and artificial intelligence. My research and teaching are driven by a passion for understanding how intellectual property law shapes creative industries, technology, and society.

    I am currently looking into licensing models for Generative AI, working on a code of practice on responsible AI and investigating data flows.

  • Saba Shaukat

    Saba Shaukat is a pioneering international business and technology executive with over 25 years of experience. She specialises in leveraging frontier technologies to drive transformative change and has a deep expertise in transitioning FTSE 250 companies into the next wave of growth and profitability.

    Currently, Saba is creating an AI Agency and heads Engagement and Innovation at the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), a joint venture between the Home Office and QinetiQ on AI, data analytics, deep fakes, economic crime and emerging technology. She helps the Government in accelerating digital transformation initiatives to drive disruptive innovation and implement policies to enhance security, national resilience, and UK prosperity.

    Previously, Saba was the Group Director of Technical Capability and Innovation at QinetiQ plc, where she led a team of top scientists and engineers. She focused on frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, cyber technologies, immersive augmented reality, human-machine teaming, advanced materials, quantum computing, lasers, and human behaviour.

    Throughout her career, Saba has driven transformational technologies resulting in over £1 billion in new revenue. She has extensive international experience in strategy and commercial development and has held several board positions as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee. She recently became a Board Fellow at the world-wide renowned Royal College of Art(RCA), the leading school in innovation design engineering with the capability to tackle complex challenges faced by society and the planet.

    Saba’s career also includes significant roles at Capita, BT, Vodafone, Deloitte Consulting, and PwC, where she contributed to global market entry strategies, business turnarounds, and new technology ventures for both enterprise and consumer sectors.

    An alumna of Harvard University’s Kennedy School for Executive Leadership Training and the London Business School with an MBA, Saba is a thought leader and board advisor. As a former regional board member of The Prince’s Trust, she has inspired young people from disadvantaged communities to win national entrepreneurial awards.

    Saba is also a contributor to the bestselling book, The Power of Purpose. She is dedicated to embracing disruptive ideas and advancing skills, science, and technology for societal good amid rapid technological change.

    In her spare time, Saba is an avid sailor, traveller, and explorer of new science and technological innovations for the 21st century.

  • Ruvimbo Samanga

    Ruvimbo Samanga is an award-winning African space policy analyst recognised by the International Astronautical Federation, the International Institute of Space Law, and the St. Gallen Symposium.

    With expertise in space law, technology policy, and sustainable development, she has contributed to global initiatives in governance, advocacy, and education, pioneering inclusive frameworks that amplify African leadership in the space sector.