DataFest 2021 Launch event

Our guests

DataFest21 is kicking off in style – we’ll be joined by Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter OBE FRS, who will deliver the keynote address, and the event will be hosted by the wonderful Maggie Philbin OBE.

We’ll also be joined by Dr Leyla Acaroglu and a discussion panel that will set the scene for our three themed DataFest weeks – #OurFuture, #OurPeople and #OurPlanet. The event will also confirm the final schedule for Data Tech, Data Talks, and Data Talent events through 2021. Book your free ticket today!

Our theme for 2021 is #OurData – find out more.

Launch Event
25th March 2021, 10am – 12pm

The Agenda

10.00-10.05	Welcome to DataFest21	Maggie Philbin
10:05-10:10	Welcome from The Data Lab	Gillian Docherty OBE
10:10-10:40	Activating the Circular Economy	Dr. Leyla Acaroglu
10:40-11:10	Panel discussion	Chair: Maggie Philbin Gillian Docherty OBE Catherine Stihler OBE Dr. Leyla Acaroglu
11:10-11:45	Communicating statistics to the media: Highs and lows during the pandemic (so far)	Sir David Spiegelhalter
11:45-11:55	Announcements	Brian Hills
11:55-12:00	Close	Maggie Philbin

Our Speakers

Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter

Also known as ‘Professor Risk’, a distinguished statistician and a born communicator, as seen in the BBC’s Tails You Win: The Science of Chance. Numbers don’t speak for themselves; we are influenced by how they’re expressed – in relation to anything from healthy eating to climate change. David explains how to weigh up the real risk.

David has over 190 refereed publications and is author and co-author of a number of academic and popular books, including The Norm Chronicles: Stories and numbers about danger and The Art of Statistics: Learning from Data which examines the use and abuse of statistics, when they help and when they mislead. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute for Risk Management, and of the Royal College of Physicians, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Dr Leyla Acaroglu

Dr Leyla Acaroglu (pronounced A-jar-a-loo) is a design disruptor, creative boundary pusher, and cultural provocateur who embodies the innovation that ignites positive change. An award-winning designer, sociologist, and sustainability expert, Leyla is internationally recognized as a leading force in the movement for a sustainable and circular future.

For her work in advancing science and innovation, Leyla was awarded 2016 Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme, and her 2013 mainstage TED talk has collected well over a million views. She has keynoted talks all over the world, on topics from systems redesign to the ethics of technology and the power of disruptive change.

Catherine Stihler OBE

Catherine Stihler OBE has been an international champion for openness as a legislator and practitioner for over 20 years. She is one of Scotland’s longest-serving and most respected legislators of the European Parliament, was elected Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, and was awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to politics.

In 2019, she stood down from the European Parliament to become Chief Executive Officer of the Open Knowledge Foundation, redefining its vision and mission to produce a new strategic direction, reengaging its global chapters and increasing the worldwide profile of the organisation. In August 2020, Catherine was appointed chief executive of Creative Commons, a non-profit organisation that helps overcome legal obstacles to the sharing of knowledge and creativity to address the world’s pressing challenges.

Our host: Maggie Philbin OBE

We’re delighted to be welcoming Maggie Philbin back to DataFest!

Maggie has worked in radio and television for 30 years on a wide range of science, medical and technology programmes from Tomorrow’s World to Bang Goes The Theory.

A popular keynote speaker and award host, she works consistently to improve diversity in contemporary industry, emphasising social and ethnic diversity are as important as gender. In June 2016 she was voted most influential woman in UK IT by Computer Weekly and also named 2016 Digital Leader of the Year.