The Board of Directors oversees Open Rights Group's work, which includes staffing, fundraising and responsibility for policy.
After a career as a software engineer, Emma sucessfully undertook a PhD in computer science. Emma currently employed as a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Her research interests include artificial intelligence (she recently worked on the Robot Scientist project at Aberystwyth University) and the use of technology in the NHS, (she previously worked on the independent evaluation of the Summary Care Record at UCL and is now working on an evaluation of the use of structured and coded data.)
Simon is a digital communications consultant helping organisations adapt to the digital society through researching emerging trends, developing creative communications strategies and delivering workshops and training. He is the author of academic research examining the shifting role of political communications in the online space and has presented at international conferences - for both academic and business audiences. Simon has worked with a range of global organisations and brands with the specialist social media agency We Are Social, PR firms Weber Shandwick and Edelman. He holds an MA in Modern Literature & Culture and a BA in English and Related Literature from the University of York as well as a post-graduate diploma in PR from Leeds Metropolitan University.
James is a technologist. He has worked on the UK Internet scene since before the web was invented as developer, systems administrator, technical director or CTO for a number of top UK ISPs, service providers and media companies. James is recognized as an e-democracy pioneer having co-founded the UK's most successful e-democracy project, volunteer-run service: FaxYourMP. He is the co-founder of mySociety.org and TheyWorkForYou.com and serves as the Chairman and director of their parent registered charity: UK Citizens Online Democracy. James has been active in numerous multi award-winning online campaigning organisations, such as the anti internet snooping bill project: Stand. He volunteers for Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth and is a board member of the NO2ID campaign. Currently for a day job James is Executive Director and Chief Architect of the e-commerce software as a service company, Venda, which he co-founded. Here he provides market leading on-demand, global e-commerce capabilities on a fully managed basis to more than 200 of the world's most significant and successful retailers. For fun, he runs the UK's finest boutique chocolate shop, Paul A Young Fine Chocolates, with his business partner.
Ben is one of the UK's foremost experts in security. He is the Director of Security for The Bunker Secure Hosting, where he has worked since 1984 and is responsible for security, cryptography and network design. He is the author of Apache-SSL, the global number one open source secure internet web server, and is a core team member of OpenSSL, the world’s most widely used cryptographic library. He is co-author of Apache: The Definitive Guide, is a founding Director of Apache Software Foundation (ASF) and the Head of the ASF Security Team.
Neil is a linux geek and a politician. He currently works on IPTV systems, the Debian GNU/Linux Project and is a councillor for the Liberal Democrats in Cambridge. Previous experince includes working for online photograpy hosting companies and speaking at the Convention for Modern Liberty. Having previously been a board member for Software in the Public Interest, inc, he is now the chair of trustees for a local community centre, a primary school governor and a board observer for a music and arts centre.
Harry is a web geek and entrepreneur. He created TellThemWhatYouThink.org, a site that automatically aggregates central government consultation documents. His company, The Dextrous Web, helps public sector organisations to get things right on the web. They have worked with a variety of clients including The Cabinet Office, The Department of Health and Guardian News & Media.. He has been involved with the Open Rights Group since its inception. He has a particular interest in making public sector information discoverable and resuable, fighting for copyright reform, making public consultation more transparent and accountable and strengthening the Freedom of Information Act.
Danny has documented and fought for digital rights in the UK for over a decade, where he also assisted in building tools of open democracy like Fax Your MP. He founded the award-winning NTK newsletter, has written and presented science and travel shows for the BBC, performed a solo show about the Net in the London's West End, and accidentally started the self-improvement "life hacks" movement. He currently lives in the United States, where he is Activism Coordinator for the Electronic Frontier Foundation
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Vijay is a technology, media and telecommunications executive and is CEO of Caucus, a digital communities business he founded in conjunction with Chime Communications plc. Vijay has previously worked as an executive and/or consultant with leading TMT companies in the UK such as BSkyB, News International, Tiscali and Video Networks. Vijay who holds a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and an MBA from London Business School.
The Open Rights Group is its supporters. ORG makes things happen because you care.
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