Tech4Good South West: Key Takeaways from Our Panel at TechExeter

On November 1st, Tech4Good South West hosted a panel discussion at Tech Exeter, delving into the theme of Responsible Technology - beyond buzzword and towards a concrete business consideration.  Our panellists, representing diverse sectors and perspectives, shared valuable insights on what it means to practise responsible tech, the challenges involved, and how to translate principles into action. The discussion was expertly facilitated by Alex Mecklenburg , whose experience guiding senior leaders on how to grow alongside their organisations and foster healthy relationships, ethical decision-making, resilience, and innovation, focused the discussion.  

Defining and Understanding Responsible Tech

A recurring theme was the importance of establishing a shared understanding of responsible technology. Lucy Gower , with her experience in leadership development, highlighted the need for open dialogue and safe spaces to explore different interpretations within specific contexts. This resonated with Ed Howarth 's observations from the funder's perspective, where a lack of common language and understanding often hinders progress. Ed, whose background spans both the VCSE sector and funding organisations, offered unique insights into the challenges of integrating responsible tech practices in grant-making. Alex highlighted the necessity of clear definitions and shared language to enable meaningful discussions and progress.  

Bridging the Gap: Community Perspectives 

Yudi Wu , a creative producer and practitioner, brought a crucial perspective to the discussion, highlighting the disconnect between the concept of responsible tech and the realities faced by many community groups. Yudi emphasised the challenges of access, digital literacy, and the need for community-led solutions and the importance of ensuring that responsible tech initiatives are inclusive and address the needs of marginalised communities. Ed highlighted the fact that community organisations do this well - they know problems their communities are facing, and urged the tech sector to create cross-sector collaborations.

Leadership and Culture 

Ann Holman , COO of Plymouth Marjon University, emphasised the crucial role of leadership in driving responsible tech practices within organisations, and the importance of creating a culture where ethical considerations are embedded in every decision, from strategic planning to day-to-day operations.  

From Principles to Practice

Translating the concept of responsible tech into practical action is a challenge many organisations face. Gavin Jones , Head of Innovation at Elixel , advocated for human-centred design thinking, involving diverse stakeholders in the development process to ensure solutions are equitable and inclusive. Ed also highlighted the role of funders in influencing responsible practices through grant contracts and other mechanisms, suggesting that funders have a significant opportunity to drive change in the sector with the inevitable power and influence they hold. Gavin also brought the point that procurement processes do not allow time to “get hands on” and to deeply understand the problem you need to solve. 

The panel discussion highlighted the complexity of responsible technology and the need for ongoing dialogue and collaboration - humans come first, not the technology. 

The panel was followed by a workshop led by Alex introducing “Consequence Scanning,” a practice to help organisations anticipate unintended outcomes and ensure technology aligns with ethical and societal goals, promoting responsible technology by integrating impact considerations into business practices.  Find out more at Consequence Scanning – an agile practice for responsible innovators.