Tech for Good Scotland - 23rd September 10:00-12:00 BST
Hosted at Barclays Eagle Labs Glasgow, Beco Building, 58 Kingston Street, Glasgow, G5 8BP
Tech for Good Scotland is a free networking event for people working in the third sector using digital, data and design to do good stuff. This includes:
- Funders supporting organisations to use technology to better deliver services.
- Public sector folks working in policy, funding and delivery.
- Activists using digital to engage with communities and bring about change.
- Third sector staff and volunteers
- Start-ups and established businesses passionate about tech for good.
Part of the Tech for Good UK Network, there will be two great speakers, you'll get the chance to meet others using digital as a tool for positive change plus the opportunity to share your own work with those attending.
Two amazing speakers and a chance to connect with others passionate about tech for good. Tickets are free thanks to our sponsors.
Join us for coffee connections with a morning pastry plus some incredible speakers. This is our 13th Tech for Good Scotland event!
Here are the speakers and the topics for the Tech For Good Scotland event in September:
'Why Scotland’s Tech Talent and Civil Society Need Each Other'
Led by Shelley Denton (Scotland Women in Technology & Forrit) and Ross McCulloch (Digital Trustees & Third Sector Lab
Scotland’s tech sector has enormous talent, while charities and civil society organisations are facing increasingly complex questions around digital, data, cyber security and AI. This talk explores what can happen when those worlds work more closely together - bringing more tech professionals, and more women in particular, into charity boardrooms. Shelley Denton and Ross McCulloch will share lessons from Women Do Boards and Digital Trustees, and make the case for Scotland to lead the way in building more diverse, digitally confident and effective boards.
Shelly is Growth & Partnerships Director at Forrit. She also sits on the Board of Scotland Women in Technology. She is passionate about inclusivity in technology particularly supporting women from non-traditional technical backgrounds, working parents and carers.
Ross is the founder of Digital Trustees, helping connect tech talent with charity boards who need effective digital governance. Ross has been working in tech for good for over 18 years with Third Sector Lab.
'Ethics, bias and responsible AI - balancing innovation with accountability'
Led by Paola Di Giuseppe
AI systems do not make decisions in a vacuum; they learn from data, assumptions and human choices. This talk will explain how bias can enter AI and machine-learning systems, where those biases originate, and why they can be difficult to identify and eliminate. Using real-world examples, Paolo Di Giuseppe will explore how biased data, inappropriate proxies and design decisions can produce unfair outcomes. The talk will consider who may be affected, the social, ethical and legal consequences, and how organisations can balance innovation with fairness, privacy, accountability and responsible AI practice.
Paola Di Giuseppe is a technologist with over a decade of experience across banking, financial services and the gaming industry. Passionate about human-centred AI, she is about to begin a PhD exploring how AI can better support people with diverse cognitive and communication needs.
Tech for Good Scotland is sponsored by Plinth, Illuminate IT, The Events Hub, First Bus & The Charity Mentoring Network
Remaining sponsors to be announced soon.
One of our previous events: Wednesday 27th August, 10am-12pm
Hosted at BJSS, 180 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2NR
We hosted another successful Tech for Good Scotland event at BJSS in Glasgow. Attendees from various sectors gathered to explore the positive impact of digital, data, and design in the third sector.
We're grateful to all who participated and contributed to the engaging discussions. For those who couldn't attend, we've prepared a recap video highlighting the day's key moments to catch up on the inspiring sessions and collaborative atmosphere.
Here’s what we talked about in August:
Unlocking Impact Through Data Collaboration
with Dr Gemma Cassells, The University of Edinburgh
Join Dr Gemma Cassells, Head of Strategy at The University of Edinburgh, as she explores the transformative potential of data and innovation in the public good. Drawing on her extensive experience in strategic leadership and cross-sector partnerships.
Gemma will share insights on: Building effective data collaborations across organisations The critical role of universities as conveners for change Practical strategies for harnessing data to drive sustainability and better decision-making Whether you’re from academia, government, or the third sector, discover how collaborative approaches to data can unlock new solutions for Scotland and beyond.
Embedding User Centred Design in Organisational Culture
with Tessa Quinn, Scottish Government
Tessa Quinn, Service Owner – Digital Services at The Scottish Government, shares strategies for making user-centred design the backbone of organisational culture. Drawing on her leadership delivering complex digital services for the Ukraine Resettlement Programme and her roles with the Scottish Seabird Centre and the National Trust for Scotland, Tessa shows how user needs can drive decisions and processes. This session explores leadership actions, change management techniques, and community-building approaches to embed a genuine user-centred mindset across teams and sectors. Attendees will gain practical advice on securing executive buy-in, empowering multidisciplinary teams, and sustaining cultures where user voices shape impactful services. Whether in government, the third sector, or cultural organisations, this talk provides real-world lessons and tools to make user-centred design part of your organisation’s DNA—not just a buzzword.
Become a Sponsor of Tech for Good Scotland
Joining forces with Tech for Good Scotland isn't just about putting your name out there; it's about being part of a community that believes technology can make the world a better place.
We're not just talking numbers, but with a reach of over 50,000 people across our social platforms, and an event that brings together over 50 decision-makers from the third, private, and public sectors, the impact could be significant.
By sponsoring our event, you're not just boosting your brand visibility; you're aligning with a mission that matters. Let's make a difference together, in a way that resonates with everyone involved.
Who is Tech for Good Scotland for?
- Anyone working in the third sector using digital, data and design to do good stuff.
- Funders supporting organisations to use technology to better deliver services.
- Public sector folks working in policy, funding and delivery.
- Activists using digital to engage with communities and bring about change.
- Professionals working in businesses and start-ups passionate about tech for good.
Priority ticketing is given to those working in the third sector and community activists. We also have free tickets for funders, start-ups, tech for good businesses and public sector folks.
Third Sector Lab organised Scotland's first meet-ups focused on digital as a tool for social good back in 2010 - Be Good Be Social. Those events ran for almost a decade, bringing together a wide range of people passionate about tech, design and data.
Principles we are working to as part of the Tech for Good UK Network:
- Technology can be a force for good in society
- Work in the open - it makes collaboration easier. We’re here to collaborate, work together and be part of something bigger.
- Lead by example - celebrate the radical approaches brought by everyone in the community and understand that people have different lived experiences.
- Do no harm / operate responsibly - despite our best intentions, no one is exempt from making a mistake. But we strive to do our utmost best to ensure we’re accountable for our actions.
- Don’t ponder, do. But do so responsibly.
Why is it 10am-12pm?
I ran a poll on Twitter and this time slot was most popular. It allows folks from outwith Glasgow to get in easily and it allows working parents & carers to attend without lots of planning. Unfortunately no timeslot we choose is going to be perfect for everyone. We will see how this goes and we can change timings for the next one if there's enough demand.