• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
The Data Lab

The Data Lab

Pruple button with the word menu
  • About Us
        • About Us

           
          Visit our About Us page

        • Careers
        • Our Team
        • Impact
        • The Scottish AI Alliance
        • Contact us
  • Business
        • For Business

           

          Visit our Business Support page

        • Access Talent
        • Funding and Business Support
        • Partnerships
  • Professionals
        • For Professionals

           

          Visit our Professional Development page

        • Online Courses
        • Data Skills for Work
  • Students
        • For Students

           

          Visit our Students page

        • The Data Lab Academy
        • Student Placements
        • Scholarships
  • Universities and Colleges
        • For Universities and Colleges

           

          Visit our Universities and Colleges page

        • Funding and Support
        • Collaborate and Innovate
        • Academic Projects
  • Community
        • Community

           

          Visit our Community page

        • Online Community
        • News
        • Case Studies
        • DataFest

First group of speakers at Data Summit 18 announced

News 25/01/2018

What an amazing line up, it’s going to be fascinating hearing what they have to say!

These well regarded figures of the data science world have a wide array of experience and interests that they are going to share with us. Here is just a little introduction to each of them:

  • Dr Hannah Fry: Mathematician, broadcaster, and lecturer in the Mathematics of Cities

A regular presenter of science and maths programmes on BBC TV and radio, Fry takes unusual examples of how data and models are used in everything from locating serial killers, the analysis of fertility in cows, and predicting malarial water sources. She uses these illustrations to examine how data is collected, used, how reliable it is and what its limitations are. Read our guest blog about Data Warrior Hannah Fry

  • Marios Michaelidis: Research Data Scientist, H2O.ai

A Competitive data scientist at H2O.ai developing an AI for automated machine learning solutions called Driverless AI.In his spare time he loves competing on data science challenges and was ranked 1st out of 500,000 members in the popular Kaggle data competition platform.

  • Erin Akred: Lead Data Scientist, DataKind

Read more about Data Warrior Erin Akred’s beliefs in harnessing the power of data for the service of humanity.

  • Alex Depledge: Co-founder and former CEO of tech start-up, Hassle.com

Depledge looks at broader areas within digital and technology, at the threats and opportunities automation and AI offer, including the future for workplaces and workforces. She also shares her experiences and opinions on women in technology, the sharing and gig economy, and the future of the tech sector.

  • Chris Speed: Chair of Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh

Speed co-directs the Design Informatics Research Centre that is home to a combination of researchers working across the fields of interaction design, temporal design, human geography, software engineering and digital architecture.

  • Orsola De Marco: Head of Startups, Open Data Institute

She currently leads two startup programmes, the ODI startup accelerator for data-driven companies and the OpenData Incubator for Europe. De Marco is passionate about how open data and digital tools can help solve real challenges.

  • Dr Iain Brown: Lead Data Scientist, SAS specialising in Credit Risk, AI and Machine Learning.

In the course of his career, Brown has spoken at a number of internationally renowned conferences and conventions and has papers published in the European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Forecasting and the Journal of Expert Systems with Applications.

  • Dr Mhairi Aitken: Research Fellow, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh

With a background in Sociology her research examines the social and ethical dimensions of data science particularly relating to health research.

  • Eddie Copeland: Director of Government Innovation, Nesta

He leads the organisation’s work on city data analytics, behavioural insights, digital government and digital democracy. Copeland is a regular writer and speaker on how government and public sector organisations can deliver more and better with less through smarter use of people, data and technology.

  • Stefaan Verhulst: Co-founder and Chief Research and Development Officer, The Gov Lab

Specifically, he is interested in the perils and promise of collaborative technologies and how to harness the unprecedented volume of data to advance the public good.

And this is just the first group of speakers to be announced! We’re sure you’ll agree that this incredible line up of talent, brainpower and expertise in the world of data are going to deliver some truly thought provoking ideas.

Have you got your Data Summit 18 tickets yet?

Innovate • Support • Grow • Respect

Get in touch

t: +44 (0) 131 651 4905

info@thedatalab.com

Follow us on social

  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

The Data Lab is part of the University of Edinburgh, a charitable body registered in Scotland with registration number SC005336.

  • Contact us
  • Partnerships
  • Website Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2025 The Data Lab