Star line-up in digital debate at Edge Hill University

Four of the country’s leading commentators on the digital revolution will visit Edge Hill University’s Ormskirk Campus for Manifesto for Change: A Debate on Britain’s Digital Future on Thursday 16 September at 5:00pm.

The last decade has seen the world undergo unprecedented change because of new technologies, particularly the Internet, which has transformed so many aspects of everyday life. It’s exciting, it’s interesting and it’s challenging. But how do you ensure the digital revolution benefits everyone?

The eminent panel will discuss how the Internet affects children, education and the media, and will address the issue of digital inclusion, examining why 10m UK citizens still aren’t online. 

The audience will have the chance to put questions to the panel and cast a live vote on each digital manifesto during the event that promises to be the highlight of University’s anniversary programme. 

Professor Tanya Byron, Chancellor of Edge Hill University and chair of the debate, said:  “We now live in an age in which digital technologies play a key role in our lives. They've opened up endless opportunities for us to learn, communicate and be creative, and are constantly evolving at an ever increasing pace. While this is tremendously exciting, we must ensure the UK is not left behind in developing a strong and secure digital economy and a society of competent and confident digital citizens.

“This wonderful panel have agreed to come to Edge Hill University to discuss the key issues surrounding the development of UK digital policy which will ensure that we are secure in our digital future.” 

Dr John Cater, Vice-Chancellor of Edge Hill University, said: “This is the most significant public gathering of experts on the digital revolution in the United Kingdom this year, bringing together the author of the Government's report on Internet Safety, the Chair of the UK Digital Content Forum, the founder of Lastminute.com and the Government's Digital Champion, and the Oscar-winning film producer and Chair of the National Film and Television School.  We are delighted, honoured and privileged that they have all committed themselves to debating Britain's digital future at this University as part of our 125th anniversary celebrations."

Professor Tanya Byron is a clinical psychologist, Government advisor, writer and Edge Hill University’s Chancellor. She has published two Government reports on child internet safety – The Byron Review in 2008 and more recently the Byron Progress Review – which looks at the risks to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the Internet and in video games. Professor Byron writes a weekly column for The Times and is well known from BBC TV series such as Teen Angels, House of Tiny Tearaways and Am I Normal?

Martha Lane Fox is Government Digital Champion and leads the Race Online 2012 initiative which aims to get 10m people who are currently unable to access the Internet online by 2012. Previously, Martha co-founded lastminute.com and Lucky Voice. In 2007, she launched Antigone, a grant-giving foundation that supports education, health and criminal justice. She is non-executive director for Marks & Spencer, Channel 4 Television and Mydeco.

Anthony Lilley is a BAFTA-winning media producer and CEO of media production company Magic Lantern. He works extensively on media policy and has advised several Government departments. He has chaired the UK Digital Content Forum and was a member of the Steering Board for the Government’s Creative Economy Programme, speaking and writing widely on the future of the media.

Lord Puttnam is a renowned Oscar-winning film producer and a Labour Peer with a strong commitment to education and the potential of digital media .He has held many senior posts across the private and public sector including founding chairman of NESTA (The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) and the National Teaching Awards, Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and Vice President of BAFTA.  His current posts include serving as Deputy Chairman of Channel 4, Chancellor of the Open University and Chairman of Futurelab and of the Sage Gateshead.

The event is free to attend. To book a place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Be quick – places are limited.

Watch Professor Tanya Byron talk about Manifesto For Change here.