Edinburgh Napier’s Professor Bill Buchanan and arts impresario Richard Demarco will examine the capital in terms of its “Digital New Town” and artistic and cultural life.
The event at the university on April 30 will raise challenges and ask what needs to be done, and what engagements, investments, conversations and critical thinking is needed, to make it a world-leading city.
Devised by David Petherick of LinkedInLocal Edinburgh, this inaugural talk will be followed by an interview with ‘The Two Professors’, followed by what promises to be a lively Question and Answer session with a 200-strong audience. It is hoped the event will be the first in a series of talks examining the future of the city.
Professor Buchanan, from the School of Computing, will use the discussion at the ‘Egg’ building on the Craiglockhart Campus to outline the strengths of the city and the opportunities that exist within computer science, especially around areas such as Blockchain, AI and Fintech.
However, he will also outline the risks that the city faces, and the challenges that hold it back from being truly defined as a smart city. He will propose new ways of engaging with citizens and businesses, and to use data to drive innovation.
Richard Demarco will draw on his memories of every single Edinburgh Festival to consider the question of what in Edinburgh’s artistic history are key markers for its future.
Professor Buchanan was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to cyber security. He recently received an award for his outstanding contribution to Knowledge Exchange. His research has led to three successful spin-out companies, and a number of patents.
His main focus is around cryptography, Blockchain, information sharing, such as using Trust and Governance Policies, threat analysis, e-Health, and triage within digital forensics.
Richard Demarco is a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, having studied mural painting, book illustration, book binding, printmaking, as well as life drawing and painting. He taught at the Scotus Academy, and has seven honorary doctorates from seven universities.
The purpose of LinkedInLocal Edinburgh is to encourage diverse connections, meet-ups and networking among local LinkedIn Members.
Book tickets free online for the event, from 6pm on April 30, here