Siani Pearson

Siani is a technologist, drawn to challenges which require an interdisciplinary approach. After graduating in mathematics and philosophy at Oxford University, she became interested in artificial intelligence and carried out research in this area as a Research Fellow at Cambridge University.  Subsequently she became Principal Research Scientist at Hewlett Packard Labs, focusing on security and privacy. She was the editor of the first book on Trusted Computing and Scientific Co-ordinator of a major European FP7 research project on Accountability for the Cloud (A4Cloud) and then Vice President of UK Cloud Security Alliance and Program Chair of IEEE CloudCom 2013/4. 

In 2017 she was given the William Winsborough award for a life achievement in privacy and trust management.  That year she moved to Malvern to help look after her parents. Since then she has been strongly drawn to look further at the ethical impact of technology. She also finds time to enjoy the various cultural, educational and outdoor activities which Malvern has to offer.  

Why I work for JAAG?

During decades of applied research to develop innovative technology, I saw first hand how technology is a two edged sword. Its effects can be beneficial or harmful to individuals and society, depending on the way that it is applied. I became increasingly interested in how the beneficial effects can be obtained whilst the harmful effects can be avoided. Solutions require people from interdisciplinary backgrounds working together, and this is what I have tried to do for some time. Activism is a useful part of this. I was drawn to JAAG because of its aim to work for greater social justice and to raise awareness of and help prevent harm which may arise from application of technology. Our group involves a number of people from complementary backgrounds who basically want to use their expertise to try to make the world a better place.