Followed by Q&A

An expert panel will discuss the current situation with FOI in the UK, and how it has shaped power and public life over the last 21 years.

Panellists:
– Jenna Corderoy, Investigative reporter, Democracy for Sale
– Warren Seddon, Director of FOI and Transparency, Information Commissioner’s Office
– Maurice Frankel, Chief Executive, Campaign for Freedom of Information
– Rose Whiffen, Senior Research Officer, Transparency International UK
– Gavin Freeguard, State of the Future – MODERATOR

Learn from others working on and using FOI to drive public-interest campaigns, investigations, and research, via a series of fast-paced talks.

Speakers:
– Eleanor Shaikh, campaigner for justice and transparency in the Post Office Horizon scandal, and author of ‘Origins of a Disaster’
– Isaac Beavor, Partnerships Director, Climate Emergency UK
– Andreas Pavlou, Lead at Open Government Partnership Independent Reporting Mechanism

Hear more detailed tips and tricks for practical use of FOI. Hear real-world examples, get inspired by innovative uses of FOI, and leave with practical ideas you can apply in your work.
Speakers:
– George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter at The Times
– Ben Worthy, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Birkbeck College

Please note lunch is not provided by the conference, but there is a food market and a variety of shops/cafes in the surrounding area. Delegates are welcome to bring their food back into the networking area to eat with fellow attendees.

If you’d like to spend some of your lunch break getting to know your fellow attendees, join this networking session.

Followed by Q&A

Panellists will discuss opportunities and challenges for FOI going forwards, touching on topics such as the delivery of public services by private companies and changing technology and AI.

Panellists:
– David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner
– Carole Ewart, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS)
– Louise Crow, Chief Executive, mySociety
– Ben Worthy, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Birkbeck College
– Alex Parsons, Democracy Lead, mySociety – MODERATOR

Hear more detailed tips and tricks for practical use of FOI. Hear real-world examples, get inspired by innovative uses of FOI, and leave with practical ideas you can apply in your work.
Speakers:
– Maurice Frankel, Chief Executive, Campaign for Freedom of Information
– Martin Rosenbaum, Author of Freedom of Information: A Practical Guidebook
– Julia Cushion (Policy and Advocacy Manager) & Gareth Rees (Transparency Lead), mySociety

Learn from others who have been using FOI in their work and campaigns via a series of fast-paced talks.
Speakers:
– Alex Homer, Senior Journalist at the BBC Shared Data Unit
– Carole Ewart, Director, Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS)
– More TBC

Hear about the next steps for the FOI Network.

Feel free to stay to enjoy some drinks and chatting with fellow attendees. Location will be shared when confirmed, but will be within walking distance of the conference venue.