Following hot-on-the-heels of the DIGIT Lab research centre kick-off earlier this year, we’ve been busy putting together the framework and support structures to get moving. We have an exciting research agenda planned for this 5-year programme. We’re now ramping up, building momentum across various work packages we have underway.
The launch event webinar (on 21 September) was an important milestone for the DIGIT Lab team. It provided an opportunity to: review initial progress, describe key focus areas, and reach out to the broad research community. Their involvement is an important part of the work taking place.
The event kicked off with 2 short talks. The first, offering a perspective on the opportunities and challenges for digital transformation. The second, throwing out a call to the community to drive research toward industry impact.
The first talk was delivered by Rashik Parmar, IBM Fellow and VP of Technology for EMEA. He reviewed the digital technology landscape and the acceleration in digital adoption due to Covid. For leaders looking for help through the turmoil of digital disruption, Rashik highlighted 3 key areas: surviving, simplifying, and scaling.
In the second talk, Esra Kasapoglu, senior partner focused on the data economy and AI at Innovate UK, highlighted the critical responsibilities placed on all researchers and practitioners. In this complex and volatile period, she urged researchers to adopt a human-centric position. Their role, Esra noted, is to better understand the world around them, so that they can better overcome its biggest challenges. Esra emphasised the importance of collaboration of researchers with businesses, and with policymakers at national and international levels. This collaborative approach ensures balance across the needs of people, planet, and profit.
In response, the DIGIT Lab team outlined the aims and objectives for the programme, and the progress made with industry partners in defining the problem areas impacting their work. Tied to this, the team presented the research objectives and initial research focus. They are exploring 4 areas, essential to understanding how to accelerate digital transformation in large established organizations:
– technology maturity and adoption
– business model innovation
–organizational change
– individual wellbeing
Our team ended by describing several different ways that researchers and practitioners can join the DIGIT Lab team. Lastly, the audience raised a series of interesting questions, exploring responsible and future-proof approaches to digital transformation.
We’re on our way! We invite you all to join us on this incredible journey. Get in touch and let’s start the conversation about how you can be part of the team!
If you missed the event, don’t worry! A recording is available for viewing at any time at:
digit.ac.uk/the-digit-lab-launch
digit.ac.uk/the-digit-lab-launch
