Human-centred technology solutions for a world we can trust

I’m Prof. Bran Knowles, a consultant, researcher, and educator leveraging 15+ years of experience in sociotechnical issues and human-centred innovation.

My work explores attitudes to technology, focusing specifically on what people’s distrust tells us about the important matters at stake when navigating encounters with technology, and how that informs what developers ought to do to meaningfully address these matters.

I work with clients to elicit human-centred and context-specific insights into what may be contributing to people's distrust of AI products. My work is entirely bespoke, tailored to my clients’ individual needs. 

My Background

The primary hat I wear is Professor of Sociotechnical Systems at Lancaster University, based in the School of Computing and Communications.

Over the years I have accumulated an abundance of degrees in various subjects, which gives me a truly interdisciplinary perspective.

I have a BA in Comparative Human Development (combining psychology, sociology, and anthropology), a Masters of Fine Arts (in visual communication), a Masters of Design Ethnography (which taught me the skills for eliciting context-specific insights for design of technologies), and both a Masters of Research and PhD in Digital Innovation.

More about me as a person

I am supported by my wonderful husband, and I am inspired by my two kids to want to help create a better world. (See below our family’s Space Selfie.)

Other things to know about me: In addition to being a legit trust nerd and social justice warrior, I am an avid jigsaw puzzler, dynamite drummer, true crime fanatic, and rocks and minerals enthusiast.

Follow my work

You can subscribe to my Substack to receive newsletters filled with reflections on creating technologies for a world we can trust. You can receive these newsletters by subscribing for free, but paid subscribers receive various additional content. See pricing and benefits on Substack. 


Should you wish to engage with my academic work, all of my research publications can be found on my Google Scholar page. You can also find me on LinkedIn.

Testimonials

  • Dr. Bran Knowles is a rare individual who is able to connect deeply philosophical concepts all the way through to operationalized technical solutions that are deployed in the real world. Her expertise in the concepts of trust and trustworthiness are top notch.

    Kush Varshney, IBM Fellow

  • I first came across Bran’s research on trust and technology while leading the public research team at the Ada Lovelace Institute. Not only were her papers and ideas fundamental to shaping our work, but she kindly offered expertise and advice on several projects. She’s a leading thinker in this field and the first person I think of when the question of trust and technology while leading comes up in my work.

    Aidan Peppin, UK & EU policy at Cohere

  • For me, Bran is one of the leading international thinkers about trust, privacy and ethical considerations around contemporary computer technology, including around AI. I have had the pleasure of working with her directly on the environmental impact of computer technology and she brings a unique multi-disciplinary lens to this topic, coupled with a strong desire to promote responsible innovation. She is also a wonderful collaborator, and a terrific person to work with.

    Gordon Blair, Head of Environmental Digital Strategy, UKCEH