Francesca Bria to give the inaugural lecture for the academic year 2021/2022

We are kicking off the UOC's 26th academic year with the inaugural lecture "A digital green deal for Europe's technological sovereignty" by Francesca Bria, an innovation and digital policy expert and advisor.

Bria's work focuses on finding improved ways for cities and people to benefit from data and technology, arguing that technological sovereignty means putting data in the hands of the public.

She currently chairs the Italian National Innovation Fund and is a senior advisor to the New European Bauhaus, a cultural, economic and environmental project led by the European Commission. From 2015 to 2019, she was Chief Technology and Digital Innovation Officer for Barcelona City Council. Tasked with leading the city's digital transformation, she explored ways to harness data and technology to help tackle urban challenges.

Bria is also a researcher and teaching associate at Imperial College Business School in London. With a background in social sciences and innovation economics, she has earned a master's degree in E-Business and Innovation from University College of London, Birkbeck, and a doctoral degree from Imperial College.

UOC President Josep A. Planell, the President of UOC’s Board of Trustees Pere Vallès and Minister of Research and Universities Gemma Geis will also participate in the event.

It will be held in hybrid format (onsite and online) and attendance will require previous registration.