Wired And Rooted: The Technology Transforming Access to Justice
In this episode of Fair Enough, we’re exploring the transformative power of technology in promoting access to justice. Hosts Victoria and Lauren are joined by two inspiring guests: Professor Cathy Holloway, a leader in interaction design and innovation, and Elly Savatia, a self-proclaimed tech optimist and social entrepreneur from Nairobi.
This episode considers how technology can bridge communication gaps for marginalised communities, particularly focusing on Elly’s groundbreaking work with Signverse, an AI-driven platform for real-time sign language translation.
The conversation highlights the critical role of inclusive design and the importance of community involvement in shaping technological solutions that address inequalities from the outset.
In this episode:
- The Role of Technology in Reducing Inequality: How technology can transform access to essential services by eliminating reliance on scarce human resources.
- Community-Centric Approaches: The necessity of involving local communities when designing technological solutions.
- Data Justice and Accessibility: Inclusive data and algorithms create inclusive technology.
- Political Dimensions of Technology: The intersection of technology, policy, and the need for systemic change to address entrenched inequalities.
- Wired and Rooted: Exploring the balance between being connected globally while staying grounded in local communities.
Fair Enough is a podcast from UCL’s Grand Challenge of Inequalities, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore innovative ideas and solutions for delivering everyday justice.
Fair Enough is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative
Creators and Guests
Host
Lauren Andres
Lauren Andres is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Professor of Planning and Urban Transformations at The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL, where she serves as Director of Research. An interdisciplinary urban scholar, Lauren explores how cities adapt and transform in times of crisis, from pandemics to emerging technologies. Her work focuses on resilience, sustainability and social justice, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of vulnerable groups, including children and young people. Her recent research spans pandemic recovery, future crisis preparedness, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in urban governance, with projects across the UK, China, and globally.
Host
Victoria Austin
Victoria Austin is Pro-Vice-Provost for Inequalities at UCL Grand Challenges. She is also Associate Professor of Social Justice and Innovation at UCL Engineering and co-founder of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, a global organisation working across 40+ countries to drive disability innovation for a fairer world. She now serves as Strategic Director, having stepped down as founding CEO in 2024. Victoria’s research sits at the intersection of disability justice, technology and urban development, with a strong focus on participatory, real-world solutions. She teaches on UCL East’s Innovation for a Fairer World and co-leads a Master’s on global disability and technology.
