Gemma Milne

Research Associate

2024 - Current

Working on the FRIL (Financial Regulation Innovation Lab) project, focused on shaping future regulatory landscapes in the field of financial services and the use of cutting-edge technologies in the sector. My work within the project focuses on emerging technology regulation (e.g. space technologies, quantum computing, AI), social trends in digital finance (e.g. retail trading, crypto, finfluencers), and new educational structures for closing relevant skills gaps (with respect to core FRIL themes of financial inclusion, financial crime, consumer duty, and ESG).

Research Fellow

2023 - 2024

Interdisciplinary Research Fellow in Digital Society and Economy in the College of Social Sciences. Lecturer on Science Journalism masters' course Oct 2023 - Jan 2024, and a masters supervisor across the School of Social Science.

Research Associate

2022 - 2023

Working in the Social & Digital Change Group, I am working on various research projects including: - Researching the role of digital technology in outdoor learning - Researching shared energy-use by estate residents - Researching digital network development across academia, industry and government I guest lectured on the Digital Society masters course and was a masters supervisor across the School of Social Science.

Research Affiliate

2023

Doctoral Researcher

2022

Researching the political economy of corporate futurism. Interested in all things economic sociology, critical management studies, science & technology studies and political economy of science. (Recommenced my PhD (post-maternity leave) after completing my 1st year at UCL.)

External Assessor

2018

I assess applications for various Innovate UK competitions including: - Smart Grants - Farming Innovation Programme - Innovation in Professional & Financial Services - UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships - Creative Catalyst - Women in Innovation - Young Innovators - Inclusive Innovation

Tech & Science Writer

2016

I'm a freelance writer, covering various topics across tech, science, health innovation and culture. I have worked with titles such as Forbes, The Guardian, the BBC, Wired, Quartz, The Times and others. I am author of 'Smoke & Mirrors: How Hype Obscures the Future and How to See Past it'. With a broad knowledge of exponential technology and a strategic mind, I write about the impact these advancements will have on society. Examples of work and showreel can be found at gemmamilne.co.uk

Co Host

2016

Science: Disrupt is a media platform hosting open discussions about disruption of the science industry with the iconoclasts, innovators and entrepreneurs intent on creating change. We publish bi-weekly podcast episodes and unique editorials spanning the scientific ecosystem. Check us out here: www.sciencedisrupt.com

CIRCE Research Fellow

2023 - 2023

6 month fellowship researching: "Realising the potential of CCE in enhancing (political) imagination in the new space sector" The imagination plays an outsized role in the outer space sector. From sci-fi adventures and educational scientism, to mission-orientated politics and corporate space visions; imagination creates momentum in space-based fields, shaping marketing, hiring, sales, investment and lobbying. Fredric Jameson famously said it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. We are arguably ‘risk creatures’, stopping ourselves from creating the future we want due to the imagined and material barriers of modern society. VC is chased, IP is imprisoned, ownership is concentrated; potentially harmful power structures are created in the name of ‘getting innovation done’. If the space sector is to avoid replicating harm, a different kind of imagination is required. By exploring creative practices designed to enhance imagination, I will investigate the role the cultural and creative economies can play in imagining a ‘prefigurative politics’ for the space sector. Research report to be published Nov 2023.

Doctoral Researcher

2020 - 2021

Completed my first year of my PhD at UCL researching the ethics, responsibility and political economy of corporate futurists. (Moved to Edinburgh for remainder of PhD due to becoming a parent and moving to Scotland.)

Venture Scout

2019 - 2021

Worked as a Venture Scout focused mainly on startups: - predominantly in Europe - raising seed (£500k-£3m) - preferably deep tech - with a demonstrable technology or market advantage

Contributor

2018 - 2020

I covered deep tech and science startups in the European ecosystem.