In summary

  • Professor Anthony McCosker has been appointed as the new Director of Swinburne's Social Innovation Research Institute
  • A leader in digital inclusion, Anthony will drive Swinburne’s research into social innovation in the digital economy
  • The Social Innovation Research Institute was established to advance cross-disciplinary research to study how technology can be incorporated into daily life for social good

Digital inclusion expert, Professor Anthony McCosker, has been appointed as the new Director of Swinburne University of Technology’s Social Innovation Research Institute.

The Social Innovation Research Institute works at the intersection of social challenges and technological potential, striving for greater social equity and digital inclusion.

Its cross-disciplinary research leads social innovation in the digital economy by combining social sciences and behavioural sciences capabilities with expertise in cutting-edge design, technology development, data analytics, business and communications.

The Institute works with communities, industry and non-profit organisations to co-create solutions to complex social problems – often exploring social impacts of technology and how technology can be best incorporated into daily life, for social good.

Swinburne's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Karen Hapgood, welcomed Professor McCosker to the position.

“Anthony's research expertise, extensive collaboration with industry and leadership experience make him the ideal candidate for leading Swinburne’s Social Innovation Research Institute into the future,” Professor Hapgood said.

“Under his guidance, the Social Innovation Research Institute will continue to support people and technology in tackling intricate social challenges, resulting in tangible real-world impact.”

A leader in digital inequality and data-driven social innovation

Professor McCosker has a specific research interest in digital inclusion and inequalities associated with technology.

His current research also addresses the social issues related to automation, machine vision and AI technologies, and the need for community-led approaches to data and analytics.

Professor McCosker has previously held a leadership role within the Social Innovation Research Institute as Deputy Director.

He also leads Swinburne’s involvement in the ARC Centre of Excellence in Automated Decision Making and Society (AMD+S).

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