Karen Elliott

• Machine Learning Course, London School of Economics, May-July 2021, Distinction.
• R and Python course, Jumping Rivers, April-June 2019.
• Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) Expert Course,University ofSt Gallen, Switzerland, Grade ‘A’ achieved, 6-24 June 2016.
• Durham University, PhD: Sociology, 2006 to 2013 (passed unconditionally) ‘Policy implementation as a wicked problem: A study of the horse-world’ (funded by DEFRA).
• Durham University, MA: Social Research Methods, (Sociology), 2004-2006.
• University of Sunderland, PGC: Human Resource Management, 2000-2001.
• University of Teesside, BSc (Hons): Sport Science, Upper Second Class, 1996-1999.

Professor Karen Elliott is Chair of Practice in Finance and FinTech at Birmingham University Business School and Co-Director of the FinTech MSc Degree Programme. She has been named as ‘Standout #35 Women in FinTech Powerlist by Innovate Finance’ for Policy and Governance 2019, 2020 and listed for the new Hubs (governance) category in 2021. Furthermore, part of the Kalifa Review commissioned by HMT to drive the future of Financial Services and FinTech. Karen co-leads FinTrust, Agency, and the UKFin Network+ projects (£1.2m/£3.5m/£2.5m EPSRC/UKRI) with Prof van Moorsel to optimise trustworthy, responsible, and ethical AI, engineered to deliver citizen transparency, fairness, and inclusion. Likewise, co-led Finclusion (Gates Foundation/Turing Institute £100k), which explored verifiable credentials for vulnerable groups, focusing on dementia in the digital economy following her mother’s diagnosis.

Prior to joining academia, she worked as a project, change, and programme manager across public, private, and voluntary sectors. She has publications in international journals including IEEE (4*), ACM (4*), IJOPM (4*), CHI (3*), ERM (3*), Springer Nature: Society (3*), JOCM (2*), Big Data and Society (2*), Technology in Society (2*), whilst on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies (JEEE) and reviewing for several journals and UKRI grants. She forms part of The IEEE Global Initiative on Ethics of Autonomous and Intelligent Systems, (“The IEEE Global Initiative”) establishing ethical and social implementations for intelligent and autonomous systems and technologies inspiring the creation of Standards (IEEE P7000™ series and beyond). A member of the Prime Minister’s Champions Group for Dementia, Corporate Digital Responsibility, ForHumanity, Radix, the IEEE Global Initiative Planet Positive and an Ambassador for the Digital Poverty Alliance, Karen creates a fusion of academic and practical ethical considerations at the individual and societal level, seeking to find balance for an equitable digital society while protecting and sustaining the planet.

Co-Director of MSc Fintech

• Fintech
• Corporate Digital Responsibility
• Data and Digital Ethics
• Financial Inclusion
• Sustainable Finance
• Responsible Innovation

Co-I for UKFin+ Network EPSRC (£2.5m)

Co-I for AGENCY EPSRC (£3.5m) 

Research areas are as above:

• Fintech
• Corporate Digital Responsibility
• Data and Digital Ethics
• Financial Inclusion
• Sustainable Finance
• Responsible Innovation

• Member of Prime Minister Champions Group for Dementia – Digital Inclusion Lead, to inform the new strategy in development.  Attend bi-monthly meetings, draft strategy segments and provide research insights, attend meetings with government ministers.
• Ambassador for the Digital Poverty Alliance - Attend quarterly meetings and assist other Ambassadors with a recycling scheme to repurpose devices to underprivileged areas.  In addition, provide research guidance and speak at events to inform policy.  The DPA is led by Lord Knight and Industry with Paul Finnis (see website for further details).
• Corporate Digital Responsibility (.net) – founding member and work collectively on production of outputs. Part of the Digital Responsibility Forum – launching 2023, to provide CDR as a service, a mixture of academic and industry collaboration. Quarterly meetings and joint papers/reports.
• IEEE Global Planet Positive – attend events and provide input into IEEE standards based on ethical AI, CDR, and digital inclusion. Quarterly meetings.
• Radix – EU based think tank on digital issues. Quarterly meetings and research-based insights when requested.