Core team

• Professor Daniel Neyland, Co-Director
  Daniel, is a social scientist and Professor of digital futures in the Bristol University Business School. For over 20 years he has worked on collaborative sociotechnical research projects, often working with computer scientists and engineers to come up with new ways of working and thinking. From studies of the everyday life of algorithms through to research on markets for digital data, he has demonstrated a commitment to challenging taken for granted assumptions regarding: the relationship between problems and solutions; what it means to govern and distribute relations of accountability and responsibility; and how we ought to go about the process of doing research.
  PA: christophe.burton@bristol.ac.uk
• Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, Co-Director
  Dimitra, is Professor of High-Performance Networks and Director of Smart Internet Lab at the University of Bristol. Her specialisms are in the fields of high-performance networks, programmable networks, wireless-optical convergence, 5G and smart city infrastructures. Dimitra has been the Technical Architect and the CTO of the smart city project, Bristol Is Open, and leads the Bristol City/Region 5G urban pilots.
  PA: pa-simeonidou@bristol.ac.uk
• Dr Jenny Knapp, Director of Programmes and Operations
  Jenny is responsible for delivering BDFI’s major programmes and directing BDFI operations and our specialist facilities. This includes BDFI’s two Research England funded UKRPIF programmes: a £29m capital investment in BDFI’s buildings and specialist facilities, with £71m matched funding from 28 partners, University of Bristol and Donors; and a £2.5m capital funding for BDFI’s Net Zero Sustainable Campus Testbed. Jenny has a background in interdisciplinary collaborative research, innovation and management both in academia and with industry and governments.
Institute Manager (vacant)
The role of BDFI Institute Manager is currently being recruited.




• Sophie Turner, Project Manager
  Sophie is seconded to BDFI from the University’s Strategic Programmes and Projects Team and is assisting with the implementation of the Research England grant.

• Kobi Merrikin, Senior Operations Administrator
  Kobi provides operational support and administration for BDFI including processes, asset management and use of facilities. She has a background in sustainability auditing, data management and business operations.
• Chris Burton, Research Administrator
  Chris provides administrative support to the institute and its members, including finances, diary management, event support, and governance.
• Guy Lowin, Technical Architect
  Guy is the lead architect designing the Reality Emulator and Net Zero projects, from an ITS perspective.
• Karen Howard, Events and Projects Officer
  Karen is responsible for a vibrant portfolio of events that support our academic and partner community - from seminars to Symposiums. She also offers assistance on individual BDFI research projects which stem from these interactions.
• Sam Hume, Business Development Manager
  Sam is responsible for business development in BDFI and is a key contact for current and prospective partners and collaborators. His focus is developing these relationships, a portfolio of research and commercial activities and identifying new areas of opportunity. He brings expertise in digital innovation and partnership development with commercial, industrial, business and governmental stakeholders.
• Nick Hall, Facilities and Services Manager
  Nick manages the facilities' engineering and technical teams to deliver inclusive facilities and services to a wide range of interdisciplinary research, innovation and commercial projects. He has extensive IT delivery experience across multiple industries.
• Jenny Bobroff, Senior Communications Officer
  Jenny leads on BDFI's brand, marketing and communications activities. She has a diverse background in public sector communications and higher education project management.
• Claire Parnall, Events and Projects Officer
  Claire is the events and projects officer. She has a background in events, communications and project management.