Navneet Gidda

Navneet Gidda is Communications Manager for the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy. She is responsible for establishing and overseeing a strategic communications strategy on behalf of the Centre, helping to raise the profile and impact of research activity and influence narratives about the future of technology and its impact on civil society.

Navneet holds a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Alberta and an MA in Strategic Communications from King’s College London’s renowned Department of War Studies. She is a member of the On Think Tanks global community of think tank leaders and has worked on communications strategies for charities, elected representatives, higher education institutions, and think tanks in Canada and the UK. Notably, she managed a constituency and province-wide outreach strategy for the Former Premier of Alberta, Hon. Rachel Notley, developed a brand and communications strategy for Youth @ the Table, and led a global communications strategy for Fairwork at the Oxford Internet Institute.

Navneet’s work and personal ethos are influenced by art history, literature, and philosophy. She is particularly interested in narrative change and storytelling in public policy, and how absurd, dystopian, and surrealist stories can inform policymaking. Her MA dissertation explored revolt in the digital age, looking at the origins of memes to better understand the lure of extremist movements such as the alt-right. Her current research interests lie in the realm of conflict, emerging technology, and governance – particularly how governments can provide more ethical policy solutions for the grand existential issues of our time. Navneet believes bridging the gap between the literary and policy worlds can de-escalate polarisation, encourage more hopeful attitudes about the future of humanity, and produce policies that truly work for the people.