About

• Name: Ian Forrester
• Pronouns: (he/him)
• Job title: Digital futurologist and founder of Cubicgarden.Ltd

Ian Forrester is a digital futurologist, emergent technology expert, previously senior “Firestarter” at BBC R&D. He is based in Manchester, UK, European by heart, and uses data and insight to change people’s lives for the better; he is a leader and advocate who believes each of us should be the guardian of our own data.
His projects focus on building and empowering the digital public space, digital legacy ensuring people can have dignity in death (machinereadablewishes.cc), and solving the loneliness epidemic by building richer digital connections (datingmanifesto.cc).

He’s on a mission to…

• Eliminating societal loneliness by building richer digital connections
• Build digital legacies by ensuring people can have dignity in death
• Move public service broadcasting into the new digital public space

My bio from Linkedin

Ian Forrester is a recognised leader in the digital landscape in the United Kingdom and Europe. Based in Manchester, UK, he was a highly valued member of BBC’s R&D Advisory team focusing on emerging technology and social trends.

He specialises in creating value and impact through open engagement while collaborating with startups, universities, technology enthusiasts, and early adopters. Ian’s diverse background enables him to adapt and be flexible in any environment. He champions a collaborative leadership style that prioritises creativity and diversity.

I live in Manchester, UK.

I was employed by the BBC and ran the BBC Backstage Project, encouraging you to use our stuff to make your stuff^*. I do have a github account for work and pleasure.

I helped bring BarCamp to the UK via BarCampLondon and setup BarCampLondon2 and BarCampLondon3. I’m also known for London Geekdinners and being one of the founders of the data portability group.

I regularly blog, can be found on mastodon, blacktwitter, eurosky and blacksky of course this blog is also on the fediverse …

I tend to upload media to Pixelfed, Peertube, You Tube and co-host Making the familiar strange and  Techgrumps every month. I generate metadata on Bookwyrm, Trakt TV, Libre.fm and raindrop.

Network professionally at Linkedin and only use Facebook for a couple of events only.