Paul Holdsworth

After gaining a degree in languages, Paul trained as a chartered secretary and worked for 13 years in UK local government administration. He then spent 25 years at the European Commission where he led teams developing programmes and policies on language learning, teacher education and adult learning. Before retiring, he earned a MA in Education by distance learning. Paul has been a Quaker for 40 years. He recently became a citizen of Belgium, where he lives with his wife.

Why I work for JAAG?

I’ve always been concerned about the stark inequalities in our society. The huge numbers of working people who rely on food banks, and the lack of affordable housing, for example, highlight just how much we have allowed inequalities and disadvantage to increase.

Through JAAG I learned that algorithms and automated decision-making systems, whilst having undoubted potential for good, can also exacerbate disadvantage and inequality if they are not developed and deployed in ethical ways. I work with JAAG to try to bring these issues to light and to offer workable, ethical solutions.

We need the use of algorithms by government or private sector organisations to be fully transparent and accountable. I coordinate JAAG’s response to draft legislation on Data Protection, which could seriously undermine individuals’ data rights.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/paulsholdsworth