Keynote Speakers

Libby Liggins is an Associate Professor at Massey University and a Research Associate of the Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. Libby’s research characterises the generation and erosion of biodiversity and she participates in several initiatives interested in the ethical stewardship and aggregation of required data. Libby is on the Scientific Committee of the World Data System, and the Steering Committee for the Genomic Observatories Metadatabase and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network Genetic Composition Working Group. In Aotearoa, Libby is contributing to the development of the Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository, for which access to the genomic data is controlled by nominated kaitiaki.

Maui Hudson affiliates to Whakatōhea, Ngāruahine, and Ngā Puhi. He is an Associate Professor and Director of Te Kotahi Research Institute at the University of Waikato. He is a founding member of Te Mana Raraunga Maori Data Sovereignty Network and Global Indigenous Data Alliance, a co-author of the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, co-director of Local Contexts, and co-developer of the Biocultural Labels. 

Dr. Wasserman is a computational biologist with a research focus on the human genome.  His research laboratory based at BC Children’s Hospital develops and applies computational methods, software and databases to gain insight in the functional roles of specific DNA sequences in the human genome. His lab assists in the discovery of genetic variation in patient genomes that cause rare genetic diseases. He co-leads the Silent Genomes Project to confront and overcome inequity in reference data for Indigenous children needing genetic diagnosis of rare disorders. From 2013-2021 Dr. Wasserman served as the head of research at BC Children’s Hospital, and he remains deeply committed to supporting the growth and success of pediatrics research, including the development of technology to empower patients with access to and control of their digital data.  Dr. Wasserman was born and lives on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples, now living and working within the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. He is currently enjoying a sabbatical at the University of Otago.

Dr Williams has extensive experience in IT, business and tertiary education spanning more than 25 years. He has held executive and senior management roles and is active in tribal and community-level groups. As the Chief Executive for 20/20 Trust, he is passionate about enabling and empowering people through education and technology. Digital inclusion programmes are the core of the 20/20 Trust service provision.