Linda Raftree

Linda Raftree focuses on the ethical use of technology and data in international development, human rights, and humanitarian contexts. She is the founder of the MERL Tech Initiative, which has been exploring the responsible use of digital tools and data since 2014. Through MERL Tech, Ms. Raftree has played a strong role in bringing together critical thinkers from the monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL), data science, and digital technology sectors to collaborate, develop capacities, and strengthen good practice. She convenes the MERL Tech Natural Language Processing Community of Practice (NLP-CoP) and the New York City Technology Salon. She has advised a range of foundations, bilateral agencies, and non-governmental organizations on responsible data policy and practice, applied research, digital safeguarding, inclusive digital approaches, and safe programming. Ms. Raftree is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP & CIPM).