Professor Karen Salt has been appointed Independent Chair of BRAID’s new Stakeholder Forum, a group set up to help shape the direction of Responsible AI in the UK. Professor Salt is currently Professor of Culture, Place and Communities at Manchester Metropolitan University where she specialises in governance, complex systems and social justice, working across the sector to design and embed equitable community and university partnerships.
The BRAID Stakeholder Forum brings together representatives with diverse backgrounds, skills, expertise and knowledge to complement the leadership of the BRAID programme. This group, drawn from across industry, the arts and creative sectors, early-stage entrepreneurship, academia, regulation and policy, will meet three times a year to contribute to discussions on BRAID-funded research, building knowledge and capabilities around key issues in Responsible AI and the role of the Arts and Humanities.
As a sector leader and social scientist, Professor Salt has led large research teams, advised complex interdisciplinary research projects and provided support to universities and organisations interested in institutional change. She spent five years in UK Research and Innovation, working closely with the UKRI Board, Executive Chairs, UK ministers and sector leaders – all while strategically managing teams across several critical policy areas, including trusted research and secure innovation. She continues to provide sector leadership as a key advisor focused on transforming the structures that impact marginalised and underserved communities and co-creating more just public services and organisations.
Speaking about her appointment, Professor Karen Salt said: “People are nervous, hopeful and ready to talk through what AI means, how to use it and what changes – in our world – with its use. BRAID, with its focus on embedding arts and humanities research into the evolving AI ecosystem, has already begun the work of asking cultural, social and moral questions. I am honoured to work with BRAID and its partners to take this one step further and take up the role of Independent Chair of the Stakeholder Forum. The BRAID Stakeholder Forum provides stakeholders, including policymakers, civil society and regulators, the opportunity to engage in open dialogue in a neutral space for inclusive discussions, research reflections and bridging divides.”
The Forum will meet for the first time in April 2026, and guided by Professor Salt, will be setting out its plan for the next two years. Forum members will be given the opportunity to communicate on issues that directly affect the networks, sectors and interests that they are part of, and to discuss the approach of BRAID, together with its partners Ada Lovelace Institute and the BBC, towards integrating Responsible AI, Arts and Humanities across the UK ecosystem.
BRAID Co-Director Professor Ewa Luger said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Professor Karen Salt as chair of the BRAID stakeholder forum. The forum is an important part of the BRAID governance structure and is designed to allow for the inclusion of a wider range of voices to be more centrally located within responsible AI conversations. A highly respected interdisciplinary scholar, Karen’s breadth of work speaks clearly to BRAID’s objectives around bridging divides, equity, and inclusion of all voices and we are very proud to have her join us as we enter the final three years of the programme.”
BRAID Lead for Community Dr Nayha Sethi added: “We are very excited to have Professor Salt on board as Chair for the forum, her expertise and her commitment towards fostering inclusive and meaningful exchanges about Responsible AI will be invaluable to the Forum. We’ve been busy working together to set the Forum up and are looking forward to the exchanges that will take place under Karen’s skilful stewardship.”
As work develops, we will be sharing updates from the Forum and its members. Visit the Stakeholder Forum page for more details.
