Matt is an avid ICT4D practitioner and researcher with an MSc in ICTs for International Development from the University of Manchester and a BSc(Eng) in Computing Science from Imperial College. His passion is discovering ways to use technology, particularly the Internet, as a driver for social change, participation and inclusion. Before joining Aptivate, he ran his own social enterprise - a jobsite supporting the long-term unemployed into work - after spending many years as a technology strategy consultant, freelance web developer and entrepreneur for businesses and civil society organisations.

Matt also undertakes research into enabling people in developing countries to take control over the technology they use and break the cycle of dependency on external experts from the US/Europe.

Matt is on sabbatical util August 2016, volunteering for local civil society groups across Africa, Asia and Latin America. You can follow his travels, and read his blogs on ICT4D issues on his personal site at http://www.matthaikin.com