Professor Les Carr
Head of Web and Internet Science Group

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Leslie’s research focuses on the impact of the Web on society and the way in which the global communications infrastructure changes our personal, social and economic landscape. He is exploring how data and AI will shape new industries and future society. As part of the WSI he is working with partners from industry and government to identify the future opportunities of the digital economy whilst maximising the social and economic benefit the online world offers.
I study the impact of the web on society — the way in which the global communications infrastructure changes our personal, social and economic landscape. How does the Web threaten our privacy, the quality of our relationships, our intellectual property, our creative industries and even our high streets? At the same time, what new opportunities does it open up for new kinds of industries and new kinds of sociability?
With my colleagues and students in the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton and with our partners from industry and government, I am trying to understand how to identify the future opportunities of the digital economy whilst trying to navigate its current challenges, to maximise the social and economic benefit that the online world offers.