UQ-USP Monthly Webinars Series (November): Embracing Small Differences: Risks and Opportunities for Protecting Privacy in Small Communities
UQ Cyber Research Centre at the University of Queensland and the University of South Pacific are jointly running a series of online webinars aimed at strengthening research links between the Pacific and Australia. This initiative seeks to foster impactful cyber security research benefiting both regions.
This November webinar will be the final session in the series. We are delighted to welcome Mr Alexander White, who will present a talk titled "Embracing Small Differences: Risks and Opportunities for Protecting Privacy in Small Communities".
The presentation will be followed by a discussion session, providing an opportunity to exchange opinions and ideas.
Webinar Details:
Date: Wednesday, 25 November 2026
Time: 9:00 am AEST, 11:00 am FJT
Location:
(a) UQ: Room 451, General Purpose South Building (Building 78), St. Lucia campus
(b) USP: TL4, ICT Building, USP
(c) Online: After registration, a Zoom link will be sent prior to the event.
Abstract:
Whether a small island jurisdiction or a rural community in Queensland, privacy is different in a smaller community than in a larger city. We are more closely interconnected, and we simply know more about our neighbours and family than we might otherwise. What does this mean for the protection of personal information? In this session, Queensland Privacy Commissioner Alexander White draws on his experience in Australia, the United States, and the small island jurisdiction of Bermuda to discuss why privacy risk is different in small communities - and why these communities can be a model for how to do things a better way.
Speaker's Bio:
Alexander White was appointed by the Governor in Council as Queensland’s Privacy Commissioner as of October 2025 for a five-year term. He also currently serves as a member of the Dubai International Financial Centre Advisory Committee for AI Regulation.
Alexander previously served as Bermuda’s first Privacy Commissioner, from January 2020 to September 2025, and on the European Commission Working Group to draft the first General-Purpose AI Code of Practice under the EU AI Act.
Prior to these roles, Alexander served as State Deputy Chief Privacy Officer for the U.S. State of South Carolina and served on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee (DPIAC) for a three-year term..