Anna Goulden

Anna is a Principal Consultant in Public Digital’s Global Impact Team, specialising in research and strategy.

At Public Digital, Anna works with governments and global institutions including multilateral development banks, philanthropic foundations and UN agencies, helping them build the strategies and capabilities needed to tackle complex challenges and drive impact on a global scale.

With experience at the intersection between research, policy and innovation, Anna brings knowledge of digital policy from across academia, government and the private sector. Her approach blends analytical rigour and multidisciplinary insight with hands-on experience of public sector transformation. At the heart of her work is a commitment to helping large, complex organisations govern with public purpose and build lasting capabilities in challenging contexts.

Prior to joining Public Digital, Anna was a Research Fellow at UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) where she worked with public organisations around the world to develop novel research and tools grounded in academic thought leadership and best practice. This included working with local governments to co-develop the Public Sector Capabilities Index, a pioneering project focused on measuring innovation and transformation capabilities.

Previously, Anna held roles in the UK Government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Working on international tech, research and innovation policy, she managed global research and innovation portfolios, shaped policy positions, and represented the government at international fora. Earlier in her career, Anna worked as a researcher and editor developing digital training for public servants across a range of disciplines.

Anna has authored a range of publications on topics including public sector transformation, capability building in government, mission-oriented innovation, strategic foresight and global internet governance issues and, in 2021, was appointed a UK representative to the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). She holds a Research Masters (MRes) in Public Policy and Management with a focus on qualitative and quantitative methods.

anna.goulden@public.digital