Dr Martha Kirby
About Dr Martha Kirby
Dr. Martha Kirby serves as the Online Policy Manager and Online Child Sexual Abuse Lead at Ofcom, where she has worked since 2020. She has a strong academic background in Economic and Social History, holding an MSc and a PhD from the University of Glasgow, and has extensive experience in child safety policy through her roles at NSPCC.
Work at Ofcom
Dr. Martha Kirby currently serves as the Online Policy Manager and Online Child Sexual Abuse Lead at Ofcom. She has held this position since 2020, contributing to policy development and implementation related to online safety and child protection. Her role involves addressing issues surrounding online child sexual abuse, ensuring that Ofcom's policies align with regulatory standards and best practices in safeguarding children in digital environments.
Previous Experience at NSPCC
Dr. Martha Kirby has extensive experience at the NSPCC, where she worked in various capacities from 2015 to 2020. She began as a Policy Officer in Policy and Public Affairs, then progressed to Senior Policy Officer focusing on Child Safety Online. Finally, she served as Policy Manager for Child Safety Online. Her roles involved developing and advocating for policies aimed at enhancing child safety in online spaces.
Education and Expertise
Dr. Martha Kirby has a strong academic background, having studied at the University of Glasgow. She earned her MA (SocSci) in Economic and Social History from 2005 to 2009, followed by an MSc in the same field from 2009 to 2010. She completed her PhD in Economic and Social History from 2010 to 2015, focusing on the History of Medicine. This educational foundation supports her expertise in policy development and child safety.
Academic Role at University of Glasgow
Dr. Martha Kirby worked as a post-graduate researcher and teacher at the University of Glasgow from 2010 to 2015. In this role, she contributed to academic research and education, enhancing her knowledge and skills in economic and social history. Her experience in academia complements her policy work, providing a research-based perspective on child safety issues.