Carl Miller is a leading thinker on the relationship between technology, society, and power. As the founding Research Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media at Demos, he has spent over a decade exploring how digital technologies shape democracy, security, and everyday life. His ability to explain these complex shifts in an engaging, accessible way has made him a sought-after speaker at conferences, summits, and TEDx events, where he motivates audiences to think differently about the digital world.
After graduating from the University of Cambridge in 2008, Carl went on to complete a Master’s degree at King’s College London, where he later became a Visiting Research Fellow. His career took shape when he co-founded CASM in 2012, pioneering the study of social media’s role in politics and society. He went on to coin the term “social media intelligence” alongside David Omand and Jamie Bartlett, capturing the idea that online platforms had become key arenas of influence and information.
Carl’s work has consistently broken new ground. He is the award-winning author of 'The Death of the Gods: The New Global Power Grab', which won the Transmission Prize in 2019, and co-author of influential reports such as 'Truth, Lies and the Internet' and 'The Power of Unreason'. A fellow at the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, he has advised governments, spoken on international platforms, and contributed to leading outlets including The Guardian, The Sunday Times, and The New Scientist. His broadcast career includes presenting the BBC’s Click and appearing on BBC News, CNN, Sky News, Radio 5Live and LBC.
What makes Carl an exceptional motivational speaker is his ability to fuse analytical depth with compelling storytelling. Whether unpacking power shifts in the digital age, exposing hidden social forces, or explaining how algorithms shape us, he evokes both understanding and urgency. His TEDx talk “Unlocking Social Media” exemplifies this: it distils complex digital landscapes into empowering insights, urging audiences to engage with the digital world wisely and creatively. His talks not only inform but also energise people to navigate and shape the future of technology with confidence and awareness.
