RADical innovation: Circular economy meets digital equity

Discover how your old tech can power up futures.

This talk unpacks Recycle A Device (RAD) — a circular economy initiative where young people learn to repair donated laptops, which are then gifted to those without access. It’s climate action, digital equity, and youth empowerment in one.

Who is this talk for?

This talk is for developers, engineers, team leads, ops managers, and anyone in tech who wants to create real-world impact beyond the codebase.

It's especially relevant for those who care about equity, climate, youth opportunity, or community, but don’t know how to meaningfully contribute.

What will attendees take away?

  • A clearer understanding of the digital divide in Aotearoa and how it intersects with their industry.

  • A real-world example of how digital equity, climate action, and youth training can intersect through a tech-adjacent initiative (RAD).

  • Practical, low-barrier ways to support digital inclusion through device donation, team volunteering, and advocacy.

  • A reframed view of impact, seeing themselves not just as tech builders, but as equity enablers.

  • Tangible next steps they (or their company) can take immediately to support RAD or similar initiatives.

Headshot of Kelsey - a woman with light skin, blue eyes and straight, shoulder-length brown hair.

Kelsey Hallahan

She/Her
Educational Programme Manager and Digital Equity Champion
@ Digital Future Aotearoa

Kelsey Hallahan is a passionate educator, digital equity champion, and Programme Manager of four digital technology education programmes in Aotearoa. She brings a practical but powerful lens to bridging the digital divide, combining community-led innovation, sustainability, and youth empowerment. 

Kelsey works at the intersection of education and tech access, and believes that everyone has a role to play in shaping an equitable digital future, whether they write code or not.

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