REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06634408 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1133507

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FOR

WEB SCIENCE TRUST

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

Notes to the Financial Statements

7

to

10

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The charity was established to advance education of the public in the subject of web science and in particular; a) to promote the development of the discipline of web science by leading the development of a research agenda and roadmap in the emerging web science community worldwide; b) to promote and support the development of web science curricula at all relevant educational levels around the world; c) to provide organisational and financial support for activities such as conferences, workshops and symposia around the world on topics in web science; d) to support the creation of academic publication venues needed to enable scholarly communication in the global web science community; e) to engage government and private sector sources of science funding internationally to collaborate in providing financial support for web science research in education in premier research and teaching institutions; and f) to promote the development of a global network of premier web science research laboratories under the Web Science Trust aegis, by establishing legal and financial collaborations with research institutions including leading universities who wish to co-operate on the development of web science.

During the year, the administration of the charity was carried out on a voluntary basis by the trustees, with assistance from staff from the University of Southampton; the charity had no employees during the year. From 1st March 2010 the University of Southampton agreed to host the Web Science Trust.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The Trustees met in February to review progress to date and to chart the way forward for the coming years.

The Web Science Trust continued to play a leading role in developing a worldwide research agenda. It continued to promote and develop Web Science in the following ways.

The annual ACM Web Science Conference took place from 21-24 May in Stuttgart, Germany. This was the fourteenth in a series of Web Science Conferences to be underwritten by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). The conference focussed on Reflecting on the Web, AI, and Society. It included five keynote speakers, a PhD Symposium, four Workshops, one Tutorial, seven topical paper sessions, a panel session, and a Poster Reception. The Web Science Trust annual Test of Time Award was awarded for the third year at the conference to the authors of a paper presented at a previous Web Science Conference that has stood the test of time through continued relevance and impact.

During the year, the Web Science Trust continued to disseminate Web Science research. In June, WSTNet Lab IIIT-Bangalore hosted a 1-day workshop "Web Science for Development (WS4D)". The theme of the workshop was Digital Public Infrastructures (DPI), with the aim of bringing together professionals from several domains, addressing different thematic concerns pertaining to the use of web and mobile technologies in developmental efforts. The workshop featured invited talks by visiting researchers from the Centre of Data for Public Good, IISc Bangalore and other invitees from other parts of India. It also included a DPI thinking poster presentation competition. Interactive sessions and panel discussions took place and one of the WST Trustees gave an address.

The Web Science Trust continued to support the "Brave Conversations" events. The events draw together people from academia, government, business, the media and the third sector to address some of the profound issues that are arising as human life becomes progressively entwined with the internet and the Web. In May an event took place in Stuttgart, Germany, in association with the ACM Web Science Conference.

The Web Science Trust has developed relationships with the Digital Enlightenment Forum (DEF), the Digital Humanism Initiative (DigHum), and the People-Centered Internet (PCI). In February the four entities formed the "Humanity Internet Alliance (HIA)". This consortium will work to strengthen their relations in areas of common interest, regularly exchange views on their respective activities, and prepare and implement common strategies and programmes for the priorities and areas of shared interest.

In July, HIA, supported an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Internet, which was sponsored by and held at The Royal Society in London, and co-sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the University of Southampton, UK. Six representatives from HIA took part in panel discussions, which were preceded by a talk from the co-inventor of the Internet, Dr Vint Cerf. The panel discussions looked back at what the Internet has achieved in the last fifty years and focussed on the next generation of the Internet and AI.

The Web Science Trust has also continued to develop relationships with the Internet Archive, the Library of Congress, the Research Data Alliance, the International Communication Association, the ACM, and the W3C, an international community that develops open standards to ensure the long-term growth of the Web.

The Web Science Trust has continued to produce a range of significant scientific papers and publications in Web Science. The Journal of Web Science, an open access interdisciplinary journal with the aim of integrating computer and information sciences, communication, linguistics, sociology, psychology, economics, law, political science, and other disciplines, ran from 2006-2022 and published 32 papers. Foundations and Trends in Web Science (published by Now Publishers) published 17 papers. All papers accepted and presented at the annual international ACM Web Science Conference appear in the Proceedings of the ACM and are held in the ACM's Digital Library.

The Web Science Trust has continued to provide thought leadership to the scientific community, the public, governments, public and private enterprises. This has been achieved through public engagement, and through direct influence on key figures and organisations in government and industry.

In 2010 the Web Science Trust established a Network of Laboratories (WSTNet) to bring together some of the world's leading academic researchers in Web Science to address key research challenges and develop new academic programmes that will enhance the growing influence of Web Science. The current number of WSTNet members is 18.

The Web Science Trust has continued to increase its Web and social media presence through its website. The Web Science Trust produces online newsletters, which includes WSTNet Lab profiles and publications, papers and books that relate to the wide scope of Web Science research.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

As indicated on the Statement of Financial Activities on Page 5, during the year the company received income of £45,854 (2023: £34,774).

Income of £45,528 (2023: £34,538) was received by way of grants, donations, sponsorships and events income during the year. Total expenditure in the year was £53,294 (2023: £49,235) for various expenses as detailed in the accounts. The company is seeking to develop sponsorship with a range of commercial companies and other organisations.

The directors/trustees will seek to build up the reserves of the charity to provide it with sufficient resources to carry out its activities; at this stage no decision has been made on the level of reserves which will be required for that purpose. The current level of reserves is £174,874 (2023: £182,314).

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The size of the charity means that it does not have a formal arrangement for the appointment of new Trustees. If the existing Trustees consider that additional Trustees are required to improve or add skills, an informal approach is made to suitable candidates. The induction and training of new Trustees is overseen by existing Trustees. No person external to the Charity is entitled to appoint Trustees to the Charity.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

06634408 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1133507

Registered office

Lester Aldridge LLP

Russell House

Oxford Road

Bournemouth

Dorset

BH8 8EX

Trustees

Professor N S Contractor

Professor W Hall

Professor J A Hendler

Professor G Metakides

Mr J Rangaswami

Professor N R Shadbolt

Ms A E Rowland-Campbell

Mr W Thompson

Professor S Staab

Ms J Z Scott

Independent Examiner

Lisa Wilson FCA

Rothmans LLP

Chartered Accountants

Chilworth Point

1 Chilworth Road

Southampton

SO16 7JQ

Solicitors

Lester Aldridge LLP

Southampton

PUBLIC BENEFIT

In managing the company the directors/trustees have due regard to the guidance on public benefit

published by the Charity Commission.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 17 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Professor W Hall - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Web Science Trust ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Lisa Wilson FCA

Rothmans LLP

Chartered Accountants

Chilworth Point

1 Chilworth Road

Southampton

SO16 7JQ

25 September 2025

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

45,528

34,538

Investment income

4

326

236

Total

45,854

34,774

EXPENDITURE ON

Fundraising and marketing expenses

12,848

6,259

Charitable activities

5

Education

40,446

42,976

Total

53,294

49,235

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(7,440

)

(14,461

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

182,314

196,775

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

174,874

182,314

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

9

14,627

11,747

Cash at bank

172,386

184,240

187,013

195,987

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

10

(12,139

)

(13,673

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

174,874

182,314

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

174,874

182,314

NET ASSETS

174,874

182,314

FUNDS

Unrestricted funds

174,874

182,314

TOTAL FUNDS

174,874

182,314

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 17 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Professor W Hall - Trustee

1.	STATUTORY INFORMATION

Web Science Trust is charitable company, limited by by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Report of the Trustees.

2.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, as there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. The trustees' have reached this conclusion based on the nature of the grant funding, contracts for which have been agreed for the foreseeable future.

In accordance with Section 14 of the Charities SORP (FRS102), the Charity has taken exemption from the Requirement to prepare a statement of cash flows.

INCOMING RESOURCES

Voluntary income by way of donations that provide core funding or are of a general nature are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. The company has not been in receipt of any income arising from legacies in this year or the prior year.

Investment income is recognised when received and comprises interest receivable on cash deposits.

All incoming resources are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

RESOURCES EXPENDED

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Support costs include finance, back office and governance costs and are considered to be of an indirect nature but necessary in order for the charity to perform its day to day duties. As recorded in note 4, support costs are wholly considered attributable to Education Activities.

TAXATION

The charity meets the definition of Part 1 of Schedule 6 to the Finance Act 2010 and is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains within categories covered by Chapter 3 of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes. No tax charge arise in the current or previous reporting period.

FUND ACCOUNTING

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.

Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

SHORT TERM DEBTORS AND CREDITORS

Debtors and creditors receivable and payable within one year or upon demand are recorded at transaction price whether or not a rate of interest is charged on the balance.

LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

VOLUNTEERS

As stated in the Trustees report, during the year the administration of the charity was carried out on a voluntary basis by the Trustees, with assistance from staff from the University of Southampton. In accordance with the SORP, no monetary value is placed upon the services provided.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and short-term deposits included in the Balance Sheet comprise cash in hand and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

3.	CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results.

No judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies.

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2024

2023

£

£

Deposit account interest

326

236

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct

Support

Costs (see

costs (see

note 6)

note 7)

Totals

£

£

£

Education

23,340

17,106

40,446

6.	DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

2024

2023

£

£

Insurance

1,079

982

WSTNet support costs

-

369

Website costs

2,570

2,448

Project costs

7,182

5,488

Workshops and conferences

11,333

12,717

Subscriptions

1,176

1,040

23,340

23,044

7.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Finance

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Education

825

16,281

17,106

Included within governance costs is an amount of £1,789 which relates to work completed by the independent examiner in respect of accountancy services and an amount of £455 was payable in respect of the independent examination.

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

FINANCE

2024

2023

Total

Education

activities

£

£

Bank charges

825

740

GOVERNANCE COSTS

2024

2023

Total

Education

activities

£

£

Professional assistance

3,000

3,125

Insurance

1,272

1,120

Trust board meeting expenses

8,784

11,746

Bookkeeping

130

135

Accountancy

2,244

2,158

Other expenses

851

908

16,281

19,192

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

TRUSTEES' EXPENSES

During the year the Trust did not reimburse any directors expenses (2023: NIL).

9.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Trade debtors

10,000

10,375

Prepayments

4,627

1,372

14,627

11,747

10.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Other creditors

1,770

2,382

Accrued expenses

2,244

2,158

Deferred income

8,125

9,133

12,139

13,673

11.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024. (2023: NIL)