Design-led governance 

I’ve long been a fan of Impact Hub Brum since their Kickstarter over 2 years ago. They want to empower a collective movement to bring about change in Birmingham, embracing a diverse range of people and organisations with a whole host of experiences and skills. Until recently, without even having visited the space itself, the energy online and in person …

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Patterns Day

I’ve just finished up at Patterns Day run by the brilliant Clear Left in Brighton. If I’m honest, I didn’t really know what to expect given this was advertised to web developers. I have an interest in design systems (we’re trying to get clients to think about these over brand or UI books), worked with the on a few digital jobs, and …

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One Team Gov – Scotland?

Yesterday I attended the #oneteamgov, an event spearheaded by Kit Collingwood of Ministry of Justice (and made possible by countless other people) you can find out about here. Kit’s reasons for starting it are quite simple on bringing together Government as one team, the first focusing on bringing digital and policy closer together. More largely here’s what they say: ‘The …

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Designing movements like a service

Inside, outside and on the edge During the past decade of my career, I’ve had the good fortune of working on the inside, outside and on the edge of large institutions. Be that government, public bodies or for profit entities, I’ve been both employed and hired to re-design services for them. At Snook, we’ve always designed with people at the heart of the …

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Better World By Design

I’m off to Better World By Design this year, for the second time in Providence, Rhode Island. I have to say, after my visit two years ago it was one of the best conferences I’ve ever been to.  Not just because it is split between the splendour of Brown University’s Campus and Rhode Island School of Design’s building but the way it …

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The Open Politics Project

This site encompasses everything I care about.  Open, democratic, citizen centered and developed policy. Open Politics Project is a project to create a new kind of politics. They are starting by writing a manifesto, but they want everyone to build it together. You can read through a range of manifesto headings from Education to society, democracy to Energy and Housing.  If you …

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Referendum cafe meets tea and cake

I’ve just come back from “Tea and Cake: A chat about #whatnowscotland” a great session hosted at the Referendum Cafe on it’s last day as democratic hub organised by the energetic Kim Simpson. A splendid effort by the Referendum Cafe’s lead, Lizzie Smith whose determination to bring politics to the pavement never wavered, nor did the support of Katherine Mackinnon in the process. The event had some ground …

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Indyref Media Lies

In reference to Daily Mail article here. No Daily Mail – I was just there, it is not how you describe it one little bit. Tempers did not flair, and voters chanted yes across the other side of the road holding up yes signs from no campaigners. There were people of all ages in George square, dancing, smiling and someone …

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Cyclehack comes to Glasgow

Proud to be running Cyclehack alongside Jo Holtan and Matt Lowell .  We are a 48 hour event aimed at coming up with ideas and making them a  reality that will reduce the barriers to cycling. “All three of us are keen cyclists and, while it is really easy to sit back only complain and moan about all the niggly little things that annoy …

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