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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮

@ayymanduh.bsky.social
744 followers 230 following 84 posts

All things data, digital, design, communities, leadership, justice & open culture. Vibe: 🏳️‍🌈🔮💀💃🏼⚽️🌞🥦🪩🍾🧘🏼‍♀️⚖️☮️

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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
bsky.app/profile/ayym...
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
#responsibleai #datastewardship #datagovernance | Amanda Smith
Yesterday, I watched a video shared by Darren Jones MP highlighting the work of Number 10 fellows with HMP Elmley. At face value, the premise sounds great: using technology to streamline processes f...
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
This sat deeply uncomfortably with me, and shows how empathy, humility and mundane magic are needed more than ever, so I wrote a short thing about it: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
linkedin.com
#responsibleai #datastewardship #datagovernance | Amanda Smith
Yesterday, I watched a video shared by Darren Jones MP highlighting the work of Number 10 fellows with HMP Elmley. At face value, the premise sounds great: using technology to streamline processes f...
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
What an absolute icon.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
what 3 words is awful and needs to get in the sea.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
First time I’m missing @ukgovcamp.com in over a decade! Hope you all have an amazing day #ukgc2026 ❤️💙 PS: missing all you magic humans, what other events will you be at this year?
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
So happy to hear this! ❤️
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Absolute highlight of my week: @rufflemuffin.bsky.social coming to talk to @publicdigital.bsky.social about their film “Don’t Say Gay” as part of our Pride celebrations. To help someone feel seen, understood & validated is such a gift. This film will do that for so many people ❤️
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 24/06/2025
How can you build a green digital service? Just one of the subjects we'll be hearing about at next week's @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites, our 57th Hear from GDS, Defra and the Environment Agency - in person or online, Wed 2 July, 6pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites...
eventbrite.co.uk
Data Bites #57
Data Bites #57
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
But getting to call it M’HoCoLoGo is pure joy
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
At first I thought they’d hosted it at our #PDDataBites venue
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Dreamy! Love this for you.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
This Wednesday! Join us for Data Bites 56 in Liverpool (and online) at 6pm to hear from our amazing speakers - full details in @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social's thread. Tickets available at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites... #PDDataBites
eventbrite.co.uk
Data Bites #56
Data Bites #56 Liverpool
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 07/05/2025
Happy Data Bites day! Join @publicdigital.bsky.social & me, 6pm, Ldn SW1/online, for: - Laura Gilbert, public sector data/AI - Ed Humpherson, OSR, beyond mechanistic thinking - @blangry.bsky.social, you can't API your way out of politics - Tom Smith, AI@MHCLG www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites...
eventbrite.co.uk
Data Bites #55
Data Bites #55
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James Arthur Cattell @jacattell.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
I've published, "Help us decide the future of UKGovCamp" www.ukgovcamp.com/2025/03/24/h... for @ukgovcamp.bsky.social.
ukgovcamp.com
Help us decide the future of UKGovCamp
UKGovCamp is a brilliant community built around our annual unconference and grant fund.Us current organisers have been thinking whether there's more we can be doing.So we're looking for a smal
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 06/03/2025
A *massive* thank you to @duncanjbrown.com, Elliot from HFEA, @ayymanduh.bsky.social and @mrdudders.bsky.social for being brilliant at Data Bites last night - one of the best we've done Watch back as live: app.sli.do/event/6buz4o... #pddatabites
i.AI's Duncan Brown speaks at Data Bites. Photo by @paulclarke.comHFEA'S Elliot Bridges presents at Data Bites. The screen shows a slide of the HFEA's Data Dashboard. Photo by @paulclarke.comPD's Amanda Smith presents at Data Bites. Photo by @paulclarke.comFull Fact's Andy Dudfield presents at Data Bites. Photo by @paulclarke.com
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
A new contender for “iconic photos of @mrdudders.bsky.social with slides”?
A photo of Andy Dudfield with his slides behind saying “I have a nice dataset”
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
It’s Data Bites Day! Join @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social & @publicdigital.bsky.social with: - Duncan Brown, i.AI - Elliot Bridges, the HFEA Dashboard - @ayymanduh.bsky.social, Data Service Standards - @mrdudders.bsky.social @fullfact.org, facts & the web www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites...
eventbrite.co.uk
Data Bites #53
Data Bites #53
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Andy Dudfield @mrdudders.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
I am speaking about why the web needs fact checkers at Data Bites on Wednesday 5th March. Thanks to @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social and @publicdigital.bsky.social for the invite. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites...
A picture of me presenting in front of a large screen. You can see a googleslide behind me on the screen, which reads 'What the hell am I doing?' I am waving my arms about  and expressively making a point
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 03/03/2025
Happy Data Bites week! Join me & @publicdigital.bsky.social, 6pm Weds, for our 53rd event, with: - Duncan Brown, i.AI - Elliot Bridges, the HFEA Dashboard - @ayymanduh.bsky.social, Data Service Standards - @mrdudders.bsky.social @fullfact.org, facts & the web www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites...
Me presenting at the start of Data Bites #52 (standing in front of a Data Bites banner to the right, a screen showing a bar chart on the left obscured by hands up from the audience). Image by @paulclarke.com
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Connected by Data @connectedbydata.org · 03/03/2025
Are you working with communities concerned about public sector uses of data, digital & AI? Do they want to make their voices heard? We're hosting an unconference, with @dxw.com, @projectsbyif.bsky.social and @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social in London on 20 March. connectedbydata.org/events/2025...
connectedbydata.org
Engaging people on data and AI: An unconference on giving people and communities a powerful say on public sector technologies
Unconferences are participant-driven meetups that focus on sharing, learning and community building. This unconference is for people (particularly inside the public sector) who are interested in ensuring that public, community and worker voices are heard in decisions about data, digital and AI.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Well that was another fantastic Data Bites! Thanks @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social for always being an excellent host, and all our speakers & attendees. Don’t forget to sign up for the next one(s) — see you again March 5th. #pddatabites public.digital/data-bites-s...
public.digital
Data Bites — Public Digitalpublic digitalpublic digital
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 05/02/2025
Tomorrow! 👇
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
So magic to spend time with you ✨
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Coco @cocochan.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Sat down to write long-form but I don’t have the energy. Back to microblogging! What @ukgovcamp.bsky.social means to me in 2025 🧵 #ukgc25
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Emma Parnell @emmaparnell.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Well that blew up a bit! 13 bookings in a day for my free walk n talks and portfolio/CV reviews. People are struggling folks. Any other freelancers in UCD able to make similar offers? I can’t do this alone. Oh… jobs would be good too 🙏🏼 www.designforjoy.co.uk/entry-level-...
designforjoy.co.uk
Mentoring and advice — Design for joy
Free and paid for advice offerings
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UK Gov Camp @ukgovcamp.com · 15/01/2025
We tried to find a dry, non-alcoholic venue for Friday and Saturday night #ukgc25 socials, but they were too small, too expensive or not available. We're really sorry. So we'll be at The Feathers, 18-20 Broadway, Greater, London SW1H 0BH from 5pm both evenings. www.ukgovcamp.com/2025/01/13/t...
ukgovcamp.com
Things to know about UKGovCamp 2025 (ukgc25)
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Oh gosh I can’t wait 😭❤️
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
Haven’t pitched at @ukgovcamp.bsky.social for 14 years but seriously considering it for #UKGC25…. Also absolutely beyond ready for all the hugs.
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Dafydd Vaughan @daivaughan.uk · 12/01/2025
I've written this thread up as a blog post with some more details: Why some DVLA digital services don't work at night dafyddvaughan.uk/blog/2025/wh...
dafyddvaughan.uk
Why some DVLA digital services don't work at night
Every few months or so, somebody asks on social media why a particular DVLA digital service is turned off over night. Rather than answering it every time, I’ve decided to write this post, so I can poi...
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
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Imran Hussain @imhuyorks.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
I wrote a first draft for a tribute to @vickytnz.bsky.social we're hoping to do at @ukgovcamp.bsky.social 2025. imranhussain.uk/remembering-...
imranhussain.uk
Remembering Vicky Teinaki – Imran Hussain
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Vicky was so incredibly inspiring, thoughtful, knowledgable and gave so much to communities. I’m so sad to hear of her passing, sending love to her loved ones ❤️
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
I’ll be there!
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Do it!
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
When I last did user research in government (2022) we: put optional sign-ups at the ‘end’ of services for people to share details if they wanted to participate, did guerrilla research out in public, used specialist agencies, used proxies. Lots of things!
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Thanks @jenitennison.com! Hey @gkfrancis.bsky.social 👋🏻 more than happy to chat about @ukgovcamp.bsky.social & #unconferences. DM me your email?
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 07/11/2024
Happiest of birthdays to you Sam! 🎈❤️
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 07/11/2024
A *massive* thank you to everyone who came to Data Bites #50 last night - the perfect way to kick off our @publicdigital.bsky.social era! You can watch the whole thing back as-live at bit.ly/databites50 - blogpost, audio, slides to follow
bit.ly
Join Slido: Enter #code to vote and ask questions
Participate in a live poll, quiz or Q&A. No login required.
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Paul Maltby @maltbyps.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Data people are the best people #PDDataBites
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Paul Clarke @paulclarke.com · 06/11/2024
that was so good! fascinating content, and so much of it
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Well that was very good for the soul! Thanks everyone who joined us for the first @publicdigital.bsky.social hosted #PDDataBites - it’s a real privilege to be Data Bites’ new home & to get to work with @gavinfreeguard.bsky.social
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 06/11/2024
SOON
A banner - top half white with public•digital in small text at the top, data bites in large text right at the bottom; bottom half dark grey with rows and columns of pink dots - behind a pine lectern which has a screen resting on it and microphone holder

Ahead of tonight's Data Bites #50 event

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/data-bites-50-tickets-1027991940567
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Tim Paul @timpaul.co.uk · 04/11/2024
📣 GOV.UK Forms is in Public Beta!! This one is really close to my heart; a no-code, accessible, government form builder is a major step towards bringing digital service transformation within the reach of all service teams, not just the big players :-) gds.blog.gov.uk/2024/11/04/g...
gds.blog.gov.uk
GOV.UK Forms in motion
GOV.UK Forms is now in public beta! Learn how easy it is to get started using the new form builder platform to make better, digital forms, save people time and improve the public’s experience of inter...
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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 04/11/2024
Happy @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites week! Come and join us on Wednesday: - In person at Broadway House, opposite St. James's Park tube station - Online 👇
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 05/04/2024
Ummmm we’ll be up on the balcony, best seats in the house.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 22/03/2024
What did you ask?!
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 22/03/2024
Oh that’s absolutely happening.
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 21/03/2024
[continued response] "Taking into account all the circumstances of the case, we have determined that the balance of the public interest favours withholding this information. The blog post and embedded comic was developed and cleared for publication by relevant teams within the Cabinet Office."
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Amanda 🏳️‍🌈🔮 @ayymanduh.bsky.social · 21/03/2024
As promised, the Cabinet Office FOI Team responded to my FOI about *that* blog post. Here's a screen shot of their response (with ALT text added to the images) So, any thoughts?
We refer to your request where you asked:
“I would like to make an FOI request with regards to the blog post published on 14th February 2024 including this comic
Please can you provide information about:
Who designed this comic?
How much did this comic cost to produce?
Who was involved in the sign-off process for this comic and blog post?
Was the Government Communication Service (GCS) involved?”
We are writing to advise you that following a search of our paper and electronic records, we have established that the information you requested is held by the Cabinet Office.
This comic was designed by the Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), within the Cabinet Office, and Microsoft Industry Services Delivery as part of a suite of adoption products to highlight how government can benefit from better configuration of our existing Microsoft 365 infrastructure.
Information is being withheld in relation to the ‘cost to produce’ because it is exempt under Section 43(2) of the FOI act.Section 43(2) protects information which would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).
Disclosure would be likely to harm both the Government’s and Microsoft’s business reputation or the confidence that customers have, and weaken Government and Microsoft’s position in a competitive environment by revealing sensitive information or
information that is potentially useful in a negotiating position.
Section 43 is a qualified exemption and we have considered whether the balance of the public interest favours our release of this material. There is a public interest in the disclosure of information about the way government communicates and spends public resources, to inform public debate. Although there is a public interest in the efficient use
of public resources, disclosure of information relating to this commercial contract would be likely to adversely affect both Government and Microsoft.
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