iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 25/09/2026

Some weekend reading for you: Meet the Menders: Our social fabric is frayed, so who’s fixing it? Summary by @jamestplunkett.bsky.social endstate.substack.com/p/meet-the-m... Full @kinship.works report supported by @jrf-uk.bsky.social menders.kinship.works

endstate.substack.com

Meet the menders

Our social fabric is frayed, so who’s fixing it?

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 24/09/2026

Very excited that #DataBites is back after a short hiatus with @sotf.org.uk & the team @thinkdigitalptns.bsky.social! Some exciting speakers already lined up - but get in touch if you're public sector & would like to speak/know someone who should, or you're private sector & would like to sponsor

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 24/09/2026

We're delighted to announce that DATA BITES IS BACK! We're thrilled to be working with @thinkdigitalptns.bsky.social on three events to the end of the year (NEW START TIME OF 5.30PM): - Weds 21 October thinkdigitalpartner.zohobackstage.eu/DataBitesOct... - Weds 11 November - Weds 2 December

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Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Exciting things afoot at @sotf.org.uk- check back soon...

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 24/09/2026

whatever

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 22/09/2026

Heading to Labour Party conference? Interested in data, digital, tech, AI, public sector reform etc? I've tried pulling together the most relevant events (80 of them!) as a public service from @sotf.org.uk - please add any I've missed! Includes other parties too docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

docs.google.com

Party conferences 2026: data, digital, AI, tech and public sector reform events

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 17/09/2026

There are lots of big (& good!) ideas on 'rewiring the state' - but we can't assume the tech underpinning it will just work & we need to bring the public in A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate - and democratic Delighted to write for @futuregovforum.bsky.social with @jenitennison.com

futuregovforum.substack.com

A digital, devolved state needs to be deliberate – and democratic

By Gavin Freeguard and Jeni Tennison

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 07/09/2026

My annual round-up of data/digital/AI/public sector reform etc events at party conferences, now with some added details for @smfthinktank.bsky.social @defenddigitalme.bsky.social and others Please add anything else I've missed!

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 04/09/2026

It's party conference season, which brings many inevitabilities... Warm white wine! Beige buffets! and... My (well, @sotf.org.uk's) spreadsheet of data/AI/digital/public sector reform-related events - there'll be lots I've missed so please add! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

docs.google.com

Party conferences 2026: data, digital, AI, tech and public sector reform events

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Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Obviously completely fair to want to take questions direct from the public as well as from the Commons, but always amuses me a bit how often people who are part of PMQs- ie the PM and (some) MPs- denigrate PMQs as though it’s a thing they have absolutely no control over

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 27/08/2026

Something I'm pondering as I'm developing project proposals for @sotf.org.uk is: What resources are there on designing good research projects - research design, interview approaches, comms and influencing, etc? What do you use? What would you recommend? Especially for think tank research?

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 26/08/2026

The UK government has just published its analysis of all the ideas it received from civil society on open government (participation, accountability, transparency etc) www.gov.uk/government/c... A summary of what we submitted 👇

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 26/08/2026

Delighted to be on the programme committee for this excellent project - get involved!

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 26/08/2026

Absolutely delighted to welcome the brilliant @aliceolilly.bsky.social to the team! 🥳

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 11/08/2026

It may be August but 3 interesting/important stories from @civilserviceworld.bsky.social today: On machinery of govt - PM appoints 'expert adviser on structure & process' www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/... On AI - DG appointed to lead AI Taskforce www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...

civilserviceworld.com

No.10 appoints ‘expert adviser on structure and process’

Former BBC executive Gautam Rangarajan will bring “significant experience in corporate strategy and transformation”, says Burnham team

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 31/07/2026

A good time to be launching a think tank thinking about the state of the future, eh? Sign up to our newsletter via sotf.org.uk And yesterday's post on the Burnham government still feels relevant (and hasn't aged too badly, thankfully) medium.com/state-of-the...

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 30/07/2026

I have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...

medium.com

The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government

In common with lots of other policy people in recent weeks, I’ve been reading Head North, the (very readable) book by new Prime Minister…

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 27/07/2026

And if you enjoyed @policycamp.bsky.social... ...you might enjoy @transformgovtalks.bsky.social! Join us this Wednesday evening for talks on: - Design ethnography and Hansard - Churn! a boardgame all about making policy Sign up now: luma.com/5ux09nfv

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 21/07/2026

So. Farewell then, DSIT (7 February 2023 – 20 July 2026) For all the department’s challenges, I’m not sure it’s a great idea to abolish it 🧵

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 03/07/2026

🚨 LAST DAY TO APPLY 🚨 More than 500 people have now applied for a ticket for the first ever @policycamp.bsky.social, taking place at UCL on Thursday 23 July Applications close TONIGHT at 11.59pm - the ballot takes place over the weekend Last chance to apply for a ticket: policycamp.org.uk

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 10/06/2026

Also mentions that I'm in Berlin for the Creative Bureaucracy Festival (yes, I do know how to enjoy myself) - drop me a line if you're here too!

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 10/06/2026

🚨 OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER 🚨 Events! Lots of them! @transformgovtalks.bsky.social and @policycamp.bsky.social The future of Data Bites Keeping the FOIA burning Some ideas for open government And more! medium.com/state-of-the... (Subscribe via email: mailchi.mp/3c57e3c9e403...)

medium.com

State of the Future: Newsletter #1, June 2026

Welcome to the first State of the Future newsletter, which you either signed up for several weeks ago and have forgotten about, or are…

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 30/04/2026

We'll be thinking of some ideas to submit - and heading to some of the online sessions 👇

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 28/04/2026

TOMORROW! @transformgovtalks.bsky.social with: - Lisa Trickey/Rebekah Wilson @local.gov.uk, state of digital local govt & LG2040: The State of Things to Come - Jonathan Slater, visiting prof @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social, civil service reform MoJ/online, 6pm luma.com/7nu2j853

luma.com

TransformGov Talks: April 2026 · Luma

MULisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, Local Government Association on the state of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan…

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 24/04/2026

Just spotted another government organisation on here, @tprgovuk.bsky.social, so have added to my starter pack: go.bsky.app/JHsY1Wz Who else has joined since I put it together?

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 23/04/2026

What did we learn from the 2nd FOI Network workshop, on supporting journalists/specialist users of FOI? @mysociety.org have written it up. Key points: - Frustration at pushback (active & passive) - Importance of writing good requests, understanding process www.mysociety.org/2026/04/20/f...

mysociety.org

FOI Network: what we discovered in workshop 2

We continue with exploratory work that will help shape what the FOI Network will become, and how it will best serve specific types of those who use Freedom Of Information. Last week, in our second wor...

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 23/04/2026

Timely, with former perm sec Jonathan Slater on civil service reform, and @local.gov.uk on the future of local government Join us in person or online next Wednesday 29 April 👇

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 20/04/2026

Join us a week on Wednesday for another great line-up 👇 Previous events here: www.transformgov.org.uk/previous.shtml

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 14/04/2026

How can we protect and expand FOI? @mysociety.org have written up the first workshop exploring what an FOI Network could do to help www.mysociety.org/2026/04/14/f... The second workshop, on how a Network could support journalists and specialist users, is... TOMORROW! Sign up: luma.com/y12euvs2

mysociety.org

FOI Network: how can we strengthen access to information?

The FOI Network is an informal coalition of civil society organisations, journalists and academics with an interest in Freedom of Information, convened by mySociety and State of the Future. Last week,...

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 09/04/2026

The growing case to protect FOI www.mysociety.org/2026/04/08/t... Great summary by @juliacushion.bsky.social of responses to recent threats to freedom of information We, @mysociety.org & others are exploring what an FOI Network could look like Next online workshop: Wed 15 April luma.com/y12euvs2

mysociety.org

The growing case to protect FOI

The response from across the FOI community and beyond is clear that restricting access to information is not the answer.

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transformgovtalks.bsky.social @transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Our next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 29th April 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, LGA : State of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and QMUL luma.com/7nu2j853 Please share! Thanks 🙏

luma.com

TransformGov Talks: April 2026 · Luma

Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, Local Government Association on the state of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater,…

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 02/04/2026

Fix the plumbing => fix the planning! Had a great conversation with @mikerose.co.uk and Colm Britton about their work with MHCLG on digital planning - and the role of data standards, underlying infrastructure, openness, community and much more besides podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...

podcasts.apple.com

Special Episode: Planning Problems & Possibilities

Podcast Episode · It's not all about the numbers! · 28 March · 50min

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 26/03/2026

How might an FOI Network encourage the protection and expansion of Freedom of Information in the UK? Building on the success of FOI Fest (www.mysociety.org/transparency...), that's the question we'll be looking to answer at an online workshop next Wednesday, 1 April. Join us! luma.com/erlh5p2b

luma.com

How might an FOI Network encourage the protection and expansion of Freedom of Information in the UK? · Luma

The FOI Network is currently an informal coalition of civil society organisations, journalists, and academics interested in Freedom of Information (FOI) in the…

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 26/03/2026

A huge thank you to last night's excellent @transformgovtalks.bsky.social presenters: - Oliver @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social on AI transcription in social care www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/scrib... - Owen @infocommission.bsky.social on Better Records Together ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...

Oliver Bruff from the Ada Lovelace Institute presents at TransformGov Talks at the Ministry of Justice. He is stood to the right of a green TransformGov Talks banner and the left of a projector screen. The backs of audience members' heads can be seen as they sit around two long tables, watching and listening.

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 23/03/2026

Happy @transformgovtalks.bsky.social week! Join us for 6pm this Wednesday, online or at the MoJ in London SW1 👇

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Gavin Freeguard @gavinfreeguard.com · 19/03/2026

Bumper freedom of information thread for your delectation and delight (and disquiet): - Links to great FOI Fest videos, a month on - A couple of big FOI stories in the FT this week - Details of the first FOI Network online event (join us!)

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State of the Future @sotf.org.uk · 19/03/2026

It’s exactly a month since FOI Fest – a great day of discussion on all things freedom of information. If you missed it, videos are now available www.mysociety.org/transparency... After @gavinfreeguard.com's intro, we had a video from Info Commissioner, John Edwards www.youtube.com/watch?v=icFP...

youtube.com

FOI Fest 2026 - Introduction

YouTube video by mySociety

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