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We Are Open Co-op

@weareopen.coop
1.1K followers 83 following 79 posts

We were a not-for-profit worker co-op of strategists, innovators & facilitators active 2016-2026. We designed and delivered strategies and tactics to untangle your organisational spaghetti by working hand-in-hand with you and your team.

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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 01/05/2026
So long and thanks for all the fish! blog.weareopen.coop/we-are-compo...
Wheelbarrow with compost and a gardening fork next to a sign saying "WAO is now compost"
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 25/02/2026
We have some news blog.weareopen.coop/we-are-closi...
blog.weareopen.coop
We Are Closing
After ten years of creative cooperation, we’re announcing that We Are Open Co-op (WAO) will close its doors on our 10th birthday: 1st May 2026. This has been a carefully considered, collaborative deci...
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 25/11/2025
"New," as they say, "on the blog" blog.weareopen.coop/solidarity-f...
Works for us, works for you
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 29/09/2025
New on our (new) blog: some reflections on how we're helping Amnesty International UK set up a new community platform blog.weareopen.coop/conscious-di...
A collection of Open Peeps
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 17/07/2025
You're not imagining it, our blog looks different because we've moved to Ghost! blog.weareopen.coop Check out that sweet sweet three-column layout! (Thesis theme)
Screenshot of new WAO blog
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 15/07/2025
Many thanks to @helenbeetham.bsky.social for inviting me onto her podcast to talk about #AI and #DigitalLiteracy - but also ambiguity, vibe coding, and the importance of play. helenbeetham.substack.com/p/doug-belsh... Image CC BY-ND @visualthinkery.bsky.social for @weareopen.coop
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 16/06/2025
New on the blog: Gaps in AI Literacy provision blog.weareopen.coop/gaps-in-ai-l... #AILiteracy #AI #Education
blog.weareopen.coop
Gaps in AI Literacy provision
A values-based list of barriers faced by 14–19 year olds in the UK
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 11/06/2025
New on the blog.... AI Literacy or AI Literacies? Exploring the plural, context-dependent, and socially-negotiated nature of new literacies blog.weareopen.coop/ai-literacy-...
blog.weareopen.coop
AI Literacy or AI Literacies?
Exploring the plural, context-dependent, and socially-negotiated nature of new literacies
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 22/05/2025
Core Values for #AILiteracy: Embedding Ethics for Audiences aged 14–19 blog.weareopen.coop/core-values-...
blog.weareopen.coop
Core Values for AI Literacy
Embedding Ethics for Audiences aged 14–19
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 06/05/2025
What makes for a good #AILiteracy framework? blog.weareopen.coop/what-makes-f...
blog.weareopen.coop
What makes for a good AI Literacy framework?
Reviewing the landscape and sharing our approach
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Stef Walter @stephaniewalter.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
What’s the Difference Between WCAG, the EAA, and EN 301 549? Complex topic indeed. I love a good food metaphor, so here we go: - WCAG is the cookbook that tells you how to prepare accessible digital content. - The EAA is the food safety law: it makes serving accessible content mandatory in the EU.
3 illustrations showing the difference between WCAG, European Accessibility Act and EN 301 549 with the following text.
WCAG: a cookbook: with recipes (guidelines) for preparing accessible digital content. It’s a global reference, but following it is voluntary. Illustration of a cook holding a WCAG cookbook
European Accessibility Act. The food safety law: it makes serving accessible content mandatory in the EU. Enforced by EU member states, with penalties for non-compliance. Illustration of the scale of justice, with a contract named EAA
EN 301 549: A detailed inspection checklist: not mandatory on its own, but, used to show the “recipes” were followed correctly.  It’s based on WCAG. Illustration of a checklist, being checked by a pen, titled EN 301 549.
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 14/04/2025
What does #AILiteracy look like for young people aged 14–19? blog.weareopen.coop/what-does-ai...
blog.weareopen.coop
What does AI Literacy look like for young people aged 14–19?
A research project with the Responsible Innovation Centre at the BBC
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 14/04/2025
What does #AILiteracy look like for young people aged 14–19? blog.weareopen.coop/what-does-ai...
blog.weareopen.coop
What does AI Literacy look like for young people aged 14–19?
A research project with the Responsible Innovation Centre at the BBC
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 08/04/2025
The final post in a series highlighting the key points from a report that @weareopen.coop wrote on #microcredentials for the Irish National Digital Leadership Network (NDLN) blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenRecognition #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 7
A Vision for the Future of Microcredentials
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 04/04/2025
Part 6 of a seven-part series teasing out the main parts of an NDLN report into #microcredentials blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenRecognition #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 6
Challenges and Risks in Microcredentialing
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 02/04/2025
Post 5 of 7 just dropped highlighting key points from @weareopen.coop's #Microcredentials report for N-TUTORR's #NDLN (launch event today!) blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges #DigitalCredentials
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 5
The Role of Technology in Microcredentialing
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 01/04/2025
Our third FAAFO session is coming up this Thursday. Why not join us? lu.ma/v3g1qzlk #AI #AILiteracy
lu.ma
F*ck Around And Find Out #3 · Zoom · Luma
WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 31/03/2025
Trends shaping the future of #microcredentials blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... This is Part 4 (of 7!) in our series sharing insights from the NDLN report which will be released later this week. #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 4
Trends Shaping the Future of Microcredentials
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 26/03/2025
Part 3 of our seven(!) part series introducing a new report on digital and micro credentials for the NDLN is now out: blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... @ntutorr.ie #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #OpenRecognition #Microcredentials #DigitalBadges
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 3
Demystifying Microcredentials
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 24/03/2025
DID YOU KNOW it’s National #AILiteracy Day (in the US) on Friday? We’re running a session: lu.ma/lm657f0p
lu.ma
Dimensions of AI Literacies: An Introduction · Zoom · Luma
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every facet of education, both for learners, educators, and leaders alike. In this time of great change, how…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 21/03/2025
The second in a series of posts highlighting themes from our NDLN report on #microcredentials blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... #OpenRecognition #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #DigitalCredentials #DigitalBadges
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 2
The Evolution of Credentialing
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 20/03/2025
Last call for FAAFO in a few hours' time lu.ma/fstk9rwl #AI #AILiteracy
lu.ma
F*ck Around And Find Out #2 · Zoom · Luma
WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 17/03/2025
We recently authored a report for the Irish NDLN on the transformative potential of micro and digital credentialing in recognising learning and achievements. blog.weareopen.coop/reframing-re... #Microcredentials #DigitalCredentials #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #OpenREcognition #DigitalBadges
blog.weareopen.coop
Reframing Recognition: Part 1
Introduction and Context
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 11/03/2025
We're running our second FAAFO session soon. Why not sign up, come along, and enjoy a supported space to experiment with new technologies? #AI lu.ma/fstk9rwl
lu.ma
F*ck Around And Find Out #2 · Zoom · Luma
WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 06/03/2025
60 people have registered for this #AI + #OpenEducation session tomorrow. Wanna join them? lu.ma/mak647t1
lu.ma
AI Literacies for Open Educators: An Exploration · Luma
This event is hosted by We Are Open Co-op and Opened Culture as part of Open Education Week. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education,…
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Laura Hilliger @laurahilliger.com · 25/02/2025
Just hit the button on Part 4 of a series we've been writing @weareopen.coop on activism and AI. It's an accompaniment to research we did with Friends of the Earth Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice. Full series linked at the top of this final post! blog.weareopen.coop/how-to-be-an...
blog.weareopen.coop
How to be an Activist in a World of AI
In our final post in the AI and Activism series, we look to help you live your values as you explore new AI tools and services. Be sure and…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 28/02/2025
Our own @dougbelshaw.com is collaborating with @angelagunder.bsky.social next month on a couple of #AILiteracies -related sessions. They're free to attend! You should come along 😀 blog.weareopen.coop/exploring-th...
blog.weareopen.coop
Exploring the Dimensions of AI Literacies with Dr Angela Gunder
Join us for two upcoming events as we help map the contours of the landscape
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 26/02/2025
Thursday 6th March - the @weareopen.coop crew is running the first of our FAAFO session. Tickets are £25: lu.ma/gkbv78pu
lu.ma
F*ck Around And Find Out #1 · Zoom · Luma
WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 26/02/2025
Amnesty International UK are hiring for an Online Community Manager!
buff.ly
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 25/02/2025
Join us at the top of the hour for the Open Recognition is for Everybody (ORE) community call. All welcome! lu.ma/qkhp92r6 #OpenRecognition #OpenBadges #VerifiableCredentials #DigitalBadges #Microcredentials
lu.ma
ORE Community Call · Zoom · Luma
Come and join the Open Recognition is for Everybody (ORE) Community Call! We'll be getting to know each other and talk about the things that are on our minds…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 25/02/2025
This will be fun.
lu.ma
F*ck Around And Find Out #1 · Zoom · Luma
WAO is offering a series of workshops on AI where we’re offering a safe space to play with AI tools and learn about the social and cultural issues that…
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Laura Hilliger @laurahilliger.com · 18/02/2025
New on the @weareopen.coop blog, Part 3 of our #AI series accompanying our Friends of the Earth report on Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice. Today we pull out some starting principles for ethical AI
blog.weareopen.coop
Starting principles for the ethical use of AI
Part 3 of our series on AI and Activism looks at the seven principles we developed in collaboration with Friends of the Earth for climate…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 17/02/2025
We've been noodling on a new domain which pulls together some of our work around #DigitalCredentials digitalcredentials.fyi #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges #OpenRecognition #Microcredentials
Screenshot of digitalcredentials.fyi
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Laura Hilliger @laurahilliger.com · 13/02/2025
Big tech might be ignoring the systemic complexities of the #AI conversation, but we're not. Part 2 in the @weareopen.coop series to go with our recent Friends of the Earth report: blog.weareopen.coop/systemic-com...
blog.weareopen.coop
Systemic complexities with AI
This series is a brief look at the content within Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice, a report WAO developed for Friends of the Earth…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 13/02/2025
We're happy for feedback on our Understanding Predominant Narratives in AI post and/or the Friends of the Earth report we're sharing there!
blog.weareopen.coop
Understanding Predominant Narratives in AI
Over the past months, WAO has been working on a report called Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice for Friends of the Earth. Funded by…
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 12/02/2025
Experiment #8 is a concise ebook about #SystemsThinking based on the blog posts I wrote during the first year of my MSc ko-fi.com/s/128e2c4f95
Promo image for ebook
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Ketan Joshi @ketanjoshi.co · 12/02/2025
I haven't actually read all of this @weareopen.coop report done for Friends of the Earth but it's really interesting. A lot of smart points about agency and power and tech. Not sure the debate is "polarised"- the AI-critical position seems very much in the tiny minority More thoughts once I'm done!
policy.friendsoftheearth.uk
Harnessing AI for environmental justice | Policy and insight
Principles and practices to guide climate justice and digital rights campaigners in the responsible use of AI.
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 12/02/2025
We've updated ailiteracy.fyi to link to our recent Friends of the Earth report:
ailiteracy.fyi
What is AI Literacy?
We Are Open Co-op's approach builds on the Eight Elements of Digital Literacies, a contextual, plural approach to AI literacies.Navigating the human and technological aspects of AI, we help you…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 11/02/2025
New on the blog this week: Our first in a series summarizing key concepts in our new report for Friends of the Earth on Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice:
blog.weareopen.coop
Understanding Predominant Narratives in AI
Over the past months, WAO has been working on a report called Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice for Friends of the Earth. Funded by…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 10/02/2025
TODAY we've had a report on 'Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice' published by Friends of the Earth @epilepticrabbit.bsky.social, one of the authors, has created a four-part blog post series, pulling out some of the key themes. Part 1: blog.weareopen.coop/understandin...
blog.weareopen.coop
Understanding Predominant Narratives in AI
Over the past months, WAO has been working on a report called Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice for Friends of the Earth. Funded by…
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Doug Belshaw @dougbelshaw.com · 06/02/2025
Experiment #4 is a collaboration with @epilepticrabbit.bsky.social on a @weareopen.coop merch store - STICKERS! weareopen-shop.fourthwall.com Features images created over the years by @visualthinkery.bsky.social for WAO.
WAO merch store screenshot
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 05/02/2025
A Constructive Approach to #AI Literacies blog.weareopen.coop/a-constructi... (our Friends of the Earth article on "Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice" is due to be published on Monday)
blog.weareopen.coop
A Constructive Approach to AI Literacies
Introducing AILiteracy.fyi
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Laura Hilliger @laurahilliger.com · 28/01/2025
Yesterday @weareopen.coop learned that we were successful at pulling in an activist community project for a well known international NGO. I couldn't be happier and will continue to use my expertise and connections to make sure that we all have the community support we need to fight the good fight.
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 20/01/2025
New on the blog: Towards an Open Recognition Wallet blog.weareopen.coop/towards-an-o... #OpenRecognition #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges #Microcredentials
blog.weareopen.coop
Towards an Open Recognition Wallet
Note: this post builds upon ideas we presented at ePIC 2024, and a couple of in-depth posts about using Open Recognition to map real-world…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 20/01/2025
New on the blog: Towards an Open Recognition Wallet blog.weareopen.coop/towards-an-o... #OpenRecognition #VerifiableCredentials #OpenBadges #DigitalBadges #Microcredentials
blog.weareopen.coop
Towards an Open Recognition Wallet
Note: this post builds upon ideas we presented at ePIC 2024, and a couple of in-depth posts about using Open Recognition to map real-world…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 13/01/2025
New on the blog: our 'Hamming' questions for 2025 blog.weareopen.coop/getting-this...
blog.weareopen.coop
Getting this year off to the right start
‘Hamming’ it up in 2025
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 10/01/2025
We've started the year thinking about 'Hamming Questions'. We'll be sharing more in an upcoming blog post, but what would *yours* be? www.lesswrong.com/posts/P5k3PG...
lesswrong.com
The Hamming Question — LessWrong
This is a stub post, mostly existing so people can easily link to a post explaining what the Hamming question is. If you would like to write a real v…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 13/12/2024
Our most popular posts of 2024! 🎉 blog.weareopen.coop/our-most-pop...
blog.weareopen.coop
🎁 Our most popular posts of 2024
I guess this is WAO Wrapped?
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 08/12/2024
Check out our Christmas-themed end of year #retrospective, newly-added to our 'Learn with WAO' site: buff.ly/4gg7OIl #Christmas #retrospective #whimsy #fun
buff.ly
EOY Retrospective - Learn with We Are Open Co-op
Whether it's midway through a project, or at the end, a retrospective is an important part of team learning. While there are many ways of performing a retro, we've found that doing it in a fun way…
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We Are Open Co-op @weareopen.coop · 07/12/2024
What do you mean you haven't heard of the Strategic Starfish? Get that fixed, now! buff.ly/3IIPWaC #strategy #collaboration #retrospective
buff.ly
Strategic Starfish - Learn with We Are Open Co-op
The "Starfish Retrospective" is a model for reflection that has been around on the Internet since the before times. None of them, however, are quite so beautiful as the Starfish WAO member Bryan…
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