Derek Alton
@derekalton.bsky.social
Community Insights Lead for Apolitical by day, Civic Punk by night. Passionate about helping make government work better. Obsessed with all things digital/open government and Public Sector Reform. Community Insights Lead for Apolitical
UKGovCamp makes no sense on paper.
No agenda. No speakers. No script.
And yet… it works.
I sat down with @jacattell.bsky.social to unpack why this unconference keeps producing some of the best conversations in public service.
🎧📺 youtu.be/7rqxCpcwde4
No agenda. No speakers. No script.
And yet… it works.
I sat down with @jacattell.bsky.social to unpack why this unconference keeps producing some of the best conversations in public service.
🎧📺 youtu.be/7rqxCpcwde4
It’s Total Chaos—and Somehow It Works
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtu.be
January 15, 2026 at 4:39 PM
UKGovCamp makes no sense on paper.
No agenda. No speakers. No script.
And yet… it works.
I sat down with @jacattell.bsky.social to unpack why this unconference keeps producing some of the best conversations in public service.
🎧📺 youtu.be/7rqxCpcwde4
No agenda. No speakers. No script.
And yet… it works.
I sat down with @jacattell.bsky.social to unpack why this unconference keeps producing some of the best conversations in public service.
🎧📺 youtu.be/7rqxCpcwde4
I watch way too much YouTube, but was frustrated by the lack of good videos about how to make government better.
So I started making them as an experiment.
100 videos later, here is a reflection → youtu.be/PLQJOyGPj6Y
So I started making them as an experiment.
100 videos later, here is a reflection → youtu.be/PLQJOyGPj6Y
100 Videos In, I Quit My Job to Do This Full Time
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtu.be
January 13, 2026 at 3:16 AM
I watch way too much YouTube, but was frustrated by the lack of good videos about how to make government better.
So I started making them as an experiment.
100 videos later, here is a reflection → youtu.be/PLQJOyGPj6Y
So I started making them as an experiment.
100 videos later, here is a reflection → youtu.be/PLQJOyGPj6Y
So excited for this. I am just fine tuning my talk as we speak!
🚨 THIS WEDS, 6PM 🚨
Join @transformgovtalks.bsky.social, in person @tpximpact.com or online, for our latest event:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
Join @transformgovtalks.bsky.social, in person @tpximpact.com or online, for our latest event:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
TransformGov Talks : December 2025 · Luma
Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Caroline Star, Operations Director at School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long…
luma.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
So excited for this. I am just fine tuning my talk as we speak!
Reposted by Derek Alton
🚨 6PM WEDS 10 DECEMBER 🚨
Join us @tpximpact.com (& online) for the last @transformgovtalks.bsky.social of 2025:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
Join us @tpximpact.com (& online) for the last @transformgovtalks.bsky.social of 2025:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
TransformGov Talks : December 2025 · Luma
Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Caroline Star, Operations Director at School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long…
luma.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:15 AM
🚨 6PM WEDS 10 DECEMBER 🚨
Join us @tpximpact.com (& online) for the last @transformgovtalks.bsky.social of 2025:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
Join us @tpximpact.com (& online) for the last @transformgovtalks.bsky.social of 2025:
- Caroline Star, School of International Futures, on Governing Beyond the Now: Why Policy Needs a Long View
- @derekalton.bsky.social, Civic Punks, on A Journey Into the Future of Govt
Reposted by Derek Alton
A huge thank you to @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @katybeale.bsky.social for great presentations @transformgovtalks.bsky.social tonight
Video etc to follow www.transformgov.org.uk
Sign up for our 10 December event @tpximpact.com (in Whitechapel) with @derekalton.bsky.social luma.com/1b6pmysz
Video etc to follow www.transformgov.org.uk
Sign up for our 10 December event @tpximpact.com (in Whitechapel) with @derekalton.bsky.social luma.com/1b6pmysz
November 26, 2025 at 9:29 PM
A huge thank you to @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @katybeale.bsky.social for great presentations @transformgovtalks.bsky.social tonight
Video etc to follow www.transformgov.org.uk
Sign up for our 10 December event @tpximpact.com (in Whitechapel) with @derekalton.bsky.social luma.com/1b6pmysz
Video etc to follow www.transformgov.org.uk
Sign up for our 10 December event @tpximpact.com (in Whitechapel) with @derekalton.bsky.social luma.com/1b6pmysz
@bluesky.sboots.ca kicking ass and taking names to help launch this year Canadian Open Data and Govmaker Summit.
Sooo good as always Sean
Sooo good as always Sean
November 25, 2025 at 2:09 PM
@bluesky.sboots.ca kicking ass and taking names to help launch this year Canadian Open Data and Govmaker Summit.
Sooo good as always Sean
Sooo good as always Sean
Missing @bluesky.sboots.ca at this years @fwd50conf.bsky.social but Doug is rocking the boots button
November 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Missing @bluesky.sboots.ca at this years @fwd50conf.bsky.social but Doug is rocking the boots button
Check out this digital gov mixer on Nov. 5th. So excited to catch up with old friends to make new ones! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-co...
@robbutler.com @bluesky.sboots.ca can you use your magic to help spread the word through the GC space!
@robbutler.com @bluesky.sboots.ca can you use your magic to help spread the word through the GC space!
Digital Community Mixer / Rencontre de la communauté numérique
Networking event for all digital and digitally curious individuals / Activité de réseautage pour les passionnés et curieux du numérique!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Check out this digital gov mixer on Nov. 5th. So excited to catch up with old friends to make new ones! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-co...
@robbutler.com @bluesky.sboots.ca can you use your magic to help spread the word through the GC space!
@robbutler.com @bluesky.sboots.ca can you use your magic to help spread the word through the GC space!
Reposted by Derek Alton
#ApoliticalDay was very good. I hope it expands to more people next year. Also some good shots of @edent.tel and @derekalton.bsky.social in this amongst others 😄.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSm...
Thank you for an amazing Apolitical Day 2025!
YouTube video by Apolitical
www.youtube.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
#ApoliticalDay was very good. I hope it expands to more people next year. Also some good shots of @edent.tel and @derekalton.bsky.social in this amongst others 😄.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSm...
This week: thinking about what helps govs build innovation muscle, why AI assistants could change public service, and how we find agency again when hope feels thin.
🎬 Weeknotes: youtube.com/shorts/S3RAy...
#CivicPunks
🎬 Weeknotes: youtube.com/shorts/S3RAy...
#CivicPunks
Weeknotes Oct. 5 - Critical Capacities, AI Assistants & Finding Agency
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtube.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
This week: thinking about what helps govs build innovation muscle, why AI assistants could change public service, and how we find agency again when hope feels thin.
🎬 Weeknotes: youtube.com/shorts/S3RAy...
#CivicPunks
🎬 Weeknotes: youtube.com/shorts/S3RAy...
#CivicPunks
Reposted by Derek Alton
Work in or around the #PublicSector? Fancy a breakfast time natter, and optional co-working day?
The last 3 #OneTeamGov North #Manchester meetups of 2025 are on Tuesday:
🐝 21 October,
🐝 18 November,
🐝 16 December.
Sign up via www.eventbrite.com/o/hosted-by-...
The last 3 #OneTeamGov North #Manchester meetups of 2025 are on Tuesday:
🐝 21 October,
🐝 18 November,
🐝 16 December.
Sign up via www.eventbrite.com/o/hosted-by-...
September 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Work in or around the #PublicSector? Fancy a breakfast time natter, and optional co-working day?
The last 3 #OneTeamGov North #Manchester meetups of 2025 are on Tuesday:
🐝 21 October,
🐝 18 November,
🐝 16 December.
Sign up via www.eventbrite.com/o/hosted-by-...
The last 3 #OneTeamGov North #Manchester meetups of 2025 are on Tuesday:
🐝 21 October,
🐝 18 November,
🐝 16 December.
Sign up via www.eventbrite.com/o/hosted-by-...
Weeknotes Sept. 14 - Breaking bubbles and working in the open
Sorry, I know this is late, but here is my weeknote from last week.
Inspired by conversations with Thea Snow about breaking out of bubbles, and the weeknotes of the @gianduran.bsky.social
Check it out: youtube.com/shorts/_NFNg...
Sorry, I know this is late, but here is my weeknote from last week.
Inspired by conversations with Thea Snow about breaking out of bubbles, and the weeknotes of the @gianduran.bsky.social
Check it out: youtube.com/shorts/_NFNg...
Weeknotes Sept. 14 - Breaking bubbles and working in the open
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtube.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Weeknotes Sept. 14 - Breaking bubbles and working in the open
Sorry, I know this is late, but here is my weeknote from last week.
Inspired by conversations with Thea Snow about breaking out of bubbles, and the weeknotes of the @gianduran.bsky.social
Check it out: youtube.com/shorts/_NFNg...
Sorry, I know this is late, but here is my weeknote from last week.
Inspired by conversations with Thea Snow about breaking out of bubbles, and the weeknotes of the @gianduran.bsky.social
Check it out: youtube.com/shorts/_NFNg...
🚨 New series launch: Briefing Room 🚨
In 3 minutes or less, I’ll be breaking down key works on government innovation.
First up: Sir Geoff Mulgan’s DOGE Done Better.
📺 Watch my short summary here: lnkd.in/ebzJxXcX
And don't forget to like and subscribe for more.
Full Article in Comments
In 3 minutes or less, I’ll be breaking down key works on government innovation.
First up: Sir Geoff Mulgan’s DOGE Done Better.
📺 Watch my short summary here: lnkd.in/ebzJxXcX
And don't forget to like and subscribe for more.
Full Article in Comments
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
September 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🚨 New series launch: Briefing Room 🚨
In 3 minutes or less, I’ll be breaking down key works on government innovation.
First up: Sir Geoff Mulgan’s DOGE Done Better.
📺 Watch my short summary here: lnkd.in/ebzJxXcX
And don't forget to like and subscribe for more.
Full Article in Comments
In 3 minutes or less, I’ll be breaking down key works on government innovation.
First up: Sir Geoff Mulgan’s DOGE Done Better.
📺 Watch my short summary here: lnkd.in/ebzJxXcX
And don't forget to like and subscribe for more.
Full Article in Comments
Reposted by Derek Alton
🚨 6PM, WED 24 September 🚨
Join us at the MoJ or online
* Dr Moira Nicolson & Holly Marquez "Failing Forward: Why Planning for AI Disasters Unlocks Breakthrough Innovation"
* Ben Sauer "Always Be Creating Clarity: Daily habits for strategic storytelling"
luma.com/sm09nslz
Please share! Thanks 🙏
Join us at the MoJ or online
* Dr Moira Nicolson & Holly Marquez "Failing Forward: Why Planning for AI Disasters Unlocks Breakthrough Innovation"
* Ben Sauer "Always Be Creating Clarity: Daily habits for strategic storytelling"
luma.com/sm09nslz
Please share! Thanks 🙏
TransformGov Talks : September 2025 · Luma
Dr Moira Nicolson, Lead Behavioural Scientist (Cabinet Office) and Honorary Research Fellow (UCL) plus Holly Marquez, Senior Behavioural Scientist, (Cabinet…
luma.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM
🚨 6PM, WED 24 September 🚨
Join us at the MoJ or online
* Dr Moira Nicolson & Holly Marquez "Failing Forward: Why Planning for AI Disasters Unlocks Breakthrough Innovation"
* Ben Sauer "Always Be Creating Clarity: Daily habits for strategic storytelling"
luma.com/sm09nslz
Please share! Thanks 🙏
Join us at the MoJ or online
* Dr Moira Nicolson & Holly Marquez "Failing Forward: Why Planning for AI Disasters Unlocks Breakthrough Innovation"
* Ben Sauer "Always Be Creating Clarity: Daily habits for strategic storytelling"
luma.com/sm09nslz
Please share! Thanks 🙏
Come join us and help grow the community of cool people doing cool stuff in government here in the uk
Would you like to help out with TGT?
We've had many great speakers and really good chat. To keep it going we need 1 or 2 people to join us. One evening a month at the MoJ, a 30 min weekly call and maybe an hour a week of actions. If you're interested email transformgovtalks@gmail.com. Thanks!
We've had many great speakers and really good chat. To keep it going we need 1 or 2 people to join us. One evening a month at the MoJ, a 30 min weekly call and maybe an hour a week of actions. If you're interested email transformgovtalks@gmail.com. Thanks!
September 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Come join us and help grow the community of cool people doing cool stuff in government here in the uk
Reposted by Derek Alton
🍺🍹🍷🥛 TGT Summer Drinks!! 🥛🍷🍹🍺
Join us at 6pm on Wednesday the 27th of August at the Buckingham Arms for the first TransformGov Talks Summer Drinks.
Network, chat and put the world to rights - we'd love you to join us.
lu.ma/sdzpnfl9
Join us at 6pm on Wednesday the 27th of August at the Buckingham Arms for the first TransformGov Talks Summer Drinks.
Network, chat and put the world to rights - we'd love you to join us.
lu.ma/sdzpnfl9
TransformGov Talks : Summer drinks · Luma
Join us in person for a casual summer evening catch-up and chance to socialise with your fellow government transformers.
lu.ma
August 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
🍺🍹🍷🥛 TGT Summer Drinks!! 🥛🍷🍹🍺
Join us at 6pm on Wednesday the 27th of August at the Buckingham Arms for the first TransformGov Talks Summer Drinks.
Network, chat and put the world to rights - we'd love you to join us.
lu.ma/sdzpnfl9
Join us at 6pm on Wednesday the 27th of August at the Buckingham Arms for the first TransformGov Talks Summer Drinks.
Network, chat and put the world to rights - we'd love you to join us.
lu.ma/sdzpnfl9
Join Isabel Serval and I for @apolitical.bsky.social Scanning Club—fun, practical foresight for public servants.
🌍 Next one’s July 29, theme: Climate.
Watch the teaser: www.youtube.com/shorts/L5Md6...
Join us: apolitical.co/events/futur...
Hop into the community: apolitical.co/en/communiti...
🌍 Next one’s July 29, theme: Climate.
Watch the teaser: www.youtube.com/shorts/L5Md6...
Join us: apolitical.co/events/futur...
Hop into the community: apolitical.co/en/communiti...
Scanning the Future - Scanning Club Promo
YouTube video by Civic Punks
www.youtube.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Join Isabel Serval and I for @apolitical.bsky.social Scanning Club—fun, practical foresight for public servants.
🌍 Next one’s July 29, theme: Climate.
Watch the teaser: www.youtube.com/shorts/L5Md6...
Join us: apolitical.co/events/futur...
Hop into the community: apolitical.co/en/communiti...
🌍 Next one’s July 29, theme: Climate.
Watch the teaser: www.youtube.com/shorts/L5Md6...
Join us: apolitical.co/events/futur...
Hop into the community: apolitical.co/en/communiti...
Reposted by Derek Alton
A huge thank you to @antonioweiss.bsky.social & Defra's Becky Miller for great presentations at @transformgovtalks.bsky.social this week (on AI, and serious games and evidence/policymaking respectively) - catch up here medium.com/@transformgo...
We're back on Wed 16 July lu.ma/6hvitdyr
We're back on Wed 16 July lu.ma/6hvitdyr
Seventh event write up
Hi everyone,
medium.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
A huge thank you to @antonioweiss.bsky.social & Defra's Becky Miller for great presentations at @transformgovtalks.bsky.social this week (on AI, and serious games and evidence/policymaking respectively) - catch up here medium.com/@transformgo...
We're back on Wed 16 July lu.ma/6hvitdyr
We're back on Wed 16 July lu.ma/6hvitdyr
While in South Africa for a friend’s wedding, I took time to learn about their public service. It shares a lot with Canada and the UK. Check out this quick explainer—including the fascinating Batho Pele white paper.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbPZ...
What questions do you have about South Africa?
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbPZ...
What questions do you have about South Africa?
Public Sector Innovation in South Africa - A quick summary
YouTube video by Civic Punks
www.youtube.com
May 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
While in South Africa for a friend’s wedding, I took time to learn about their public service. It shares a lot with Canada and the UK. Check out this quick explainer—including the fascinating Batho Pele white paper.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbPZ...
What questions do you have about South Africa?
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbPZ...
What questions do you have about South Africa?
Reposted by Derek Alton
Exciting news! I'm launching my brand new online self-paced course very soon.
With videos, reading, and hands-on activities, learn how to identify, form, grow, and supercharge communities of practice in and across organisations.
Sign up now to receive a discount at launch tacit.pub/onlinecourse
With videos, reading, and hands-on activities, learn how to identify, form, grow, and supercharge communities of practice in and across organisations.
Sign up now to receive a discount at launch tacit.pub/onlinecourse
May 6, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Exciting news! I'm launching my brand new online self-paced course very soon.
With videos, reading, and hands-on activities, learn how to identify, form, grow, and supercharge communities of practice in and across organisations.
Sign up now to receive a discount at launch tacit.pub/onlinecourse
With videos, reading, and hands-on activities, learn how to identify, form, grow, and supercharge communities of practice in and across organisations.
Sign up now to receive a discount at launch tacit.pub/onlinecourse
Reposted by Derek Alton
The @publicdigital.bsky.social round-up email is excellent (I highly encourage people to subscribe) but it is frustrating that they don't publish an online version which means I can't share a link with all the great info with anyone.
April 28, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The @publicdigital.bsky.social round-up email is excellent (I highly encourage people to subscribe) but it is frustrating that they don't publish an online version which means I can't share a link with all the great info with anyone.
Reposted by Derek Alton
🚨 EVENT KLAXON! 🚨
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
TransformGov Talks : Fifth event · Luma
For our next event we have the following two excellent speakers.
Catherine Day, Cabinet Office, on the cross-government participatory methods forum
The Cabinet…
lu.ma
April 20, 2025 at 9:34 PM
🚨 EVENT KLAXON! 🚨
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
Reposted by Derek Alton
🚨 EVENT KLAXON! 🚨
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
TransformGov Talks : Fifth event · Luma
For our next event we have the following two excellent speakers.
Catherine Day, Cabinet Office, on the cross-government participatory methods forum
The Cabinet…
lu.ma
April 19, 2025 at 11:50 AM
🚨 EVENT KLAXON! 🚨
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
The next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social event will be at the MoJ and online on Weds April 30th with the following great speakers.
* Catherine Day - cross-government participatory methods forum
* Cabinet Office Test, Learn and Grow team
Register here : lu.ma/c3wlyoz0
Reposted by Derek Alton
Kind comments here about a talk I gave at Transform Government about the NAO- the book the talked is based on is available here www.routledge.com/Holding-Gove...
April 4, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Kind comments here about a talk I gave at Transform Government about the NAO- the book the talked is based on is available here www.routledge.com/Holding-Gove...
My friend Oliver came to visit me from Berlin, he shares his takeaways from @henrymidgley.bsky.social talk at @transformgovtalks.bsky.social and the Global Government Innovation Forum.
www.youtube.com/shorts/WKcww...
www.youtube.com/shorts/WKcww...
When Berlin Meets London 🇩🇪🤝🇬🇧 | Public Sector Innovation Catch-Up
YouTube video by Civic Punks
www.youtube.com
April 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My friend Oliver came to visit me from Berlin, he shares his takeaways from @henrymidgley.bsky.social talk at @transformgovtalks.bsky.social and the Global Government Innovation Forum.
www.youtube.com/shorts/WKcww...
www.youtube.com/shorts/WKcww...