Gavin Freeguard
@gavinfreeguard.bsky.social
Data/govt etc freelancer gavinfreeguard.com
Starting sotf.org.uk
@connectedbydata.org, Data Bites @publicdigital.bsky.social, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, Think Digital Partners, @kinship.works, @transformgovtalks.bsky.social
Pic @paulclarke.com
Starting sotf.org.uk
@connectedbydata.org, Data Bites @publicdigital.bsky.social, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, Think Digital Partners, @kinship.works, @transformgovtalks.bsky.social
Pic @paulclarke.com
Pinned
With so many new faces (hello 👋), here’s a quick intro thread to what I do…
Which is basically - research, policy (and advocacy), chairing/facilitation etc around data (and AI) policy, better use of data/information in government and associated topics such as digital govt & open govt
Currently...
Which is basically - research, policy (and advocacy), chairing/facilitation etc around data (and AI) policy, better use of data/information in government and associated topics such as digital govt & open govt
Currently...
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
Question for BlueSky mind: who are the great contemporary sociologists? People writing ethnographic studies of the character of daily life in a digital / social media age.
“Each decade we shiftily declare we have buried class and each decade the coffin stands empty.”
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Question for BlueSky mind: who are the great contemporary sociologists? People writing ethnographic studies of the character of daily life in a digital / social media age.
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
I’m on the lookout for a new contract (preferably inside).
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
November 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I’m on the lookout for a new contract (preferably inside).
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
At our last Data & AI public engagement community @gileslane.bsky.social from @raeng.org.uk spoke on their People's AI Stewardship Summits.
📽️ Watch a video of the presentation youtu.be/5rF7TUCBTHE or read the notes & more connectedbydata.org/events/2025...
📽️ Watch a video of the presentation youtu.be/5rF7TUCBTHE or read the notes & more connectedbydata.org/events/2025...
Data and AI public engagement: Community of Practice
On Wednesday 8 October 2025 we held the twelfth meeting of a community of practice as part of our project on Giving communities a powerful say in public sector data and AI projects.
connectedbydata.org
November 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
At our last Data & AI public engagement community @gileslane.bsky.social from @raeng.org.uk spoke on their People's AI Stewardship Summits.
📽️ Watch a video of the presentation youtu.be/5rF7TUCBTHE or read the notes & more connectedbydata.org/events/2025...
📽️ Watch a video of the presentation youtu.be/5rF7TUCBTHE or read the notes & more connectedbydata.org/events/2025...
TWO WEEKS TODAY!
It's Data Bites #60 @publicdigital.bsky.social, with Welsh Govt, Office for Stats Regulation, ONS and the Greater London Authority - sign up now public.digital/events/data-...
And catch up on Data Bites #59, last month's AI special public.digital/pd-insights/...
It's Data Bites #60 @publicdigital.bsky.social, with Welsh Govt, Office for Stats Regulation, ONS and the Greater London Authority - sign up now public.digital/events/data-...
And catch up on Data Bites #59, last month's AI special public.digital/pd-insights/...
November 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
TWO WEEKS TODAY!
It's Data Bites #60 @publicdigital.bsky.social, with Welsh Govt, Office for Stats Regulation, ONS and the Greater London Authority - sign up now public.digital/events/data-...
And catch up on Data Bites #59, last month's AI special public.digital/pd-insights/...
It's Data Bites #60 @publicdigital.bsky.social, with Welsh Govt, Office for Stats Regulation, ONS and the Greater London Authority - sign up now public.digital/events/data-...
And catch up on Data Bites #59, last month's AI special public.digital/pd-insights/...
Brilliant to see the Office for Stats Regulation publish a toolkit for involving the public in official statistics, helped by a workshop with @connectedbydata.org osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/guidance/pub...
Might lead to some new additions to this :-) connectedbydata.org/resources/bl...
Might lead to some new additions to this :-) connectedbydata.org/resources/bl...
Public involvement and engagement in official statistics: A toolkit for statistics producers
Public involvement and engagement in official statistics: A toolkit for statistics producers
osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
November 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Brilliant to see the Office for Stats Regulation publish a toolkit for involving the public in official statistics, helped by a workshop with @connectedbydata.org osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/guidance/pub...
Might lead to some new additions to this :-) connectedbydata.org/resources/bl...
Might lead to some new additions to this :-) connectedbydata.org/resources/bl...
All recently launched or relaunched:
StatsWales stats.gov.wales/en-GB
OSR Code of Practice code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
GLA Data for London Library dfl.london.gov.uk
ONS Census 2031 consultation www.ons.gov.uk/census/about...
More at @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites on Tues 18 November!
StatsWales stats.gov.wales/en-GB
OSR Code of Practice code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
GLA Data for London Library dfl.london.gov.uk
ONS Census 2031 consultation www.ons.gov.uk/census/about...
More at @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites on Tues 18 November!
🚨 DATA BITES KLAXON 🚨
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
All recently launched or relaunched:
StatsWales stats.gov.wales/en-GB
OSR Code of Practice code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
GLA Data for London Library dfl.london.gov.uk
ONS Census 2031 consultation www.ons.gov.uk/census/about...
More at @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites on Tues 18 November!
StatsWales stats.gov.wales/en-GB
OSR Code of Practice code.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
GLA Data for London Library dfl.london.gov.uk
ONS Census 2031 consultation www.ons.gov.uk/census/about...
More at @publicdigital.bsky.social Data Bites on Tues 18 November!
🚨 DATA BITES KLAXON 🚨
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
November 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
🚨 DATA BITES KLAXON 🚨
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
- Tues 18 Nov, 530 for 6pm
- Online & SW1
- Welsh Govt on StatsWales reimagined
- Office for Statistics Regulation on the new Code of Practice
- GLA on the Data for London Library
- ONS on Census 2031 topic consultation and user insight
Join us! public.digital/events/data-...
A really useful newsletter, this
And if you'd like to learn more about the relaunched StatsWales, we have Stephanie Howarth, chief statistician of the Welsh Govt, talking about it at Data Bites in a couple of weeks public.digital/events/data-...
And if you'd like to learn more about the relaunched StatsWales, we have Stephanie Howarth, chief statistician of the Welsh Govt, talking about it at Data Bites in a couple of weeks public.digital/events/data-...
November 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A really useful newsletter, this
And if you'd like to learn more about the relaunched StatsWales, we have Stephanie Howarth, chief statistician of the Welsh Govt, talking about it at Data Bites in a couple of weeks public.digital/events/data-...
And if you'd like to learn more about the relaunched StatsWales, we have Stephanie Howarth, chief statistician of the Welsh Govt, talking about it at Data Bites in a couple of weeks public.digital/events/data-...
Come!
Enjoy!
See how well my bass/baritone voice is able to tackle some high tenor notes! What could possibly go wrong!
Enjoy!
See how well my bass/baritone voice is able to tackle some high tenor notes! What could possibly go wrong!
🎶 SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER 🎶
Join us for
SACRED SONGS: A journey through 400 years of English choral church music
7 for 7.30pm, St Stephen's, Canonbury N1 2DF
£12/10 concessions
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Join us for
SACRED SONGS: A journey through 400 years of English choral church music
7 for 7.30pm, St Stephen's, Canonbury N1 2DF
£12/10 concessions
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
![Text in front of a stained glass window reads:
New Tottenham Singers present
SACRED SONGS
A journey through 400 years of English choral church music
Saturday 29 November 2025
7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
St Stephen's Church, Canonbury, N1 2HT [or N1 2DF]
Tickets: £12 (under 18s & full-time students £10)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:abav5vcb2xgwleoftoeot4jn/bafkreiejba5oubgqvmo5us6ohifedsgmqvych7jd6ppn74utc4cco6xbcu@jpeg)
November 3, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Come!
Enjoy!
See how well my bass/baritone voice is able to tackle some high tenor notes! What could possibly go wrong!
Enjoy!
See how well my bass/baritone voice is able to tackle some high tenor notes! What could possibly go wrong!
My phone has reminded me that a year ago today, @connectedbydata.org, @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social (@mbirtwistle.bsky.social) & @demos-uk.bsky.social ran a workshop on what we needed beyond the expected Frontier AI Bill (demos.co.uk/research/the...)
A year on, we're still waiting for an AI Bill...
A year on, we're still waiting for an AI Bill...
‘The Frontier AI Bill and…?’: Briefing Paper
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 1:53 PM
My phone has reminded me that a year ago today, @connectedbydata.org, @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social (@mbirtwistle.bsky.social) & @demos-uk.bsky.social ran a workshop on what we needed beyond the expected Frontier AI Bill (demos.co.uk/research/the...)
A year on, we're still waiting for an AI Bill...
A year on, we're still waiting for an AI Bill...
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
We’d love people’s input to this! 👇 Where are the UK public sector reformers?
Help map the movement so that we can work out together how best to support it.
Grateful for RTs
Help map the movement so that we can work out together how best to support it.
Grateful for RTs
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
October 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM
We’d love people’s input to this! 👇 Where are the UK public sector reformers?
Help map the movement so that we can work out together how best to support it.
Grateful for RTs
Help map the movement so that we can work out together how best to support it.
Grateful for RTs
'Normal management and leadership tools are almost non-existent in politics, with "democracy" used as an excuse to run Westminster like a venn diagram of feudal courts'
What if we treated political careers like other high-pressure professions, and actually invested in our leaders to help them thrive?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/political-...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/political-...
Political Derangement Syndrome: our leaders need therapy
What if we redesigned political careers to get the best of people?
howtorunacountry.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
'Normal management and leadership tools are almost non-existent in politics, with "democracy" used as an excuse to run Westminster like a venn diagram of feudal courts'
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
Where are the public sector reformers? Help us find them! medium.com/kinship-work...
Where are the public sector reformers? Help us find them!
When I joined the Institute for Government in 2013, the Government Digital Service (version 1.0) was in full swing. It provided an obvious…
medium.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Where are the public sector reformers? Help us find them! medium.com/kinship-work...
There will be loads missing, so please do add things in!
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
October 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
There will be loads missing, so please do add things in!
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
October 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Where are the public sector reformers? Can you help us find them?
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
At @kinship.works, we thought we'd try to map the different public sector reform 'tribes' & where to find them (orgs, events, networks/communities, online spaces, newsletters/publications/podcasts etc) - but we need your help!
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
Previewing the new version of Consequence Scanning at this event, looking particularly at use of speech-to-text technologies (aka meeting minutes) and a handy "People, Resilience, Environment, Trust" framework for assessing trade offs
Sign up for the next one on Weds 26 November - speakers will include @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social on local government AI procurement and a new version of Consequence Scanning
luma.com/4nead4y6
luma.com/4nead4y6
TransformGov Talks : November 2025 · Luma
Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Rachel Coldicutt, Careful Industries, on local government AI procurement and a new version of Consequence Scanning
Second…
luma.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Previewing the new version of Consequence Scanning at this event, looking particularly at use of speech-to-text technologies (aka meeting minutes) and a handy "People, Resilience, Environment, Trust" framework for assessing trade offs
A very big thank you to Ed Humpherson (Office for Stats Regulation) and Lauren Petrie (Govt Internal Audit Agency) for another fantastic @transformgovtalks.bsky.social last night
Watch/listen: medium.com/@transformgo...
Watch/listen: medium.com/@transformgo...
October 2025 event write up
Hi everyone,
medium.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
A very big thank you to Ed Humpherson (Office for Stats Regulation) and Lauren Petrie (Govt Internal Audit Agency) for another fantastic @transformgovtalks.bsky.social last night
Watch/listen: medium.com/@transformgo...
Watch/listen: medium.com/@transformgo...
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
Calling ALL health data folk: Re UK Health Data Research Service.
The UK gov & Wellcome have pledged up to £600 million to create a HDRS.
Myself & an ace team have been tasked by Wellcome to assess the existing health data ecosystem & identify what is needed to support the HDRS 👇.
Get in touch
The UK gov & Wellcome have pledged up to £600 million to create a HDRS.
Myself & an ace team have been tasked by Wellcome to assess the existing health data ecosystem & identify what is needed to support the HDRS 👇.
Get in touch
October 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Calling ALL health data folk: Re UK Health Data Research Service.
The UK gov & Wellcome have pledged up to £600 million to create a HDRS.
Myself & an ace team have been tasked by Wellcome to assess the existing health data ecosystem & identify what is needed to support the HDRS 👇.
Get in touch
The UK gov & Wellcome have pledged up to £600 million to create a HDRS.
Myself & an ace team have been tasked by Wellcome to assess the existing health data ecosystem & identify what is needed to support the HDRS 👇.
Get in touch
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
How to avoid concreting cowpats (and other AI hokem)
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
October 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
How to avoid concreting cowpats (and other AI hokem)
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Gavin Freeguard
How To Avoid Concreting Cowpats (And Other AI BS) www.politicshome.com/news/article...
How To Avoid Concreting Cowpats (And Other AI BS)
When AI is touted as the solution to every policy question, we need to learn to ask the right questions to sift the real from the illusory.
www.politicshome.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
How To Avoid Concreting Cowpats (And Other AI BS) www.politicshome.com/news/article...
How to avoid concreting cowpats (and other AI hokem)
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
October 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
How to avoid concreting cowpats (and other AI hokem)
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Or, six questions to help scrutinise the AI system or policy solution you're being sold
Delighted to write for @thehousemag.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Join us TOMORROW 👇
🚨 6PM, WED 29 October 🚨
At the MoJ or online
Ed Humpherson, Office for Statistics Regulation, on why 'transformation' has been so challenging for official statistics
Dr Lauren Petrie, Government Internal Audit Agency, on the GIAA's work with data and AI
luma.com/3c92r9qr
Please share! Thanks 🙏
At the MoJ or online
Ed Humpherson, Office for Statistics Regulation, on why 'transformation' has been so challenging for official statistics
Dr Lauren Petrie, Government Internal Audit Agency, on the GIAA's work with data and AI
luma.com/3c92r9qr
Please share! Thanks 🙏
TransformGov Talks : October 2025 · Luma
Join us at 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
Ed Humpherson, Office for Statistics Regulation, on why 'transformation' has been so challenging for official statistics.
Dr…
luma.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Join us TOMORROW 👇
A huge thank you to Simon @metoffice.gov.uk, @elmosmoe.bsky.social @scottishaialliance.bsky.social, James from JDAC and Lauren from GIAA for a brilliant Data Bites AI special @publicdigital.bsky.social last night
Watch back as live (write up/audio/slides to follow) bit.ly/databites59
Watch back as live (write up/audio/slides to follow) bit.ly/databites59
Data Bites #60 — Public Digital
public.digital
October 24, 2025 at 7:14 AM
A huge thank you to Simon @metoffice.gov.uk, @elmosmoe.bsky.social @scottishaialliance.bsky.social, James from JDAC and Lauren from GIAA for a brilliant Data Bites AI special @publicdigital.bsky.social last night
Watch back as live (write up/audio/slides to follow) bit.ly/databites59
Watch back as live (write up/audio/slides to follow) bit.ly/databites59
As Alex says, this is a step in the right direction
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
As Alex says, this is a step in the right direction
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say