Martha Edwards
@maredwards.bsky.social
Service Design and user research things 🇨🇦 🇬🇧
Tweets are my own and don't reflect who I might work for or with
Tweets are my own and don't reflect who I might work for or with
Strikenotes episode 4, the series finale (thank goodness)
Our union and government reached a tentative agreement on Sunday so we've returned to work 🥳 This is my first day back and I'm feeling a little lost.
I haven't worked since Sept 12 and I got re-orged to another ministry while I was away
Our union and government reached a tentative agreement on Sunday so we've returned to work 🥳 This is my first day back and I'm feeling a little lost.
I haven't worked since Sept 12 and I got re-orged to another ministry while I was away
a man in a suit is standing on a beach with the words where am i ? written below him
ALT: a man in a suit is standing on a beach with the words where am i ? written below him
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Strikenotes episode 4, the series finale (thank goodness)
Our union and government reached a tentative agreement on Sunday so we've returned to work 🥳 This is my first day back and I'm feeling a little lost.
I haven't worked since Sept 12 and I got re-orged to another ministry while I was away
Our union and government reached a tentative agreement on Sunday so we've returned to work 🥳 This is my first day back and I'm feeling a little lost.
I haven't worked since Sept 12 and I got re-orged to another ministry while I was away
It’s been years but I’ve finally done it - I’ve listened to every episode in my giant podcast queue thanks to the @bcgeu.bsky.social strike.
Any recommendations for new pods? I like the ones that tell a good story (not usually a fan of conversation-style ones, unless they’re really good)
Any recommendations for new pods? I like the ones that tell a good story (not usually a fan of conversation-style ones, unless they’re really good)
October 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
It’s been years but I’ve finally done it - I’ve listened to every episode in my giant podcast queue thanks to the @bcgeu.bsky.social strike.
Any recommendations for new pods? I like the ones that tell a good story (not usually a fan of conversation-style ones, unless they’re really good)
Any recommendations for new pods? I like the ones that tell a good story (not usually a fan of conversation-style ones, unless they’re really good)
Strikenotes episode 3: 4th week on the picket lines with my union @bcgeu.bsky.social
We had a four day picket week due to Canadian thanksgiving on Monday. Grateful to the union for giving us strike pay on the holiday 🙏🏼
Chilly temps this week but we didn’t have much (or any?) rain ☀️
We had a four day picket week due to Canadian thanksgiving on Monday. Grateful to the union for giving us strike pay on the holiday 🙏🏼
Chilly temps this week but we didn’t have much (or any?) rain ☀️
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Strikenotes episode 3: 4th week on the picket lines with my union @bcgeu.bsky.social
We had a four day picket week due to Canadian thanksgiving on Monday. Grateful to the union for giving us strike pay on the holiday 🙏🏼
Chilly temps this week but we didn’t have much (or any?) rain ☀️
We had a four day picket week due to Canadian thanksgiving on Monday. Grateful to the union for giving us strike pay on the holiday 🙏🏼
Chilly temps this week but we didn’t have much (or any?) rain ☀️
Still not back at work so here’s strikenotes episode 2. 3rd week on strike, 6th for many colleagues.
We all kicked off the week with a huge rally at the BC Legislature. It was both chaotic and energizing. But it seemed to do nothing to move things forward which was disappointing & demoralizing
We all kicked off the week with a huge rally at the BC Legislature. It was both chaotic and energizing. But it seemed to do nothing to move things forward which was disappointing & demoralizing
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Still not back at work so here’s strikenotes episode 2. 3rd week on strike, 6th for many colleagues.
We all kicked off the week with a huge rally at the BC Legislature. It was both chaotic and energizing. But it seemed to do nothing to move things forward which was disappointing & demoralizing
We all kicked off the week with a huge rally at the BC Legislature. It was both chaotic and energizing. But it seemed to do nothing to move things forward which was disappointing & demoralizing
In case you needed this reminder today …
Ready for the March on the Legislature ✊🏻
#defendpublicservices #bcgeu #bcpoli
cc @bcgeu.bsky.social
Ready for the March on the Legislature ✊🏻
#defendpublicservices #bcgeu #bcpoli
cc @bcgeu.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
In case you needed this reminder today …
Ready for the March on the Legislature ✊🏻
#defendpublicservices #bcgeu #bcpoli
cc @bcgeu.bsky.social
Ready for the March on the Legislature ✊🏻
#defendpublicservices #bcgeu #bcpoli
cc @bcgeu.bsky.social
Also realized I should probably provide some “strike” context (all from my perspective)
-in Canadian gov, most positions below director level have mandatory union membership (uk gov doesn’t do this?)
-in Aug, 91% of members in my current union voted to strike for a cost of living increase
-in Canadian gov, most positions below director level have mandatory union membership (uk gov doesn’t do this?)
-in Aug, 91% of members in my current union voted to strike for a cost of living increase
I've been itching to write about #SDinGov and update my #weeknotes but..... I'm on strike and I'm not sure if it counts as 'scabbing' to write about work on my personal blog 😬
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
October 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Also realized I should probably provide some “strike” context (all from my perspective)
-in Canadian gov, most positions below director level have mandatory union membership (uk gov doesn’t do this?)
-in Aug, 91% of members in my current union voted to strike for a cost of living increase
-in Canadian gov, most positions below director level have mandatory union membership (uk gov doesn’t do this?)
-in Aug, 91% of members in my current union voted to strike for a cost of living increase
I've been itching to write about #SDinGov and update my #weeknotes but..... I'm on strike and I'm not sure if it counts as 'scabbing' to write about work on my personal blog 😬
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
October 3, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I've been itching to write about #SDinGov and update my #weeknotes but..... I'm on strike and I'm not sure if it counts as 'scabbing' to write about work on my personal blog 😬
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
So, here are some 'strikenotes' from 2 weeks on the picket lines
Well this is disappointing. I would quite like to go back to work 🥲
September 29, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Well this is disappointing. I would quite like to go back to work 🥲
This time last week I was filling my heart and brain with ideas and knowledge and connections at @sdingov.bsky.social
This week, instead of returning to work, I joined our union @bcgeu.bsky.social ‘s picket line to fight for fairer wages for our public servants.
What a September 😅🥳
This week, instead of returning to work, I joined our union @bcgeu.bsky.social ‘s picket line to fight for fairer wages for our public servants.
What a September 😅🥳
September 26, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This time last week I was filling my heart and brain with ideas and knowledge and connections at @sdingov.bsky.social
This week, instead of returning to work, I joined our union @bcgeu.bsky.social ‘s picket line to fight for fairer wages for our public servants.
What a September 😅🥳
This week, instead of returning to work, I joined our union @bcgeu.bsky.social ‘s picket line to fight for fairer wages for our public servants.
What a September 😅🥳
“AI isn’t taking your job, the people making the decisions are”
“Responsibility must be shared, not outsourced”
“Being able to ignore the doom and gloom is a privileged position”
“Be hopeful AND cynical”
Necessary truth bombs from @elmosmoe.bsky.social at @sdingov.bsky.social #sdingov
“Responsibility must be shared, not outsourced”
“Being able to ignore the doom and gloom is a privileged position”
“Be hopeful AND cynical”
Necessary truth bombs from @elmosmoe.bsky.social at @sdingov.bsky.social #sdingov
September 19, 2025 at 9:56 AM
“AI isn’t taking your job, the people making the decisions are”
“Responsibility must be shared, not outsourced”
“Being able to ignore the doom and gloom is a privileged position”
“Be hopeful AND cynical”
Necessary truth bombs from @elmosmoe.bsky.social at @sdingov.bsky.social #sdingov
“Responsibility must be shared, not outsourced”
“Being able to ignore the doom and gloom is a privileged position”
“Be hopeful AND cynical”
Necessary truth bombs from @elmosmoe.bsky.social at @sdingov.bsky.social #sdingov
Unreal moment this morning.
Almost feels like there should be some sort of holiday for “the starter word you’ve used for literal years was finally the Wordle word”
Or at least something more than a quiet “woo” alone in a hotel room 😆
Almost feels like there should be some sort of holiday for “the starter word you’ve used for literal years was finally the Wordle word”
Or at least something more than a quiet “woo” alone in a hotel room 😆
September 19, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Unreal moment this morning.
Almost feels like there should be some sort of holiday for “the starter word you’ve used for literal years was finally the Wordle word”
Or at least something more than a quiet “woo” alone in a hotel room 😆
Almost feels like there should be some sort of holiday for “the starter word you’ve used for literal years was finally the Wordle word”
Or at least something more than a quiet “woo” alone in a hotel room 😆
Imagine you were scheduled for a 15 minute chat with the absolute top person in your public service org (besides the elected leader.) What would you use that time to say or ask?
For me, it's prob something around how human-centred designers and/or grass-roots community organizers can have impact
For me, it's prob something around how human-centred designers and/or grass-roots community organizers can have impact
a microphone with the number 3 on it
ALT: a microphone with the number 3 on it
media.tenor.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Imagine you were scheduled for a 15 minute chat with the absolute top person in your public service org (besides the elected leader.) What would you use that time to say or ask?
For me, it's prob something around how human-centred designers and/or grass-roots community organizers can have impact
For me, it's prob something around how human-centred designers and/or grass-roots community organizers can have impact
A 'fun' / challenging game to play in government is "try to find this person on the org chart"
Are they in this vaguely-named division or that one? (NEITHER)
Ooo this branch has all the right keywords...maybe there? (NOPE)
Which of these 35 'strategy' teams are they be part of? (NONE OF THEM)
Are they in this vaguely-named division or that one? (NEITHER)
Ooo this branch has all the right keywords...maybe there? (NOPE)
Which of these 35 'strategy' teams are they be part of? (NONE OF THEM)
August 7, 2025 at 11:29 PM
A 'fun' / challenging game to play in government is "try to find this person on the org chart"
Are they in this vaguely-named division or that one? (NEITHER)
Ooo this branch has all the right keywords...maybe there? (NOPE)
Which of these 35 'strategy' teams are they be part of? (NONE OF THEM)
Are they in this vaguely-named division or that one? (NEITHER)
Ooo this branch has all the right keywords...maybe there? (NOPE)
Which of these 35 'strategy' teams are they be part of? (NONE OF THEM)
July monthnote up ft:
- Recent work (internal project + usability testing)
- Writing some things
- Spending perhaps too much time on non-design-specific tasks to make the design happen
- taking connection opportunities wherever I can find them
www.marthaedwards.ca/monthnote-ju...
- Recent work (internal project + usability testing)
- Writing some things
- Spending perhaps too much time on non-design-specific tasks to make the design happen
- taking connection opportunities wherever I can find them
www.marthaedwards.ca/monthnote-ju...
Monthnote: July 2025
July started slowly for me: recovering from illness, travelling with my kids, bringing home a new puppy wore... it all wore me out. But work kept chugging along at its usual pace. No summer slowdown h...
www.marthaedwards.ca
August 7, 2025 at 6:52 PM
July monthnote up ft:
- Recent work (internal project + usability testing)
- Writing some things
- Spending perhaps too much time on non-design-specific tasks to make the design happen
- taking connection opportunities wherever I can find them
www.marthaedwards.ca/monthnote-ju...
- Recent work (internal project + usability testing)
- Writing some things
- Spending perhaps too much time on non-design-specific tasks to make the design happen
- taking connection opportunities wherever I can find them
www.marthaedwards.ca/monthnote-ju...
Reposted by Martha Edwards
The full schedule of @inclusivedesign24.bsky.social is online, and it's going to be an amazing 24 hours for anyone interested in accessibility. For those not familiar, it's 24 hours, free conferences on accessibility, available on YouTube. Save the date: 25 September 2025!
Inclusive Design 24 (#id24)
A free 24-hour online community event on accessibility and inclusion
inclusivedesign24.org
August 7, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The full schedule of @inclusivedesign24.bsky.social is online, and it's going to be an amazing 24 hours for anyone interested in accessibility. For those not familiar, it's 24 hours, free conferences on accessibility, available on YouTube. Save the date: 25 September 2025!
Rail question for UK folk:
Let's say I'm booking a semi-flexible one-way, meaning I can travel on any of the same train within a 70 min window
Best train for me is 11am but 10:30 is cheaper. Is it irresponsible to book the 10:30 semi-flexible with the intention of taking the 11?
Let's say I'm booking a semi-flexible one-way, meaning I can travel on any of the same train within a 70 min window
Best train for me is 11am but 10:30 is cheaper. Is it irresponsible to book the 10:30 semi-flexible with the intention of taking the 11?
August 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Rail question for UK folk:
Let's say I'm booking a semi-flexible one-way, meaning I can travel on any of the same train within a 70 min window
Best train for me is 11am but 10:30 is cheaper. Is it irresponsible to book the 10:30 semi-flexible with the intention of taking the 11?
Let's say I'm booking a semi-flexible one-way, meaning I can travel on any of the same train within a 70 min window
Best train for me is 11am but 10:30 is cheaper. Is it irresponsible to book the 10:30 semi-flexible with the intention of taking the 11?
So many 'private sector' mindsets have been adopted in gov that go against our core principles.
EG the idea of 'proprietary' work- People 'protecting' work from being copied & shared. It wastes $ & leads to inefficiency & duplication
How can we move from 'it's mine' to 'everything is co-owned'?
EG the idea of 'proprietary' work- People 'protecting' work from being copied & shared. It wastes $ & leads to inefficiency & duplication
How can we move from 'it's mine' to 'everything is co-owned'?
August 1, 2025 at 6:06 PM
So many 'private sector' mindsets have been adopted in gov that go against our core principles.
EG the idea of 'proprietary' work- People 'protecting' work from being copied & shared. It wastes $ & leads to inefficiency & duplication
How can we move from 'it's mine' to 'everything is co-owned'?
EG the idea of 'proprietary' work- People 'protecting' work from being copied & shared. It wastes $ & leads to inefficiency & duplication
How can we move from 'it's mine' to 'everything is co-owned'?
Short-form weeknotes 21-25 July
What happened
- Working on internal service design review atm: team interviews + built out a blueprint, glossary, team guide and list of all tech and touchpoints (whew)
- helped a colleague by running a few UX testing sessions on a big public-facing service
What happened
- Working on internal service design review atm: team interviews + built out a blueprint, glossary, team guide and list of all tech and touchpoints (whew)
- helped a colleague by running a few UX testing sessions on a big public-facing service
July 25, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Short-form weeknotes 21-25 July
What happened
- Working on internal service design review atm: team interviews + built out a blueprint, glossary, team guide and list of all tech and touchpoints (whew)
- helped a colleague by running a few UX testing sessions on a big public-facing service
What happened
- Working on internal service design review atm: team interviews + built out a blueprint, glossary, team guide and list of all tech and touchpoints (whew)
- helped a colleague by running a few UX testing sessions on a big public-facing service
June weeknotes are now live, ft
🚀 Thinking about the future (and activities that help do this) 🚀
✨ Proof that working in the open really works!
🫠 Another re-org in my division
😴 taking a break from design community
👯 much extroverting
🐶 and a new family member
www.marthaedwards.ca/june-monthno...
🚀 Thinking about the future (and activities that help do this) 🚀
✨ Proof that working in the open really works!
🫠 Another re-org in my division
😴 taking a break from design community
👯 much extroverting
🐶 and a new family member
www.marthaedwards.ca/june-monthno...
Monthnote: June 2025
This is a few days late because my youngest and I were struck down with a nasty stomach flu last week and I still haven't bounced back completely.
Anyway, here's what's been happening in my world lat...
www.marthaedwards.ca
July 11, 2025 at 9:03 PM
June weeknotes are now live, ft
🚀 Thinking about the future (and activities that help do this) 🚀
✨ Proof that working in the open really works!
🫠 Another re-org in my division
😴 taking a break from design community
👯 much extroverting
🐶 and a new family member
www.marthaedwards.ca/june-monthno...
🚀 Thinking about the future (and activities that help do this) 🚀
✨ Proof that working in the open really works!
🫠 Another re-org in my division
😴 taking a break from design community
👯 much extroverting
🐶 and a new family member
www.marthaedwards.ca/june-monthno...
In the past month, I've learned that 2 of the houses I walk by *daily* on my way to the kids' school belong to people I know through work.
Feels like some kind of metaphor for how disconnected we are from our neighbours even though we are connected online
(or maybe just coincidence + small city)
Feels like some kind of metaphor for how disconnected we are from our neighbours even though we are connected online
(or maybe just coincidence + small city)
July 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
In the past month, I've learned that 2 of the houses I walk by *daily* on my way to the kids' school belong to people I know through work.
Feels like some kind of metaphor for how disconnected we are from our neighbours even though we are connected online
(or maybe just coincidence + small city)
Feels like some kind of metaphor for how disconnected we are from our neighbours even though we are connected online
(or maybe just coincidence + small city)
Reposted by Martha Edwards
Last week I shared a workshop activity that I was planning (headlines of the future) at our x-gov design crit.
That activity has already been used twice in one week by designers who got the idea from my share.
In case you needed a reminder to share what you are working on 🙂
That activity has already been used twice in one week by designers who got the idea from my share.
In case you needed a reminder to share what you are working on 🙂
June 26, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Last week I shared a workshop activity that I was planning (headlines of the future) at our x-gov design crit.
That activity has already been used twice in one week by designers who got the idea from my share.
In case you needed a reminder to share what you are working on 🙂
That activity has already been used twice in one week by designers who got the idea from my share.
In case you needed a reminder to share what you are working on 🙂
Absolutely gutted by this heartbreaking decision. Charleigh goes to school with my own 9yo and she's such a joyful presence in the school community 💔
I hope @timescolonist.bsky.social & other media are giving this decision the scrutiny and attention it deserves
I hope @timescolonist.bsky.social & other media are giving this decision the scrutiny and attention it deserves
June 19, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Absolutely gutted by this heartbreaking decision. Charleigh goes to school with my own 9yo and she's such a joyful presence in the school community 💔
I hope @timescolonist.bsky.social & other media are giving this decision the scrutiny and attention it deserves
I hope @timescolonist.bsky.social & other media are giving this decision the scrutiny and attention it deserves
Here's something I've been noodling over as I reflect on the delivery cultures in the gov orgs I've worked for. Before I obsess any further ....
1 - I feel like someone must have done something similar before. Does this ring any bells for anyone?!
2 - any thoughts? does this resonate?
1 - I feel like someone must have done something similar before. Does this ring any bells for anyone?!
2 - any thoughts? does this resonate?
May 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here's something I've been noodling over as I reflect on the delivery cultures in the gov orgs I've worked for. Before I obsess any further ....
1 - I feel like someone must have done something similar before. Does this ring any bells for anyone?!
2 - any thoughts? does this resonate?
1 - I feel like someone must have done something similar before. Does this ring any bells for anyone?!
2 - any thoughts? does this resonate?
Interesting user research recruitment method…. Just send people cash in the post with messaging that presumes they will do your diary study! 🤣
(I enjoy getting random money in the mail so will definitely incentivize this behaviour by participating)
(I enjoy getting random money in the mail so will definitely incentivize this behaviour by participating)
May 14, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Interesting user research recruitment method…. Just send people cash in the post with messaging that presumes they will do your diary study! 🤣
(I enjoy getting random money in the mail so will definitely incentivize this behaviour by participating)
(I enjoy getting random money in the mail so will definitely incentivize this behaviour by participating)