Julia Cushion
@juliacushion.bsky.social
Policy & Advocacy Manager @ mySociety
Clumsy, enthusiastic, interested in exciting things like parliament and cryptic crosswords
(she/they)
Clumsy, enthusiastic, interested in exciting things like parliament and cryptic crosswords
(she/they)
Pinned
So encouraging to see lots of new people here - hi! 👋
Make sure you're following all of my brilliant @mysociety.org colleagues on here too:
go.bsky.app/JZpyiof
Make sure you're following all of my brilliant @mysociety.org colleagues on here too:
go.bsky.app/JZpyiof
Reposted by Julia Cushion
A new House of Commons register of interests has been released and uploaded to TheyWorkForYou https://www.theyworkforyou.com/interests
Register of Interests
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
www.theyworkforyou.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
A new House of Commons register of interests has been released and uploaded to TheyWorkForYou https://www.theyworkforyou.com/interests
Reposted by Julia Cushion
Nice to see Icebreaker One build on @mysociety.org's AI Framework here ib1.org/2025/11/13/i...
IB1 Research Guidance: Using Large Language Models – Icebreaker One
ib1.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Nice to see Icebreaker One build on @mysociety.org's AI Framework here ib1.org/2025/11/13/i...
Reposted by Julia Cushion
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
Networked auditors: crowdsourcing and community-led ATI
Discover how three organisations are using crowdsourcing and ATI laws to uncover data, monitor public projects, and drive accountability
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
Networked auditors: crowdsourcing and community-led ATI
Discover how three organisations are using crowdsourcing and ATI laws to uncover data, monitor public projects, and drive accountability
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
🌟 Tomorrow! 🌟
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
We've had a fantastic run of events all about the power of freedom of information to make real world change, and I think this one could be our best yet!
We'd love to see you there!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/networked-...
Yesterday's evidence session about freedom of information in Scotland felt really positive and ambitious - much needed at the moment!
Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
Yesterday @alexparsons.bsky.social spoke at the Scottish Parliament about our views on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Catch up on the evidence session and find out why we're really keen on the proposed proactive publication measures👇
www.mysociety.org/2025/11/07/a...
Catch up on the evidence session and find out why we're really keen on the proposed proactive publication measures👇
www.mysociety.org/2025/11/07/a...
A key moment to strengthen Scotland’s Freedom of Information law
We gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on how to make Scotland's already good FOI system even better.
www.mysociety.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Yesterday's evidence session about freedom of information in Scotland felt really positive and ambitious - much needed at the moment!
Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
Lovely to see @benworthy.bsky.social & @muteswann.bsky.social also speak to the committee, and huge thanks to @cfoiscot.bsky.social for all of their hard work!
Reposted by Julia Cushion
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...
hey nerds, we did something you'll like
We’ve added the future devolved legislature boundaries to @mysociety.org’s MapIt:
www.mysociety.org/2025/10/23/f...
www.mysociety.org/2025/10/23/f...
Future boundaries for devolved legislatures
The Scottish Parliament and the Senedd are both holding elections in May 2026, and the Northern Ireland Assembly will be holding an election before May 2027. All of these elections will take place on ...
www.mysociety.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
hey nerds, we did something you'll like
📺 ICYMI you can catch up on event from this lunchtime over on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik2...
TWFY: a richer view of Parliament
YouTube video by mySociety
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:48 PM
📺 ICYMI you can catch up on event from this lunchtime over on youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik2...
Reposted by Julia Cushion
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
Today at 12! Still time to register www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theyworkfo...
TheyWorkForYou update: a richer view of Parliament
We want to improve the quality of UK democracy by making more and better information available - join us to hear about our latest updates.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Today at 12! Still time to register www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theyworkfo...
Reposted by Julia Cushion
Few things from this release
A new House of Commons register of interests has been released and uploaded to TheyWorkForYou https://www.theyworkforyou.com/interests
Register of Interests
Making it easy to keep an eye on the UK’s parliaments. Discover who represents you, how they’ve voted and what they’ve said in debates.
www.theyworkforyou.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Few things from this release
Reposted by Julia Cushion
MPs profiles now have a 'Committees / APPGs' section with more information about their current committees and APPG memberships.
October 21, 2025 at 9:28 AM
MPs profiles now have a 'Committees / APPGs' section with more information about their current committees and APPG memberships.
A load of work went into this and I'm happy it's out in the world!
What do you and your MP have in common? 🤔
What do you and your MP have in common? 🤔
October 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
A load of work went into this and I'm happy it's out in the world!
What do you and your MP have in common? 🤔
What do you and your MP have in common? 🤔
🎉 1️⃣,2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 🎉
*Sound of trumpets* There are now more than 1.25 million public Freedom of Information requests on WhatDoTheyKnow. #FOI
We launched the site back in 2008 with two goals...
We launched the site back in 2008 with two goals...
October 15, 2025 at 8:53 AM
🎉 1️⃣,2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 🎉
💫 Little end of the week round up of what we've been up to at @mysociety.bsky.social ICYMI 💫
October 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
💫 Little end of the week round up of what we've been up to at @mysociety.bsky.social ICYMI 💫
Reposted by Julia Cushion
Twenty five years on, key parts of the compensation scheme for post office Horizon victims are just now being put in place.
In the new era of generative AI, how do we bring issues to light and address them before they create this kind of tragedy?
www.publictechnology.net/2025/10/07/s...
In the new era of generative AI, how do we bring issues to light and address them before they create this kind of tragedy?
www.publictechnology.net/2025/10/07/s...
Our transparency rules need to adapt to the rise of AI
As automated technology becomes more widely used by public bodies, and for a broader range of purposes, Louise Crow of mySociety outlines why governance rules and processes must keep pace
As th...
www.publictechnology.net
October 10, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Twenty five years on, key parts of the compensation scheme for post office Horizon victims are just now being put in place.
In the new era of generative AI, how do we bring issues to light and address them before they create this kind of tragedy?
www.publictechnology.net/2025/10/07/s...
In the new era of generative AI, how do we bring issues to light and address them before they create this kind of tragedy?
www.publictechnology.net/2025/10/07/s...
New registers of interests are up on TWFY - this update includes a bunch of donations to Labour deputy leadership candidates, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
You can see just new entries (and download as csv etc) here: data.mysociety.org/datasette/?m...
You can see just new entries (and download as csv etc) here: data.mysociety.org/datasette/?m...
October 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
New registers of interests are up on TWFY - this update includes a bunch of donations to Labour deputy leadership candidates, if you're interested in that sort of thing.
You can see just new entries (and download as csv etc) here: data.mysociety.org/datasette/?m...
You can see just new entries (and download as csv etc) here: data.mysociety.org/datasette/?m...
this short and sweet blog from @dracos.co.uk is worth two mins of your time, it's important to us to be able to support other good bits of the internet, and it's important to me that everyone is reminded of this classic @xkcd.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
this short and sweet blog from @dracos.co.uk is worth two mins of your time, it's important to us to be able to support other good bits of the internet, and it's important to me that everyone is reminded of this classic @xkcd.com
Reposted by Julia Cushion
Tbf some of us have been on this story for years
www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-ho...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/home-offi...
Great to see conditions & profits getting more coverage and more awareness across the board 💪
www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-ho...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/home-offi...
Great to see conditions & profits getting more coverage and more awareness across the board 💪
October 7, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Tbf some of us have been on this story for years
www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-ho...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/home-offi...
Great to see conditions & profits getting more coverage and more awareness across the board 💪
www.opendemocracy.net/en/asylum-ho...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/home-offi...
Great to see conditions & profits getting more coverage and more awareness across the board 💪
We've been working on some cool stuff and we want to tell you about it!
New stuff on TheyWorkForYou ahoy! Join us at lunchtime on Thursday, October 23, when our own @alexparsons.bsky.social and @juliacushion.bsky.social will be talking through what's new.
For full details and to book your free spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theyworkfo...
For full details and to book your free spot: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theyworkfo...
TheyWorkForYou update: a richer view of Parliament
We want to improve the quality of UK democracy by making more and better information available - join us to hear about our latest updates.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
We've been working on some cool stuff and we want to tell you about it!
who wore it better??
October 2, 2025 at 11:12 AM
who wore it better??
This should be a really interesting one...
How can we measure implementation of freedom of information laws when each country might have thousands of different public bodies? How far does assessing legislation get us?
Join us to find out!
How can we measure implementation of freedom of information laws when each country might have thousands of different public bodies? How far does assessing legislation get us?
Join us to find out!
There's still time - but only just - to sign up to today's #FOI event in which three experts will be looking at how FOI law works when it meets the real world. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/putting-tr...
Putting transparency to the test: evaluating FOI in practice
How can we tell if FOI laws are working in practice? Three expert speakers will help us assess whether legislation matches reality.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:13 AM
This should be a really interesting one...
How can we measure implementation of freedom of information laws when each country might have thousands of different public bodies? How far does assessing legislation get us?
Join us to find out!
How can we measure implementation of freedom of information laws when each country might have thousands of different public bodies? How far does assessing legislation get us?
Join us to find out!
Reposted by Julia Cushion
There's still time - but only just - to sign up to today's #FOI event in which three experts will be looking at how FOI law works when it meets the real world. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/putting-tr...
Putting transparency to the test: evaluating FOI in practice
How can we tell if FOI laws are working in practice? Three expert speakers will help us assess whether legislation matches reality.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 8:04 AM
There's still time - but only just - to sign up to today's #FOI event in which three experts will be looking at how FOI law works when it meets the real world. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/putting-tr...
there's nothing like a packed 3.5 hour crosscountry journey with no catering and only 1 working toilet to make you miss the sweet embrace of the LNER azuma
September 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
there's nothing like a packed 3.5 hour crosscountry journey with no catering and only 1 working toilet to make you miss the sweet embrace of the LNER azuma
Staying in an very strange hotel in Cardiff with extremely dodgy decor celebrating colonisers
"defending British interests"?? "a wealthy sugar plantation owner"??
"defending British interests"?? "a wealthy sugar plantation owner"??
September 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Staying in an very strange hotel in Cardiff with extremely dodgy decor celebrating colonisers
"defending British interests"?? "a wealthy sugar plantation owner"??
"defending British interests"?? "a wealthy sugar plantation owner"??