@sotf.org.uk
A new think tank for public servants and others who believe data, digital, openness and innovation can deliver better policy, better services and better outcomes for people. Established by @gavinfreeguard.com. sotf.org.uk
I've just supported 'National Conversations' from @transform.wales & @foundationsofthedigitalstate.com, a project to deliver a bookshelf of essential reads on digital government to every newly elected members of the Scottish Parliament and Senedd
Join me here: nationalconversations.org
There's also a great summary here: mysociety.org/2026/02/26/f...
We'll have more information soon about the FOI Network - sign up for updates at www.mysociety.org/transparency...
Whether you're spending your weekend delving into the finer points of freedom of information or not, have a good one!
Something for the weekend: Catch up on #FOIFest!
@mysociety.org have just published slides and recordings from our brilliant conference last week
Agenda www.mysociety.org/transparency...
YouTube playlist www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Rz...
Join the next @transformgovtalks.bsky.social on 25 March, with:
- @laragroves.bsky.social, @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social, on www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/scrib...
- Owen Prendeville, ICO, on ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
Sign up in person or online! luma.com/8i84tnwy
Thoroughly enjoyed hearing from @liamhawkes.bsky.social, Violette and @jamestplunkett.bsky.social last night - thank you for being brilliant!
medium.com/@transformgo...
More here: medium.com/@jamestplunk...
One example of another dept using Splink: DBT's Matchbox, helping match companies across different datasets
Leonardo Mazzone talked about it at Data Bites (Sept 25) public.digital/pd-insights/...
& DBT have blogged digitaltrade.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/08/b...
Great example of govt working in the open
Tonight!
Excited to be finally giving a talk at TransformGov! 👏👇
What are Civic Punks?
Today I was able to cross something off my bucket list. To be interviewed by @suzannahb.bsky.social on the @civilserviceworld.bsky.social podcast! Such an honour.
Learn more about Civic Punks by listening: www.civilserviceworld.com/more/podcast...
Arguably longer 😬
Thanks Nick!
Have a good weekend!
Next week, it's the 14th @transformgovtalks.bsky.social
Join us on Weds 25th, 6pm, MoJ/online, with:
- @liamhawkes.bsky.social & Violette Gadenne, CoLab, Home Office, on service design in a spending review
- @jamestplunkett.bsky.social @kinship.works on the energy at the edges
luma.com/q19znan6
Also on FOI, I chaired 'FOIA at 25: What next for freedom of information?' @instituteforgovernment.org.uk last September - watch it at www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...
Featuring @itscrowbot.bsky.social @jennacorderoy.bsky.social @benworthy.bsky.social @lynnwyeth.bsky.social
Excellent day yesterday at #FOIFest - more to follow, but for now, @mysociety.org have a live thread from the day bsky.app/profile/myso... (as does @charlierad.bsky.social, bsky.app/profile/char...)
Thank you all for the very warm reception!
(I'm actually going to have to do this now, aren't I?)
Thanks Tim :-)
Thanks Steve - very much appreciated!
Thank you!
(There's a bit more in the full proposal, gavin-freeguard.medium.com/a-new-thinkt...)
Thanks Andy - that's very kind!
And that's a very good challenge. I think the answer is: it will vary by project, and the problem each particular piece of work is trying to solve. But I'm determined that outputs will be of practical use, and not just recommendations gathering dust on a shelf!
Stay up to date by following us on Bluesky, or:
- Sign up to our mailing list mailchi.mp/3c57e3c9e403...
- Connect with us on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/stat...
- Email gavin[at]sotf[dot]org[dot]uk
There’s much more to come (funding dependent 🙃), but we’re already:
- Sponsoring @transformgovtalks.bsky.social, which is also supporting @policycamp.bsky.social
- Working with @mysociety.org and others on the FOI Network, following today’s FOI Fest 2026 www.mysociety.org/transparency...
By combining history, frontline experience & international examples, SotF will collaborate with others to create spaces, stories & tools that help public servants use technology more thoughtfully, & build a more open, human & effective state
More thinking: gavin-freeguard.medium.com/a-new-thinkt...
It comes from a recurring frustration:
governments are either swept away by hype, make grand promises about tech, & repeat the same mistakes & rarely stop to ask why;
or,
hindered by fear and panic, they get stuck in the same old ways of doing things and fail to deliver for the public.
Well, hello world!
State of the Future is a new think tank (from @gavinfreeguard.com) for public servants and others who believe data, digital, openness and innovation can deliver better policy, better services and better outcomes for people.
sotf.org.uk
(Quiet news day to soft launch, eh?)
A sign advertising FOI Fest 2026, and including a link to the FOI Network, https://www.mysociety.org/transparency/foi-network/
It's here!
Thrilled that the first public act of State of the Future is working with @mysociety.org @campaignfoi.bsky.social @transparencyuk.bsky.social and Democracy for Sale to celebrate 21 years of Freedom of Information #FOIFest
...and kickstart an FOI Network www.mysociety.org/transparency...