Derek Alton

If you're interested in how government could improve you absolutely should be following @derekalton.bsky.social #CivicPunks .

Hiring is one of the things government seems to suck at. Yet, if we can't hire well, we are unable to bring in the talent we need to deliver on our ambition, or really anything.

So what do we do?

Podcast: www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5b48q...

Video: youtu.be/cA5wgQev-zQ

The Civil Service World Podcast | Civil Service World magazine Listen to our podcasts and catch-up on the latest news and insights from the Civil Service

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...

[Nice to see this up and running] Civic Punks is a movement for people reimagining government civicpunks.com Kudos @derekalton.bsky.social

@jacattell.bsky.social thank you for sending the books. Sorry for leaving that on your shoulders.

Ps love the standup. Keep them coming. Might steal your idea

Personal stand up for Wednesday 11 February 2026, featuring The Financial Conduct Authority, The Pensions Regulator, Joe Craig and @derekalton.bsky.social.

It’s Total Chaos—and Somehow It Works YouTube video by Civic Punks

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

100 Videos In, I Quit My Job to Do This Full Time YouTube video by Civic Punks

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 excited for this. I am just fine tuning my talk as we speak!

Good shout, I need to get better at using Bluesky! It will be my resolution for this month

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…

🚨 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

Rachel Coldicutt presents at the eleventh TransformGov Talks

Katy Beale presents at the eleventh TransformGov Talks event

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

@bluesky.sboots.ca kicking ass and taking names to help launch this year Canadian Open Data and Govmaker Summit.

Sooo good as always Sean

Missing @bluesky.sboots.ca at this years @fwd50conf.bsky.social but Doug is rocking the boots button

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!

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!

Thank you for an amazing Apolitical Day 2025! YouTube video by Apolitical

#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...

Weeknotes Oct. 5 - Critical Capacities, AI Assistants & Finding Agency YouTube video by Civic Punks

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

People sit in rows, smiling for the camera.

A bordered square rotated slightly clockwise, inside which are the words, "One Team Gov".

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-...

Weeknotes Sept. 14 - Breaking bubbles and working in the open YouTube video by Civic Punks

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...

DOGE done better: The case for progressive efficiency and a streamlined state Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.

Here is the full article, give it a read, it's worth it: demos.co.uk/research/dog...

🚨 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

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…

🚨 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 🙏

Come join us and help grow the community of cool people doing cool stuff in government here in the uk

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.

🍺🍹🍷🥛 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

Scanning the Future - Scanning Club Promo YouTube video by Civic Punks

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...

Seventh event write up Hi everyone,

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

Public Sector Innovation in South Africa - A quick summary YouTube video by Civic Punks

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?

Building Successful Communites of Practice with Emily Webber Coming soon, sign up now for a discount at launch. Learn how to form, grow, supercharge and measure communities of practice in or across organisations An online self-paced course at https://tacit.pub/onlinecourse

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

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.