OneTeamGov

Sam Shah Sep 27, 2019

We chat to Sam Shah; Director of Digital Development at NHS England, and part of NHSX - a new unit driving forward the digital transformation of health and social care.

Starting his professional life as a clinician, Sam chats to us about his experiences in the health service and what inspired him to take special interest in technology. We hear about his work in the private sector, where he learned from how the retail, banking, and communications sectors tackled common issues around digitisation.

We talk about Sam’s passion for public health, and improving outcomes for patients by focusing on what matters to users. Sam shares his thoughts on the value of service design in policymaking, and the importance of influencing he mechanisms behind public services.

Finally, we hear what happened behind the scenes after Kylie challenged the requirements on an NHS job description, and why Sam was so determined to help the health service be as inclusive as possible!

Molly Watt Jul 18, 2019

We chat to Molly Watt, Accessibility and Usability Consultant at Sigma.
Molly has Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition that leads to deaf blindness, which she developed at a young age. We hear from Molly about her experiences of school as someone with accessibility needs, and the challenges she experienced with inaccessible ways of teaching. We get an insight into her trip to Apple HQ in Cupertino, and why this inspired her to pursue a career in accessibility consultancy.
We learn about the importance of inclusive design in web services, and why people need to stop associating accessibility with disability. Molly shares her passion for helping people, and we hear how the Molly Watt Trust charity is helping many people with usher syndrome to access the technology they need.
An must listen for anyone designing and delivering inclusive public services!

Julia Salasky Jun 21, 2019

We chat to Julia Salasky, founder and CEO at CrowdJustice; a crowd funding platform working to democratise justice by helping people access the courts and the legal system.

A graduate of prestigious universities, and a former “magic circle” lawyer, Julia tells us about why she decided to leave her enviable career as a lawyer for the United Nations to found her own tech startup. We how her experiences working in the justice system inspired her to do something radically different, in using technology to disrupt the traditional market.

We hear what it was like to be a pregnant solo female founder, and how Julia embraced this as as asset in working with investors. Julia shares her thoughts on diverse hiring and on tackling the underrepresentation in the legal sector. Finally, we find out whether working in law really is like being in Ally McBeal!

Vimla Appadoo Jun 07, 2019

We chat to Vimla Appadoo, Service Designer at FutureGov and organiser of SheSaysManchester. A rising young star in the U.K digital and technology sector, Vim is passionate about the tech for good agenda and bringing user-centred services to the forefront of public sector innovation.
We hear about Vim founding her consultancy at the age of 21, and discuss the disparity in how young men and women experience their early careers. We explore the application of service design methodologies in government and why it's important to be conscious of power and privilege.
And finally, we take inspiration from hip hop legend 2Pac and grime artist Stormzy, and hear about Vim's adventures in boxing and powerlifting. An energising start to your weekend!

Aimee Whitcroft May 17, 2019

We chat to Aimee Whitcroft, Open Data Establishment Lead at the New Zealand Transport Agency, and co-founder of GovWorks NZ. Beginning her career in science and academia, we hear about Aimee’s passion for knowledge and continual learning.
With an impressive energy for side hustles, we chat about Aimee’s many community projects including organising open source meet-ups, government hacks, and Nerd Nite events. An advocate of ethical and human-centred technology, we discuss what it means to embed kindness in our smart cities, and rebalance societal power structures.
And finally, Aimee shares an amazing story of how she became one of the first women to drive the full 11,000 miles of the Mongol Rally - what better way to start off your weekend than with inspiration for adventure!

Areeq Chowdhury May 03, 2019

We chat to Areeq Chowdhury, founder of WebRoots Democracy and Head of Think Tank for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology at Future Advocacy.
Beginning his career in U.K. government and Parliament, we hear what inspired Areeq to found his think tank WebRoots Democracy at the age of 21. Areeq shares his expertise on the topic of online voting, and argues for the urgency of engaging the modern generation of voters in political participation.
We discuss the role of technology, social media, and artificial intelligence in shaping recent elections, and how the balance of power is shifted towards the individual by providing independent and secret means to vote. Areeq also highlights the role of accessibility in providing fair and inclusive access to democracy.
Finally, we get Areeq’s thoughts on what he would change about U.K. parliament, and add AOC to our official OneTeamGov drinking game. MLF, you’ve got company!

Cate McLaurin Apr 12, 2019

We chat to Cate McLaurin, Head of Delivery at Hackney Council in London, U.K, about her role bringing public sector reformists together to deliver public services with users at the heart.
Beginning her career in marketing and communications, we explore why those skillsets are so valuable and translatable into user-led service delivery roles. Cate talks about her 14 years as a job-share, and we discuss how everyone can benefit from more flexible ways of working.
Leading the OneTeamGov within local government in the U.K, we hear about Cate's experiences leading a large ICT department and the evolution towards agile ways of working. Cate shares the challenges of growing a digital team in such a competitive market, and explains how Hackney are developing the next wave of talent through their apprenticeships team.
Finally, we chat about all things governance, and get excited for Cate hosting the first ever OneTeamGov bureaucracy hack on the 3rd of July! Check out our website for more details on how you can get involved:

Halcyon Hamilton Mar 29, 2019

Welcome to our OneTeamGov Mother’s Day special episode! We chat to Halcyon Hamilton, former senior manager at Cafcass children’s services in England...and also Kamala’s mum!

Our longest standing public servant to date, Halcyon has been on the frontline of social work and children’s services for 40 years. We hear about how she got started in the sector, and what it was like to operate in such challenging situations whilst balancing her own family life.

Halcyon shares stories of her longstanding career in the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), and we get her reflections on what it means to be a good leader delivering critical frontline services.

We chat about Halcyon’s extremely active retirement life - successfully becoming part of her local judiciary and attending tribunals as an expert adviser. We learn about the Soroptimists, a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls. And finally, we hear stories of Halcyon’s volunteering on the Colchester SOS bus, the local fourth emergency service.

With all of these incredible achievements, it’s easy to see how Kamala was inspired to be a public servant!

James Plunkett Mar 15, 2019

We chat to James Plunkett, Executive Director at Citizens Advice, a U.K. charity that helps 20 million people every year facing times of uncertainty.
James shares his experiences working at Number 10 Downing Street during the Gordon Brown era, and explains the fascinating dynamics of power in the U.K. political system. We talk about his time influencing public policy in a number of leading think tanks, and how the debate on living standards and low pay was driven by the use of data and analysis.
We also discuss the history of Citizens Advice founded the World War era, and how the values of the institution have managed to persist through to the present day organisation. James shares his thoughts on the evolution of user-centred service delivery, accessibility and inclusion, universal basic income, and the concept of charity as a platform. An inspiring listen for anyone looking to join the Tech for Good movement!

Aya Chebbi Mar 01, 2019

We chat to Aya Chebbi, the first Youth Envoy for the African Union. Recently voted one of the world's top 20 most influential young people in government, Aya first became known for her online activism, running the Proudly Tunisian blog during the Tunisian Revolution in 2010/11.
Now the first Youth Envoy for the African Union, Aya is championing the voice of young people and underrepresented groups as part of Agenda 2063. We chat to Aya about her efforts supporting thousands of social movement leaders, feminist groups, and youth activists on blogging, mobilisation, and non-violence.
We get Aya's thoughts on privilege and power in the internet age, and why digital inclusion is so important. We also hear Aya's reflections on mental health, authentic leadership, and being your radical self. A truly inspirational listen!

Tracy Phillips Feb 15, 2019

We chat to Tracy Phillips, Inspector with the New Zealand police force. Since joining the New Zealand Police in 1990, Tracy has delivered a number of projects beyond the call of duty including mounted police and LGBTI-friendly policies within the organisation. Her work has just been recognised with a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to policing and the community.
We hear what it was like joining the police force back in the 90s, when attitudes to women and gay people were vastly different. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Tracy shares reflections on her incredible work building relationships with local communities and underrepresented groups. We get her thoughts on leadership, and why role models are so important in developing your career.
We also chat about Tracy winning a medal at a home Commonwealth Games, what she gets up to in her spare time as an 'active rester', and why police academy is nothing like the TV show! Take a listen to find the true values of public service straight from the frontline.

Cassie Robinson Feb 01, 2019

We chat to Cassie Robinson, Head of Digital Grant Making at the Big Lottery Fund. Cassie was also recently Strategic Design Director at DotEveryone; where she led the Digital Society strand of work looking at how the internet is changing society and strengthening and protecting what matters most.
We hear what it was like being a service designer before digital was a thing, and why we still need to work just as hard to reach across disciplines and sectors if we're to effect social change. Passionate about social innovation and systems thinking, Cassie talks to us about the importance of building networks and relationships with people who share our mission.
We also get Cassie's thoughts on responsible leadership, chat about her background in the fashion industry, and how we can work together to shift the basis of power away from traditional lines. Finally, we get possibly the most unexpected answer to a question we've ever heard on the show! An awesome way to kick off your weekend!

Jacquelyn Cardinal Jan 18, 2019

Welcome back to the OneTeamGov show for 2019! We're back in Canada chatting to Jacquelyn Cardinal, co-founder of Naheyawin; a strategic digital agency that uses research, systems thinking, and storytelling to find connection to the people and things that matter most.
Jacquelyn shares her early experiences growing up as part of an indigenous community in Edmonton, and how she came to be so passionate about harnessing technology to tackle difficult societal problems. We talk about how the age of information has influenced indigenous rights and offered new opportunities to forge human connection in society as a whole.
We also chat about radical optimism, mental health as an enabler for empathy, and the value of learning from failure. And finally, we get Jacqui's top tip for podcast enthusiasts - what better way to kick off the New Year!

Audrey Tang Dec 21, 2018

Transcript of the interview:
https://sayit.pdis.nat.gov.tw/2018-11-09-interview-with-oneteamgov-podcast
Our final show for 2018 is an extra special one! We chat with Audrey Tang, Minister for Digital in the Taiwanese Government. An opensource entrepreneur and former political activist, Audrey is now leading Taiwan's efforts to become the most inclusive digital economy in the world.
Audrey shares her early experiences in the opensource community, founding several tech startups, and explains how the Sunflower Movement in Taiwan helped to bring about radical change in the country's democracy. We chat about the value of radical transparency and collaborative government in government, and hear incredible examples of this in practice.
We also discuss Audrey's responsibility for broadband access in ensuring a participatory and inclusive society, and how indigenous communities are enriching the nation's worldview. Finally, we get Audrey's top tips on dealing with internet trolls! A fitting end to a fantastic year with the OneTeamGov community.

Emer Coleman Dec 07, 2018

We chat to Emer Coleman, Technology Engagement lead at Co-Op Digital in Manchester where she is helping to build The Federation; an open community of digital innovators based on Co-operative principles.
Emer shares her extensive experiences working as a senior leader in the public and private sector, first in the liberal arts industry in Ireland and then across all levels of government in the U.K. We discuss the dark side of technology and the challenges of embedding ethics into regulation, hear stories from Emer's days leading communications at GDS team, and get the inside scoop on the launch of Transport API.
We also get straight to heart of the diversity challenge in the tech sector, and why white men need to step up and take action. Finally, we get Emer's reflections on her move to Manchester and why Alan Titchmarsh is her new inspiration. The perfect 101 for any kind of leader!

Dawn Duhaney Nov 23, 2018

We talk to Dawn Duhaney, Data Partnerships Manager at the Wellcome Trust, and formerly of the U.K. government and the Open Data Institute, about all things data, diversity and ethics.
Dawn shares her experiences coming from a liberal arts background and getting into a career in data. We discuss the challenges of establishing data skills within traditional organisations, why data science is not a magic bullet, and the realities of embedding ethics into service delivery.
We also chat about how teams can reduce bias and build relationships across boundaries by embedding inclusive practices, and why we should be supporting diverse communities in tech. Finally, we get Dawn's top tips on Beyoncé albums and hear why Lemonade is bringing feminism to a new audience. The perfect start to your weekend playlist!

Pran Patel Nov 09, 2018

In our first foray into the frontline of public service, we're honoured to chat to Pran Patel, Physics Teacher and Assistant Principal in a London secondary school. Pran is a passionate educator dedicated to serving students.
We talk about the impact of increasing workload and reporting placed on teachers, and why the schools funding crisis in the U.K. needs to be addressed urgently. We discuss how politics is an intrinsic part of empowering young people towards making positive change, and why teaching is the best job in the world.
Pran also shares his experiences of mental health, and why being aware of our own unconscious bias is so important in building an inclusive society. We get Pran's thoughts on the latest teaching fads, and why the TV show Teachers is nothing like real life! For everyone who's ever been to school - this episode is for you.

Dan Hon Oct 26, 2018

We’re catching up with Dan Hon, Principal at Very Little Gravitas, and Code for America Advisor and Co-Chair. Dan is a tech startup veteran, and now works with governments across the United States to build digital services that are easy to understand and copy.
We talk to Dan about his journey into digital, via a law degree and a career in brand advertising with Nike, Sony and Facebook. We reflect on the nature of product delivery in the networked age, and discuss how storytelling can create a more human internet. We hear fascinating stories from Dan’s time with Code for America, helping vulnerable people access food stamps against the backdrop of wealthy Silicon Valley.
Dan also shares his thoughts on mental health and masculinity, and why we need to close the empathy gap to deliver better services. And to round off the week, we end with a Martha Lane Fox drinking game!

Genevieve Gaudet Oct 12, 2018

We're back Stateside chatting to Genevieve Gaudet, Program Manager at Nava Public Benefit Corporation, and former co-founding member of the service design studio in the New York Major's Office. A medic-turned-designer, Genevieve is a people-centred feminist working to improve services for the most vulnerable groups in the USA.
We chat to Genevieve about her early years in the medical profession, and hear about how she became a public sector service designer as a way to help the people who need it most. We hear incredible stories from her work with the long term homeless population in New York City, and her experiences researching with people trying to access Medicare and Medicaid healthcare benefits.
Genevieve also shares her thoughts on human-centred safety nets for people in crisis, gives us her top tourist tip for visiting New York, and tells us why Sabrina Hersi Issa is her feminist hero. Prepare to be inspired!

Tom Loosemore Sep 28, 2018

In the final interview hosted at the OneTeamGov Global event in London, we're incredibly excited to speak to Tom Loosemore, co-founder of the Government Digital Service (GDS) and partner at Public Digital. We get the inside story on how GDS radically disrupted the workings of U.K government and started a worldwide movement to bring public services into the internet age.We chat to Tom about his early career at Wired and the BBC, and how he co-authored the report with Martha Lane Fox that kick-started the government digital movement. We hear fascinating tales from the early days of GDS, chat about his favourite exemplars, and look to a future of services underpinned by data registers and platforms.Tom also shares inspiring examples of ambitious service transformation from around the world, and explains why the biggest learnings often come from mistakes. All aboard the Loosemore dinghy, let's sail off into his story!

Pablo Fernández Vallejo Sep 14, 2018

In the third of four interviews hosted at the OneTeamGov Global event in London, we talk to Pablo Fernández Vallejo; Service Designer at Laboratorio de Gobierno Argentino; part of the Argentinian Ministry of Modernisation. We discover how international service design principles translate in Latin America, and how LabGovAr is tackling deep societal issues in partnership with government departments.We chat to Pablo about his transition from industrial design into service design, through his education in Berlin, and how he's applying this expertise in Buenos Aires. We learn how living in multiple international cities builds empathy across cultural difference, why products that are kind can be the most effective, and what the UK border experience can teach us about the design of public services.Pablo also shares his hopes and expectations for the International Design Conference, as it brings together specialists from around the world to explore themes around ethics, power, and diversity.

Ligia Teixeira Aug 31, 2018

In the second of four interviews hosted at the OneTeamGov Global event in London, we talk to the Director for the Centre for Homelessness Impact; Ligia Teixeira. With the recent publication of a new rough sleeping strategy, we learn how data and evidence can make the UK government’s vision to eradicate homelessness by 2027 a reality.We chat to Ligia about her background in academia at the London School of Economics, and hear how her conversations with homeless people in London inspired her to volunteer, and then work, for the charity Crisis. Ligia explains how the 50 year anniversary of the homeless sector prompted the creation of a new organisation, with a mission to promote and support evidence-based interventions.Ligia also shares examples of how we can all practice effective altruism, gives us tips on using our 80,000 hours of work for good, and inspires us towards self improvement through constant reflection and learning.

Sarah Hurcombe Aug 17, 2018

In the first of four interviews hosted at the OneTeamGov Global event in London, we chat to FutureGov Australia's Studio Director, Sarah Hurcombe. Having worked across all levels of public sector, private sector, consulting, and charities, Sarah shares her unique perspective on how these organisations can work together to improve outcomes for citizens.From working within the heart of UK government in the Cabinet Office through to the local levels in Australia, we hear how Sarah's legal background helped her to bringing together analytical and user-centred approaches to service delivery. We talk about qualitative versus quantitative data, the value of stories in amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, and how to create better public sector leaders.Sarah also shares her reflections on moving back home to Australia, why running a cafe in Sydney means applying the best of human-centred design, and gives our listeners a freebie offer you won't want to miss!

Lena Trudeau Aug 03, 2018

We're in North America talking to Lena Trudeau, co-founder and CEO of Nuage Cloud Strategies, formerly of the Canadian Digital Service in Ottawa and 18F in Washington DC. A passionate public sector leader, Lena has served many tours of duty in government technology, and also spent time at Amazon Web Services growing cloud adoption within government.We chat to Lena about her long career in public service, including at the Presidential Innovation Fellows program in the White House, and how she went on to establish a digital delivery culture in the US government with 18F. We learn why she believes international public servants are a national asset, how the tech world can do better with diversity, and hear her thoughts on empathetic and human-centred leadership models.Lena also tells us why she loves Canadian cultural values, and educates us on the fast-paced world of ice hockey. We get her top bourbon recommendations in preparation for the regular Friday afternoon OneTeamGov celebration!

Ahana Datta Jul 20, 2018

We're in London at the BSides conference chatting to our former colleague Ahana Datta, Head of Cyber Security at the Financial Times newspaper. The first ethical hacker hired in UK Government; Ahana went on to lead the security profession within the civil service, working with the Ministry of Justice, the Foreign Office and the National Cyber Security Centre.We chat about her time doing security for the greater good, the practicalities of securing the prison system in a traditional risk averse culture, and how motivations differ in the private sector. We get Ahana's inside scoop on classic security myths, and why she hates the term 'cyber'.Ahana also shares stories about breaking into cash machines, being mistaken for the intern, and how she manages to 'secret squirrel' on social media. All of this set to a backdrop of RnB classics! We dare you to try and find her anywhere else on the interweb.

Adrian Solitander Jun 21, 2018

We go on the road to Gothenburg for the launch of One Team Gov Sweden! In this show we chat to Adrian Solitander; programme manager at the research and innovation agency Vinnova, and co-founder of the Swedish One Team Gov community. Adrian is passionate about helping people engage digitally in government and society. We chat about Adrian's background in European policy, his transition into the digital space, and how it feels to be working at the forefront of Swedish innovation. We hear Adrian's reflections on Brexit, his experience working in the European Commission during the financial crisis, and creative ways of fostering innovation through funding.Adrian also shares his thoughts on encouraging collaboration across public sector silos, how government is enabling everything from algorithms to inflatable bike helmets, and why he's excited about the One Team Gov Global event in London on the 16th of July. Visit oneteamgov.uk to apply for your ticket now!

Kit Collingwood Jun 07, 2018

In our first ever show we talk to Kit Collingwood; co-founder of the One Team Gov public sector reform movement. Kit is a senior civil servant who is passionate about public services that work for everyone, and about modernising government. She cares deeply about new leadership models based on radical empathy, humility, and vulnerability. We chat about how One Team Gov got started, and how it's bringing together disparate communities to take practical action for public sector reform. We hear Kit's reflections on her career in policy and digital; including her role in delivering the first Government Digital Service exemplar, and on leading data teams for the welfare state.Kit also gives her thoughts on how we can make government more inclusive, why Rebecca Solnit is her patronus, and why you should join us at One Team Gov Global event in London on the 16th of July. Visit oneteamgov.uk to apply for your ticket now!

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