Derek Alton
@derekalton.bsky.social
Community Insights Lead for Apolitical by day, Civic Punk by night. Passionate about helping make government work better. Obsessed with all things digital/open government and Public Sector Reform. Community Insights Lead for Apolitical
Hey Ottawa, I am coming your way on Friday and am eager to share stories of my adventures travelling the world exploring the future of government. luma.com/3af3n58j
Civic Punks visits Ottawa 2.0 · Luma
Four months ago, I came to Ottawa to launch Civic Punks, a project exploring the future of government through the eyes of the people building it. Since then,…
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Creative Bureaucracy Radio - LIVE! Creative Bureaucracy Festival is one of my favourite events of the year. A bunch of us podcasters are getting together to go Live from the Creative Bureaucracy Festival. Sharing the energy and the ideas! More info here: luma.com/4cfads7l
Creative Bureaucracy Radio - LIVE! · Luma
Live from the Creative Bureaucracy Festival: The Public Service Radio Stage Can’t make it to Berlin for the Creative Bureaucracy Festival? We’ve got you…
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Civic Punks is going Live from London! I am doing a talk all about the journey of Civic Punks so far. I will be telling stories about the front lines of the future of government. Interested? You can join the livestream at 6pm BST: youtube.com/live/qDagX8IsffI?feature=share
Civic Punks live from London
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtube.com
This is a long read but I urge you to do so. Derek tells an incredible story of the courage and inventiveness of the people of Ukraine.
Derek Alton@derekalton.bsky.social · 2mo agoJust had a wild couple of days dodging drones and talking with people about the future of government in Kyiv, Ukraine. Some of the most transformational 48 hours in my life. Here are my reflections: open.substack.com/pub/civicpun...
Just had a wild couple of days dodging drones and talking with people about the future of government in Kyiv, Ukraine. Some of the most transformational 48 hours in my life. Here are my reflections: open.substack.com/pub/civicpun...
Starting Leg 2 with a bang - Literally
Personal reflections from my time in Kyiv, Ukraine
open.substack.com
Civic Punks is coming to London, and we’re hosting the stop at TPXimpact. Join @derekalton.bsky.social for drinks, stories and big questions about the future of government. 📅 Mon 8 June, 18:00–19:30 📍 The Hickman, London Register: luma.com/pjggiuzj
Civic Punks is coming to London! I have been travelling the world exploring the future of government, and I want to share what I have seen so far. Stories from Ukraine, Singapore, Japan, Australia, + more I will be at the @tpximpact.com office the evening of Monday, June 8th. luma.com/pjggiuzj
Civic Punks comes to London · Luma
The world is changing, and we know government needs to change to keep up with it. But change to what? My name is Derek Alton, and for the last 17 years, I have…
luma.com
How are you funding Civic Punks? This is a question I get asked a lot, so I made it the focus of this week's newsletter: civicpunks.substack.com/p/project-ge... relationships->access->insights->content->credibility->opportunity 4 pillars: 1) Events 2) Sensemaking 3) Journalism 4) Sponsorship
Project Get Out of My Parents’ Basement
How I’m thinking about making Civic Punks sustainable
civicpunks.substack.com
Hi everyone, my name is Derek, I am travelling the world this year exploring the future of government through the eyes of the people building it and sharing the journey in videos and podcasts: civicpunks.com One of my commitments to my friend @bowsy.co.uk is to use Bluesky more, so stay tuned!
Civic Punks | A Movement for People Reimagining Government
Stories, practical ideas, and belonging, from the front lines of change. Join the movement of people making government work better.
civicpunks.com
I am writing a weekly newsletter about the Civic Punks Global Tour. The newest dispatch just dropped. Melbourne → Wellington. Some reflections, a few ideas that stuck, and what I’m seeing on the ground. Have a read: open.substack.com/pub/civicpun... Make sure to like and subscribe for more
Civic Punks Tour Leg 1 – Week 5
Between two worlds
open.substack.com
I recently went down the rabbit hole on a great reflection called “Signals from Apolitical Day” from the States of Change network. Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DVsL8WCk-Kp/ Podcast: www.podbean.com/eas/pb-k6ngh... 🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6q...
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
If you're interested in how government could improve you absolutely should be following @derekalton.bsky.social #CivicPunks .
Derek Alton@derekalton.bsky.social · 6mo agoWhat 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...
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
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...
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
civilserviceworld.com
[Nice to see this up and running] Civic Punks is a movement for people reimagining government civicpunks.com Kudos @derekalton.bsky.social
Civic Punks | A Movement for People Reimagining Government
Stories, practical ideas, and belonging, from the front lines of change. Join the movement of people making government work better.
civicpunks.com
Personal stand up for Wednesday 11 February 2026, featuring The Financial Conduct Authority, The Pensions Regulator, Joe Craig and @derekalton.bsky.social.
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
It’s Total Chaos—and Somehow It Works
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtu.be
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
100 Videos In, I Quit My Job to Do This Full Time
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtu.be
So excited for this. I am just fine tuning my talk as we speak!
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 8mo ago🚨 THIS WEDS, 6PM 🚨 Join @transformgovtalks.bsky.social, in person @tpximpact.com or online, for our latest event: - 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
🚨 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
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…
luma.com
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
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!
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!
eventbrite.co.uk
#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...
Thank you for an amazing Apolitical Day 2025!
YouTube video by Apolitical
youtube.com
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
Weeknotes Oct. 5 - Critical Capacities, AI Assistants & Finding Agency
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtube.com
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 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...
Weeknotes Sept. 14 - Breaking bubbles and working in the open
YouTube video by Civic Punks
youtube.com
🚨 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
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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🚨 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 🙏
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…
luma.com