University seems to be so much more fun when I was there. Perhaps it was the subject that I did or perhaps it's all the cool stuff they get to play with now. The students do work hard though. Again a lot more than when I was there. If I remember rightly my years at … Continue reading #DurHack 2017
Durhack
Sometimes it works out that people can’t make the meetings that have been arranged and so you end up with some spare time to catch up. Not that you can ever catch up as there is always more to do but it helps. This is how it was this morning with my first two meetings. … Continue reading Durhack
Open data
What is the idea? Use the active release of Open Data in a controlled way to facilitate regional e economic growth. Background The UK Commission For Employment and Skills in their report of December 2014 Careers of the Future said ‘While we can’t predict the future, it seems increasingly likely that technology will pervade all aspects … Continue reading Open data
Driving data to the average
Data is such a hot topic now. There are many good examples emerging of where it has been used to improve businesses as well as plenty of examples of when things have gone wrong. I was at a Digital Strategy and Business Intelligence Breakfast Meeting in Newcastle last week and one of the speakers, from … Continue reading Driving data to the average
Disrupting women into tech
Bringing young women into the tech industry has been one of the things I have been involved in for the last few years and so it was on the back of this that I found myself at Campus North again for the second time in a week. A different day, a different subject. I was … Continue reading Disrupting women into tech
Apprentice Levy
There is still a lot of confusion over the government’s plans to introduce an apprenticeships levy. At least in my mind there is and it would seem that I am not alone. When I raised it with my colleagues on the NECIT group none of them had heard about it yet it is going to … Continue reading Apprentice Levy
North East Data Group part 2
This is the second part of the presentation I gave last week to the North East Data group at Campus North on what Durham is up to with Open Data. I am pleased to say that our elephant has given birth. Mother and baby are doing well and we are off and running. We are … Continue reading North East Data Group part 2
North East Data Group part 1
Last night I had the pleasure of presenting to the North East Data group at Campus North on what Durham is up to with Open Data. There were twenty or so people in the room and it was interesting how many of them I already knew. It was a story of two halves, with my … Continue reading North East Data Group part 1
Smart Stanley again
Smart Stanley seems to be going well. The idea is to have a number of small projects that use digital to enhance the experience of the town for everyone that lives there, works there or is a visitor. We made a major breakthrough with the launch of the web site a few weeks back. Daniel … Continue reading Smart Stanley again
Smart Stanley Website Lunch
The rise of digital services and online trading is often seen as a threat to the high street as trade is drawn away from traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ outlets to online shops. Digital services however offer much more than online trading, such as the ability to provide information, promote business and visitor attractions as well … Continue reading Smart Stanley Website Lunch
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 