You may not have come across this information but OCSI and Local Trust have developed a quantitative measure of left behind neighbourhoods using open data. From their own report: ‘To identify neighbourhoods that could be defined as left-behind we focused on the areas that suffered the dual disadvantage of: High levels of deprivation and socio-economic … Continue reading Left behind
Diversity in cyber security
Image thanks to Austcyber It’s great to see so much activity in the region aimed at getting more women into the cyber security sector and IT in general. It’s about time and it has taken a lot of dedication to get here. Registrations have been open for the next round of the NCSC’s CyberFirst Girls … Continue reading Diversity in cyber security
Two thirds don’t want it
Image thanks to Huffington Post This month has seen another couple of disastrous bi-elections for the Conservative Party, this time in Tamworth and in Mid Bedfordshire. Both were once very safe Tory seats, with all that entails yet have seen massive swings to Labour. As always with these things, those who lost try to second … Continue reading Two thirds don’t want it
Net zero
Image thanks to Nestle I was at the Schools North East Summit last week, another excellent event at Newcastle United’s conference facility. Our stand was next to Zenergi, a company specialising in sustainable energy solutions. They had gin to give away and so it was very difficult to compete for interest. (There was a surprising … Continue reading Net zero
Not oil
Image thanks to i Once again the people are on the streets protesting about the effect of fossil fuels on the climate. Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist has been arrested and I wonder if this will do more to support their case or harden attitudes. Remember though that most of the benefits we take … Continue reading Not oil
Survey
This week, on my day out, I was down on the quayside on the Newcastle side of the river. I’d agreed to meet someone there with the vague instructions that she would be down at the court's end of the river bank. So, there I was opposite the law courts, keeping an eye out for … Continue reading Survey
The Bigger The Lie
Image via The Telegraph There is a common belief that all politicians lie. I’m not convinced this is true but rather all try to get their message across in a way that doesn’t hold them hostage to fortune. Our current batch, however, have taken lying to a fine art. Hannah Arendt, the German-born American historian … Continue reading The Bigger The Lie
The calm after the storm
Image thansk to anonymous photography. September is a very busy month for team CyberNorth and me personally. It is the culmination of an intense period of activity up to and including #CyberFest. Sixteen events for a small team is no mean feat yet this year has been the most successful so far. I know, define … Continue reading The calm after the storm
Feedback
The bit I hate most about events is when you ask for feedback. No, that’s not right, it’s when the feedback comes back. Yes, I know you have to ask for it and it is essential to learn from other people’s experience and that there is only one way to find out and that is … Continue reading Feedback
That tree
Image thanks to Joana Kruse From time to time I jokingly wondered what they would call the place if there was no tree there. It looks like I am going to find out. Unfortunately it is no joke anymore. When I heard the news that the famous sycamore had been cut down in Sycamore Gap … Continue reading That tree
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 