Tim Davies

Tim Davies

@timdavies.org.uk

Director of Research & Practice at @ConnectedByData.org working on participatory and open governance of tech. Adoptive parent.

3.2K followers906 following275 posts

Tim Davies reposted

Gideon Mitchell
@gideon-mitchell.bsky.social

Even if you're not a hardcore Greenie, electing Zack Polanski would make UK politics more healthy because he would help to hold Andy Burnham's government to account. His influence from the periphery has already improved Labour policies. The Commons needs Polanski, so please help him to get elected.

Zack Polanski@zackpolanski.bsky.social

Huge thank you to everyone who told me today they've got a refund for conference or are going to vote online and join us on the streets campaigning. The energy is amazing and we can win this election. But we need your help. Join us in making history: linktr.ee/HSP_6thGreenMP

linktr.eeZACK 4 MP | LinktreeEverything you need to get involved! Promoted by Elfrede Brambley-Cranshaw on behalf of Zack Polanski (The Green Party) c/o PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ
Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

It got me thinking on how agenda structures have been a important part of how @connectedbydata.org developed For example, our weekly(ish) confab agenda looks like this: check in; time to populate agenda in meeting; closes with reflection from outside work: building connection for remote team (2/3

Tim Davies reposted

Citizens' Track on AI
@ai.citizens-track.org

Who gets to shape the conversation about artificial intelligence? Join the Citizens' Track on AI for a co-design workshop: "Community Assembly Toolkit Co-design: Briefing & workshop" 📅 Monday, Sep 14 (15:00 UTC (16:00 BST / 9:00 Mexico City / 20:30 Delhi)) 📍 Online (Zoom) 🧵 (1/3)

Tim Davies reposted

Citizens' Track on AI
@ai.citizens-track.org

Workshop | 16th Sept | 16:00 - 18:00 | San Francisco Who gets to shape conversation about artificial intelligence? ​How can we hold space for open community dialogues to explore different perspectives? Join us to explore co-creation of resources for community assemblies on AI luma.com/ml7kp30b

luma.comCreating a toolkit for community assemblies on AI · LumaWho gets to shape the conversation about artificial intelligence? How can we hold space for open community dialogues to explore different perspectives on…

Tim Davies reposted

Connected by Data
@connectedbydata.org

The Cabinet Statement on 'Rewiring the State' was released at the end of July, with a strong emphasis on devolution. In this blog Jeni Tennison gets into why she welcomes the move towards public participation and cautions against it become performative. ☕

connectedbydata.orgRewiring the State for public voiceThe Cabinet Statement on Rewiring the State was released at the end of July, with a strong emphasis on devolution. It’s striking how it takes the phrase “Rewiring the State” in a very different direction to the technology-focused themes of the similarly named Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s report on delivering digital government, the Global Government Forum’s report on government transformation, or Darren Jones’ speech on delivering a new digital state.

Tim Davies reposted

Connected by Data
@connectedbydata.org

We need a citizens' track on AI. @timdavies.org.uk, @octavia-fr.bsky.social & @suoman.bsky.social wrote a think piece explaining what we've done and why its needed. 📰 Article: www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/blog/a-citiz... 🔗 White Paper: citizens-track.org/2026/report/

adalovelaceinstitute.orgA citizens’ track is needed for democratic AI to move from rhetoric to realityThe UN Global Dialogue on AI as an opportunity for embedding public participation in decision-making
Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

The citizens’ track white-paper argues that meeting people’s demand for critical AI literacy & voice can help address structural challenges of global AI governance: delivering greater alignment, agency and accountability. It needs both grassroots engagement & docking points in global governance.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

A consistent message in public engagement on AI across the world is that people want more of a say in shaping the future of, and alongside, AI. We know because in creating the citizens’ track whitepaper we crowd-sourced examples of inclusive and deliberative Participatory AI Voice and Engagement.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

Fantastically useful primer for thinking about next weeks AI governance events in Geneva

Global Network Initiative @thegni.bsky.social

As the UN prepares for next week’s Global Dialogue on AI Governance, GNI’s Jason Pielemeier, Elonnai Hickok, & CCG's Jhalak Kakkar examine WSIS as critical lessons for AI governance, from multistakeholder approaches to accountability & implementation: globalnetworkinitiative.org/as-the-un-la...

globalnetworkinitiative.orgAs the UN Launches its Global Dialogue on AI Governance, WSIS Offers Critical Lessons - Global Network InitiativeThis article was republished with consent from Tech Policy Press. By Jason Pielemeier (GNI), Elonnai […]

Tim Davies reposted

Connected by Data
@connectedbydata.org

We've been looking back over 2025-26 & it's been another good year. Now we share our annual report connectedbydata.org/... 🧑‍🏫 A major focus for our work this year has been on worker power, AI in the public sector & the intersection between the two, with a particular focus on education. 🧵 (1/7)

Tim Davies reposted

Ben Goldacre
@bengoldacre.bsky.social

*EPIC FREE LECTURE ON THURSDAY IN OXFORD* Our heroic CTO Seb Bacon on open science, open code, OpenSAFELY and more!

Ben Goldacre@bengoldacre.bsky.social

Inaugural Lecture Klaxon! Our magnificent CTO Seb Bacon is a hero of the modern age, and now PROFESSOR Seb Bacon... Come to his inaugural lecture in Oxford! OpenSAFELY! OpenPrescribing! TrialsTracker! OpenCorporates! Open Code! Open Everything! www.bennett.ox.ac.uk/blog/2026/05... bacon.boutique

bennett.ox.ac.uk"On The Record" - Seb Bacon’s Inaugural Lecture | Bennett Institute for Applied Data ScienceCome and join Seb for his inaugural lecture as the first-ever Professor of Practice at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

Tim Davies reposted

Gavin Freeguard
@gavinfreeguard.com

🚨 CALL FOR EVIDENCE 🚨 The UK govt is currently looking for ideas for the next open govt national action plan, which covers transparency, accountability, open data, digital governance, public participation and more Closes 25 May, as many ideas of 250 words as you'd like www.gov.uk/government/c...

gov.ukSeventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government: call for evidenceWe’re seeking evidence to inform the initial phase of the Seventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government.
Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

MozFest 2026 dates announced (UK October half-term), and an interrail pass sale on this week. Well, it would be silly not to book a pass & lock in all the 🚆 travel from home in the UK for less than the price of flights (4 day pass + max reservations cost). (www.interrail.eu/en)

interrail.euInterrail.eu | 1 rail pass, 33 countriesTravel across Europe and discover 33 countries by train with Interrail. Enjoy the best rail travel experience in Europe with our Interrail Pass!
Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

The continued failure of DfE Ministers to understand the reality of adoption is deeply disheartening, and their statements feel disingenuous. Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund remains cut by 40%+ for individual child with budgets inadequate to fund support www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

As adopters, our kids have often got to the point of needing ongoing or intensive periods of therapeutic support long before they join our families. Tone of government engagement betrayal a desire to avoid that reality...

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

The idea that early intervention will negate the need for later support plays into a narrative of quick fixes for deep trauma, and does little to validate experience of adopters, or challenge a parent blaming culture.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

I'm a bit late sharing this, but this from @jenitennison.com is a really useful review of the trajectory of recent AI Summits www.deccanherald.com/opinion/empt... - and the need to support the 'necessary friction of democracy' in AI governance

deccanherald.comAI Impact Summit: Empty rhetoric fails public in Delhi meet amid elite pushAI Summits: AI Impact Summit in Delhi exposed tokenism and elite capture behind inclusion claims. From Bletchley to Paris leaders tout safety and innovation critics flag algorithmic harms, biometric s...

Tim Davies reposted

Rachel Coldicutt
@rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social

I'm facilitating a small group conversation at this event next week - on anticipating the consequences of technology adoption and development. Lots of other great contributors, hope to see you there!

Connected by Data@connectedbydata.org

⭕ We're pleased to announce DEMOS as a 'power and participation in public tech' conference partner. 📆 Friday 6 March 🕰️ 10:00 - 17:00 🏢 Manchester 🔗 connectedbydata.org/events/2026... (1/3)

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

Great start to the online day for @pairs.site with a focus on participatory (design) justice and AI, and keeping community in the loop in AI development. Listening from our Hub space in Delhi thanks to JGU Law School.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

Deliberation folk: do we have/need a convention for indicating the 'depth' of deliberation when reporting results. Quant data will report for e.g with (n=1000): gives reader quick sense of how to interpret findings. Should deliberation have (n=37; h=30) for 37 people, 30 hours deliberation each.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

Was discussing this eve the challenge of getting evidence from deliberation recognised by policymakers. Either it looks easy to dismiss as small n study, or you have to spend a paragraph/slide explaining the method in detail - which doesn't fit into a policy brief or quick policy proof-point.

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

It's a low fi signal, but still gives quite a lot of context. E.g. our recent Generative AI in Education data report is based on approx (n=1050; h=1 - 2) as students only had an hour or two to participate, whereas there are distributed dialogues of (n=1000; h=16) where groups had a weekend

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

I'm in Delhi this week for the #IndiaAIImpactSummit and the second edition of our conference on Participatory AI Research and Practice. But @pairs.site is also taking place online on Tuesday. Over travels, and a 🚞 visit to the Taj Mahal yesterday I had a look at some of the 10-minute talks coming up

Tim Davies@timdavies.org.uk

Landed in Delhi for #IndiaAIImpactSummit and @pairs.site on Weds, but spent the flight reading papers for our online fringe event, PAIRS, on Tuesday. There is some stonking insight, inspiration and challenge lined up on the day for anyone thinking about how to put people & communities first in AI...

Tim Davies reposted

Tim Davies
@timdavies.org.uk

Landed in Delhi for #IndiaAIImpactSummit and @pairs.site on Weds, but spent the flight reading papers for our online fringe event, PAIRS, on Tuesday. There is some stonking insight, inspiration and challenge lined up on the day for anyone thinking about how to put people & communities first in AI...