March update

Data

Joined-up data: what does it take?

A requirement for organisations to publish their data isn't enough. Unless that data is standardised, most of its potential is lost.

That's one key message from our latest report, Unlocking the value of fragmented public data, created in collaboration with the Centre for Public Data.

If you work with government data of any kind, and especially if you have a role in producing it, you're definitely going to want to read this one. Here's where to begin.

Vacancies

Come and join the team

We're currently recruiting for a variety of roles here at mySociety. Would you be a good fit for any of them? Do take a look — and if you know anyone suitable, send them our way!

Chair of trustees

Your leadership skills will help steer the Board, and hence the direction of mySociety as a whole. See more details, and apply, here.

Policy and advocacy manager

You'll be actively shaping our approach towards engagement with government and decision-makers, especially around climate data. See more details, and apply, here.

User support officer

A flexible, part-time role in which you'll respond to the many and various types of correspondence that come in through our services. See more details, and apply, here.
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None of these quite right? To be the first to know when we have new vacancies, sign up for the careers newsletter at the foot of this page.

Transparency

Who's been meeting whom?

We've been exploring a great tool from Transparency UK, which links up to our Freedom of Information service WhatDoTheyKnow.

It makes it really easy to request more details about every meeting between ministers and lobbyists in the official record, since 2012. Very useful information, which we enjoyed digging into. Here's what we found.

Climate

Data and gardening

Remember our Innovations In Climate Tech programme, which gave small grants to prototype ideas at a local level?

Well, the projects have been up and running for a few months now so we thought we'd check in and see how they're going. First up, a community initiative in Kent that's mixing data with gardening.

Did you know that you can subscribe to our special interest newsletters too? Get an extra monthly bulletin on Climate, Research, Jobs and maybe SocietyWorks . Pick and choose your mySociety newsletters here.

What we're reading

Thoughts on political impartiality, from Democracy Club.
Climate Emergency UK have published the draft methodology for their work scoring councils' climate action.
Check the flood risk in your area - and, if you feel so moved, leave comments on the map.
Teachers and youth workers - here's some invaluable election resources for your teens.
It's not just us: Green Alliance are hiring a policy person too!

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mySociety is a registered charity in England and Wales (1076346) and a limited company (03277032).
Through our trading subsidiary SocietyWorks (05798215) we also provide commercial services.

Image credits: Paper boats: KOBU Agency; Garden: Lynsted Community Kitchen Garden

mySociety

483 Green Lanes

London, N13 4BS

United Kingdom

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