Ellie Ashman
@ellayanor.bsky.social
Exeter | Director - Public Sector Practice @ Torchbox
Often to be found looking for a snack and/or saying pspsps to the nearest available cat. Always have too many tabs open.
Often to be found looking for a snack and/or saying pspsps to the nearest available cat. Always have too many tabs open.
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
if they can offer free AI training they could offer free media literacy training too. i know which of those would do more for the public good
January 28, 2026 at 10:19 AM
if they can offer free AI training they could offer free media literacy training too. i know which of those would do more for the public good
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 AM
brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Morning folks - for all the people at Govcamp who were asking me about the National Data Library here is an actual, official update with some specifics...for the first time I think 🎉
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
National Data Library: progress update, January 2026
www.gov.uk
January 26, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Morning folks - for all the people at Govcamp who were asking me about the National Data Library here is an actual, official update with some specifics...for the first time I think 🎉
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
January 22, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Minnesota: "School officials say the [5-year-old] child was used as bait. They say [ICE] agents made little Liam knock on the door to ask to be let in in order to see if anyone else was home."
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
I do not just want ICE abolished. I want the entire system that enabled this razed to the fucking ground. And no, I do not think that is an unreasonable ask.
This picture making the rounds on reddit, Columbia Heights. I'm not OK.
January 22, 2026 at 1:02 AM
I do not just want ICE abolished. I want the entire system that enabled this razed to the fucking ground. And no, I do not think that is an unreasonable ask.
back on my nonsense / welcome to messynotes purposeful-chaos.ghost.io/messynote-1/
Messynote #1
I’ve been trying and failing to get back on the weeknotes wagon for a whole year, so I’m trying something a bit different. Inspired by the excellent conversation at Radically Good Community, I’m start...
purposeful-chaos.ghost.io
January 22, 2026 at 10:39 AM
back on my nonsense / welcome to messynotes purposeful-chaos.ghost.io/messynote-1/
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
I wrote this poem as an homage to Baldwin and to hear it being sung across the world or read in protests has been my own guiding light of hope.
January 18, 2026 at 8:45 PM
I wrote this poem as an homage to Baldwin and to hear it being sung across the world or read in protests has been my own guiding light of hope.
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Incredibly emotional to hear my poem has been turned into a song of resistance and is being sung in Minneapolis right now. Please do not give up.
January 18, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Incredibly emotional to hear my poem has been turned into a song of resistance and is being sung in Minneapolis right now. Please do not give up.
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Good morning, I am once again reminding you all that we are going to keep pushing and we are going to win:
January 16, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Good morning, I am once again reminding you all that we are going to keep pushing and we are going to win:
my first job was in a greengrocer and I am weirdly comforted that this 400 year old rendering pretty accurately captures the mood. Didn't have a shop cat though :(
Woman ever so carefully selecting her fruit while saleswoman (and cat) struggle to remain patient. By Louise Moillon, 1631. Today is her day.
January 14, 2026 at 3:55 PM
my first job was in a greengrocer and I am weirdly comforted that this 400 year old rendering pretty accurately captures the mood. Didn't have a shop cat though :(
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Technical design *is* business process design *is* team design *is* service design *is* user centred design. If you insist that one is superior to another or that you don’t need to concern yourself with all aspects, you’re doing your organisation and your users a disservice. This course looks great!
Many Product Owners view software architecture as a technical concern, something strictly for the developers. Yet, the boundaries of a software system are often defined by business decisions and language, not just code.
...
...
January 14, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Technical design *is* business process design *is* team design *is* service design *is* user centred design. If you insist that one is superior to another or that you don’t need to concern yourself with all aspects, you’re doing your organisation and your users a disservice. This course looks great!
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
January 3, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Ever relevant, this poem by Mary Oliver, especially today.
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
In 2026 we are reinstating the regular One Team Gov breakfast club in London and also running a virtual one for anybody who doesn't have a meetup near them.
If you're interested you can sign up for both using the link (and please retweet/skeet!)
www.linkedin.com/posts/onetea...
If you're interested you can sign up for both using the link (and please retweet/skeet!)
www.linkedin.com/posts/onetea...
Between 2017 and 2021 One Team Gov held space weekly for people working across government to come together, connect, reflect and support each others work. Some local meetups like in Manchester have… |...
Between 2017 and 2021 One Team Gov held space weekly for people working across government to come together, connect, reflect and support each others work. Some local meetups like in Manchester have be...
www.linkedin.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
In 2026 we are reinstating the regular One Team Gov breakfast club in London and also running a virtual one for anybody who doesn't have a meetup near them.
If you're interested you can sign up for both using the link (and please retweet/skeet!)
www.linkedin.com/posts/onetea...
If you're interested you can sign up for both using the link (and please retweet/skeet!)
www.linkedin.com/posts/onetea...
PSA: Calendars are made up! Your to-do list will not self-destruct on 31st December, you do not need to set or follow arbitrary year-end deadlines, inbox zero is a myth.
December 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
PSA: Calendars are made up! Your to-do list will not self-destruct on 31st December, you do not need to set or follow arbitrary year-end deadlines, inbox zero is a myth.
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Good lord people… “Product-led” was never meant to mean “Product manager-led” 🤦🏼♀️
November 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Good lord people… “Product-led” was never meant to mean “Product manager-led” 🤦🏼♀️
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Our international #GovDesign community call is returning on Friday, 28 November.
We’ll discuss #ServicePatterns.
Join us—if you are awake at the time—from 9 am GMT, 10 am CET, 11 am EET, 5 pm SGT.
If you’re a public servant but not a part of the community yet, join us international.gov-design.com
We’ll discuss #ServicePatterns.
Join us—if you are awake at the time—from 9 am GMT, 10 am CET, 11 am EET, 5 pm SGT.
If you’re a public servant but not a part of the community yet, join us international.gov-design.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Our international #GovDesign community call is returning on Friday, 28 November.
We’ll discuss #ServicePatterns.
Join us—if you are awake at the time—from 9 am GMT, 10 am CET, 11 am EET, 5 pm SGT.
If you’re a public servant but not a part of the community yet, join us international.gov-design.com
We’ll discuss #ServicePatterns.
Join us—if you are awake at the time—from 9 am GMT, 10 am CET, 11 am EET, 5 pm SGT.
If you’re a public servant but not a part of the community yet, join us international.gov-design.com
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Teen Vogue produced some of the best political reporting in the nation and we’re not even a year into this cursed presidency
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Teen Vogue produced some of the best political reporting in the nation and we’re not even a year into this cursed presidency
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
The firing of black women & trans people from Teen Vogue is a devastating loss
Teen Vogue listened to young people
It spoke to young people
It tackled topics other media outlets were afraid to cover
Its political coverage represented diverse voices. It didn’t bend a knee
Which is why it’s gone
Teen Vogue listened to young people
It spoke to young people
It tackled topics other media outlets were afraid to cover
Its political coverage represented diverse voices. It didn’t bend a knee
Which is why it’s gone
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The firing of black women & trans people from Teen Vogue is a devastating loss
Teen Vogue listened to young people
It spoke to young people
It tackled topics other media outlets were afraid to cover
Its political coverage represented diverse voices. It didn’t bend a knee
Which is why it’s gone
Teen Vogue listened to young people
It spoke to young people
It tackled topics other media outlets were afraid to cover
Its political coverage represented diverse voices. It didn’t bend a knee
Which is why it’s gone
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
🧵 | Today we’ve released data showing a 55% increase in calls to our advice line from members experiencing racism at work since 2022. We now receive on average three calls a day on this topic.
This is beyond unacceptable. (1/2)
This is beyond unacceptable. (1/2)
October 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
🧵 | Today we’ve released data showing a 55% increase in calls to our advice line from members experiencing racism at work since 2022. We now receive on average three calls a day on this topic.
This is beyond unacceptable. (1/2)
This is beyond unacceptable. (1/2)
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Public services are crumbling in the UK.
Community organisations, like Andy's in Sheffield, hold both the knowledge & trust of local people, both of which are key to fixing our failing public services.
This country needs a new Community Right to Shape Public Services.
📽️ Watch the video
Community organisations, like Andy's in Sheffield, hold both the knowledge & trust of local people, both of which are key to fixing our failing public services.
This country needs a new Community Right to Shape Public Services.
📽️ Watch the video
October 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Public services are crumbling in the UK.
Community organisations, like Andy's in Sheffield, hold both the knowledge & trust of local people, both of which are key to fixing our failing public services.
This country needs a new Community Right to Shape Public Services.
📽️ Watch the video
Community organisations, like Andy's in Sheffield, hold both the knowledge & trust of local people, both of which are key to fixing our failing public services.
This country needs a new Community Right to Shape Public Services.
📽️ Watch the video
deeply underprepared for the physicality of grief. Like someone stole half my spoons. Please send your cosiest autumnal viewing choices my way, my reading pile is going to have to wait a bit longer
October 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
deeply underprepared for the physicality of grief. Like someone stole half my spoons. Please send your cosiest autumnal viewing choices my way, my reading pile is going to have to wait a bit longer
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
217 people have now registered for UK Gov Camp 2026 ( #ukgc26 ) in #Birmingham on Saturday 17 January 2026.
Register to attend or sponsor via UKGovCamp.com, repost this message and share with your colleagues.
We welcome everyone, whether you work with the #PublicSector or not.
#unconference
Register to attend or sponsor via UKGovCamp.com, repost this message and share with your colleagues.
We welcome everyone, whether you work with the #PublicSector or not.
#unconference
October 23, 2025 at 7:05 AM
217 people have now registered for UK Gov Camp 2026 ( #ukgc26 ) in #Birmingham on Saturday 17 January 2026.
Register to attend or sponsor via UKGovCamp.com, repost this message and share with your colleagues.
We welcome everyone, whether you work with the #PublicSector or not.
#unconference
Register to attend or sponsor via UKGovCamp.com, repost this message and share with your colleagues.
We welcome everyone, whether you work with the #PublicSector or not.
#unconference
Reposted by Ellie Ashman
Today would have been Ursula K. Le Guin’s 96th birthday. I celebrated by visiting The Word for World: The Maps of Ursula K. Le Guin at AA Gallery in London. What a treat! A selection of her maps & drawings. And a beautiful book! Happy birthday @ursulakleguin.com
www.aaschool.ac.uk/publicprogra...
www.aaschool.ac.uk/publicprogra...
October 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today would have been Ursula K. Le Guin’s 96th birthday. I celebrated by visiting The Word for World: The Maps of Ursula K. Le Guin at AA Gallery in London. What a treat! A selection of her maps & drawings. And a beautiful book! Happy birthday @ursulakleguin.com
www.aaschool.ac.uk/publicprogra...
www.aaschool.ac.uk/publicprogra...