On Friday 6 March 2026, Connected by Data, with support from Demos and the Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI), organised a conference on Power and Participation in Public Tech. It took place at the Mechanics Institute, Manchester – the birthplace of the Trades Union Congress.
It was the culmination of our project supported by the Mohn Westlake Foundation, Giving communities a powerful say in public sector data and AI projects. The conference was for anyone interested in how to achieve better outcomes in the delivery of digital, data and AI work in the public sector through the involvement of the public, communities and workers.
This is a brief summary of the day – a much fuller report is available here, while other resources from the project (including case studies of public engagement, records of our Design Labs, and notes and videos from our community of practice) are available on the project page.
Short report: Power and participation in public tech conference, 6 March 2026