The story – and legacy – of the UK government’s digital academy

In this latest episode of Government Transformed, GGF’s executive editor Richard Johnstone and podcast producer Jack Aldane journeyed from London to Leeds to join a reunion of one of the UK government's most innovative digital projects – the digital academy. 

The academy was initially set up in Department for Work and Pensions, before transferring to the Government Digital Service. Its aim was to give people the skills to build public services that would close the gap between government bureaucracies and the kinds of services citizens had grown accustomed to in an online world. It officially closed in 2022.  

At a meet up just a short walk from Leeds Train Station, former guest on the series and creator of the academy, Kevin Cunnington, was joined by those who ran the academy – and those who went through it – to mark 10 years since its establishment.  

Participants looked back over the academy’s eight-year lifespan, tracing its beginnings to the peak of its accomplishments, and the combination of factors that led to its eventual end. They discussed the impact the academy had, both on the way government viewed digital service delivery, as well as their own careers.  

This podcast offers a timely example of the difference smalls group of dynamic individuals can make to government services, given enough time and freedom to solve core problems with legacy systems. It also shows why digital technology leads to transformation only when people combine to form a mission-drive culture.     

In this episode, we refer to: 

DWP Digital Academy  

To find out more about Global Government Forum’s work on helping governments boost their digital capabilities, including developing digital academies, please contact GGF’s government liaison director George O’Grady. 

FOLLOW US: 

X: @globegov 

LinkedIn: Global Government Forum 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.