Better use of data is key to more effective government. Across government, teams are doing fascinating work with data. But those projects don’t get the attention they deserve. Data Bites aims to change that.

Our latest event, the 38th in our series was a defence special where the speakers will present their work in an exciting, quickfire format. Each speaker has eight minutes, followed by eight minutes of questions from the audience.

This month's speakers were:

Cameron Douglas, Engineering and Logistics Defence Lead at Palantir Technologies, on how to maintain vital control over sensitive data
Ben Holloway, Head of Royal Navy Digital
Anna Knack, Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security, The Alan Turing Institute, on their new report, Human-Machine Teaming in Intelligence Analysis
Commander Sue Seagrave, Data Sheriff for Royal Navy Project Renown, on growing the ‘data posse’ to improve Royal Navy ship availability

The event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate at the Institute for Government.

Data Bites #38: Getting things done with data in government

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Dr Tom Arnold, Research Associate at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group
Helen Gbormittah, Regional Director, North West at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool.

How should devolution across the North of England be successfully implemented and enhanced?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Richard Fuller MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair at Bright Blue
Trinh Tu, Managing Director, Public Affairs at Ipsos UK

This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.



What is the Conservative route to fiscal sustainability?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons
Caroline Elsom, Head of Reshaping The State at Onward
Eve Norridge, Head of Research at Onward
Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government
This event will be chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with Onward.
 

How should governments rewire the state to get things done?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Baroness Barran MBE, Shadow Minister for Education
Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Minister for Justice
Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group

This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.


How should the Conservative Party rethink its vision for public services?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Mayor Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester
Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Essex County Council

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.


How can mayors improve skills and productivity to drive regional growth?

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers:

Rt Hon Lord Willetts, Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office and former Minister for Universities and Science
Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Professor Nigel Brandon OBE, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy at Imperial College London
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government

This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with Imperial College London.

Industrial strategy, tariffs and global trade: Is the government's strategy working?

Local government reorganisation and public service delivery

IfG DevoLab #2 How can mayors and strategic authorities secure investment into regional economies EDIT

Productivity Pitches #8: Spreading innovation across public services

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