Camp Digital 2025: A look back at key insights
I was lucky enough to attend Camp Digital 2025, which brought together a diverse range of speakers, offering fresh perspectives on design, technology, and collaboration. From user-centered approaches to the ethical considerations of AI, here's a recap of some of the most impactful sessions.
The transformative power of participatory and trauma-informed design with Hera Hussain
Hera Hussain, accompanied by her 3-month-old son, eloquently highlighted how rigid design processes can stifle creativity. She advocated for increased user participation, emphasisng that engaging those who will ultimately benefit from a product leads to more effective and intuitive websites and applications. Hussain also introduced the crucial principles of trauma-informed design: safety, agency, equity, privacy, accountability, and hope. Adhering to these principles fosters trust and accountability between designers, developers, and users, leading to more ethical and user-centric digital experiences.
The power, peril, and privilege of working in the open with Matt Jukes
Matt Jukes provided a compelling exploration of "working in the open," detailing its advantages and disadvantages. He defined this approach as:
- Thinking out loud
- Showing your working
- Being authentic
- Sharing successes
- Being honest about failure
Matt Jukes also offered a valuable caution: working in the open isn't for everyone. He advised attendees to consider the concerns of colleagues and clients, stressing the importance of thorough consideration before sharing information publicly.
Getting things moving in a system that doesn't want to, with Alex Blandford and Katherine Wastell
Alex Blandford and Katherine Wastell delivered a compelling talk at Camp Digital 2025, focusing on the pervasive challenge of organisational inertia and practical strategies for overcoming it. Their presentation, titled "Navigating Organisational Inertia: Unleashing Project Momentum," delved into the multifaceted "levers" that can effectively drive projects and entire organisations forward. These levers, they explained, extend beyond conventional hierarchical structures and include the crucial aspects of established friendships and professional networks, diverse skillsets within a team, the strategic allocation and management of financial resources, and the often-underestimated power of influence.
A key takeaway from their discussion was a nuanced perspective on influence. Blandford and Wastell strongly emphasised that influence is not an exclusive domain of senior leadership. They articulated this point memorably, stating, "If you’re junior, you probably don’t know everything that’s going on. If you’re senior, you definitely don’t know everything that’s going on." This insightful observation served as a potent reminder for Project Managers, team leads, and professionals across all levels of an organisation. It underscored the reality that a holistic understanding of an organisation's internal dynamics and external environment is rarely confined to a single individual or a specific pay grade.
Their talk highlighted that genuine progress and the ability to overcome resistance to change stem from a synergistic combination of these various factors. It's about leveraging informal networks, recognising and utilising a wide array of talents, making judicious financial decisions, and cultivating influence through competence, collaboration, and clear communication, regardless of one's official position. For project managers, this means proactively identifying and nurturing these different levers, understanding that success is often a result of orchestrating a complex interplay of human, financial, and strategic elements rather than simply relying on formal authority. The session provided attendees with actionable frameworks to identify areas of inertia within their own organisations and equip them with the tools to initiate and sustain positive change.
The confidence game: Designing trustworthy human-AI collaborations with Dr. Zeynep Engin
At Camp Digital 2025, Dr. Zeynep Engin delivered a profoundly insightful session that underscored the paramount importance of establishing trustworthy AI within the public sector. Her address meticulously articulated the necessity of not only governing the evolving human-AI relationships but also proactively managing the extreme risks inherent in the rapid advancements of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Engin's core message resonated with a call for a robust and adaptable oversight framework. She passionately advocated for the implementation of dynamic and proportionate regulatory mechanisms. These measures, she argued, are absolutely crucial to guarantee that AI systems are developed and deployed in a manner that fosters justifiable trust among citizens and within governmental operations. Her emphasis was on creating a future where AI serves as a reliable and ethically sound tool, rather than a source of unforeseen societal challenges.
The new normal with Alastair Somerville
Alastair Somerville delivered a truly thought-provoking talk at Camp Digital 2025 that challenged attendees to re-evaluate their understanding of what constitutes "normal." He meticulously argued that the prevailing concept of normality is not a neutral or universal standard, but rather a construct deeply rooted in historical biases. This construct, he asserted, inherently privileges certain demographic groups, often those who have historically held power or influence, while simultaneously marginalising and excluding a vast number of others.
Somerville emphasised that this exclusionary aspect of normality stems from deeply embedded biases that have been perpetuated through societal norms, cultural narratives, and even institutional structures over time. To genuinely foster an environment of divergence and diversity, and to create truly inclusive spaces, Somerville passionately urged everyone present to actively confront these ingrained biases. He called for a deliberate and conscious effort to dismantle these historical foundations of what is considered "normal," thereby opening the door to a more equitable and representative understanding of human experience. His talk served as a powerful call to action for attendees to critically examine their own perceptions and contribute to building a more inclusive future.
Can universal truths lead to better software? with Michael Palmer
One of the standout sessions at Camp Digital 2025 was undoubtedly Michael Palmer's inspiring discussion, which resonated deeply with attendees. Palmer, a veteran in product design, offered a profound reflection on his personal journey, emphasisng the critical role of several "universal truths" in fostering effective and humane product development: humility, empathy, integrity, community, and ongoing gratitude.
Palmer passionately argued that these core principles are not merely soft skills but are, in fact, fundamental pillars for building successful and collaborative teams. He asserted that embracing humility allows individuals to acknowledge their limitations and be open to learning from others, a crucial element for breaking down the often-detrimental silos that plague many organisations. By actively cultivating empathy, designers and team members can better understand user needs and internal team dynamics, leading to more user-centric products and more supportive work environments.
Integrity, according to Palmer, forms the bedrock of trust within a team and with users. It ensures that decisions are made ethically and transparently, fostering an environment where feedback is welcomed and valued. This directly links to the concept of psychological safety, which Palmer highlighted as paramount. When teams operate with integrity, individuals feel safe to voice concerns, offer diverse perspectives, and even make mistakes without fear of retribution.
The importance of community was another key takeaway. Palmer stressed that product design is inherently a collaborative endeavour, and a strong sense of community within a team enhances knowledge-sharing and decision-making processes. This goes beyond mere teamwork; it's about fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.
Finally, ongoing gratitude, in Palmer's view, helps to maintain a positive outlook and encourages a continuous learning mindset. Recognising and appreciating the contributions of others, as well as the opportunities presented, reinforces a culture of positive reinforcement and resilience.
Palmer effectively demonstrated how these "universal truths" are not abstract concepts but tangible tools for enhancing knowledge-sharing and decision-making within teams. He powerfully conveyed that by encouraging active listening and viewing feedback not as a threat but as a valuable tool for growth and improvement, teams can achieve higher levels of innovation, collaboration, and ultimately, greater success in product design. His session served as a powerful reminder that the human element remains at the heart of exceptional product development.
The spectacular lies of maps with Per Axbom
The concluding session of Camp Digital 2025 featured a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable presentation by Per Axbom, titled "The Spectacular Lies of Maps." Axbom, a renowned expert in his field, captivated the audience with his witty and accessible approach to a complex topic. He masterfully employed humour and relatable examples to illustrate a crucial point: the inherent subjectivity and potential for distortion within map projections.
Axbom demonstrated how different methods of projecting the Earth's three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional plane can drastically alter our spatial understanding and perception of continents, countries, and even our own place in the world. He showcased various projections, from the familiar Mercator to less common alternatives, highlighting how each one emphasises certain aspects while inevitably de-emphasising or exaggerating others. For instance, he playfully exposed how the Mercator projection, while excellent for navigation, visually inflates the size of landmasses closer to the poles, making Greenland appear far larger than it is in reality when compared to equatorial regions.
Beyond the purely geographical implications, Axbom's talk subtly underscored a broader philosophical point: the importance of critical thinking when encountering any form of represented information. His engaging narrative served as a powerful yet light-hearted reminder to always question the underlying assumptions, biases, and perspectives embedded within the "maps" we navigate in our daily lives – whether they are literal geographical charts, statistical graphs, or even narratives presented in media. The presentation was a resounding success, leaving attendees not only entertained but also equipped with a more nuanced and critical lens through which to view the world around them.
Please find a link to all the presentations in the nexerdigital archive here
