What I do
Strategy & Systems Thinking
Helping organisations see the bigger picture through theory of change work, identifying leverage points, and navigating boundaries between systems.
Example: Guiding the Gates Foundation-funded SEBI-L team through a Theory of Change as part of their 10-year strategy
Digital Credentials
Guiding the design and adoption of verifiable credentials, digital badges, and micro-credentials — from policy through to implementation.
Example: Supporting Skills Development Scotland and the Awards Network towards a national system of Verifiable Credentials
Digital & AI Literacies
Creating frameworks and guidance for responsible AI adoption and digital literacy across organisations and sectors.
Example: Developing an AI Literacies framework for the Responsible Innovation Centre for Public Media Futures based at the BBC
Facilitation & Coaching
Running away days, aligning stakeholders, mentoring individuals, and facilitating group decision-making using sociocratic processes.
Example: Facilitating a multi-stakeholder away day for LocalGov Drupal to establish consent on future collaboration
Speaking & Writing
Conference keynotes, podcast appearances, and authored reports. Regular contributor to conversations about education, technology, and open practices.
Example: See my Speaking page for recordings. For example my appearance on Helen Beetham's imperfect offerings podcast
Critical Friend
An honest, constructive sounding board for leaders and organisations. I ask the questions others won't, challenge assumptions, and help you see blind spots — while remaining firmly on your side.
Example: Serving as critical friend to the Director of London CLC, providing independent perspective on strategy and programmes
Resources
New ebook: How to Be Less Wrong in a Polycrisis
A practical guide to decision-making in uncertain times. Drawing on systems thinking and mental models, it helps leaders and organisations avoid common thinking traps — and make better calls when the stakes are high.
AI Literacies
A framework for understanding and developing AI literacy, building on the Essential Elements of Digital Literacies.
Digital Credentials
Report for the Irish Technological University sector on the future of digital and micro credentials.
Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice
Co-authored report for Friends of the Earth examining how AI can be used to advance environmental goals — and the risks it poses. Sets out principles for responsible AI adoption in civil society organisations, with a focus on energy use, data governance, and community impact.
Tools
I've built these tools to improve my own practice as a freelance consultant. They're all open source, so you're welcome to use them too.
Sightlines
A suite of three tools for thinking more clearly about your organisation's technology: what you have, what it costs, and what it means for your independence.
CalAnywhere
Privacy-first scheduling. Share your availability without handing over your calendar data to a third party.
Groundwork
A dashboard for freelancers. Track clients, projects, and income in one place — no subscription required.
TaskDial
Plan your day visually. A simple, distraction-free tool for deciding what to focus on and when.
Badge Studio
Create Open Badges in your browser. Customise colours and settings, then export as PNG or SVG — no design software needed.
Testimonials
Doug and I go way back to the early days of Open Badges. His 15+ years in this space means he brings not just expertise, but institutional memory and perspective that's invaluable as the digital credentials field evolves.
I appreciate that Doug operates at multiple levels simultaneously. He understands technology deeply, and he's equally comfortable navigating community dynamics and organizational change. Whether he's presenting, writing reports on micro-credentials, or facilitating strategic planning sessions, he stays grounded in human-centered approaches and open practices.
Doug combines deep technical knowledge, facilitation skills, community-building expertise, and collaborative instinct. I'm grateful for everything he's contributed to the DCC and to digital credentials more broadly.
— Kerri Lemoie, PhD (Director, Digital Credentials Consortium)More testimonials
I've had the pleasure of working with Doug Belshaw across several badging workshops as part of the N-TUTORR programme. Doug brings exceptional clarity of thought, deep expertise in digital literacies, and a collaborative spirit that elevates every session he's part of. He's equally at ease shaping big-picture strategy as he is engaging participants in practical, hands-on learning. Any team would benefit from Doug's insight, integrity, and sheer commitment to meaningful professional development.
— Ken McCarthy (Head of Centre for Academic Practice at South East Technological University)I had the pleasure of working with Doug on an away day bringing together multiple stakeholders with potentially different interests with a view to establishing consent on how to work together in the future. His work on pre-planning was timely and efficient, yet effective. I know from past experience that the day itself could have been a huge challenge but went really smoothly, mostly down to the sociocratic processes put in place by Doug and his colleague Aaron. This is testament to the energy, enthusiasm and preparation that went into it.
— Nathan Brown (Director at Co-op Culture)Always really switched on. A sane voice around all things educational technology and standards and much more — always look forward to working in Doug related space.
— Joe Wilson (Quality Assurance Specialist TQER)I took some mentoring sessions with Doug. I wasn't expecting much because I thought I knew my service pretty well. I was wrong, Doug unearthed a lot for me to think about. I'll be back for more.
— Mark Conroy (Drupal consultant)