Personally identifiable information (PII) is the data public systems use to recognize people and make decisions about their lives. In civic contexts, it goes far beyond names and numbers—shaping access to care, housing, safety, and opportunity, and carrying both individual and collective histories.

Democratic institutions are under strain—but their obligations to the public have not changed. Drawing from cross-administration reflections and lived experience, this piece outlines what public-facing institutions owe the people they serve: care, continuity, access, and accountability—especially in moments when trust is most fragile.

A growing number of essential public services are now digital-first—but not everyone has reliable devices, broadband, or safe places to connect. Digital inclusion requires more than better interfaces; it means building systems that work across low-bandwidth environments, rural communities, older populations, and people experiencing housing instability. Public service must expand access, not simply shift who is included.

Emerging creatives have an essential role to play in shaping public systems. Public Servants’ Spring 2026 creative and civic practice internship is a paid, part-time, remote contract role offering space for early-career creatives to contribute to real projects in design, storytelling, and public-interest work. Applications are now open.

Post-election periods can create pressure to act fast, but urgency alone rarely leads to better outcomes. What public-sector teams need most in this moment is alignment—clarity on priorities, roles, workflows, and the public experience they aim to protect. This piece explores how governments can move from reaction to coordinated, people-centered action in the early months after an election.

What does it take to earn public trust? In this short explainer, Ashleigh Axios breaks down the ethical obligations of public servants, why structure protects the public, and how trust is built through daily choices.

The Experience Tapestry™ weaves together ten strands of how people encounter public systems—from individual interactions like user experience to systemic forces like environmental impacts. This framework helps leaders see not just isolated touchpoints, but the connections between them that shape trust, dignity, and resilience in public life.

Environmental Experience (EnX) highlights how the design of public systems impacts the natural world—and in turn, people’s health, safety, and quality of life. From waste management and emissions to biodiversity and transit choices, EnX connects civic design to planetary stewardship. Designing for EnX means designing not only for today’s residents, but for future generations who will live with the outcomes.

Civic Experience (CivX) is about how people and communities engage with democracy—from voting and hearings to public comment, councils, and collective decision-making. Strong CivX fosters belonging and legitimacy, showing residents their voices matter. Weak CivX erodes trust, participation, and the sense of shared ownership in public systems.