This month, we’re catching up with a familiar face in the web sustainability space – Alexander Dawson, a self-taught developer, long-time techie, and passionate advocate for a better internet. Alongside freelance client work, Alexander contributes to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) as lead editor of the Web Sustainability Guidelines, and collaborates with communities including the Green Software Foundation and ClimateAction.tech.
At heart, though, his work is about people. From championing more responsible digital practices to encouraging others to share knowledge, mentor generously and get involved, Alexander believes the web (and the tech industry around it) is strongest when it’s rooted in openness, friendship and community.
In this conversation, we talk about pivotal career moments, the power of mentorship, staying curious in a fast-moving industry, and why building a better web means thinking beyond code.
Can you share a bit about your background?
I’m a freelance web developer and sustainability advocate. When I’m not working on client projects, I contribute to web standards as an Invited Expert at W3C, where I serve as lead editor of the Web Sustainability Guidelines (WSG). I’ve also contributed to the Green Software Foundation and the HTTP Archive Web Almanac, and I’m also actively involved in ClimateAction.tech.
Did you come up through a “traditional” techie route or has your career taken twists and turns along the way?
I’ve always been a techie. I started young and am self-taught.
Reflecting on your career, is there a specific moment that stands out as pivotal or defining?
I’ve had many unique moments throughout my career, so it’s hard to pick just one. However, the most recent, and therefore the most significant for my current path, was my decision to join the community group that later became a W3C Interest Group focused on establishing an international set of guidelines for digital sustainability. This work has the potential to profoundly influence how products and services are designed and delivered, for the benefit of both people and the planet.
What piece of advice would you give your younger self as you embarked on your professional journey?
Keep trying different things. Some will fail to make an impact, but others, often the ones you least expect, will bring opportunities and success.
Looking ahead, what’s your big prediction for the tech landscape in 2025?
I try not to make predictions. They are rarely correct!
Considering your involvement in Silicon Brighton and community-building, what does the concept of ‘community’ mean to you personally? How important is it in the tech industry?
Community is about making friends. I always aim to be as friendly as possible and enjoy chatting with anyone who wants to discuss interesting subjects. With the industry often being so fast-paced and unstable, knowledge sharing and friendly interactions help relieve some of the pressure and tension.
How do you balance staying updated with the latest industry trends while ensuring continuous personal and professional growth? Any specific resources or practices you find particularly valuable?
Newsletters, RSS feeds, and Slack groups are my usual sources of news, and I highly recommend using a read-it-later app and/or a bookmarking app to ensure that links you haven’t had time to read – or are worth keeping – can be saved, just in case they disappear, as sometimes happens on the web.
As someone who has contributed significantly to the community, how do you see mentorship playing a role in the development of the next generation of tech professionals?
It’s critically important. If knowledge isn’t passed down, the next generation can’t be expected to carry the torch. I urge people to create educational content, speak, contribute to and fund open source, mentor others, and share their knowledge.
Anything else you would like to promote to our community?
The ethics of the web matter: accessibility, security, privacy, sustainability, and internationalization. We are responsible for what we create and how it impacts those around us. Be considerate of people and the planet!
Is there any additional wisdom, experience, or anecdotes you’d like to share with our audience?
W3C Web Sustainability Guidelines: https://www.w3.org/TR/web-sustainability-guidelines/