Unleash the power of your imagination in Hall 3
At our carefully curated zones, Digifest attendees were able to connect with their communities, explore an immersive classroom, discover our innovation hub or catch some Digifest TV.
Community hub
The Jisc community hub was the perfect place to connect and collaborate with others to share interests and challenges. You could join sessions to exchange ideas or drop by during your breaks for an informal chat. There were opportunities to meet our community champions past and present and to find out how to get involved in one of the many communities of practice.
For those new to Digifest there was an introductory session to provide an orientation of the event and a chance to meet other first-time participants.
Immersive classroom
We stepped into a realm of boundless possibilities where education was elevated through shared experiences. Igloo Vision Immersive Classroom is a cutting-edge teaching approach that seamlessly integrates technology to foster an engaging and interactive learning environment. Cardiff University, Metaverse Learning, and Igloo Vision showcased demonstrations throughout Digifest.
The immersive classroom also hosted an art installation by Georgia Tucker. The piece called 'Lente' explored the benefits of mindfulness and reconnecting with every element of nature. Inspired by the 72 micros seasons in a Japanese calendar, Georgia hopes Lente will start a conversation about how we see educational spaces. Read an interview with Georgia about her work.
Main stage and Digifest TV
An engaging lineup of speakers shared their insights on topics ranging from AI to employability and personalised learning. The main stage was also home to Digifest TV, which hosted live interviews with influential people and event speakers, offering a different perspective on the industry. It was a great opportunity to take a deeper dive into a subject that interested you in the main programme.
View the Digifest TV schedule
Day 1: Tuesday 12 March 2024
Your host for Digifest TV on Tuesday was Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, public affairs manager, Jisc.
9:30-9:50
Interview 1:
- Puiyin Wong, community champion
- Jacinta Jolly, community champion
Interview 2:
- Emma Beatson, product lead, Jisc
- Dominique Walker, IT graduate, Jisc
11:00-11:30
Interview 3:
- Tessa Cramer, professor of designing the future, Fontys Applied University
Interview 4:
- Peter Kilcoyne, digital learning consultant, Teachermatic
13:30-14:00
Interview 5:
- Dan Pearson, CEO, USP College
- Andrew Martin, XTEND digital learning company manager, USP College
Interview 6:
- Scott Hayden, head of teaching and digital, Basingstoke College of Technology
Interview 7:
- Sharon Perera, head of academic and digital skills, University of Greenwich
- Tom Wright, director of digital experience, University of Lincoln
15:45-16:00
Interview 8:
- Peter Caney, head of early careers and skills, BAE systems PLC
- Nicola Millard, principal innovation partner, BT
- Heather Thomson, director of skills and education, The Data Lab
Interview 9:
- Heidi Fraser-Krauss, CEO, Jisc
Day 2: Wednesday 13 March 2024
Your host for Digifest TV on Wednesday was James Earl-Fraser, head of research and innovation customer development, Jisc.
9:00-9:45
Interview 1:
- Michael Webb, director of technology and analytics, Jisc
Interview 2:
- Kirsty Ingleson, Kirklees College
- Paul Napleton, University of East Anglia
11:00-11:30
Interview 3:
- Kate Royse, centre director, UKRI (keynote speaker)
Interview 4:
- Joel Samuels, learning technologist, Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
- Emily Cossey, learning technologist, Solihull College and University Centre
13:30-14:00
Interview 5:
- Greg Marschall, co-founder and CEO, LearnWise AI
Interview 6:
- Alison Gibson, head of HEFi digital, University of Birmingham
- Gemma Westwood, senior digital education developer, University of Birmingham
Interview 7:
- Piers Wilkinson, senior policy and campaigns lead, Diversity and Ability
14:30-15:00
Interview 8:
- Jayne Davies, managing director customer and sector enablement, Jisc
Day 1: Tuesday 12 March 2024
Your host for Digifest TV on Tuesday was Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, public affairs manager, Jisc.
9:30-9:50
Interview 1:
- Puiyin Wong, community champion
- Jacinta Jolly, community champion
Interview 2:
- Emma Beatson, product lead, Jisc
- Dominique Walker, IT graduate, Jisc
11:00-11:30
Interview 3:
- Tessa Cramer, professor of designing the future, Fontys Applied University
Interview 4:
- Peter Kilcoyne, digital learning consultant, Teachermatic
13:30-14:00
Interview 5:
- Dan Pearson, CEO, USP College
- Andrew Martin, XTEND digital learning company manager, USP College
Interview 6:
- Scott Hayden, head of teaching and digital, Basingstoke College of Technology
Interview 7:
- Sharon Perera, head of academic and digital skills, University of Greenwich
- Tom Wright, director of digital experience, University of Lincoln
15:45-16:00
Interview 8:
- Peter Caney, head of early careers and skills, BAE systems PLC
- Nicola Millard, principal innovation partner, BT
- Heather Thomson, director of skills and education, The Data Lab
Interview 9:
- Heidi Fraser-Krauss, CEO, Jisc
Day 2: Wednesday 13 March 2024
Your host for Digifest TV on Wednesday was James Earl-Fraser, head of research and innovation customer development, Jisc.
9:00-9:45
Interview 1:
- Michael Webb, director of technology and analytics, Jisc
Interview 2:
- Kirsty Ingleson, Kirklees College
- Paul Napleton, University of East Anglia
11:00-11:30
Interview 3:
- Kate Royse, centre director, UKRI (keynote speaker)
Interview 4:
- Joel Samuels, learning technologist, Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
- Emily Cossey, learning technologist, Solihull College and University Centre
13:30-14:00
Interview 5:
- Greg Marschall, co-founder and CEO, LearnWise AI
Interview 6:
- Alison Gibson, head of HEFi digital, University of Birmingham
- Gemma Westwood, senior digital education developer, University of Birmingham
Interview 7:
- Piers Wilkinson, senior policy and campaigns lead, Diversity and Ability
14:30-15:00
Interview 8:
- Jayne Davies, managing director customer and sector enablement, Jisc
Innovation hub
We showcased how Jisc is transforming education and research at the innovation hub, sharing our work around:
- How we’re using artificial intelligence to support and enhance learning, teaching, and research outcomes across the sector
- How we’re testing and scaling new solutions that improve connectivity, efficiency, and insight for our members, including pilots for extending eduroam, Honeywell Forge and our beta learning analytics app
- Our virtual iteration of the innovation hub, in partnership with Metaverse Learning
Lightning talks
These 10-minute presentations showcasing innovative ideas, projects or research in the education sector aimed to spark new ideas. They were a chance to take a break from the main programme and listen with a silent seminar headset.
Exhibition area
Our exhibitors were innovative technology providers within the education sector. Visiting the exhibition area was a great way to find out the latest innovations in industry, discover a new collaboration opportunity, network and ask questions.