Speakers – Kortext Live

25th April, 2023

Imperial College London

Nick Hillman

Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)

Talk: How did we get here? The higher education landscape of today

Nick Hillman

Nick has been the Director of HEPI since 2014. He worked for the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, the Minister for Universities and Science, from 2007 until the end of 2013. He has written widely for HE think tanks and journals. Recent publications examined the future of HE after COVID-19 and the impact of increased student numbers.

09:50 – 10:15

How did we get here? The higher education landscape of today.

Prof. Dame Sally Mapstone

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of St Andrews, Scotland

Talk: The digital student – looking forward to the next 10 years!

Prof. Dame Sally Mapstone

Convener of Universities Scotland, and recently elected as the next President of Universities UK (UUK), Sally has been instrumental in the development of sector-wide progressive admissions policies to widen access and is a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion in higher education. Her tenure at St Andrew’s has seen the university ranked number one in the 2021 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.

15:55 – 16:30

The digital student – looking forward to the next 10 years!

Prof. Simon Thomson

Director of Flexible Learning, Manchester University

Talk: How do we embrace digital learning for generations to come?

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Prof. Simon Thomson

Simon is leading the development and delivery of the strategy to expand the flexible and blended learning at the University of Manchester. His research encompasses hybrid education frameworks, digital learning environments and the impact on staff and students of blended learning in HE.

10:15 – 11:00

How do we embrace digital learning for generations to come?

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Prof. Kelly Coate

Pro Vice Chancellor (Education and Students), University of Sussex

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Breakout Session: A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

Prof. Kelly Coate

Kelly joined Sussex in 2018 from King’s College London, where she was Vice Dean (Education) at the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy from September 2017. She is on the Editorial Boards of the journals Teaching in Higher Education, Higher Education Research and Development, and the Journal of Education Policy.

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

12:10 – 12:40

A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

Ed Foster

Head of Student Engagement and Analytics, Nottingham Trent University

Talk: Should we be afraid of Big Data?

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

Ed Foster

Now in his 21st year at Nottingham Trent University Ed leads the development of a learning analytics resource, working with Solutionpath, to identify how students engage. His research explores student success in HE, looking at the role of technology in retention, transition and reducing disparities of attainment.

13:45 – 14:15

Should we be afraid of Big Data?

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

Libby Homer

Director of Student and Library Services, Anglia Ruskin University

Talk: How do we embrace digital learning for generations to come?

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Libby Homer

Libby is currently co-chair of SCONUL, a member of the UUK/Jisc Content Negotiation Strategy Group, chairs the Customer Services Group UK and is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Libby’s recent publications have discussed ebook accessibility, the post-pandemic digital revolution and the future of learning resources in university libraries.

10:15 – 11:00

How do we embrace digital learning for generations to come?

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Matthew Lawson

Director Library and Student Support, Middlesex University

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

Matthew Lawson

Matthew is responsible for the strategic direction of the library, student wellbeing and enquiry services at Middlesex. He is leading the Student Experience element of the University Strategy 2031, which includes using technology to anticipate student needs and promote student support.

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

Prof. Mark Simpson

Pro Vice Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Teeside University

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Prof. Mark Simpson

Mark is responsible for ensuring that all students at Teesside receive a high-quality student experience including leveraging the potential of digital technologies to support learning and teaching, driving the vision for continual improvement. Mark is a Thirteen Board Director and a local Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, as well as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Hannah Groom

Content Delivery Librarian, University of Essex

Breakout Session: Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

Hannah Groom

Hannah is responsible for ensuring the university library at Essex provides suitable resources to support learning and teaching. She manages the library’s e-book contracts and suppliers, using analytics data to ensure the provision of cost effective, equitable and inclusive resources for students.

15:15 – 15:45

Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

Ben Parkinson

Senior Lecturer, Module Leader, ARU London

Breakout Session: Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

Ben Parkinson

Ben is a digital marketing and academic skills specialist. He promotes the use of inclusive learning technologies, and he is passionate about enhancing student attainment and experience. Ben uses the Kortext analytics data to optimize his students’ learning.

15:15 – 15:45

Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

James Gray

CEO & Founder, Kortext

Talk: Introduction to Kortext LIVE

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

James Gray

James has spent over 25 years pioneering digital content provision in higher education. He founded Kortext in 2013 and ten years later, Kortext is the leading student learning and engagement platform. James is passionate about enhancing the student experience and optimising outcomes for the worldwide higher education community.

09:30 – 09:50

An introduction to Kortext LIVE 

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

Rod Bristow

Chair of Academic Advisory Board, Kortext

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Breakout Session: How can we build a better student experience from the reading list?

Rod Bristow

Rod is an accomplished education leader with experience in digital transformation and international education policy development. He joined Kortext in 2021 as a valued advisor to the Board. Rod spent almost 30 years at Pearson, holding various executive management positions.

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

12:10 – 12:40

How can we build a better student experience from the reading list?

Andrew Bates

Chief Product Officer, Kortext

Breakout Session: A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

Breakout Session: Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

Andrew Bates

Andrew is responsible for defining and delivering the Kortext product strategy, working with his team in Canada and gaining insight from Kortext’s university partners. He is passionate about driving Kortext’s vision for building fair, inclusive and effective digital learning experiences for students.

12:10 – 12:40

A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

15:15 – 15:45

Leveraging Kortext’s analytics dashboards to optimise digital content provision to academics and students

Raghav Sandhu

Senior Product Manager, Kortext

Breakout Session: A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

Raghav Sandhu

Raghav is an experienced Product Manager, who has previously worked in telecommunications, SaaS and higher education. He brings his considerable knowledge of user experience (UX), qualitative research, product requirements, product strategy and e-commerce – plus great problem-solving skills – to Kortext.

12:10 – 12:40

A deep dive into artificial intelligence and how it will affect pedagogy and assessment

Dr Rachel Maxwell

Community Manager, Solutionpath

Breakout Session: Enhancing student wellbeing and outcomes with Solutionpath

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

Dr Rachel Maxwell

Previously Head of Learning and Teaching Development: Policy and Practice at the University of Northampton Rachel joined data insights and student engagement experts Solutionpath in 2021, where her remit as Community Manager is to develop and strengthen their user community.

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

15:15 – 15:45

Enhancing student wellbeing and outcomes with Solutionpath

Sophia Sulaman

Senior Product Manager, Solutionpath

Breakout Session: Enhancing student wellbeing and outcomes with Solutionpath

Sophia Sulaman

Sophia is a digital product leader with more than 13 years’ experience in Product Management at public and private sector software providers. She brings a wide range of skills to Solutionpath, including SaaS, business insights, requirements gathering, KPIs and market analysis.

15:15 – 15:45

Enhancing student wellbeing and outcomes with Solutionpath

Debbie McVitty

Editor, Wonkhe

Panel Discussion: The power of student data and their visions for the future

Debbie McVitty

Debbie is Editor of Wonkhe, the home of higher education policy. She is a former Chief of Staff at Universities UK, Director of Policy at the University of Bedfordshire, and Head of Policy at the National Union of Students and is a founding member of Wonkhe’s editorial group.

14:15 – 15:00

The power of student data and their visions for the future

Andrew Wilson

NUS Disability Officer, University of Derby

Panel Discussion: The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

Andrew Wilson

Andrew is an LLB Law & Criminology student and the Union of Students EDI Disability Officer at the University of Derby. He is passionate about social justice, accessibility and inclusivity. Andrew is also an enthusiastic student ambassador for Kortext e-textbooks.

11:15 – 12:00

The future role of digital in student learning from different perspectives

About Kortext

Tuesday 25^th April 2023

08:30 – 16:30

Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK

Meet our speakers & panellists

Nick Hillman

Nick Hillman

Prof. Dame Sally Mapstone

Prof. Dame Sally Mapstone

Prof. Simon Thomson

Prof. Simon Thomson

Prof. Kelly Coate

Prof. Kelly Coate

Ed Foster

Ed Foster

Libby Homer

Libby Homer

Matthew Lawson

Matthew Lawson

Prof. Mark Simpson

Prof. Mark Simpson

Hannah Groom

Hannah Groom

Ben Parkinson

Ben Parkinson

James Gray

James Gray

Rod Bristow

Rod Bristow

Andrew Bates

Andrew Bates

Raghav Sandhu

Raghav Sandhu

Dr Rachel Maxwell

Dr Rachel Maxwell

Sophia Sulaman

Sophia Sulaman

Debbie McVitty

Debbie McVitty

Andrew Wilson

Andrew Wilson