Digital Experience Conference 2025
Thursday 19th June 2025
9:30 am - 4:20pm
Virtual Conference
The Digital Experience Conference 2025 will explore how universities can design and deliver the next generation of digital learning experiences to meet the needs and expectations of future students.
The Conference will explore:
What the future of the digital learning experience looks like
How to support a seamless and joined up user experience across all touchpoints
The voice of service users and how to prepare for new student audiences
Approaches to personalisation, accessibility and AI deployment
Solutions on developing digital skills and literacy
Why attend the conference?
Gain insights on deploying the latest digital experience innovations in higher education
Learn from providers at the forefront of delivering next-generation digital solutions for learners
Map your instution’s digital experience strategy
Agenda
09:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Megan Kime
Director, Digital Education Service
University of Leeds (CONFIRMED)
09:40 am
Designing Next Generation Digital Experiences: What’s Next?
Raising the bar: How do we match students’ expectations on the digital experience?
Removing barriers: How do we advance digital literacies and capabilities?
A driver for success: How can the digital environment act as an enabler for improved engagement and outcomes?
What’s next? Embedding next generation AI and personalisation into the digital learning space
The product of the future: What should platforms, digital spaces and content output look like in 2035?
James Clay
Head of Higher Education and Student Experience
Jisc (CONFIRMED)
Ayala Gordon
Associate Director, Digital User Experience
University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Ruth Clark
Head of Learning Enhancement
Leeds Conservatoire (CONFIRMED)
Emma Stace
Chief Digital Information Officer
The Open University (CONFIRMED)
Graham Bell
Director of Digital Education
Cranfield School of Management (CONFIRMED)
10:30am
Break and Networking
10:50 am
Building a Product Roadmap Rooted in Human Centred Design
Designing a digital platform based on audience needs
What effective product roadmap development looks like
Embedding user insight and feedback into a process of continuous improvement
Utilising human centred design thinking to enhance the digital experience
Kris Purdy
Head of Digital Experience
University of Glasgow (CONFIRMED)
11:20 am
As Good as Netflix? Building a High Impact Digital Experience
Professor Helen King
Director of Learning Innovation, Development and Skills
Bath Spa University (CONFIRMED)
11:50 pm
Break and Networking
12:10 pm
Reimagining the Learning Space: The Digital Infrastructure Journey
The digital infrastructure components for designing a joined-up user experience
Developing blended learning spaces that support seamless integration between the physical space and the online environment
The enablers for supporting online experiences that are just as interactive as in person attendance
Mapping the journey to standardisation and enhanced accessibility across all physical infrastructure
Jo Stroud
Interim Director of Digital Education
University College London (CONFIRMED)
Ketan Parikh
Head of Technical Operations and Technical Specialists
University College London (CONFIRMED)
12:40 pm
Student Digital Capability Development: Enabling the Acquisition and Demonstration of Future Fit Skills, Behaviours and Attitudes
Digital skills for student success and digitally capable graduates
Designing learning pathways to support digital skills development
Where are the emerging skills gaps and how are student’s digital needs evolving?
Samantha Clarkson
Digital Capabilities Manager
University of Hertfordshire (CONFIRMED)
1:10 pm
Break and Networking
1:50 pm
The AI Resilient Learner: Leading a Cultural Shift
How do we support students to embrace AI capabilities, whilst also building their resilience as learners?
This session will explore how Teesside University designed and implemented an AI resilience learner approach and will examine the key lessons in embedding AI literacy across the digital experience.
Dr Ann Thanaraj
Associate Professor and Assistant Director, Chair of University AI Operations
Teesside University (CONFIRMED)
2:20 pm
Short Courses and Modular Provision: Exploring the Digital Journey for Lifelong and Community Based Learners
With new products, new audiences and new forms of delivery in development across the sector, how do we create a digital experience fit for a new age of provision across higher education?
This session will map out how the digital journey must evolve for new types of learners including community-based learners, lifelong learners and professionals.
What needs to change and what do these new audiences expect form their digital user experience?
Phil Vincent
Head of Digital Education Enhancement & Design, Digital Education Service
University of Leeds (CONFIRMED)
2:50 pm
Break and Networking
3:20 pm
Personalised Learning Every Time: What Does it Look Like?
Embedding meaningful personalisation into the digital learning environment
Putting students in the driving seat in designing learning spaces bespoke to their needs
Developing platforms that are adaptive and responsive to user interactions
Harnessing AI and analytics to understand engagement across all touchpoints
Taking personalisation beyond the digital space: how do we join up bespoke delivery across the learner journey?
Vicky Brown
Digital Learning Manager
The University of Sheffield (CONFIRMED)
3:50 pm
The Results are in …. What Are Students Telling Us and How do We Respond?
How are students using digital platforms and interacting with their learning environment?
What are the consistent pain points and barriers to digital success?
What do students want on pacing, flexibility and content provision?
What is still needed on onboarding, communication and skills support?
Where next? What do students think the digital experience of the future should look like?
Dr Richard Walker
Associate Director (Digital Education)
University of York (CONFIRMED)
4:20 pm
Conference Close
*Programme subject to change
Audience
This event is designed for all university leaders and practitioners engaged in digital transformation and digital experience. Those in attendance will include:
Associate Deans for Teaching and Learning
Chief Data Officers
Chief Digital Officers
Deans of Online and Digital Education
Deans for Digital Education
Digital Capabilities Managers
Directors of Digital
Directors of Digital Learning
Directors of Library and Learning Services
Directors of Online Education
Heads of Digital Experience
Heads of Digital Learning
Heads of Digital Transformation
Heads of User Experience and Engagement
Learning Technologists
Pro Vice Chancellors (Digital Transformation)
Pro Vice Chancellors (Education)
Product Managers
User Experience Designers
Web and Digital Managers
Secure Your Ticket
HE and Public Sector
£195 + VAT
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
HE Team of 3+
Discounts Available
For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk