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innovation consultant at Jisc

Victoria Atherstone

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DrYulia Cherdantseva

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Senior consultant, Jisc

Clare Killen

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Blog page

Cloud chief technology officer at Jisc

Tom Hayman

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How eduroam can increase accessibility, reduce IT workload and help close the digital equity gap.

The sky’s the limit: extending connectivity for learning across the campus and beyond

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How institutions can improve learning environments while cutting their carbon footprint.

First steps towards a smarter campus and healthier buildings

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Managing director HE and research, and executive director of digital resources

Liam Earney

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We are seeing different approaches to tackling digital transformation, and it’s inspiring to read such a vast array of examples from around the sector in our latest report.

Why university leaders need to know their digital

What drives communities in education and research?  

Jisc’s 2023 community champions explain what motivates them to go the extra mile.

Beacon Awards shine a light on digital innovation 

The  Association of Colleges (AOC) Beacon Awards  has celebrated excellence for colleges, learning providers, staff and students since 1995. 

Understanding digital capabilities – a win-win for teachers and learners

As the use of technology becomes increasingly embedded across UK further and higher education, gaining a thorough understanding of the digital skills of both students and teachers can be extremely beneficial when considering pedagogy and curriculum planning.

Understanding the threat of esports to the network

As more and more UK colleges and universities realise the benefits of adding esports to the curriculum, the cyber security threat exposure that comes with it increases too.

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Institutions save more every time one buys from the scheme, which is relaunched this week.

College cyber-attack: ‘the human impact was huge’

For 17 days after The Lincoln College Group was hit by a serious cyber-attack, Graham Harrison and his key staff hardly slept.

Cyber security: whose job is it anyway?

Cyber security is a strategic priority at an increasing number of UK colleges and universities, as evidenced by data from  Jisc’s cyber security posture surveys  over the past six years.

College cyber-attack: ‘the human impact was huge’ 

For 17 days after The Lincoln College Group was hit by a serious cyber-attack, Graham Harrison and his key staff hardly slept.  

Education leaders take inspiration and learn from Amazon

There’s a disconnection between the increasing digital and technical needs of employers and the skills of today’s college and university leavers.  

The power of student partnerships in digital transformation

Recent events have highlighted the importance of working with students as partners in digital transformation and hearing what they have to say about the impact of changes to how they have been learning.

5G and beyond: from controlling energy consumption to cyber-physical convergence 

Thinking about a mobile phone upgrade to enable 5G? Keep up! Researchers and the telecoms industry have already moved on to planning for 6G, and the possibilities are exciting.  

Tackling digital transformation together

The 49th meeting of the Jisc student experience experts group brought together representatives from across the tertiary education sector to discuss digital transformation: what it is (and what it’s not), how to put essential building blocks in place, and how to optimise success.

Carbon neutral by 2030: Keele University’s journey to judgement day

Keele University has pledged to reach net zero by 2030. Alex Goffe and Mathew Bailey from the university’s information and digital services team explain the vital role technology is playing to make this ambitious goal possible and offer their top three tips for starting your carbon neutral journey.

Library and teaching staff collaborate to better invest under-pressure resource budgets  

The shift towards online and blended learning has increased the need for library and learning resources to be more widely available in electronic format, which creates both opportunity and challenge in equal measure.

'An education system should have heart, well-being and humanity at its core'

Lord Knight outlines his views on how the effective use of technology can improve the human elements of learning. 

College app builds technical know-how and soft skills that employers want 

With the expansion of T-levels and the technology revolution driven by industry 4.0, preparing learners for placements and careers beyond is a high priority for the further education (FE) sector.

Siemens’ Connected Curriculum project supports learners’ transition into industry 

For the past two-and-a-half years, Siemens’  Connected Curriculum  initiative has partnered with universities to help equip graduates with a broad range of cutting-edge, industry-relevant skills. 

Celebrating the power of community in education and research 

The latest cohort of Jisc  community champions  is an inspirational group of people who go above and beyond their usual roles in further and higher education to collaborate and share experiences for the good of all.  

Comprehensive insurance policy was crucial in supporting college’s cyber attack recovery 

A year ago,  Bridgwater and Taunton College  was severely impacted by a ransomware cyber attack.

UK and US college leaders debate the digital divide

US and UK college leaders agree that disadvantaged college learners on both sides of the Atlantic experienced very similar challenges during the pandemic.

UK and US college leaders debate post-COVID-19 ‘next normal’ 

In a post-COVID world, evidence has emerged in the UK and overseas to show that students like blended learning, combining remote and on-campus, online and face-to-face tuition. The question now is, how can colleges make that work?

'There are no monsters': four keys to vulnerability scanning success 

Claire Carpenter, IT security specialist at the  University of Canterbury Christ Church , has a vivid analogy for the anxiety felt by some in the IT community around vulnerability scanning.

Steering cyber-skilled students away from crime and into a lucrative career 

Cyber crime is on the increase and prevention is always better than cure. So, it follows that law enforcers must find a way to identify those at risk of offending and intervene early, often via schools and colleges. 

Organised cyber intelligence sharing will boost sector safety 

As universities and colleges continue to suffer the effects of an unprecedented wave of ransomware attacks over the past year, the calls for wider security intelligence sharing are becoming louder. 

How does ‘the Crick’ enable secure research? 

As with any connected organisation, there’s a balance to be struck between operational freedom and security. Responsible for determining that equilibrium is chief information security officer and head of networks, Guy Morrell.

Ransomware attack: what we learned and how we recovered 

The education sector is in the grip of an unprecedented spike in ransomware attacks. Staff at Dundee and Angus College know only too well the  impact of such an attack , having been devastated  in January 2020, after an unpatched endpoint was breached. 

Fixing the internet will require a cultural shift

How can we regulate the internet in a way that lets us reap the game-changing benefits and avoid the equally huge risks?

The creativity of community

No one is an island, unless perhaps you work in accessibility. With so many people working in accessibility working solo, making progress can feel like lonely work. Which is where the accessibility community comes in.

Why mobile apps must be accessible and inclusive 

New guidelines can support universities and colleges as they design fully accessible mobile phone apps that benefit all students.

Award-winning college uses industry 4.0 to shape the curriculum 

Lincolnshire and North-East-based college group,  TEC Partnership , is an award-winning pioneer for the sector in its use of technology, which it sees as essential to prepare learners for the workplace.  

COVID-19: the highs and lows for hard-pushed IT and security teams

IT and cyber security staff at colleges and universities accept that as part of the job they will sometimes have to deal with crisis situations such as cyber attacks. These intense though temporary events, contrast with the year-long pressure they’ve been under at the COVID coal-face. And the grind is starting to take its toll.

‘Technology in education is a vital part of the journey into the workplace’ 

Colleges have done an ‘incredible’ job maintaining learning through the pandemic and should be proud of what they achieved, said apprenticeships and skills minister Gillian Keegan, addressing Jisc’s Digifest event last week. 

Access denied? Why implementing new regulations can be challenging

On Thursday 11 March 2021, accessibility experts will come together at Jisc’s interactive  Digifest  event to discuss disabled students’ experiences of tertiary education. 

Digital learning in FE: ‘big-ticket barriers remain’ 

Champions of technology in further education, Jisc among them, have broadly welcomed the enforced shift to online working and learning as a long-overdue catalyst for change in the sector.  

Rethinking digital leadership

What has the pandemic taught universities about leadership? Three members of the Digifest steering panel discuss the evolving role of digital technologies, the changing needs of students, and the future role of higher education

Why LGBT+ month at Lancaster University goes beyond shaping policy

February is LGBT+ History Month - an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and celebrated by  Lancaster University . 

The importance of weaving wellbeing into university life

The mental wellbeing of students and staff has come into sharp focus of late. What can be done to better support them both now and in the future?

‘Data standards are key for collaboration’  

Charles Baird, data architect at the Data Standards Authority, and Phil Richards, chief innovation officer for data analytics at Jisc, discuss how data standards are developing across government, and their impact on higher education.

Data is useful – but context is king

We look at some of the key takeaways from the first fully online Data Matters conference and learn more about how to harness the power of data.

‘Culture change is the biggest challenge for colleges starting their digital journey’ 

The pandemic highlighted just how poorly equipped most further education (FE) colleges are to operate digitally.   

FE experts give top tips for teaching in lockdown 2021

The enforced shift last spring to online work and study took its toll on staff and students alike.

Libraries at the heart of digital strategy 

Where in a university should its digital strategy originate? The library might not be the first place that springs to mind but when a library service leads or co-creates the digital strategy, there can be huge benefits for students, staff and the whole institution.

University-college collaboration produces COVID-19 data modelling tool to keep college staff and learners safe

The unpredictability surrounding the spread of COVID-19 was one of the biggest challenges facing colleges at the start of the autumn term.

The challenges and opportunities for research in the age of automation 

Powerful new technologies are changing how research is carried out.  What are the challenges and opportunities for research now? We asked an early career researcher, a senior researcher and a research journal editor how they see research 4.0 panning out and what they believe are the key issues needing addressing. 

What next for graduate jobs?

Many students have responded to the challenging labour market with creativity and resolve. We look at some of the employment trends of 2020 and the inspirational stories of those taking their first steps on the career ladder.

University CIOs welcomed into the spotlight

The pandemic shines a light on the increasing value and critical contribution of IT in universities, and the pivotal role chief information officers (CIOs) can play in strategic decision-making. 

Building a better future

University teaching and learning have seen radical transformation in 2020. Three members of the  Digifest  steering panel look to the future, discussing ways to harness positive change while supporting both staff and students.

Sector builds cyber security resilience but there’s no room for complacency  

Despite the many headlines this year highlighting cyber attacks suffered by universities and colleges, it’s important to keep a sense of perspective.  

Staying immersed: moving practical course content online  

Plumpton College, often praised for its trailblazing use of VR and AR in practical course content, has had to face a fundamental rethink and is coming up with fresh immersive answers.

How do they do it? The creative art of moving practical courses online, from drama to dissection

From livestreamed human dissection to online theatre and illustration, creativity is at the heart of new blended ways of learning and teaching. 

‘Forget the rhetoric’: 12 steps towards digital accessibility

The latest wave of  accessibility regulations  came in on 23 September , yet many universities and colleges are  still on  a  journey towards compliance. 

Is applying international standards to special collections worth the effort?

Two librarians from the  National Library of Scotland  share their experiences.

What can we do with the wisdom of many?

Building on Jisc’s heritage of seeking to understand and involve members in issues that directly affect them, our  new digital research community  will explore how technology and innovation can help improve current research practices.   

Enabling staff to adopt new forms of professional practice

How can leaders provide the right support for staff who are faced with new situations that require different forms of practice? 

Navigating the challenges remote working poses for network and system security

With more of us working from home, cyber security issues have become an even more pressing global threat.

Ransomware attack: how one college pulled together to rebuild and recover 

When  Dundee and Angus College  was brought to a halt earlier this year by a ransomware attack, the leadership team quickly realised they were tackling a situation that wasn’t in any handbook.

Could a hacker break your heart? 

Dr Marie Moe was in the skies above the Netherlands, on the way to speak at a cyber security conference, when she suddenly realised something was going very wrong with her pacemaker.

‘Security is not a bolt-on to the IT function’. 

Security is an issue for everyone. That’s the overarching message pushed out by the team at Oxford Brookes University while implementing its first dedicated information and cyber security strategy.

‘For young disabled learners like me, technology is the future’

Technological innovation has improved the quality of life for many people with disabilities, delivering more independence and greater equality of opportunity. Jisc subject specialist Julia Taylor and National Star College student, Murray Field, assess the impact.

Pioneering digital approaches to raising English and maths' standards

While the global pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on FE institutions,  Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT)  has found itself well-equipped for such a situation, as a result of a strong ethos of putting digital technology at the heart of teaching and learning.

There is a diversity crisis in AI, but there are ways to break the mould 

“Inequality and disadvantage don’t really show themselves when it comes to teaching or student grades. It’s the circumstantial stuff where we see the difference,” says Dr Robert Craven, looking back on his first year of teaching computational science and artificial intelligence (AI) to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Harlow College's 'iPads for all' policy means accessibility for all, too

In 2015, Harlow College launched the ’iPads for All’ strategy. We made a strategic decision, agreed by our governing body and students, to make a significant investment in our digital infrastructure. 

Portsmouth College: co-designing a digital transformation journey with learners

In 2012,  Portsmouth College  embarked on a co-constructed journey of digital transformational change in partnership with students and the community.   

Digital dynamite: learning and teaching during COVID-19

Delivering exceptional teaching and learning online to thousands of learners with 48 hours’ notice is no mean feat. Yet this is precisely what  Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education (GIFHE)  was able to do.  

Towards digital inclusion: a committed, responsive strategy is key

At  Weston College  - of one of the fastest growing colleges in the UK - we are not at the start of our digital journey, but we are not at the end of it either. To be honest, I don’t feel that there is ever ‘a technological end’ - only evolution. What I do know is the importance of vision, ethos and leadership buy in.

A collegial and collaborative approach to blended learning 

The rapidly changing landscape of education technology presents challenges to institutions to keep up with new and emerging technologies, let alone how to apply them consistently to ensure online content retains the blended, personalised approach that is so important to assure relevance and standards.

Librarians speak up about untransparent platform charges 

Every year libraries purchase digital archive collections (or DACs), as one-off perpetual purchases. Fees for accessing these collections can vary from one publisher to another making it difficult for librarians to budget for these costs.

The complicated business of keeping books clean of COVID-19

How can libraries ensure their textbooks are virus-free and safe for students? Staff at the  University of Sussex  describe how they have risen to the surprisingly gargantuan challenge by creating a digital system with a human element at its heart. In their own words, here’s how they did it.

Cyber security in FE: what are the threats and how do we deal with them? 

Further education institutions have been investing more in cyber security training, products and services in the last few years. More colleges are using third-party services to help with detecting and managing threats and there’s been an increase in those achieving the Cyber Essentials certifications.

Welsh universities and colleges support NHS COVID-19 response 

As coronavirus continues to take over the UK, universities and colleges are playing a key role in supporting community efforts to fight the virus. From donating space for field hospitals to enabling digital infrastructure through these sites, the education sector is stepping up and sharing expertise. 

IT infrastructure in FE: the current state of delivery and priorities for investment

In recent years, infrastructure within further education (FE) has suffered from a lack of both investment and strategic alignment between IT and the organisation. Despite this, IT teams continue to deliver services in a challenging environment.

Technology helps deliver ‘blended’ inductions for new learner cohort 

Introducing new learners to college or university can be a make or break moment. Make a good first impression and the new cohort is more likely to feel supported, engaged and motivated. A poor experience, on the other hand, may increase the chances of a student leaving. 

Could technology help under-represented students find post-pandemic employment?  

How can universities better prepare students for the fast-changing employment landscape, helping them feel brighter about the future? A  new report  from Jisc,  Emerge Education  and  Universities UK  shows how technology can help.

How a Cambridge scientist became an accidental inventor

Documentary-maker Alex Freeman never imagined she would create a tool that could overhaul the monumental structure of academic publishing.

Worried about online security? Here’s some advice for staff and students 

For IT, cyber security and information security staff, lockdown triggered a whirlwind few weeks trying to quickly organise remote access for thousands of users, while also ensuring the safety of systems and data. 

The day the libraries shut: stories from the front line 

The early reaction to the sudden closure of libraries was shock and panic. Now librarians are not only learning to manage online but finding some benefits, though worrying about an end to free texts. 

Communities shining through COVID-19

During the current crisis education communities are proving themselves to be inspiring, supportive and motivating more than ever. We explore the power of the community through the voices of those who are finding them vital in these challenging times.

As colleges work through COVID-19, let’s make tech an enabler, not a barrier

I am passionate about the positive benefits of online education. I’m also aware of the realities, practicalities and hurdles of enacting change, at pace, to diverse and, in some cases, deprived learners.   

Modelling the future: how the power of data will forge a post-COVID road to recovery  

From analysing how many people are catching trains during lockdown to understanding who is at highest risk from the virus, data is proving invaluable during the pandemic.  Mark Birkin, professor of spatial analysis and policy,  University of Leeds , and co-director of the  Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) , explains how data sharing and modelling will drive the global recovery from COVID-19. 

AoC president Steve Frampton: the future of assessment is now 

Currently when it comes to assessment in education, the sector is, like most others, still in the dark ages, with the standard pen and paper format unchanged for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Sticking to this norm has meant we have failed to fully meet the needs and expectations of our learners this year.  

Assessment 2020: what happened – and what next? 

Universities had to make radical and rapid changes to assessment this spring. We take a look at what they did, the challenges they faced and what it all means for the long-awaited move to more authentic and adaptable assessment. 

Digital wellbeing during lockdown: the staff perspective

As universities and colleges respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff wellbeing should be a priority.

Digital wellbeing during lockdown: the student perspective 

Life under lockdown has meant that students have had to get to grips with new ways of working, which can prove very stressful. Jisc’s subject specialist in digital practice,  Chris Thomson , shares his top tips for maintaining learners’ mental health 

Pirate-themed video game gives prospective students a virtual campus tour

While lockdown continues, the  University of Lincoln  has come up with a brilliantly creative means of showing prospective students what it’s like on its city centre campus.

Five easy steps to pain-free connectivity

Want to keep your connectivity projects on track? Need to match your cloud strategy and connectivity? Two Jisc experts share their top tips.

Further and faster: catching up with the Janet access programme

The  Janet access programme  – upgrading and rearchitecting Janet access across the UK – is approaching the mid-point of its original four-year schedule. With the build of the first regions almost complete, Neil Shewry, head of network delivery, provides an update on how things are progressing.

Steps to improve your institution’s digital accessibility

In pushing teaching and learning online at an unprecedented scale, COVID-19 is challenging higher (HE) and further education (FE) providers, but also presents opportunities - particularly when it comes to digital accessibility.

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