Edufuturists

In this episode of the podcast, it is just Steve as Ben is away on his jetsetting adventures! But it's not just one Steve; we get a double Steve whammy as he is joined by Steve Baker, a seasoned educator and author. Steve lives in Anglesey, North Wales with his wife Sian. After a long career in education, from which he is semi-retired, he wrote his highly acclaimed non-fiction title,  That Be...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back for the FOURTH time, the wonderful, majestic, Al Kingsley MBE, a prominent figure in the EdTech space. Alongside Al's personal challenges, we discuss his multifaceted roles in education, and the importance of supporting startups in the EdTech ecosystem. The conversation delves into the slow evolution of education systems, the need for change in e...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined again by Dr Jamie Smith, Executive Chairman at C-Learning and author of the new book The Responsible AI Revolution. Jamie joins us to discuss the intersection of AI and education, emphasising the need for a responsible approach to AI implementation. Jamie introduces his book, which addresses the potential consequences of AI in education and the impo...

In this episode of the podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Lucy and Jonathan Coy, experienced educators and founders of the popular online community, HeadteacherChat. They discuss their journey in education, the challenges faced by school leaders, and the importance of building a supportive community. The conversation highlights the need for connection among educators, the resources availabl...

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Benjamin Somers, the founder of Recess, a platform designed to revolutionise education by putting kids in control of their learning. They discuss the vision behind Recess, its marketplace for learning, and the importance of safety and moderation in online education. Benjamin shares his personal journey and the purpose driving his mission to create a mor...

In this episode of the podcast, we reflect on our recent experiences and interviews, discussing the evolving landscape of education. We explore themes of hope for the future of education, the importance of inclusion and equity, and the role of technology in bridging gaps. The conversation emphasises the need for a collective vision and the importance of listening to student voices in shaping educa...

In this episode, we are joined by Philippa Wraithmell to discuss the transformative role of technology in education through Philippa's company, Edruption. We explore her journey from teaching to leading educational change, emphasising the importance of understanding the unique needs of each school. The conversation delves into the four pillars of digital education: governance, safeguarding, pedago...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the lovely Tara Jones from Clever to discuss the evolving landscape of education technology. We explore the importance of cybersecurity, the disparities in student experiences with technology, and the need for personalised learning. The conversation emphasises the significance of creating a supportive digital environment for students, the challenges...

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Charlie Radman, the Global Head of Education at HP. We discuss the critical role of technology in education, the importance of partnerships, and the pressing global teacher crisis. Charlie shares insights on HP's commitment to sustainability and digital equity, emphasising the need for critical thinking and digital literacy in today's world. The...

In this episode of the podcast, we engage with SL Rao, a design consultant from Optimistic Design. They explore the concept of equity-centred design, emphasising the importance of community involvement in the design process. SL shares their journey from engineering to design, highlighting the need for a more inclusive approach in technology and education. The conversation dives into the challenges...

In this episode, we have a collection of the interviews from across Day 2 of BETT 2025. There is an incredible amount of content here from our conversations, including discussions around sustainability, collaboration, mental health & wellbeing, creativity and gamification, as well as hopes for the future of education. And it's double Ben Whitaker at one point - another person with the exact sa...

In this episode, we have a collection of the interviews from across Day 1 of BETT 2025, including some of the conversations we had in our tuxedos at BETT Awards! There is a treasure trove of content here from our conversations, including discussions around inclusion, enabling technology, mental health and wellbeing, as well as hopes for the future of education. Chapters 00:00 Morgan Weisman, Devan...

In this episode, Ben and Steve reflect on their experiences at the BETT conference, discussing the importance of community, creativity, and collaboration in education. They also review their guests over the last few weeks, including the episode around Ben's book, exploring the concept of schools as ideas factories rather than exam factories. The conversation emphasises the need for spaces that...

In this special episode, you can see and hear the presentation that we did at Canva HQ for our Wolfpack Community event in partnership with Clever the night before BETT. It was an incredible gathering of people from all around the UK and beyond, including Germany, India, Poland, Indonesia and the US! We presented around the Trends as well as casting a net out around the 2024-2025 Trends, which we...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Sophie Pickles, who Ben met out in Dubai at a gathering curated by the awesome, Simon Blower. Sophie is an educational consultant and author and discusses her journey in education, focusing on child-led learning and the importance of play in early years education.  Sophie shares her experiences transitioning from traditional teaching methods to a more ch...

In this episode of the podcast, Steve does a solo interview with Ben  about his upcoming book, The Ideas Guy: Unleash Your Inner Genius. They explore the origins of Ben's identity as 'The Ideas Guy', the influences that shaped his thinking, and the importance of authenticity in personal and professional development. The discussion also goes into the metaphor of a dinner party to illustrate how Ben...

In this episode of the podcast, we engage in a lively conversation with Leisa Grace Wilson, an educator and leader based in Abu Dhabi. We discuss Leisa's journey from the UK to the Middle East, the challenges and opportunities of leading in a culturally diverse environment, and the rapid pace of educational reform in the region. Leisa shares insights on the importance of community for educators, t...

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back Dan Fitzpatrick to discuss the evolving landscape of education in 2025. We explore the challenges and innovations in global education systems, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the need for strategic thinking to prepare students for the future. The conversation goes into the necessity of both revolutionary and evolutionary changes in educati...

In this final episode of 2024, we reflect on the year's highlights, discussing significant themes in education, including assessment, innovation, and the role of technology. We review key podcast episodes, including conversations with influential guests and their experiences at events like BETT and the Brilliant Festival. The discussion emphasises the importance of contextualising technology in ed...

In this episode, we chat with 2024 Edufuturists' AI Pioneer of the Year, Matthew Wemyss, about the sensible integration of AI in education, the importance of community building, and the challenges of personalisation and equity in learning. Matthew shares his journey in education, his role in a British overseas school in Romania, and how he utilises AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance teaching strateg...

In this episode of the podcast, it's a mashup of our conversations from the Brilliant Festival in Liverpool back in October. Our live interview on the main stage with Nachelle Crowther, Hugh Viney and Tom Rogerson has already gone out (check that out here). This one is from our little booth at the show where we got to chat with some incredible guests and speakers. (Don't judge Ben for being on his...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by David Cameron and Mick Waters to discuss the legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse, a significant figure in UK education. They explore Tim's influence, personal stories, and the concept of 'unfinished business' in education, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement and community engagement. The conversation highlights the need for actionable steps...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Neelam Parmar and Duncan Verry to discuss the upcoming BETT UK event, its significance in the education technology landscape, and the importance of community engagement. Duncan Verry is the Portfolio Director for BETT and Dr Neelam Parmar is Director of Professional Learning and Online Education at AISL Harrow Schools, as well as being a judge for t...

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Louise Attwood, the subject lead for design technology and computer science at AQA. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of education, particularly in the areas of curriculum development and assessment. Louise shares her journey from being a design and technology teacher to her current role, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinar...

In this episode, Ben and Steve recap the past TEN episodes and discuss the exciting future of education around some of the themes they have discussed with their guests. They cover a range of topics, including the role of AI in education, digital transformation, the importance of human connection, botheredness, a curriculum fit for purpose and the need for a holistic approach to learning. They also...