Sheffield Digital Podcast

In episode 71 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we speak to Kathy Loizou, Co-founder and Director of The Children's Media Conference, and we're also joined by Alex Amsel, award-winning game developer and blockchain expert. In the first part of the episode, Kathy fills us in on the history of The Children’s Media Conference, how it’s adapted during Covid-times and why digital folk should attend this...

In episode 70 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, Iain and Mel share the news that the podcast is going on a short pause. But more importantly, we want your feedback on how we can make it much better.  What kind of feedback are we talking? Well, we’ve been recording since 2017 and we’ve had a fairly consistent interview/news format throughout. This last 12 months has seen us record online rathe...

In this final episode of 2020, Iain, Mel and Chris look back on what has been a year of unique challenges for Sheffield's digital businesses and community members. After sharing a few personal reflections, we turn to the kinds of difficulties the community has faced, as well as the different ways people have used their creativity and generosity to help others in need. Finally, Mel and Chris look a...

In episode 68 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, we are joined by Ivan Phelan, Senior Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University who specialises in using VR for healthcare, and Jake Habgood, Director of Education Partnerships at Sumo Digital.  It was great to have Ivan and Jake with us to discuss using games and VR in various healthcare settings, and Sumo’s new digital academy which aims t...

In episode 67 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we look ahead to the Sheffield Digital Festival with four of our fantastic event organisers. They talk us through what they have planned for their events and and their approach to doing it all virtually.  And here are our guests: Amanda and Simon Cookson from Northern Value Creators Tim Latham from Data Trainer Hannah Byk from Better Points It wa...

In episode 66 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we speak to Tracey Johnson and David Akeroyd from Barnsley DMC and Barnsley College respectively. They tell us all about DMC2, a new space for companies to scale up, co-work and enjoy a thriving community.  It was great to hear all about the digital scene in Barnsley from Tracey and David. Despite COVID, there is a lot going on and plenty for you...

In episode 65 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we speak to Dean Sadler, founder and CEO of TribePad about his plans to make the company climate positive. Plus there’s the usual round up of news, events and exciting information. In the first part of the episode, we speak to Dean about some of the data captured by TribePad recruitment software over the last six months. Having spoken to Commercial Di...

In episode 64 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, Mel and Chris share some updates from the city’s digital sector. It’s one of those shows for you to catch up on all the news and hear what’s coming in the community. Topics and exciting information covered includes: the Sheffield Digital Festival re-boot (Nov 16–22) the Council is asking videos in a bit to help young people get into digital lots of p...

In episode 63 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast, we speak to people from three different companies to hear how they are approaching the return to office working. Or maybe they’re not! A little spoiler there.  The show features: Dan Kirby, Co-founder of The Tech Dept. Sarah Mackie, Head of HR at Zoo Digital Mai Mai Lam, Director of HR Operations and Site Management at WANdisco  A...

In episode 62, we speak to Mark Mobbs from Marketing Sheffield about the new Make Yourself at Home campaign. It aims to support local businesses and communities by offering a framework that helps us all shout about the city as it moves forward from Covid-19.  Marketing Sheffield is part of Sheffield City Council and it was great to hear Mark talk about this new campaign. The idea is to give p...

In episode 61, Sheffield Digital’s directors Mel Kanarek and Chris Dymond talk about life in lockdown and how Sheffield’s digital sector has responded to the crisis. This is one of our news and update-type shows, so buckle up and listen in to find out what’s going on and coming up.  You’ll hear about: Sheffield Startup Summer 2020 the AWRC Accelerator, which is up and running the Sheffield Ci...

In episode 60 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we talk all things freelancing with software engineer, Stuart Grimshaw, plus audio specialist and organiser of the Sheffield Collective meet-up, James Marriott. We’ve covered all sorts of Covid-19 related subjects over the last three months, so we thought we’d use this episode to focus on freelancers.  Sheffield has plenty of freelance folk who h...

In episode 59 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast we speak to Jonny Briggs, director of Field, Sheffield design studio and co-producers of the Sheffield Digital Festival. We talk about business during the pandemic and plans for a rescheduled festival later in the year. Like many companies, Field Design saw big changes earlier this year at the start of the coronavirus crisis. However, it was great to...

After a few interviews, episode 58 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features a chat with our new community manager, Sophie Wendell, and a catch up on what’s happening in the digital community.  And what a start Sophie has had! The plan was for her to play a key role in organising and meeting people the lead up to the Sheffield Digital Festival. But instead her first task was to write up guide...

This episode of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with three Sheffield-based folk who are 3D printing visors that can be used by healthcare professional in the coronavirus crisis. Tom Tobia is the founder of Makerversity, which provides work space, cutting-edge prototyping facilities, business support and more to 300+ members in Somerset House, Central London. Joe Palmer is Senio...

Episode 56 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with Neil Armstrong from recruitment software provider, TribePad. Neil talks us through some of the incredible data that has passed through their systems as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and its economic impact.  Note: this episode was recorded on Friday 27 March 2020, so please do check to see if the information discuss...

Episode 55 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with Mark Gannon, Director of Business Change and Information Solutions at Sheffield City Council. We ask Mark about how the Council is taking on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and its effect on the city.  In our previous episode, we spoke to team members from Keebles and Shorts, who explain some of the measures...

Episode 54 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features two interviews that will hopefully help you understand the COVID-19 measures put in place to support businesses, employees and people who are self-employed.  First, we spoke to Carys Thompson, Catherine Wilson and Matt Ainsworth from legal firm and Sheffield Digital associate sponsor, Keebles. They answered some of the common legal question...

Episode 53 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with the man behind the ever-popular and really rather handy @HelpSheffield Twitter account . The premise behind the account is pretty simple. Got a question or need information about Sheffield? Ask away, get a retweet from the @HelpSheffield account and be amazed at all the lovely people who come to your aid.  In our conversat...

Episode 52 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast is sees Iain, Mel and Chris cover all the latest news and events happening in the city’s digital sector.  Topics covered include: Sheffield Digital Showcase #6 an update on Sheffield Digital Festival 3Squared’s event on opportunities in the rail sector our new Community Manager role new workspaces opening in Sheffield our updated map of Sheffield’s...

Episode 51 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features the interviews from the Sheffield Digital Winter Showcase, which took place on Thursday 12th December 2019 at The Workstation. Our own Chris Dymond interviews the people behind five impressive digital projects recently developed here in the city. The purpose of the Showcase events is to get together to celebrate digital products, services, campa...

Episode 50 is here – hooray! Iain is joined by Mel to talk through some of the comings and going at Sheffield Digital and the city’s marvellous tech scene. Topics discussed in this news, events and exciting updates-style episode include: Barnsley College becoming a regional partner Tecy.digital becoming an associate sponsor an update on the Sheffield Digital Festival a call for speakers and fringe...

Episode 49 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with Phil Parkin, co-director of Content OD, a content agency that’s making changes they hope will benefit the environment and be good for business. Content OD produce videos, social campaigns and all manner of content. We speak to Phil about how the company got started and his own journey from learning his craft in the US to leadin...

Episode 48 of the Sheffield Digital Podcast features an interview with Martyn Eggleton from UTC Sheffield and two fantastic computing students, Erin and Mercedes, who are fresh back from a successful World Educational Robot (WER) Contest.  Sheffield’s young robotics students continue to reach and perform brilliantly at international competitions. It’s a fantastic advert for the city’s computi...

Episode 47 is fresh from the kiln and contains a marvellous round up of all the latest tech goings-on in Sheffield from directors, Mel Kanarek and Chris Dymond.  Here’s just some of what they covered: Sheffield Digital Christmas Showcase  The ”Keep a Seat Free” initiative  Mel reports back from the UK Tech Cluster Group meeting in Cardiff Ben Atha’s excellent skills roundtable held...