Online Conference Keynote
Dr. Mark Carrigan
Dr Mark Carrigan FRSA FHEA is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Manchester where he is programme director for the MA Digital Technologies, Communication and Education (DTCE) and co-lead of the DTCE Research and Scholarship group. Trained as a philosopher and sociologist, his research aims to bridge fundamental questions of social ontology with practical and policy interventions to support the effective use of emerging technologies within education. He has written or edited nine books, including Generative AI for Academics published by Sage in 2024.
In-Person Conference Keynote
Dr. Oonagh McGirr
Oonagh is an experienced academic leader for international post-secondary education innovation. Currently, she holds the post of inaugural Director of the not-for-profit World Alliance for Microcredentials Foundation based in the Netherlands.
She has led university colleges in the UK and France and held the posts of Deputy Chief Executive for Learning and Teaching Services at Otago Polytechnic in New Zealand, Senior Adviser for Academic Innovation for Te Pukenga-New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology during the national Reform of Vocational Education, Director for the UNESCO-chaired Open Education Resource Universitas, a global not-for-profit delivering free education to learners around the globe, and Tertiary Education Advisor to the Ambassador for Ireland to Aotearoa-New Zealand. She led Learning and Teaching for Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design as a member of the UAL CLIP CETL (Creative Learning in Practice Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning) and founded the Teaching and Learning Development Unit for Bahrain Polytechnic. She is involved in global research on academic leadership for sustainable and equitable higher education, with a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and enhancement. Oonagh is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and an Associate of the World Federations of Colleges and Polytechnics.
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In-Person Panel Members:
Prof. Wendy Garnham
Wendy Garnham is Professor of Psychology at University of Sussex and a National Teaching Fellow. As co-founder of the international Active Learning Network, her scholarly interests are dominated by active learning pedagogy. Wendy is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE, a Fellow of SEDA and co-hosts a regular community of practice for academics interested in Transition into, through and out of Higher Education. Wendy has edited open access books on active learning as well as SEDA publications on active learning, pre-arrival platforms and outdoor learning, published two foundation year psychology textbooks and contributed a case study to an Advance HE publication on action research.
Dr. Richard Davies
Richard Davies is programme leader for the MA in Education at the University of Hertfordshire. He was formerly a youth worker and teacher. He is a co-convenor of the Academic Practice Network at Society for Research into Higher Education and an Executive Officer of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, where he also convenors an AI interest group. His research interests include a range of philosophical issues related to higher education.
Dr. Susan Bolt
Dr Sue Bolt has been Head of Academic Development at the University of Liverpool since 2017. In 2016, Dr Bolt was Acting Director Centre for Learning and Teaching and Manager Teaching Support at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. Before joining ECU, Dr Bolt was a Professional Learning Consultant at Curtin University, in Western Australia where she gained her PhD (2009) for her Investigation of Professional Learning in Dynamic Environments. Dr Bolt gained professional recognition as PFHEA in 2015 based on her strategic leadership of Academic Development initiatives at Curtin University. In 2024, Dr Bolt was awarded NTF and CATE in recognition of her individual and collaborative teaching excellence at the University of Liverpool and more broadly with global partnerships. Dr Bolt currently leads the Academic Development team in the Academy at the University of Liverpool and is the Director of Studies for the Liverpool Online Academic Practice programmes. Sue is passionate about CPD and in November 2024, she launched the Academy’s Connected CPD which connects people, practice and strategy to support career development and enhance student learning at the University of Liverpool. You can find Dr Susan Bolt on LinkedIn.
Dr. Kevin Merry
Dr Kevin L. Merry is an expert in accessible, inclusive, and equitable instructional design, specializing in Universal Design for Learning (UDL). An award-winning educator, he has worked with educational institutions and programs across Europe, North America, and Asia, providing curriculum design, professional development, and resources to support UDL implementation. As founder and chair of the UDL United Kingdom and Ireland Education Network, he is dedicated to advancing UDL practices and tools in all education settings.
Jimmy Lo
Jimmy Lo is a University Learning Technologist at the University of Greenwich. In this strategic role, he spearheads institutional projects that support the university’s Digital Sub-Strategy. Jimmy provides expert advice, guidance and support on using learning technologies, blended learning and online learning across the university and partner institutions. He also contributes to postgraduate modules focusing on technology-enhanced learning topics. Previously, Jimmy served in various educational roles, including programme leader, course coordinator, lecturer and tutor. He managed curricula for diverse programmes (MBA, MSc, undergraduate, higher education) and corporate training in different academic institutions and organisations.