Embracing the Future at U:FF

An exciting line-up of thought-provoking panels and talks showcased at the University:Future Festival 2023 will explore the innovative approaches that are shaping the future of higher education today. In the following, HFD's own Channa van der Brug walks you through some of the most anticipated English language sessions of the festival.

With a diverse range of topics there's something for everyone on the agenda of U:FF 2023: from sustainability and open education policies to AI in education; from inclusion and robots to hybrid teaching; from the evolving role of Centres for Teaching and Learning to the use of edtech and GPT.

To help you prepare your calendar for the informative experience, we provide a sneak peek into 7 of the most anticipated English language sessions that promise to spark imagination, stimulate critical thinking, and inspire you to envision a future where we maximise the power of digital technologies for teaching and learning.

One of the thought-provoking sessions that you won't want to miss is "Sustainable Education Futures...What Role Can Digital Technology Play?" by Neil Selwyn. In an age where digital technologies are pervasive in our daily lives and are often seen as the panacea for all educational challenges, he challenges the assumption of a "digital first" future for universities. With a keen eye on the potential long-term social and environmental unsustainability of digital technologies, Selwyn asks crucial questions. How can we discuss digital education futures in the face of growing concerns over the environmental harms associated with digital technology production and use? How can we avoid exacerbating social inequalities in the pursuit of digital education futures? Fear not! Selwyn doesn't stop at raising tough questions but will outline alternative, "radically sustainable" approaches as well, that can shape the future of digital education towards the common good.

Another exciting session lined up is "Can You Future-Proof Your Education for Our Century of Complexity and Uncertainty?" by Gilly Salmon. Drawing from her extensive expertise in learning design, Salmon explores preferred and viable learning futures that equip learners for the ever-evolving complexities of the 21st century. Drawing from seminal concepts, frameworks, and real-life use cases, she will share valuable insights and practical strategies that will help future-proof education.

“Participatory design of open education policies: A practical approach with examples” delves into designing open education policies through a participatory approach. With real-world examples from countries around the world, speakers explore a comprehensive and systemic methodology based on UNESCO guidelines and a game developed by the Open Education Initiative. 

The eTeach network Thuringia and the project "Lernraum.Bauhaus” present "Revolutionising Hybrid Teaching: Exploring New Concepts and Spaces". Are you curious about the future of hybrid teaching? This session dives into the challenges and opportunities of synchronous hybrid teaching at universities. You will learn about the impact of the "Hybride Lernatelier," an experimental space at Bauhaus University Weimar that considers the architectural, technical, and design conditions for effective hybrid teaching.

Centres for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between faculty development and institutional policies. In “Building Bridges: The Changing Roles of Centres for Teaching and Learning", Alexandra Mihai and Deborah Arnold will explore the role of CTLs. They will share insights from European and American perspectives on the future role(s) of CTLs and provide tips on establishing (or revamping) CTLs to create safe spaces for faculty to share teaching practices, undertake research, and enforce educational policies. This session is not-to-miss if you want to learn more about how CTLs play a pivotal role.

Martin Dougiamas presents “Rethinking Education Infrastructure: Embracing Open Technologies of the Future". The founder of Moodle shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of using (commercial) cloud infrastructures in the context of education. Get a glimpse of his vision of a global open infrastructure, owned and directed by universities, and how this could revolutionise the future of education technology.

Of course AI takes centre stage in various English language sessions on the agenda, including "AI-Powered Universities: Adapting to the Future of Higher Education" by Manuel Dolderer. He outlines the main aspects of higher education that will be heavily impacted by AI, including teaching, learning, assessment, and research. And provides strategies for universities to fully tap into the potential of AI. This promises to be a stimulating discussion about the transformative power of AI and its implications for the future of universities. 

Online seats are still available, so sign up, set your alarms, and get ready to immerse yourself in stimulating conversations on the future of education. Register via this link.