Edufuturists

In this episode of the podcast, we have the privilege of chatting with Steve Rigby, Chief Executive of the Rigby Group and philanthropist focused on making a difference in education. The Rigby Group employ more than 8000 people across Europe with a turnover of £4billion.We discuss the intersection of technology and education, the importance of social mobility, and the role of the Rigby Foundation in supporting disadvantaged students. The conversation also touches on the challenges of school attendance, the need for parental involvement, and the future of AI in education. Steve shares generously about the importance of leadership in schools, how to build strong culture and the necessity of adapting to new societal changes.Chapters00:00 Introductions01:19 Meet Steve Rigby - Philanthropist and Business Leader02:34 The Role of Technology in Education05:22 A Focus on Social Justice07:59 Inspiring Futures10:20 Addressing Attendance and Engagement Issues15:22 The Importance of Parental Involvement18:47 Leadership in Education21:26 The Future of AI in Education33:18 Navigating the Challenges of AI and ProductivityFind out more about the work of The Rigby FoundationCONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration hereThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X

Follow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode, we reflect back on what has been an incredible 2025 and do a review of the last 8 episodes. We look ahead to some exciting updates for 2026, including the launch of our first book and lots of community developments.

Chapters

00:00 New Year Reflections and Podcast Overview

02:40 Insights and Themes from the Last 8 Episodes

05:34 Diverse Perspectives in Education

08:22 Gamification and Real-World Learning

11:15 Futures Readiness and AI in Education

13:57 Joy, Hope, and Mentoring in Education

16:35 AI Bias and Its Implications

19:31 Celebrating Achievements and Community Growth

22:25 Looking Ahead - Plans for 2026

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

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Check out all about Edufuturists

Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?

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CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow.

Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here

In this week's podcast episode, we are joined by EJ Quinn, Head of Community Development @ Hyve Group who organise Bett UK. We dig into the importance of community in education, the challenges educators face, and how Bett UK is evolving to meet the needs of its attendees.

We discuss the significance of collaboration, the role of technology, and the necessity of preparation for educators attending the show. EJ shares insights on accessibility issues, the importance of creating tangible resources, and the future of education beyond just technology. The conversation wraps up with quick-fire questions that highlight the realities and myths in the education sector.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

00:57 EJ Quinn's Role and Passion for Community

02:47 Building Community at Bett

06:24 Collaboration with Educational Associations

07:45 Keeping Bett Current and Relevant

11:36 The Importance of Accessibility for Educators

14:32 Challenges for Educators Attending Events

17:09 Reaching Out to the Wider Community

20:24 Collaborative Opportunities in Education Events

27:23 Planning for Bett 2026: Tips and Insights

28:24 The Future of Education: Beyond Technology

32:46 Quickfire Questions

Grab your free educator ticket for Bett UK 2026

Connect with EJ

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

Follow us on X

Follow us on LinkedIn

Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?

Get in touch

Join us at one of the stops on our UK Roadshow

Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow.

Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration HERE

In this very special podcast episode, we are joined by members of the Edufuturists Wolfpack from across the UK, all in festive gear and cheer! We loved being joined in the studio by Dave Leonard, Tara Jones, Christine Mayers, Gaz Lewis, Louisa Rose and Naomi Toland. Poppy Lemar was also due to be with us but got struck down by the dreaded small-child-transmitted-end-of-term-itis. Hope you're feeling better soon, Poppy!

We had loads of fun chatting all about our favourite teachers, funniest education moments, what we hope for in 2026 and why it's important to be part of a community. The hour flew by and we definitely could've gone on for hours!

Thanks so much to these folks for joining us. Who knows, next year we might do an in-person Christmas special?! How good would that be - Corden, eat your heart out!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Christmas Special

01:10 Meet the Guests

03:06 Why We Love The Wolfpack Community

06:09 The Importance of Connection in Education

09:47 Radical Candour

11:40 Funny Stories from the Classroom

24:32 Teachers Who Made a Difference

26:47 The Impact of Inspirational Teachers

35:49 The Power of Connection in Education

45:03 Wishes for the Future of Education

51:22 Quickfire Questions

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

Connect with our awesome guests:

Naomi Toland is a wellbeing specialist and founder of Soshi Emoshi.

Dave Leonard is Director of IT at Watergrove Trust and multiple Edufuturists Award winner.

Gaz Lewis is Reference Program Manager at Google for Education.

Tara Jones is the Director of Education for Greenhouse, winner of our Diversity & Inclusion Champion award in 2025.

Christine Mayers is a former teacher and Head of Education & Training at Elementary Tech.

Poppy Lemar is The Teacher with the Pink Hair, an EYFS specialist and education influencer

Louisa Rose is CEO of youth mental health charity Beyond and the founder of Now and Beyond – a pioneering digital platform relaunching in 2026 that bridges the gap in access between educators and mental health lesson materials. It's forward thinking, giving you access to the most engaging resources all in one place but most importantly - it's youth approved.

Louisa is passionate about creating platforms that empower young people like Beyond's Youth Board to use their lived experiences to shape change. A former social media professional, Louisa reflects on the ways that addictive technology and persuasive design has come to intersect the lives of young people, and our own, with dramatic implications. A regular speaker on the subject, Louisa seeks to empower young people and grown ups with the tools they need to reclaim control of their digital habits.

Follow us on X

Follow us on LinkedIn

Join us at one of the stops on our UK Roadshow

Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow.

Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here

In this podcast episode, Victoria Hedlund joins us to discuss the intersection of education, AI, and bias, emphasising the need for awareness and action to address gender biases in educational content and how and where bias shows up for other groups. She explores how AI reflects societal biases and the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping educational practices. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of teachers in an AI-driven educational landscape and the collaborative efforts needed to tackle these challenges.Chapters00:00 Introductions01:45 Victoria's Background and Career Journey03:42 The Intersection of Art and Science08:28 Exploring Bias in Physics and Education11:09 Exploring Gender Bias in Education13:11 AI as a Mirror for Societal Biases19:06 The Challenge of Bias in AI Systems24:28 The Role of Teachers in an AI-Driven World27:38 The Community Approach to Addressing Bias32:14 The Future of Education and AI38:35 Quickfire Questions and ReflectionsConnect with VictoriaBuy a copy of her new bookFind out more about GenEd LabsThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration hereFollow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined in a thought-provoking conversation with Joe Lowther, who shares his journey from being a principal to leading KICK, a Christian organisation dedicated to transforming young people's lives through sport and support. The discussion covers the importance of physical activity in education, the mental health challenges faced by youth, and the role of mentoring and coaching in fostering resilience. Joe emphasises the need for a holistic approach to education that prioritises character development alongside academic achievement, and he highlights the joy found in overcoming challenges and building hope for the future.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Holiday Cheer01:51 Meet Joe Lowther02:51 Transitioning Careers08:06 The Mission of KICK: Transforming Lives Through Sport11:49 The Importance of Physical Activity in Education16:34 Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Youth22:22 The Role of Mentoring and Coaching27:33 Breaking Down Barriers in Gender and Sport31:55 Joy in the Present36:30 Rethinking Education42:13 ConclusionsConnect with JoeFind out more about KICK

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration hereThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInCheck out all about EdufuturistsGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode, we are joined by Alex Zarifeh, founder of ATLP Futures Readiness, who is helping young people AND adults navigate the AI Revolution. We discuss the profound societal changes brought about by technology, emphasising the need for critical exploration of these changes.

Alex highlights the alarming statistics regarding AI usage among young adults, particularly in the context of relationships, and critiques the current safeguarding measures as insufficient. We get into the how of helping young people navigate these complexities and prepare for futures (plural!)

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

02:42 Alex Zarifeh's Educational Journey

04:37 The Impact of AI on Education

09:12 Bridging the Gap between School and Work Experience

12:22 Navigating AI's Role in Young Lives

18:02 The Need for Educational Reform

21:18 Leadership Challenges in Education

28:45 The Challenge of Engagement in Learning

35:10 Misinformation and Disinformation

41:46 Critical Thinking with AI

53:05 Not Just Maintaining Tradition

Connect with Alex

Sign up for Futures Readiness

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow.

Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

Follow us on X

Follow us on LinkedIn

Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?

Get in touch

Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we chat with Matt Dalio, who discusses the urgent need for educational reform to prepare youth for a rapidly changing workforce. We explore the importance of teaching skills that align with modern job requirements, the role of AI in education, and the necessity of collaboration and adaptability in learning.

Matt shares insights from his work with Endless Studios, emphasising the power of game development as a learning tool and the potential of platforms like GitHub to revolutionise education. The conversation highlights the challenges of traditional education systems and the vision for a more inclusive and effective approach to learning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:53 The Need for Educational Reform

05:21 Teaching Skills for the Future

09:05 Collaboration and Teamwork in Education

13:25 The Role of AI in Education

18:19 Rethinking Assessment in Education

22:18 The Future of Learning Environments

26:33 The Power of Open Source Learning

28:24 Transforming Education Through Community and Technology

32:06 Matt's Reason for Endless

41:36 The Value of Literacy

Find out more about Endless Studios

Connect with Matt

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow.

Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

Follow us on X

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on TikTok

Join the WhatsApp Community

Check out all about Edufuturists

Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?

Get in touch

Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode of the podcast, we engage in a lively discussion with husband and wife guests Mark and Zoe Enser about their experiences in education, the challenges faced by schools, and their new book, 'How Do They Do It? What Can We Learn From Amazing Schools, Leaders and Teachers?'.

The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of accountability, the definition of high-quality education, the impact of student attitudes, and the role of personal development in schools.

Mark & Zoe share insights from their careers and emphasise the need for schools to adapt to their unique contexts while celebrating the everyday heroes in education.

Grab a copy of their new book here

CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning.

From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it.

Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X

Follow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInJoin the WhatsApp CommunityCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the wonderful Russell Cailey to explore the challenges and opportunities within the education system. Russ shares his personal journey from a disengaged student to an educator passionate about reforming education. We discuss the importance of human connection, the impact of technology, and the need for real challenges in learning. Russ' experiences with Think Global School, a pioneering nomadic education model, highlight the potential for immersive, real-world learning. The conversation culminates in a discussion about Russ' book, The Firefly Effect, which emphasises individual growth and collaboration in education and beyond.

You can grab a copy of Russ' book hereCONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the video here to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond, use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration hereThanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on XFollow us on LinkedInJoin the WhatsApp CommunityCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touchGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026