UX in Education - Challenges and Opportunities

Sam’s role at UCL involves acting as Product Manager for Digital Experience, as well as leading the Digital Experience service which includes teams focused on content, experience design, UX and insight, and development support. Wearing both hats allows her to run key products and platforms as exemplars for their service.

David has been doing something that looks like UX or Service Design at the University of Cambridge for the last 8 years, currently leading Cambridge’s User Research, Data Science and Accessibility team. He specialises in generative research to inform service design and has a professional interest in research ethics.

Sylwia holds an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction and is a Senior User Researcher at the University of Cambridge. She has extensive experience as a User Researcher and Principal Investigator in mental health care, along with nearly 10 years of research administration management at CRUK, University of Cambridge.

Radka’s personal experience of being an international student contributed to her professional calling to ensure that as educators we create challenging yet attainable education environments. As a continuous improvement and service excellence scholar, she has grown a significant expertise in combining executive coaching, organisation change practice and service design. Radka is an editor of a newly published anthology Transforming Higher Education With Human-Centred Design and a co-founder of the Service Design in Education network.

Amelia works within the Digital team at the University of Exeter, and spoke at the DUUK24 THE conference about understanding and visualising the student journey. Her specialisms include one-to-one interviews, workshops, and experience mapping. To advocate user-led design, she facilitates cross-departmental ideation sessions and produces clear reports for product teams.

Ben is User Research Lead for the University or Exeter’s cross-disciplinary Digital team. He has over 15 years of experience across research, product and digital content and is currently focused on how we understand student experience and behaviour and use this insight to influence product and strategic decision making.

Kris Purdy has worked in digital for more than 15 years, crafting digital experiences and finding ways to digitally transform international organisations on shoe-string budgets. Every project and programme Kris has successfully delivered has come down to fostering collaboration and an open mindset.

Val Mitchell is the Postgraduate Director of Studies at the School of Design and Creative Arts (SDCA) at Loughborough University. Alongside teaching Experience Design to design students, she is the Academic Lead for Learning at Snook, a leading Service Design agency based in Glasgow and London.

He has over 15 years of experience crafting inclusive and accessible digital experiences on a variety of projects. The last decade focused on the Higher Education (HE) sector. Chris spearheaded projects like the award-winning main university website, student enrolment system and a recent student app that was presented at the THE Conference. His focus goes beyond functionality, ensuring these experiences are inclusive and foster user empowerment.

Chris has championing accessibility since Public Sector Regulations (PSBAR) came into force in 2018, ensuring all users have a positive experience and maximizing organizational value.

Ned Potter is Faculty Engagement Manager: Community & UX at the University of York, and a freelance Trainer across four continents, for various organisations including the Welsh Government, the British Library and the NHS. Ned can be found online at ned-potter.com and on Bluesky at @nedpotter.bsky.social

Funso is the UX Lead with Information and Digital Services at Keele University. Following an MA in Design Management from the University of Southampton, Funso has worked as a UX-er in various sectors including start-ups, fintech, retail technology, and HE. Curiosity and driving user satisfaction within products and services is the core of all projects she undertakes. She loves movies and fantasizes about being a full-time movie reviewer.

Catherine serves as a Systems and Discovery Librarian at Manchester Metropolitan University Library. She is deeply committed to engaging with students and staff, actively listening and empathising to enhance the library experience for all users.

While her primary expertise lies in managing library e-resources, Catherine also has extensive experience in business process mapping and process improvement. She is an active member of a broader community of practice within university libraries, where she collaborates with others who share her passion for utilizing UX methodologies to elevate the user experience.

Prakash is a Library Systems and Discovery Adviser at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has a background in Mathematics and Management Science. He is dedicated to enhancing user experiences through innovative technologies. He possesses a strong interest in artificial intelligence and its applications in library services. Prakash works to integrate traditional library functions with advanced digital solutions, supporting the evolving role of information professionals within the academic community.