About Digifest 2025
Where today meets tomorrow - Join us in person at the ICC Birmingham or online 11-12 March 2025.
At Digifest we always look ahead at what tomorrow holds, the innovations and the inspirations, but we also keep a firm focus on the here and now. Together, we explore how advances in digital, data and technology are transforming education, research and industry right now and how you can create positive change in your sector.
Programme themes
Digifest 2025 will explore the following themes:
- Data-informed education: powering the future - Harnessing data to drive innovation and improve outcomes through complexity and uncertainty
- Student success: a holistic approach - Leveraging technology to create engaging and inclusive learning environments
- Learning for the future: designing for success - Preparing learners for the future through innovative curriculum, pedagogy and technology integration
- Technology for good: sustainability and social responsibility - Balancing the benefits of technology with ethical considerations and social impact
- Collaboration for impact: building a stronger education ecosystem - Fostering partnerships to address shared challenges and drive sector improvement
View the programme for Digifest 2025 to explore our confirmed sessions.
"Very well organised, very friendly and relaxed. A lot of useful and stimulating content."
Higher education executive leader
Who should attend?
We welcome:
- Leaders, managers and practitioners in HE and FE looking to develop their digital strategies and approaches
- Middle and senior managers from HE and FE and other educational organisations
- Those who are leading change from within, or working across, a sector body, university, college or skills organisation
- Those in a managerial capacity across many demographics including libraries, business support, curriculum areas and academic departments
Registration is now open
Select from in-person and online ticket options. Book your ticket now.
Digifest 2025 is a CPD accredited event
Jisc is a member of the CPD Certification Service - by attending Digifest 2025 you can add this learning time towards your individual continuing professional development goals. After the event, you'll receive a digital certificate with CPD points to add to your personal log or organisational file.
Venue
International Convention Centre, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA.
Accommodation for Digifest 2025
We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment and to secure the best rate.
This year we are working with BCD meetings and events to help those attending Digifest 2025 to source accommodation close to the ICC Birmingham.
Benefits include:
- No administration or handling fees
- BCD provide access to the lowest available rates
- Access to a wide selection of local hotels
Individuals and small groups
For individuals and small groups (one to eight rooms), you can reserve hotels directly using the online reservation system. Just enter your arrival and departure date and make your choice from a wide selection of hotels.
Group bookings
For group bookings of more than nine rooms, send your request by e-mail to rooms@bcdme.com so they can assist you with your group booking.
Further information
The programme sessions will run from 10.00 – 17.00 on both days. Further timings will be available with the full programme launch in January.
If you have any questions, please contact the accommodation team at BCD meetings and events by emailing rooms@bcdme.com or calling 0203 238 7133.
Accessibility
- The ICC is wheelchair accessible via ramps and lifts. Tactile signage is also fitted in the majority of lifts.
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available throughout the ICC, located on levels 2 and 3 of the Mall.
- Blue Badge parking and accessible parking bays are available in the car parks at Utilita Arena Birmingham (King Edward’s Road, B1 2AA). Find out about accessible parking on the Utilita Arena Birmingham website.
- Assistant dogs are welcome at the ICC.
- A prayer room and a quiet space will be available.
- An induction loop system, which can be linked to visitors’ hearing aids will be available.
- Live captions will be available for all sessions in-person and online.
Sustainability – reducing our global impact
We are working hard to reduce the impact that Digifest has on the environment, locally and globally.
Location
Digifest is held at the ICC in the centre of Birmingham, enabling easy and efficient access using public transport from across the UK.
The ICC is a short walk or tram ride from Birmingham New Street station. Taking the train is actively encouraged; the difference between a mile on the train and a mile in the car is 0.22 kg CO2e vs 0.07 kg CO2e. For those who need to use the car, car-sharing is encouraged. If there are four people using one car, the carbon per person per mile is 0.05 kg. If you are interested in lift sharing visit Liftshare.
We will be sending delegates a short form prior to the event to collect information regarding their journeys, which will help us accurately measure the travel footprint.
Digifest is held at the ICC in the centre of Birmingham, enabling easy and efficient access using public transport from across the UK.
The ICC is a short walk or tram ride from Birmingham New Street station. Taking the train is actively encouraged; the difference between a mile on the train and a mile in the car is 0.22 kg CO2e vs 0.07 kg CO2e. For those who need to use the car, car-sharing is encouraged. If there are four people using one car, the carbon per person per mile is 0.05 kg. If you are interested in lift sharing visit Liftshare.
We will be sending delegates a short form prior to the event to collect information regarding their journeys, which will help us accurately measure the travel footprint.
Venue
The ICC holds the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for environmental management systems.
- A district-based scheme (Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Generator) is installed onsite to provide chilled water for air-conditioning, electricity and hot water for heating the ICC and buildings in the immediate vicinity, including Utilita Arena Birmingham. A publicly visible carbon calculator keeps track of the carbon dioxide savings, minimising the ICC’s carbon footprint and providing the ability to sell carbon credit
- Energy saving sensors are fitted and use reduced energy LED lighting where possible throughout the venue. The venue’s switch-off procedure ensures that energy use is kept to a minimum in event spaces and offices and that all equipment and lights are switched of when not in use, which is monitored via security
- All waste is treated, so that glass, cardboard and paper waste is separated and recycled. Waste that cannot be recycled or reused is incinerated to use for energy via a Birmingham City Council-run scheme at the nearby Tyseley Energy Waste Plant
- The ICC is involved in a pilot scheme to turn a flat roof into an eco-friendly environment and to increase insulation and ultimately enhance the landscape of flora and fauna to attract urban species to the environment. The roof provides a haven for the rare black redstart bird whose numbers are thought to be declining following increased development, and whose continuing presence in the city is precarious. The roof has also been designed to encourage ground nesting bees and wasps, invertebrates and other birds
- The ICC is also home to two 'Bee Hotels' to encourage Mason Bees
- The venue team has implemented many initiatives to demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and can support organisers to minimise or totally offset the carbon emissions of their conference
The ICC holds the ISO 14001:2004 accreditation for environmental management systems.
- A district-based scheme (Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Generator) is installed onsite to provide chilled water for air-conditioning, electricity and hot water for heating the ICC and buildings in the immediate vicinity, including Utilita Arena Birmingham. A publicly visible carbon calculator keeps track of the carbon dioxide savings, minimising the ICC’s carbon footprint and providing the ability to sell carbon credit
- Energy saving sensors are fitted and use reduced energy LED lighting where possible throughout the venue. The venue’s switch-off procedure ensures that energy use is kept to a minimum in event spaces and offices and that all equipment and lights are switched of when not in use, which is monitored via security
- All waste is treated, so that glass, cardboard and paper waste is separated and recycled. Waste that cannot be recycled or reused is incinerated to use for energy via a Birmingham City Council-run scheme at the nearby Tyseley Energy Waste Plant
- The ICC is involved in a pilot scheme to turn a flat roof into an eco-friendly environment and to increase insulation and ultimately enhance the landscape of flora and fauna to attract urban species to the environment. The roof provides a haven for the rare black redstart bird whose numbers are thought to be declining following increased development, and whose continuing presence in the city is precarious. The roof has also been designed to encourage ground nesting bees and wasps, invertebrates and other birds
- The ICC is also home to two 'Bee Hotels' to encourage Mason Bees
- The venue team has implemented many initiatives to demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability and can support organisers to minimise or totally offset the carbon emissions of their conference
Exhibition
We work with exhibition suppliers who offer multiple display deliveries and re-use stands which further reduce the environmental impact vs traditional “space only” events.
We actively encourage exhibitors to be mindful of their environmental impact.
The approach we take with our exhibitions encourages the use of digital messaging, reducing the opportunity for printed materials, graphics and giveaways.
We work with exhibition suppliers who offer multiple display deliveries and re-use stands which further reduce the environmental impact vs traditional “space only” events.
We actively encourage exhibitors to be mindful of their environmental impact.
The approach we take with our exhibitions encourages the use of digital messaging, reducing the opportunity for printed materials, graphics and giveaways.
Event materials
Our preference is to use digital signage at the event.
The Digifest event app significantly reduces the amount of printing required at the event. Any event printing is now FSC certified and fully recyclable. All laminate or UV finishes have been removed from our marketing materials, ensuring that recycling can occur.
Our lanyards, when used, are made of bamboo and PET materials that are biodegradable.
Our preference is to use digital signage at the event.
The Digifest event app significantly reduces the amount of printing required at the event. Any event printing is now FSC certified and fully recyclable. All laminate or UV finishes have been removed from our marketing materials, ensuring that recycling can occur.
Our lanyards, when used, are made of bamboo and PET materials that are biodegradable.
Catering
To make Digifest more sustainable and reduce its carbon footprint, we will be offering a meat free menu. By moving away from the standard buffet selection, we can save between two and seven tonnes of carbon.
Catering is locally sourced and the ICC utilise an anaerobic digestion system for food waste, which further reduces the waste footprint. Crockery will be reusable, and we encourage delegates to bring their own water bottle.
To make Digifest more sustainable and reduce its carbon footprint, we will be offering a meat free menu. By moving away from the standard buffet selection, we can save between two and seven tonnes of carbon.
Catering is locally sourced and the ICC utilise an anaerobic digestion system for food waste, which further reduces the waste footprint. Crockery will be reusable, and we encourage delegates to bring their own water bottle.
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming event, please view the sponsorship and exhibition brochure (pdf) and contact us at digifest.exhibition@jisc.ac.uk.
Contact us
Email digifest@jisc.ac.uk for more information.