Feature

Voices of Digifest: discussion, debate and inspiration

As we look towards Digifest 2026, two panellists from this year’s event share the moments that inspired and energised them the most.

Delegates at Digifest 2025 in discussion around a table.

At Digifest, workshops, networking, keynote speeches, and lively debates bring the big issues in education to life. This year, one panel explored the opportunities and challenges of generative AI, sparking thoughtful discussion. On the panel was Dr Kevin Campbell-Karn, head of graduate outcomes at Buckinghamshire New University, who shared his experience of the event.

Building relationships for collaboration

Kevin talked about how a demonstration from LearnWise AI, one of the exhibitors at this year’s event, led to ongoing conversations about how this could be used at his organisation. He said:

“The real value of Digifest was making the right connections. I wouldn't have known about LearnWise in the way I did if I hadn't been there. I attended a session where I learned exactly how universities were using their platform, and those insights were a game-changer. After chatting with the team on their stand, I had everything I needed to create a comprehensive proposal for a potential pilot.”

Another key factor for Kevin was Jisc’s credibility and the trust it holds across the sector, which made it much easier to start conversations about bringing the potential pilot work into his organisation.

“Being at Digifest, listening to the stories and understanding those use cases means that when you bring something back to your own university, you're doing so with credibility. You're not just saying you’ve searched online and found this company or this platform, you’re saying they were presenting at Digifest, they had their own stand, they’re being showcased by Jisc. There’s a real robustness to that.”

Stepping outside the comfort zone

Pip Armstrong, digital innovation development coach at Nottingham College, was also on the panel alongside Kevin and colleagues from Edge Hill University and Coleg Y Cymoedd. Pip echoed many of Kevin’s sentiments on the appeal of Digifest, especially when it came to the personal connections made at the event. She said:

“After our panel, there were a few people in the audience who stayed behind to come and talk about the things that we’d discussed. There were also some people that I knew through seeing them online or being in the same working groups who I met face to face for the first time, which was really nice.

"You've got to step out of your comfort zone when you recognise somebody that you haven’t met in person before and just go up to them and say hello.”

Pip also found chatting to others in the sector, sharing resources, and gaining insights into how people are doing different things to be invaluable. She also enjoyed the welcoming feel of the event, from the moment she arrived, got a coffee, and sat down to the first keynote speech.

“I knew I was in a good place and it was going to be a really good day. And it was.”

Asked to sum up Digifest for anyone who hasn’t attended and is considering their first visit in 2026, Pip said:

“There’s a real atmosphere. If you are a bit of a tech nerd and, by the nature of the event, you probably are, there is a definite buzz of going in there and seeing familiar platforms or familiar people. It is a very collaborative sector and we all like to share and talk about what we're doing, and Digifest gives you that opportunity.”

For Kevin too, the biggest draw to Digifest is the chance to connect with people in person.

“For me, it’s the ability to interact there and then. Often, just after someone's delivered their talk, if you go up to them and chat you can make a real connection. There’s also something great about being in the room and really feeling everyone’s passion for the work they’re doing.”

Digifest 2026

Digifest returns to the ICC Birmingham on 10-11 March 2026. Once again, we’ll be making it easier than ever to attend, with the offer of one-day and two-day tickets, and the option to attend online. Register your interest to stay updated on our plans for Digifest 2026.

Further information