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Talking Transformation

Talking Transformation

By: Advance HE
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A brand new Advance HE podcast, where we'll discuss all things transformation at time when change is the new normal in higher education.

Our experts across educational excellence, leadership and governance and equality, diversity and inclusion will be joined by special guests from across the sector to help you and your institution navigate change, now and into the future.

Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 12: The future of lifelong learning
    Jun 25 2026

    Episode 12 of Talking Transformation brings together Professor Harriet Dunbar-Morris and Dr Helen Murphy to explore the evolving purpose of lifelong learning in higher education.

    The conversation spans terminology – with Harriet proposing "lifelong scholar" as a term that respects adult learners' multiple identities. Curriculum co-design – where both advocate genuine partnership with learners, employers and community groups rather than tokenistic consultation; and the broader purpose of learning itself. They also push back against narrowly workforce-focused approaches, arguing that universities must preserve the fuller human purpose of education – learning not simply to be productive, but to be.

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    41 mins
  • Episode 11: Inclusion through moving image and sound
    Apr 28 2026

    In this episode of Talking Transformation, host Charles Knight speaks with Kerry-Jane Packman, chief executive of Learning on Screen, about the charity's new research report, Teach Beyond Text.

    Drawing on responses from more than 1,100 post-16 students, the report finds that over 80% say film and television make learning more engaging. Kerry-Jane argues this reflects how naturally students already consume video content and how screen-based storytelling aids memory and recall in ways that text alone cannot.

    The conversation also explores a persistent gap between what students want and what institutions provide. Budget pressures, staff workloads and confusion over copyright all discourage educators from embedding screen content into their teaching. Neurodivergent students and those for whom English is a second language show the greatest gains, with the findings consistently pointing to a more inclusive experience when moving image and sound are used.

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    17 mins
  • Episode 10: Lifelong learning part two
    Apr 23 2026

    In part two of our discussion of lifelong learning, Fiona Lennoxsmith speaks with Professor Ang Davies, the University of Manchester's academic lead for lifelong learning.

    Ang describes how Manchester is rethinking its provision across three strands: civic and social responsibility, personal upskilling and employer-responsive programmes. Initiatives include a Bank of England-backed economics teaching project and industry co-designed micro-credentials in areas such as net zero and digital sustainability. She highlights key barriers – cost, confidence, inflexible funding, and fragmented digital infrastructure, and calls for greater credit transferability between institutions. AI-assisted personalised learning pathways and reform of the lifelong loan entitlement are identified as critical future priorities.

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    33 mins
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