We are getting ready to grow our community champions cohort and celebrate more trailblazers who are furthering education and research.

Every year we are blown away by the communities, activities and programmes our community champions support. With Digifest 2026 fast approaching, here are recent achievements, highlights and ways our champions are creating connection.

Creative reflection and expression

Dominic Pates, senior educational technologist at City St George’s, University of London, co-runs the internet radio station, The Thursday Night Show (TTNS). 2025 marks the fifth year the radio has been supporting the annual ALT conference with ALTc Radio bringing learning technologists and music together. The radio show allows listeners to connect with the music and each other so that they can express their learning journeys. The interactive radio format provides a creative and unique flare with the programme growing each year.

Growing audiences for AI, VR and staff development

Sharing insights and new thinking in creative and digestible formats can be tricky. These champions have perfected their podcasts and YouTube channels to provide exceptional content and advice.

Nurun Nahar, assistant teaching professor at the Greater Manchester Business School built the TIRIgogy community to improve pedagogical practice for staff in a teaching focused role. The in person CPD events, resources and webinars are complimented with an ever-growing podcast series. This all gives the community new ideas and strategies to enrich their practice.

The Over a Brew series is another great example where champion Tibi Dancovici, digital learning and innovation manager at Coleg y Cymoedd brings further education professionals together for discussions on AI, leadership and wellbeing that last the length of a good cuppa.

More celebrations

There have also been many more accomplishments from the community champions who cannot stop making an impact. A massive congratulations to:

• Bryony Evett Hackfort, director of teaching learning and education at Coleg Sir Gar, and team won gold from the Staff Development Forum. The ‘AI Enhancement, Not Replacement – Embedding Confidence, Curiosity, and Ethical AI Practice across our Workforce’ supported professional learning.
• Puiyin Wong, senior advisor (digital pedagogy and practice), Buckinghamshire New University received an Open Education Awards in Open Practices. This was for #TELresearchers and HEresearchers community.
• Rosie Jones, director of student and library services at Teesside University, was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship. The scheme celebrates individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession in higher education.

Help us find more community champions for 2026

We believe that community is vital for education and research to adapt. Help us spotlight the new community champions of 2026 who are making a difference.

Whether they support their peers through making connections, building resources and support or driving institutional change, these individuals work tirelessly to provide support beyond their own institutions. We can’t wait to hear about the new community activity and meet the new cohort. Nominations will be open until midnight, 14 December 2025.

Find out more about the nomination process.

Learn more about how our champions are creating connection by listening to our Community hub podcast on SoundCloud.