Building on the momentum of CMALT Week, which shines a light on professional development in learning technology, we turn our attention to ALT’s upcoming event on open education: the OER25 Conference. This year’s keynote speakers, Helen Beetham and Joe Wilson, will explore the timely theme, "Speaking Truth to Power: Open Education and AI in the Age of Populism," offering insights into the evolving relationship between technology, education, and society.
The OER25 Conference, 23-24 June 2025, will take place at the Resource for London conference centre. The event brings together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore how Open Education intersects with artificial intelligence amidst societal shifts. Delegates can engage in workshops, panel discussions, presentations, research papers, and digital poster sessions, all designed to shape the future of Open Education in a changing world.
Introducing Joe Wilson
Joe is a former teacher, Community Education worker, FE lecturer, Project Manager, Senior Manager, Director, CEO of College Development Network, latterly Head of Digital Skills at City of Glasgow College. Now an independent education consultant, Joe works with a diverse range of clients, including Edinburgh University, UNESCO, the British Council, and Jisc, to embed digital learning practices, assessment frameworks, and learner-centric approaches. He remains active in Open Education initiatives, including open recognition and AI applications in learning and assessment design.
Currently Chair of the ALT Scotland Special Interest Group, Joe advises the Scottish Government on information literacy, contributes to the Goodison Group’s Future of Education Group, and co-founded Open Scotland, a grassroots initiative promoting creative commons licensing and collaborative approaches to learning material development.
Introducing Helen Beetham
Helen Beetham is a researcher and consultant in digital education. She has edited a number of standard texts, including Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age with Rhona Sharpe and has published peer-reviewed articles on topics from digital literacy to surveillance pedagogies, and from curriculum practice to feminist theories of technology.
Helen has advised universities in the UK, Europe, Africa and Australasia on their digital education strategies, and has worked for international bodies such as the EU, UNICEF, UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning.
Since 2004, she has played a leading role in Jisc programmes, building capacity for digital transformation in universities and helping to centre the student experience in strategic thinking. Her Digital Capabilities framework is widely used in universities, in and beyond the UK.
Her substack, Imperfect Offerings, has been recommended by the Guardian/Observer for its ‘wise and thoughtful’ critique of generative AI.
Join the Conversation
The OER25 Conference is an essential platform for addressing the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Open Education. With Helen Beetham and Joe Wilson taking centre stage, this year’s event promises to be an inspiring, thought-provoking experience.
Register now to be part of this vital conversation on the future of Open Education and AI in a changing world. Earlybird registration rates are available until 12 May 2025.