Creating and embedding a coaching approach in Student Success: a strategy for student retention and success

Hear about the journey of our Student Success team as the team adopted and embedded a coaching approach to enable student success. Considering the cultural shift and practical strategy, we’ll look at how coaching has empowered advisors and changed how, through personalisation and coaching, we deliver great student outcomes.

Speaker: Jim Lidster-Browne, Student Success Quality Manager 

 Engaging a global audience with King’s Online Programmes

This session dives into our approach to engaging students and prospective students with King’s Online Programmes — from marketing through to student success.

Let's explore methods of storytelling and the various channels, angles and audiences we look to engage. We'll also look at the power of multimedia and why people are at the heart of all successful storytelling.

Speakers:

• Alice Bridge, Communications Manager 
• Joshua Mead, Student Engagement Manager 

 Project management: online course development at pace

Attendees will be invited to delve into a project development model which has been directed by King’s wide initiatives or global issues, which require a quick online presence. This session explores project management, from scope to finalised product, within a condensed timeline.

Speakers: 

• Philippa Keyworth, Head of Project Management
• Sid Sasikaran, Project Manager 
• Steph Walden, Project Manager
• Elisa Valarani, Project Manager
• Elizabeth Sanchez, Project Manager 

Trauma-informed practice and shame-competence when supporting online distance learners

This session charts the journey of the Student Success service as we integrate a trauma-informed framework into our practice.

Gain insights into the mechanisms that create secure and supportive online environments for students, and explore strategies for building professional relationships with students on a foundation of trust and safety.

Speaker: Anni Vainio, Student Success Team Leader 

Animate and educate: animation as a tool for enhancing student learning

Join us as we dive into the world of pedagogy-led animation and discover how animation can enhance student learning.

The panel will share insights and practical tips about all things animation and take you behind the scenes of animation production at King’s Digital. So whether you are an educator, a student or simply interested in the future of education come along and discover how animation can strengthen learning.

Speakers:

• Rachel Bessell, Senior, E-Learning Visual Designer 
• Alessandro Fiorentino, E-Learning Visual Designer
• William Matthews, E-Learning Visual Designer
• Kehinde Omisore, E-Learning Visual Designer
• Pearl Delderfield, E-Learning Visual Design Assistant

From UX to LX: creating meaningful learning experiences

This session explores how key UX strategies—such as rapid research, first-time user experience, and data-driven design—can be adapted to create intuitive, effective, and engaging learning experiences.

We’ll discuss how combining learning analytics with student feedback enhances the end-to-end process from design to real-world use, driving continuous improvement in the student journey.

Speakers:

• Andrea Amato, Product Designer
• Rachel Brown, User Experience Researcher
• Emma Corby, User Insights Analyst
• Juliana Matos, User Experience Manager

Behind the experience: building systems that work for students and staff

Go behind-the-scenes of how we use systems and data to deliver an exceptional student experience.

This session will explore how we at King's Digital have embedded ourselves within existing digital structures, introduced new technologies, and worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to design systems that enable staff to better support students.

Speakers:

• Neil Gillett, Service Implementation Lead 
• Jim Lidster-Browne, Student Success Quality Manager 

Preparing for launch

This presentation delves into the essential coordination between quality assurance and project management, guiding you through key stages from planning to launch.

We’ll uncover the processes, roles, and tools that drive efficiency and ensure high-quality outcomes. Learn how we’ve strategically integrated communications and quality assurance (QA) to streamline launches, refine workflows, and build a scalable process for future programmes. 

Speakers:

• Nathalie Guesry, Digital Curriculum Launch Manager 
• Georgina Rose, Digital Assessment & Quality Affairs Manager
• Eleanor Howse, Projects Officer

 Designing sustainable online courses: lessons learned

In this presentation, we will explore effective strategies for designing online programmes and courses that are sustainable and built to last. Drawing from the lessons learned within our Learning Design Team, we will discuss how to integrate sustainability principles from the outset, ensuring that courses remain relevant, engaging, and adaptable over time.

Speakers:

• France Barth, Senior Learning Designer
• Gennadii Miroshinokov, Senior Learning Designer
• Nicole Dickinson, Learning Designer

Stepping away from an online course

Learning from students withdrawing from their course is as important as learning from those who graduate. In this session we examine case studies of students who withdrew from their online course, the reasons why, and what institutions can learn from student withdrawals

Speakers:

• Jim Lidster-Browne, Student Success Quality Manager 
• Alice Ludgate, Director of Student Success

Collaborative success: navigating the complexities of partner relationships 

 In higher education today, collaboration with partners is essential for achieving organisational goals and driving innovation. This presentation explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that arise when working with partners.

We will delve into key areas such as communication barriers, organisational culture differences, and aligning strategic objectives. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for overcoming common obstacles and maximising the potential of their partnerships to achieve sustainable success. 

Speakers:

• Sabrina Fernandez, Director of Operations
• Jack Cain, Head of Operations & Strategy 
• Yan Yee-Choi, Head of Postgraduate Admissions 

Using gen AI in learning design

In this presentation we will explore how learning designers think about and are using AI at King's Digital. We will share case studies, lessons learned as well as some innovative ideas for the future.

Speakers (from the Learning Design Team):

• Hannah Ware, Learning Designer
• Preena Tailor, Learning Designer
• Jessica Ferro, Learning Designer 

Co-creating impact: student-led research and publishable practice

Explore how King's students are shaping the future of online education through two innovative initiatives:

1. The Collaborative Library (TCL), where coursework is transformed into publishable outputs with real-world impact.
2. The Student-led Research Hub, a vibrant space where staff and students collaborate beyond the curriculum to pursue shared research interests.

Speakers:

• Dr Anja Harrison, Senior Lecturer of Psychology and Neuroscience
• Dr Mark Kennedy, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Education

Educational media production: from concept to completion

We’ll explore how to develop educational media from initial concept to final delivery, whilst balancing creativity with pedagogical effectiveness. Through a step-by-step approach, we’ll share insights on planning, production, and post-production, ensuring high-quality, impactful content.

Whether you're new to media or are looking to refine your approach, this session will provide practical strategies to enhance your educational projects.

Speakers:

• Daniel Childs, Senior Media Producer
• Evelyn Huang, Media Producer
• George Knowles, Senior Video Editor
• William Matthews, E-Learning Visual Designer

Duality, Change and the Role of AI in Education

AI in education presents both promise and disruption, compelling us to confront foundational questions: What is education for? What should we teach, and how might we assess meaningfully? In this presentation, Martin will draw on 'Janus', the Roman god of transitions, to frame this moment as one of both reflection and anticipation. Janus reminds us that to move forward wisely, we must also look back.

Martin will explore emerging trends, current tensions and the possibilities on the horizon, asking how educators might respond with clarity and purpose rather than fear or fatigue. This is a chance not just to adapt, but to transform curriculum, pedagogy and assessment for an age increasingly (and controversially) shaped by AI.

Speaker: Martin Compton, AI and Innovation in Education Lead

Learning from our first Online Students’ Festival, an event designed to increase students’ sense of community and belonging

In this session, we reflect upon our first Online Students’ Festival, an event designed to build connections, community and a sense of belonging amongst online distance learners. We will share insights, feedback and lessons learned, from ideation to delivery of the festival.

Speakers: 

• Grace Smith, Student Success Team Leader
• Harrison Cohen, Student Success Advisor

Stripped down to the bone: reengineering Moodle for success in mobile education across Africa

The ABC Moodle Platform is the result of an ambitious partnership project between King’s College London and the Afe Babalola Centre (ABC). The project is actively transforming learning opportunities for students across the diverse geographical regions in Africa by prioritising a flexible, offline, low-bandwidth approach facilitated by mobile access.

This presentation will explore the specific strategies we’ve employed in both content design and development to ensure our platform effectively caters to a wide spectrum of users across different regions. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for scaling ‘mobile-first’ learning. While challenges remain in achieving universal inclusivity due to varying technological access, this innovative approach provides valuable lessons for increased accessible and equitable education. 

Speakers:

• Alex Spiers, E-Learning Content Development Manager
• Bobbie Apps, E-Learning Content Developer
• Tash Ferenczy, Senior E-Learning Content Developer
• Joe Allen, E-Learning Content Developer

Quality assurance: the eyes of the learner

What shall we look at when quality assuring an online course? From proofreading and inclusive language to web accessibility, media captions quality assurance (QA) and VLE functionality checks.

Speakers: Quality Assurance Team 

From parallel to parity: reframing online education through principles of equity

This presentation explores King’s evolving approach to online education, tracing its progression from a distinct mode of delivery towards one that aspires to parity with on-campus provision in quality and student experience.

Drawing on a recent quality assurance assessment (QAA) case study and the development of institution-wide online education principles, the session highlights how sustained engagement with online learners has informed both strategic direction and pedagogic practice. It offers critical reflections on the role of student voice in shaping inclusive, high-quality provision and examines the institutional shifts required to ensure equity across all modes of study.

Speaker: Mike Bennett, Associate Director