Edufuturists

Edufuturists #318 How Do They Do It with Mark & Zoe Enser

In this episode of the podcast, we engage in a lively discussion with husband and wife guests Mark and Zoe Enser about their experiences in education, the challenges faced by schools, and their new book, 'How Do They Do It? What Can We Learn From Amazing Schools, Leaders and Teachers?'. The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of accountability, the definition of high-quality education, the impact of student attitudes, and the role of personal development in schools. Mark & Zoe share insights from their careers and emphasise the need for schools to adapt to their unique contexts while celebrating the everyday heroes in education. Grab a copy of their new book here [https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/how-do-they-do-it] CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the website to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond. Use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here [https://www.iseurope.org/welcome/unified-communications-education-tech?actioncode=edufuturists&utm_source=cd_Edufuturists&utm_medium=Hompage&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=ise2026] Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X [https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists] Follow us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@edufuturists]Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/]Join the WhatsApp Community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_c]Check out all about Edufuturists [https://www.edufuturists.com]Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch [info@edufuturists.com]Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 [edufuturists.com/uprising26]

Edufuturists #317 The Firefly Effect with Russell Cailey

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by the wonderful Russell Cailey to explore the challenges and opportunities within the education system. Russ shares his personal journey from a disengaged student to an educator passionate about reforming education. We discuss the importance of human connection, the impact of technology, and the need for real challenges in learning. Russ' experiences with Think Global School, a pioneering nomadic education model, highlight the potential for immersive, real-world learning. The conversation culminates in a discussion about Russ' book, The Firefly Effect, which emphasises individual growth and collaboration in education and beyond. You can grab a copy of Russ' book here [https://www.thefireflyeffectbook.com/bookhome]CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the video here to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond, use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here [https://www.iseurope.org/welcome/unified-communications-education-tech?actioncode=edufuturists&utm_source=cd_Edufuturists&utm_medium=Hompage&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=ise2026]Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X [https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists]Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/]Join the WhatsApp Community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_c]Check out all about Edufuturists [https://www.edufuturists.com]Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch [info@edufuturists.com]Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 [edufuturists.com/uprising26]

Edufuturists #316 The Big Review Part 11

This episode of the podcast is a big review of some of our most recent episodes and the lessons we have learned from them. The conversation explores the readiness and agility of young people in the face of change, juxtaposed (what a great word, btw!) with scepticism about the future developments and their potential impact. We always speak with hope (just Steve Hope) while acknowledging the challenges and uncertainties ahead. CONTENT PARTNER AD: This episode is powered by Integrated Systems Europe, the must-attend event for educators, technologists, and institutional leaders seeking to shape the future of learning. From 3–6 February 2026, ISE returns to Barcelona, uniting the brightest minds and boldest ideas in the edtech industry. Join us and Push Beyond the possibilities that are transforming the classroom of tomorrow. Don’t just keep up with the industry - get ahead of it. Check out the video here to find out more and join us for ISE 2026 in Push Beyond, use our special code 'edufuturists' for free registration here [https://www.iseurope.org/welcome/unified-communications-education-tech? actioncode=edufuturists&utm_source=cd_Edufuturists&utm_medium=Hompage&utm_content=banner&utm_campaign=ise2026] Chapters 00:00 Introductions (and Waffle!) 02:32 Celebrating New Developments and Announcements 06:53 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement 12:57 Reviewing Notable Podcast Episodes 22:44 Exploring the Impact of Educators 28:56 Youth Perspectives on Education Reform 30:46 Confidence and Equity in Education Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X [https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists] Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/] Join the WhatsApp Community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_c] Check out all about Edufuturists [https://www.edufuturists.com] Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch [info@edufuturists.com] Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 [edufuturists.com/uprising26]

Edufuturists #315 Dare to Discover with Hilary Leevers & Maddie Dinwoodies

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Hilary Leevers and Maddie Dinwoodie from Engineering UK to discuss the importance of engineering education and the upcoming Tomorrow's Engineers Week. We explore the need for diversity in the engineering workforce, the significance of linking engineering to young people's passions, and the role of education in preparing students for future challenges, including climate change. The conversation emphasises the importance of resilience, problem-solving skills, and the need to alleviate anxiety in students regarding their educational paths. Together, they unpack how teachers can use the free Tomorrow’s Engineers Week resources to help students see the real-world possibilities of engineering, connect their passions to meaningful careers, and celebrate the power of problem-solving. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 01:56 Understanding Engineering UK and Its Mission 04:25 The Importance of Engineering in Society 10:02 Tomorrow's Engineers Week 11:56 Dare to Discover 15:26 Connecting Passions to Engineering Careers 17:41 Embedding Engineering in Education 22:33 Preparing for the Future of Work 23:51 Future Skills and Workforce Needs 26:15 Embracing Failure in Education 29:49 Tackling Climate Change through Engineering 33:13 Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering 37:32 Rethinking Education for the Future TE Week 2025 offers free, ready-to-use resources for teachers including: * Lesson plans, assemblies, and video case studies * Hands-on, practical classroom activities * Real stories from diverse engineers and technicians * Live Q&A panels where students can ask engineers their own questions Find out more [https://eukeducation.org.uk/our-programmes/tomorrows-engineers-week/] EngineeringUK [https://www.engineeringuk.com] Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X [https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists]Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/] Follow us on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@edufuturists]Join the WhatsApp Community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_c]Check out all about Edufuturists [https://www.edufuturists.com]Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch [info@edufuturists.com]Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 [edufuturists.com/uprising26]

Edufuturists #314 Words Really Matter with Sofia Fenichell

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Sofia Fenichell, the founder of Study Hall AI. The conversation explores Sofia's journey as an entrepreneur in the education sector, her passion for improving literacy through innovative AI solutions, and the importance of fostering agency and passion in learners. We discuss the challenges of traditional assessment methods and the need for a shift towards more engaging and effective educational practices. Sofia shares insights on the upcoming launch of College Co-Pilot, an AI-driven tool designed to assist students in the college admissions process. The episode concludes with our usual quick-fire questions too. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Sofia's Journey 04:59 The Passion Behind Entrepreneurship 10:41 Introducing Study Hall AI 14:54 AI with Guardrails for Safe Learning 19:43 Fostering Passion and Agency 26:06 Rethinking Assessment 29:30 The Future of Education and AI 33:45 Navigating Assessment Grief 36:35 Innovations in College Admissions 40:22 Final Thoughts and Quickfire Questions Find out more about StudyHall [https://www.studyhall.ai/?countrycode=UK] Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you. Ben & Steve x Championing those who are making the future of education a reality. Follow us on X [https://www.twitter.com/edufuturists] Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/] Join the WhatsApp Community [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_c] Want to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touch [info@edufuturists.com] Get your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 [edufuturists.com/uprising26]