Higher Learning Exchange

S3 I E3 DOHE: Championing Edtech Startups to Improve Society

In this episode, we explore the story of DOHE — a global edtech championing group, which is on a mission to support 5,000 startups around the world. Joined by core team members Yuliana, Lucy, and Omar, we explore how DOHE is building a global community that supports education startups and drives meaningful social impact. 🎧 In this conversation, we discuss DOHE’s three key pillars: ·                EdTech Hub, a global EdTech ecosystem  ·                'Go Together', a personalised acceleration programme for EdTech founders (no IP, zero equity, no fees) ·                Navigator, a data-driven methodology helping startups grow sustainably   Listen to learn: • Why real transformation starts with people — not just products • The importance of coaching-first leadership in building resilient founders  • The rise of AI in education and the growing global focus on skills development and accessibility  • How collaboration, community, and shared learning are shaping the future of edtech  From global events and resource-sharing platforms to a thriving alumni network, this episode highlights the power of building more than startups — building people, ecosystems, and a shared path toward better education worldwide. Visit the episode page: https://www.hlexpodcast.com/post/s3-i-e3-dohe-championing-edtech-startups-to-transform-education #EdTech #EducationInnovation #StartupEcosystem #FounderJourney #AIinEducation #SocialImpact #EdTechStartups #Leadership #Innovation #FutureOfEducation #Entrepreneurship #GlobalCommunity #SkillsDevelopment #Learning #EducationForAll

S3 I E2 The EIT Edtech Conference (Second Edition, Brussels) 2025

Billions have been invested in EdTech across Europe… so why are so many innovations ending up in what insiders call “graveyards of innovation”? 🎙️ In this latest episode of Higher Learning Exchange, recorded at the EIT EdTech Conference 2025 in Brussels, we unpack what’s really going wrong—and what needs to change. Here’s what I learnt about talking to six speakers 👇 Beth Havinga, Managing Director of the European Edtech Alliance [1:28] 💡 Innovation fails when it’s built without teachers and students in mind Emma Linsenmayer, Analyst, PISA [4:20] 🧑‍🏫 Technologies are only as good as the design and purposeful use in class   → The rise of AI in assessment and digital learning (OECD / PISA insights) Dana Redford, EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative [10:33] → The scale of Europe’s Deep Tech Talent Initiative (1.3M+ learners trained) Tobias Himmerich, CEO of Eduvation [15:34] 🤝 Europe still struggles with fragmented markets—there’s no “one-size-fits-all” scaling strategy 📉 EdTech growth isn’t exponential—it’s slow, steady, and requires patience Marta Lorusso, Digital Education Specialist, Girls Go STEM [22:46] → How initiatives like Girls Go STEM are reaching 70,000+ students across 35+ countries 🧑‍🏫 Teachers are the gateway to adoption—not just end users Sharon Flynn, University of Galway [27:54] 🎓 Students need to be co-creators, not an afterthought 🔐 Trust between universities and EdTech providers is fragile—and often lost over time The biggest takeaway? 👉 EdTech success isn’t about better technology—it’s about purposeful design, better collaboration, clearer ownership, and long-term thinking. If you’re working in education, innovation, or policy—this episode is packed with honest insights from across the ecosystem. For more information visit: www.hlexpodcast.com

S3 I E1 🎙 Educraftor: Transforming Education for Humans to Flourish, Peter Fagerström (Founder)

What if education could truly help every person lead a fulfilling, meaningful life? In this thought-provoking episode, host Carmen Tomas sits down with educational innovator Peter, founder of Educraftor, to explore how active learning and systemic change can reshape our schools, universities — and our societies. Together, we unpack how learning isn’t about transferring knowledge but about activating human potential. Peter explains why maturity and self-awareness are missing links in most education systems and how his team works with schools and governments to bring these principles to life through practical, scalable initiatives — from creative “apple-drawing” workshops to the creation of 1,000 Education Innovation Hubs worldwide. Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or lifelong learner, this episode offers a radical yet deeply human vision: education as the foundation for personal flourishing and systemic transformation. 🔗 Learn more or get involved: https://educraftor.com | Follow Peter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfagerstrom/

S2 I E8 Three Decades of AI in Education: What Does Research Say?

After 30 years of AI evolution, the algorithms have changed, the machines have gotten faster — but have we lost sight of what really matters in education? In this episode, I sit down with AI and education expert Rose Luckin to uncover a powerful truth: while the tech has transformed, the fundamentals of how we learn remain unchanged. Join us as we go back to the basics — and explore why any truly effective educational technology must start there. Credits:  Presenters: Carmen Tomas, Rose Luckin Music: Uplifting intro music by Joshua Wales

S2 I E7 Writing in Times of GenAI - Past, Present and Future, with Professor Mike Sharples

🎙️ Writing in Times of GenAI: Past, Present & Future — with Professor Mike Sharples How has AI shaped creative writing over the past four decades — and where is it headed next? In this episode, Professor Mike Sharples takes us on a journey from his groundbreaking AI research in the 1980s to today’s world of Generative AI. We explore what’s changed, what timeless lessons still apply, and how educators can use GenAI to spark creativity rather than replace it. Mike shares practical ideas for rethinking assessment in the age of AI — shifting from product-focused grading to reflective, process-based approaches that celebrate creativity and learning. He even predicted back in the ’90s that computers would write books — and he was right. Join us to hear his latest predictions for the future of writing, creativity, and education in the GenAI era. Credits:  Presenters: Carmen Tomas, Mike Sharples  Music: Uplifting intro music by Joshua Wales