Ellen Wagner is an accomplished learning technology professional with career experiences in academic, commercial, and non-profit organizations. She has worked as a tenured professor and university administrator, was a founding ed tech entrepreneur, a senior executive of publicly traded software companies, a journal editor, and a board member of a number of start-up ed tech companies. Her areas of expertise include ed tech, emerging tech, change management, instructional systems design and learning engineering, and digital learning (online and eLearning).

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Renate is Special Projects Lead at the Ada Lovelace Institute, her current focus is on AI and education and the impact of digital life on 14-24 year olds.
In her first role at Ada, she was Interim Director (Society, justice and public services).
Before joining Ada, Renate worked as a digital and data policy advisor and advocate at the consumer organisation Which?, the Open Data Institute, in Government and in Parliament. She is the former Chief Executive of Big Brother Watch, where she launched the first campaign on the use of biometrics and facial recognition technologies. Prior to working in digital, data and AI policy and research, Renate made history and arts TV documentaries for the BBC and other international broadcasters.

Professor Martin Bean CBE, CEO of The Bean Centre, is a visionary leader shaping the future of education and work.
Co-author of the book "Toolkit for Turbulence," Martin equips leaders with tools and strategies to navigate change, seize opportunities, and foster resilient teams.
Currently a Professor at the University of New South Wales, Martin's expertise lies in exploring the evolving landscape of work and lifelong learning. He shares his knowledge as a mentor at Mentor List, connecting Australia's brightest minds.
Previously, Martin served as Vice-Chancellor and President of RMIT University, an institution with over 80,000 students in Melbourne, Australia. He also held the position of Vice-Chancellor at The Open University, the United Kingdom's largest academic institution, and served as General Manager of Microsoft's global Education Products Group in Seattle, Washington.
Acknowledged for his contributions to education, Martin has received prestigious awards, including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of London and appointment as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to higher education.

Jane Bozarth, the Director of Research for The Learning Guild, is a veteran classroom trainer who transitioned to digital learning in the late 1990s and has never looked back. In her previous job as leader of the State of North Carolina’s award-winning eLearning program, Jane specialized in finding low-cost ways of providing online training solutions. She is the author of several books, among them "eLearning Solutions on a Shoestring", "Social Media for Trainers", and "Show Your Work: The Payoffs and How-To’s of Working Out Loud". A popular international conference presenter, Jane holds a doctorate in training and development. She lives in Durham, NC, USA with her husband and Thomas the corgi.

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Michael Onyango is the founder of Africa’s Forgotten Bottom Millions (4BM), a transformative WhatsApp platform that reaches over 500,000 people weekly, providing young Africans across several countries with access to career opportunities through digital technology. Since 2016, 4BM has shared over 500,000 verified opportunities, including scholarships, fellowships, grants, and job offers, helping young people gain skills and build successful careers.
Michael has been at the forefront of economic empowerment, chanmpioning the use of frontier technoolgies, leading initiatives across interdisciplinary sectors within governments, NGOs, and the private sector in Africa and globally. He served as a key member of the Distributed Ledgers and Artificial Intelligence Taskforce under the Ministry of ICT, Kenya, and was formerly the Minister responsible for Communication, Information, and Technology in the County Government of Kisumu.
Currently, Michael is a Senior Skoll Foundation Fellow, an alumni Fellow in Social Innovation from the Rockefeller Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Board of the African Blockchain Institute. He actively works with young Africans, leveraging technology to drive impactful change. Michael has also played a significant role in shaping Kenya’s creative industries, including co-developing the roadmap for the sector in collaboration with IBM, positioning it as a catalyst for economic growth and outlining strategies to double its contribution to Kenya’s GDP.

Frank Samson is a software engineer and researcher with a master's degree in Embedded and Mobile Systems. His research focuses on extended reality technologies, particularly in the areas of accessibility, education, and learning. Currently, he is a researcher and software developer at Aurelia Labor, DHBW Heidenheim. His work includes developing an AR Chemistry Lab application, AR indoor navigation for higher education, and accessibility features for an authoring tool. Frank is dedicated to ensuring that technology is accessible to all users, including those with diverse abilities and those from underserved communities.

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Bart is researcher, lecturer and coach in educational technology at UC Leuven Limburg, Belgium. He supports colleagues and teams in the development of hybrid courses. He is also involved in research projects in the broad field of hybrid learning and educational technology. Currently the field of XR and AI in learning!
In the past he was the driving force behind educational innovation at the T2-campus in Genk, implementing mobile learning and VR/AR in technical training.

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Matt has over 25 years experience in the training field across a range of industries, designing, developing and implementing Instructor Led, E-Learning and blended courses. Since 2012 Matt has been employed by Telespazio Germany as an Instructional Systems Designer, working at the European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. Matt works in the Space Training Team, helping to train Astronauts in preparation for missions to the International Space Station (ISS), and also the ground crew who support their operations. He was instrumental in setting up a video production team at EAC and regularly produces instructional videos for use on ground and in space. Matt is also one of the trainers for the EAC Instructional Techniques Course, which is part of the certification process for Astronaut Instructors at EAC.

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Professor Salmon is the founder and CEO of Education Alchemists Ltd - formed around her life's work including Carpe Diem learning design, pedagogical transformation, online education, technology-enhanced teaching, the 5 stage model, e-tivities, and Education 4.0. Until recently Professor of Learning Transformation and pro-vice-chancellor at universities in the UK and Australia, she is now based in London with all workshops offered fully digitally and worldwide. She is a well-known keynote speaker and workshop leader. Her books E-moderating and E-tivities are considered seminal texts

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Bryan Alexander is an internationally known futurist, researcher, writer, speaker, consultant, and teacher, working in the field of how technology transforms education.

He completed his English language and literature PhD at the University of Michigan in 1997, with a dissertation on doppelgangers in Romantic-era fiction and poetry.

Then Bryan taught literature, writing, multimedia, and information technology studies at Centenary College of Louisiana. There he also pioneered multi-campus interdisciplinary classes, while organizing an information literacy initiative.

From 2002 to 2014 Bryan worked with the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE), a non-profit working to help small colleges and universities best integrate digital technologies. With NITLE he held several roles, including co-director of a regional education and technology center, director of emerging technologies, and senior fellow. Over those years Bryan helped develop and support the nonprofit, grew peer networks, consulted, and conducted a sustained research agenda.

In 2013 Bryan launched a business, Bryan Alexander Consulting, LLC. Through BAC he consults throughout higher education in the United States and abroad. Bryan also speaks widely and publishes frequently, with articles appearing in venues including The Atlantic Monthly, Inside Higher Ed. He has been interviewed by and featured in the Washington Post, MSNBC, US News and World Report, National Public Radio, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Pew Research, Campus Technology, and the Connected Learning Alliance.

He recently finished Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education for Johns Hopkins University Press (forthcoming fall 2019). His two most recent books are Gearing Up For Learning Beyond K-12 and The New Digital Storytelling (second edition) .

Sarah works as an actor, workshop leader (voice, presentation, acting), and director . As an actor, she has worked for the RSC, BBC, Disney, in the West End. She also teaches and directs Shakespeare in Cuba, Italy, Morocco, and GB. She is also currently leading a theatre course for theatre undergraduates from various North American universities. She has recently returned from the Edinburgh Festival where she performed ‘Etty…in transit’, a play based on the diaries and letters of Etty Hillesum; WW2; this now has invitations to play in Ireland and Austria.

Marina is a Senior UX Designer and Media Designer at the Learning Innovation Lab at ESMT Berlin. She brings over a decade of experience in creating engaging digital products and media for learning in higher education and beyond. With a background in architecture, filmmaking, and education, Marina fuses innovative design frameworks, media, and learning science to cultivate impactful learning experiences.

Madeline (Maddie) Shellgren serves as the Online Learning Consortium’s (OLC) Director of Global Outreach, providing oversight on the implementation of the organization’s global strategy, with a focus on collaborations, initiatives, communications, special programming, and the global experience. Prior to this position, she worked as OLC’s Director of Community Strategy and Engagement, working as the lead innovator, designer, and project manager of the OLC's portfolio of engagement opportunities. Maddie has dedicated her professional life to teaching and learning related initiatives and has strategically sought out opportunities that give her a multi-dimensional perspective on learning and development.

Philipp Höllermann is an expert in digital transformation, e-learning, and higher education. His work focuses on digitizing (learning) processes, mobile, social and blended learning, open innovation, and artificial intelligence. Mr. Höllermann is a member of several digital learning initiatives, such as the German Forum for Higher Education in the Digital Age, the Network for Digital Education, and Bitkom, and regularly appears as a speaker on topics related to online learning and digital transformation. He currently works as Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) at DWG, one of the largest education holdings in Germany.

Dr Yvonne Konstanze Behnke, an L&D strategist, scientist, designer and e-teaching expert, has developed learning and development solutions for two decades, integrating strategy, didactics, science, design, and AI for companies and institutions.
She spent eight years researching and teaching psychological, didactic and instructional design foundations of multimedia learning at Humboldt University zu Berlin. Dr Behnke has published over 20 papers and book chapters, sharing her expertise at conferences, corporate events, and workshops. Her book on debunking learning myths is set for release by Haufe in early 2025.

Dr. Erica Coutrim, Ph.D. in Education from USP, the leading university and research institution in Latin America. A specialist in Digital and Multilingual Education, I have over 20 years of experience leading and participating in large-scale educational projects, strategies, and research, impacting more than 60 million children and teachers across Latin and North America, Africa, and Europe. My Ph.D. in Education is intertwined with my personal story, fueling my passion for education. My mission is to help students access meaningful, innovative, and inclusive learning opportunities. I am deeply committed to advancing diverse and multicultural learning environments and to transforming the education sector through evidence-based practices, collaborative approaches, and innovative thinking.

Learning Developer and Process Manager at the TU Delft Extension School for Continuing Education. She oversees the Online Course Development Process and advises course teams on the design of MOOCs and other professional education courses to ensure these continue to meet users’ needs. She works with an Agile approach incorporating design-thinking methodologies in daily tasks and promoting transformation and innovation in education.

As secretary of the board for L'Université Numérique, the French digital university, and AUNEGe, the French OER repository for management & economics, Jacques leads collaborative initiatives in technological R&D, in cooperation with French universities, high-tech companies and academic partners around the globe. The projects involve next-generation networks, open and distance learning as well as evaluation and learning analytics.

Jacques also chairs, together with the ICDE Secretary General, the francophone working group for the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on OER; this working group includes representatives from UNESCO, national UNESCO commissions, virtual universities or ministries for Higher Education from various francophone countries in West & Central Africa. He represents L'Université Numérique for participation in the UNESCO dynamic coalition for OER.

He is a member of the board of various international initiatives, including ICoBC, the International Council on Badges & Credentials.

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Louis Bone is an education professional with 14 years of experience. He has taught across various age ranges in the UK and internationally, managing teams focused on academic and pastoral progress. Louis also excelled in teaching online before transitioning to his current role as the Online School Development Manager at Cambridge. In this capacity, he oversees the approval process for UK schools and maintains strong relationships with them.

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Gila Kurtz is the Dean of the Instructional Technologies Faculty at Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) in Israel. For serval years she was the Academic VP of a company that provided e-Learning solutions for the corporate industry. Gila has been a visiting scholar at the University of Maryland University College, University of California Berkeley, Syracuse University and University Roma, TRE.

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Dr. Wacław Kulczykowski is an archaeologist in the Department of Historical Education at the Institute of History of the University of Gdańsk (Poland). His research draws on modern forms and methods of popularizing historical knowledge. Educator, science promoter, member of the Council for the Promotion of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, co-creator of scientific computer games "Excavate!" and "Waterworks!" which are based on the results of his scientific research, and the originator and lecturer of the "History & Games" course for students of history. Coordinator of the newly created (2024) field of study: Historical game design.

Manuel is a serial founder, learning experience designer, international advisor and keynote speaker with a mission to provide students of all ages, nationalities, cultural and financial backgrounds with impactful learning experiences that empower them to develop a new mindset full of curiosity, self determination and entrepreneurial spirit.

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Stephanie is the CEO of the 42 Wolfsburg and 42 Berlin Schools. She is dedicated to providing international students with access to top level tech education and professional development opportunities while increasing diversity in the tech industry. Her professional experience includes expanding business development as the General Manager DACH at Inspera AS, and developing new virtual internship programs as the Senior Director of Operations, Global Internships at CIEE, the Council on International Educational Exchange. Stephanie’s focus is on intercultural collaboration, innovation, sustainability, and the future of work. Her goal is to support the 42 Wolfsburg and 42 Berlin teams and students, and facilitate the growth of the 42 partnerships and network.

Kyle Bowen is Enterprise Deputy CIO at Arizona State University where he is responsible for enabling how the ASU community experiences technology to learn, work and thrive. A self-described storyteller, Kyle is passionate about transforming education with a learner and student-centered approach. He was previously the director of innovation for teaching and learning with technology at Penn State University. By collaborating across the institution, he advanced faculty professional development, space design, learner creativity, and data science efforts. Kyle also formerly served as the director of learning informatics at Purdue University, a role that shaped the university’s strategy to improve student attainment through award winning emerging technologies. Kyle is an entrepreneur, teacher, and regular speaker on innovations in higher education. Co-author and editor of more than 20 books on design, development, and usability, his past work has appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Oliver Janoschka has served as managing director of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (German Forum for Higher Education in the Digital Age, abbreviated: HFD) since its inception in 2014.

Before founding HFD, Janoschka worked in the field of higher education in various European Member States for more than seven years. He has a proven track record of facilitating international policy projects, serving for example as director of projects for the European Association on Lifelong Learning in Higher Education (EUCEN) in Barcelona and Brussels and as lecturer and project coordinator for the Bosch Foundation in the Western Balkans. He holds a master’s degree in educational management, sociology and psychology from the University of Hamburg.

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Dr. Tamara Powell is a professor of English at Kennesaw State University (KSU) in the Atlanta metro area in Georgia in the US. Her research interests include African American literature and open educational resources. She co-authored Open Technical Communication (https://alg.manifoldapp.org/projects/open-technical-communication), and it won the 2022 OE Global Award for Excellence in the Open Reuse/Remix/Adaptation category (https://awards.oeglobal.org/awards/2022/open-reuse-remix-adaptation/ope…).

Tamara began teaching online in 2001 and has been hooked on this exciting and versatile medium ever since. Every semester, she tries new techniques to increase student engagement and successful completion of classes.

She has won several honors and awards, including Best Paper Award for “Student Success Innovations vs. Faculty Workload Concerns: How to Find a Balance for Success” at The Thirteenth International Conference on Mobile, Hybrid, and On-line Learning eLmL 2021 in Nice, France.

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An online educator for 14+ years and former Associate Director of the RCHSS Office of Digital Education at Kennesaw State University for 6+ years, Stephen Bartlett has been involved with the evolving world of e-learning for more than half his teaching career. In addition to the thousands of students who he has taught a variety of world history topics, he has also trained 500+ faculty in online pedagogy and presented at e-learning conferences in the United States and internationally.

Ihor Katernyak is affiliated with Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in Ukraine. He holds a PhD in Physics and Mathematics and serves as an Associate Professor in the Electronics & Computer Technology Department. His research interests encompass e-learning, knowledge management, digital transformation in education, entrepreneurship, tech startups, technology transfer, and open innovation. He has been published in reputable journals such as Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, Universal Journal of Education Research, and Interactive Technology and Smart Education, among others.
Furthermore, he initiated a series of events including the "Idea Marathon" (held annually from March to May), "Innovation Spring" as a brokerage event (held annually in April), and "Startup Jam" (held from November to December). These events are designed to inspire young researchers and students to explore their ideas in the contexts of value innovation and tech startups. In addition, he is an expert in Innovation policy and ICT4Dev.
Ihor Katernyak is also the founder and CEO of the Ukrainian Distance Learning (UDL) System NGO.

I am currently a Professor of Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University, a role I've held since 2019. Before that, I served as an Associate Professor in the same department from 2009 to 2019.

My educational background includes a PhD in Educational Sciences and Audiology, which I earned from Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet in 1993. Prior to that, I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at Stockholm University in 1989. My career in the field of audiology began even earlier when I qualified as an Audiologist at the University College of Health Sciences in Gothenburg in 1987.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead and manage 16 large-scale international research and development projects, funded by organizations such as the EU, Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), the Swedish Institute, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). These projects have taken me across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where I’ve collaborated with diverse teams to drive innovation in technology, education, and digital transformation.

One of my greatest passions is guiding the next generation of researchers and professionals. I’ve had the privilege of supervising 12 PhD students and mentoring over 300 bachelor’s and master’s students throughout their academic journeys. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their growth and the impact they go on to make in their fields.

My research focuses on the intersection of technology and learning, with interests in technology-enhanced learning, capacity-building, digital transformation and sustainability, e-Health, e-Learning, culture and digitalization, and AI. I’m driven by a vision of how technology can be harnessed to create innovative solutions that promote digital inclusion and support sustainable development on a global scale.

Inge de Waard is the learning strategist at EIT InnoEnergy, she is a longtime researcher, activist, award-winning learning innovator and (e)Learning coordinator. She developed multiple online & hybrid courses, co-designed AI tools, and embedded learning innovations. Inge coaches and co-creates international, blended curricula with engineers and teachers, and explores innovative learning formats. Her expertise is recognized by peers, resulting in additional co-authored papers, invited talks and keynotes in both academic and professional conferences, workshops and seminars. She recently founded the Power Elders initiative to spotlight role models who changed their lives at any age beyond 50. Most of all, she likes to connect with people and share stories.

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Julia is the head of the digital media and e-learning team at Euro-FH, a German long-distance university. With a passion for innovative education, she is committed to creating diverse and engaging digital learning materials for students. Julia's current focus is on integrating artificial intelligence into higher education, aiming to revolutionize the learning experience for the AI era. Her main interests include enhancing teachers' AI teaching competencies, developing students’ AI skills, and devising new AI-integrative exam formats to better meet the evolving needs of students in the digital age.

Katrien Dewaele is a lecturer French at the Faculty of Teacher Education of UCLeuven-Limburg (UCLL, Belgium). She is also a researcher at the Centre of Expertise ‘Education & Development’ of UCLL. Her research focuses on how to facilitate learning processes in an evidence-informed way and enhanced by technology. In her teaching practice and research work, she bridges the gap between insights from educational research and classroom practice. Katrien is an expert within the field of foreign language didactics and has already shared this expertise in several publications, at (inter)national conferences, and in teacher training programs with Teacher Design Teams.