Announcing our 2025 community champions
Our community champions programme highlights spectacular individuals who not only support their peers but the wider education and research institutions.
Since 2020, the champions programme has grown to celebrate sixty individuals who provide exceptional support. We invite the champions to Digifest for a VIP experience with travel, accommodation and celebratory evening meal included.
The nominations highlighted individuals who are bringing their community together on topics that cover everything from, accessible maths, artificial intelligence, libraries, radio shows, to research and more.
This year’s most used champion’s category was for nominating a community pioneer, including:
- outstanding contributions to expressing ideas through visual mediums
- embedding AI in curriculum
- creating inclusive and impactful professional development resources
- helping transform how data is used to improve the student experience
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to make a nomination and look forward to learning more about the 2025 champion’s accomplishments at Digifest next month.
Natasha Veenendaal, head of community engagement, said:
“2025 has brought another year of exceptional nominations, with the champions truly showcasing outstanding accomplishments and proving how they are a beacon for their communities. Whether it is chairing and hosting events, sharing resources or being a mentor, these champions do it all and provide essential support for education and research.
Being able to shine a light on their achievements and connect at Digifest is always an honour.”
Our 2025 community champions
Community advocates
- Alex Harding, Runshaw College
- Caroline Bal, University of Derby
- Gary Holden, Kirklees College
- Luke Searl, University of Southampton
- Rosie Jone, Teesside University
- Tiberiu Dancovici, Coleg y Cymoedd
Community pioneers
- Andy Tattersal, University of Sheffield
- Bryony Evett Hackfort, Coleg Sir Gar | Coleg Ceredigion
- Dominic Pates, City St George's University of London
- Dr Jacqueline Bartram, University of Hull
- Louise Drum, Edinburgh Napier University
- Nuran Nahar, Greater Manchester Business School University of Bolton
- Raghda Zahran, Newcastle University
Community tech gurus
- Elly Cope, University of Leeds
- Stephen Taylor, Regent's University London
Find out more
- Get further information about our communities
- Register for Digifest for opportunities to meet our champions (past and present) and to visit the dedicated community hub area where we’ll be hosting community meet ups and workshops.
Attendance at Digifest counts towards the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation.