After a successful launch leading to Bett 2020, the podcast series produced by The Edtech Podcast is back, this time with a focus on all things global. This series drills in on what matters in education as well as how and when technology might help.

Podcast #9 - What Matters in Edtech – Wellbeing

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This episode is all about learner wellbeing, and we are covering how to define and measure wellbeing in the context of developing and using impactful edtech to support learner wellbeing and, therefore, learner success.

We explore the ambiguities in edtech - what’s stressing students out and what’s creating those systems of support - as well as looking into how educational settings can weave more social-emotional learning metrics into the usual approach of academic success. 

Guests include:

Podcast #8 - What Matters in EdTech – Leadership

This episode is all about leadership and is a timely reflection on how we communicate a shared vision during radically changing times. We discuss how leadership is all about people and how you don’t have to be an automaton to lead effectively.

Tune in to hear what three factors are essential for modern leaders, which 5 soft skills are indicators of premium salaries, and why artificial intelligence crafted classical music makes us feel uneasy.

Guests include:


Podcast #7 - What Matters in EdTech – Future Tech & Trends

With many of us experiencing the fall-out of poorly designed reactive online learning, this episode provides hope that the next generation of EdTech (and its pedagogical deployment) will be all about more sophisticated ways of connecting, collaborating and learning together. For this, we need to understand our intrinsic emotions and motivations as learners better.

Our guests chat about social-emotional learning, the next evolution of personalised learning, and how to demand the specific benefits of "AI in education". Plus, how investment is driving innovation across the U.S, Europe and China. 

Guests include:

Podcast #6 - What Matters in EdTech- Inclusion, Neurodiversity & SEND

This week we are looking at SEND and Neurodiversity, specifically; 

  • Personal stories and frustrations 
  • Hopes for change across policy, technology, and education 
  • And, resources and tools for all listeners to help increase accessibility 

Guests include:


Supported by FormAssembly

Podcast #5 - What Matters in EdTech - Skills

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In this episode we look at the fall-out of COVID-19 for skills. Which skills are in demand, and how are people reskilling? How did key workers in the pandemic train for this moment and how can adaptability and resilience be developed from an early-age? What changes in assessment and qualifications will we see in reaction to our societal needs? Plus, as always, some great book recommendations and the usual anecdotes, allegories and insights.

Speakers include:

  • Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast
  • Naomi Dardai, Studied a BTEC in Health and Social Care at City College Norwich. Currently works at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as a Health Care Assistant, soon to be Trainee Nursing Associate
  • Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, Pearson BTEC and Apprenticeship
  • Mark Steed, Principal and CEO, Kellett School

Podcast #4 - What Matters in EdTech – Innovation

Supported by


Innovation can sometimes feel esoteric. Yet, without it where would we be? Endlessly plodding perhaps…

In this episode, we are talking innovation with guests from Dubai, Brazil, Singapore and the UK.

Expect ideas on how to build the team around you to take new ideas forward, how to create the space for innovation, and ways to measure impact, including, “how much time have I saved?”

Guests on this episode include:

  • Sophie Bailey, Founder & Presenter, The EdTech Podcast, UK
  • Raya Bidshahri, Founder & CEO, Awecademy, UAE
  • Luciano Meira, Co-Founder, Joy Street & UFPE Professor, USA
  • Dr Samson Tan, Head of Centre for Innovation in Learning, National Institute of Education, Singapore
  • Simon Wilson, CTO, Aruba, UK & Ireland

Podcast #3 - What Matters in EdTech - Global Education Council

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In this episode, our Global Education Council get to grips with the council’s manifesto set in January, discuss the way COVID has impacted the manifesto ideals and how urgently they are implemented. They reflect on how the pause given by the pandemic has allowed an opportunity to teach back better and how this can be achieved.

  • How can we take this moment to be more expansive about how we think about education, teaching and learning?
  • How can we ensure quality across multiple technology platforms that attempt to support at this moment?

​Guests on this episode include:

  • Sophie Bailey - Founder and Presenter, The Edtech Podcast 
  • Eric C. Abrams - Chief Inclusion Officer, Stanford University Graduate School of Education
  • Paolo Dal Santo - HP Education lead for Europe, Middle-East and Africa
  • Ger Graus - Global Director of Education, KidZania
  • Ilse Howling - Chairman, Education Development Trust
  • Jose Papa - Chairman, Bett Global Education Council and Co-founder, Trace Academia
  • Listener Contributors:
    • Amanda Brock - CEO, OpenUK
    • Sunhera Cariappa - Esperanza Life Edtech Accelerator

Podcast #2 - MEA edition

Supported by

Our second episode is "What Matters in Edtech Middle East and Africa" which invites guests working in the region, to explore some of the particular opportunities and challenges of education locally. We will focus on some projects and places, highlighting the nuances between countries, systems, cultures and implementation of learning technologies focused on learner outcome and support. We will also look at how schools and colleges have adapted as Coronavirus shifts usual teaching, learning practices and communication.

The episode also features a 17-year-old student on why the youth will drive change in education, a charity supporting teaching and learning access for refugees, and the principal of a school on keeping calm and carrying on during lockdown.


Guests on this episode include:

  • Sophie Bailey | Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast

  • Linah Anyango | Teacher and ICT integration Coordinator at Regis school Runda, GEMS Education and Global Teacher Prize 2020 Nominee

  • Dr Sonia Ben Jafaar, CEO, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education

  • Aastha Das | Founder and CEO at InnoYouth

  • Atif Mahmood, Founder and CEO, Teacherly
  • Kai Vacher, Principal, British School Muscat


Podcast #1 - Asia edition

Supported by our Platinum Sponsor


In unprecedented times we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to keep us connected with work, learning and our loved ones. In this first episode we discuss what tools and pedagogies our guest speakers are utilising to best serve their students in the here and now, and also prepare Asia’s youth for the connected digital world in the long-term? And just how has COVID-19 expedited or frustrated these strategies in the region.

Guests on this episode include:

  • Dr. Fridolin Ting | Teaching Fellow in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University - on active learning and tips with online learning after 4 months totally online

  • Chris Jeffery | Chief Academic Officer, British University Vietnam - on investing in distance learning 

  • Dr. Sumitra Nair | Vice-President at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) - on the importance of partnerships to support digital skills development

  • Christian Jones, Strategy and Planning for Z Remote Boost by HP

  • David Hollands, Education Strategy Manager Asia Pacific and Japan, HP