We are pleased to announce the pre-conference workshops that will take place on June 17th as part of the HEAd’25 conference. These workshops are designed to provide participants with hands-on experience, practical skills and theoretical knowledge on some of the most relevant topics in education and technology.
W1. Generative AI for Empowering Education (GAE²). The workshop offers an in-depth exploration of generative AI’s transformative potential in STEM educational settings. Over four hours, it is structured into two comprehensive segments. The first part will present six selected case studies that showcase successful implementations of generative AI in diverse educational contexts. These case studies will provide practical insights and evidence-based strategies for leveraging AI to enhance teaching, learning, and administration. The second segment is an interactive session focused on co-developing a practical guide tailored for faculty and administrative staff. This guide will serve as a resource for integrating generative AI into AI-enhanced high education.
W2. A Game-based approach to ESD and Digital engagement (GamED). This workshop offers a new and exciting approach to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through a game-based learning and educational technology. Participants will explore how to design innovative game-based activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and get practical experience in developing and embedding an ESD implementation plan in all disciplines and modules.
W3. Dive deeper into Blended Learning with a hands-on workshop (DDBL). Blended Learning is recognised for enhancing the learner experience by improving self-directed learning skills and boosting student engagement. This workshop has been developed to support understanding of the Blended Learning approach and explore the various ways it can be implemented into the classroom. However, challenges such as lack of student buy-in or gaps in instructor skills can hinder effective implementation. Therefore, the workshop will also address such challenges.
W4. How universities navigate generative AI: cross-national insights into responses at system and institutional levels (UNIRAI). This workshop explores how universities are adapting to the rapid emergence of generative AI, highlighting interactions between individual usage, institutional governance, and system-level policies. Presenters will share country-specific case studies illustrating diverse national responses and institutional strategies from regions including Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, the UK, and the US. The workshop aims to foster a broader dialogue on the international implications of generative AI for higher education governance. Participants are encouraged to contribute their practical experiences during the discussion.
W5. Authentic Assessment in the ‘Age of AI’: Designing Interactive Orals for Higher Education (AA). This workshop explores the role of Interactive Orals (IOs) as an authentic assessment approach in higher education, particularly in the context of rapid AI adoption. Participants will discuss how IOs engage learners in real-world scenarios, enabling deeper disciplinary understanding and meaningful student interactions. The session will showcase best practices in designing IOs and will critically examine how AI can be responsibly integrated to enhance, rather than compromise, assessment authenticity. Attendees will collaborate to identify effective strategies for embedding IOs within curricula, balancing educational innovation with ethical considerations in assessment.
W6. Empowering Change: Navigating Twin Transitions and Enhancing Civic Engagement in Higher Education (UP2YOU). This workshop addresses how higher education institutions (HEIs) are adapting to the ongoing twin transitions—digital transformation and environmental sustainability—amid changing European labour market demands. With increased needs for highly skilled workers, HEIs must tackle demographic challenges, facilitate skills development, and foster active civic participation. Emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, enterprises, and civic society organisations, the session seeks to explore innovative strategies and practices promoting inclusive, future-oriented educational environments. Participants are invited to present research and practical experiences on integrating digital tools, sustainability principles, and civic engagement into HEIs, considering theoretical insights, empirical findings, and case studies across multiple analytical levels.
Please note that workshops will only be held if they reach a minimum number of registrations.