12 April 2017

Leeds goes digital

Leeds Digital Festival takes place from 22-29 April. Find out how the University is getting involved.

Digital culture in all its forms will be explored and celebrated in over 80 events making up the Leeds Digital Festival this year.  Several events involve staff and students from the University, including:

  • Monday 24 April – the Cultural Institute Short Film Prize – Riley Smith Hall, LUU, 4.00-7.00pm

Student filmmaking crews and leading researchers from the University have come together to produce short films, covering the latest innovations in digital creativity and responding creatively to new research. The films explore the power of new technologies, from capturing community memories to exploring what it is to grow older. After the screening, there will be a chance to hear from the filmmakers themselves, and to find out more about the research projects they drew on to create the films.

Col Needham, founder of IMDb and Leeds alumnus, will be judging the competition alongside alumna Karen Emanuel, Managing Director of Key Production.

The event is open to all and would be valuable for anyone with an interest in film, media or research using digital technology.  Find out more and book a place at the prizegiving.

  • Thursday 27 April – LIDA seminar: Efficient programming for data analytics – Clarendon Wing lecture theatre, 3.30-6.00pm

Leading researchers will talk about how they have used software development and efficient programming to further research projects.  Find out more and book a place at the seminar.

  • Thursday 27 April – Digital Disruption and the Need to Evolve – Maurice Keyworth Building, 5.30-7.30pm

A panel event in the ‘On Your Marks’ networking seminar series run in partnership with Marks and Spencer plc, this will address the question, “How does an organisation with over 130 year’s heritage implement a digital strategy, manage change and develop and attract digital talent?”  Speakers will include Stuart Clarke, Director of the Leeds Digital Festival, Simon Wood, Head of Operations at M&S.com, and Pete Williams, Head of Enterprise Analytics at M&S.  Sign up for this free seminar and networking event.

For the full events programme, see the Leeds Digital Festival website.

Against the backdrop of the public festival, the University is hosting its own events focused on ensuring that the University and its students are well-equipped to lead the way in cementing Leeds’ position as the biggest centre for digital innovation outside London:

  • Thursday 27 April – Digital Leaders

Following the ‘On Your Marks’ seminar, key figures from the digital world -  including Adam Beaumont (CEO, aql); Lisa Jeffery (Digital Communications Manager, Joseph Rowntree Foundation); Pete Williams (Head of Enterprise Analytics, M&S); Tom Forth (Head of Operations, ODI Leeds); and Katy Liddell (Director of Digital Commercial Development, O2 UK) - will gather with University leaders to discuss how digital talent can be fostered and how University programmes can be developed to meet the needs of organisations.

  • Friday 28 April – Digital Leaders Inspiring Our Students – Riley Smith Hall, 10am-12noon

Students from across the University will have a chance to meet with the Digital Leaders to hear about their experiences in the digital industry and to gain an insight into what they are looking for in the next generation of digital recruits.  There will be mini-mentoring sessions and an opportunity to network with the Leaders.

  • Friday 28 April – Northern Powerhouse

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research Lisa Roberts will lead a discussion between University leaders, the Digital Leaders and Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy MP about what needs to be done to make the region a world leader in digital technology.

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