From digital curiosity to sector leadership
Colleagues across the University have been building digital confidence in practical ways over recent months – from taking part in Digital Learning at Work Week to sharing their expertise at a sector-wide conference hosted here at Southampton.
In May, staff from across the University took part in Digital Learning at Work Week 2026, a programme of practical sessions and activities designed to build confidence with digital tools and ways of working. Built around the theme of Digital Curiosity, the week encouraged colleagues to try new approaches, share ideas and ask questions in a supportive, informal environment.
From sessions on digital wellbeing and accessibility to hands-on explorations of generative AI, the programme reflected how digital is becoming part of everyday working. The emphasis was on practical application, with colleagues sharing their experience and offering tips others could use straight away. Feedback highlighted the value of learning from peers across the University and seeing how digital tools support a wide range of roles.
This focus on building confidence and capability is part of a wider effort to support staff at every stage of their digital journey. The University’s Digital Strategic Plan takes a people-centred approach, recognising there is no single route to building confidence and offering multiple ways to get involved.
That same spirit of sharing knowledge was also on show more recently, when the University hosted a digital transformation conference in partnership with Jisc. The event brought together colleagues from Southampton and across the higher education sector, with staff leading sessions on how digital can support impactful change.
Feedback from attendees reflected the energy and value of the day. One participant described it as a “really rewarding” event with a “variety of speakers and interesting topics”, while another praised the “excellent presentations with relevant case studies”. Others highlighted the opportunity to connect, noting it was “nice to see people face-to-face and network” and calling it a “well organised and accessible” event.
For many, it was also a chance to showcase the expertise being developed here at Southampton. As one attendee reflected, “it was lovely to see colleagues in action, presenting at Jisc on vital topics,” underlining the role staff are playing in contributing to conversations across the sector.
Importantly, this activity doesn’t stop with individual events. A growing range of resources and support is available to help colleagues continue building their digital confidence.
Recordings from the Digital Learning at Work Week sessions are available via the IT Lunch and Learns page, alongside a wide range of on-demand content. Staff can also access the IT Learning and Development pages, the AI support and guidance site and LinkedIn Learning to explore topics in more depth at their own pace.
More opportunities are also being introduced, including a new Digital Lunch and Learn series. These short, informal sessions focus on practical ways to save time, work more efficiently and use digital tools effectively in everyday tasks.
Alongside this, colleagues are encouraged to connect through communities such as the Digital Network, helping to share ideas, highlight good practice and build capability across the University.
Together, these activities are helping to build a culture where digital is not just about technology, but about people – how we learn, collaborate and improve the way we work.
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