Ready for the first drop of world-class speakers and sessions for Bett UK 2025? Our selection of special guests are carefully curated to inspire, engage and educate across the key topics in education and technology. This is just a snapshot of what’s to come, keep your eyes on our social channels and subscribe to the Bett Buzz for the latest updates!
BETT UK 2025 AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
Keynote speaker, Stephen Fry joins Bett UK 2025!
Renowned for his wit, wisdom and incredible insights, Stephen Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director and all-round national treasure! Join him at Bett UK 2025 to discover ‘The human approach to AI’ in conversation with Anne-Marie Imafidon.
Wed 22 Jan
Kickstart your Bett UK experience with excitement and innovation! Meet Arena host, Laura McInerney and be captivated by her unmatched energy as she introduces an incredible lineup of speakers. Forge powerful peer connections with the return of TableTalks, discover the brand new Fishbowl experience and explore hundreds of EdTech pioneers redefining the learning landscape.
Thurs 23 Jan
Kick off day two with the topic everyone is talking about - AI! Visionary Rose Luckin will take the Arena to explore how AI is transforming education and shaping the future of learning. Dive into all things Higher Education in the Ahead Auditorium with Janja Komljenovic, Ben Williamson, and more! Connect with top experts and unlock the full potential of technology in the highly sought-after Tech User Labs. Day two is packed with insights and innovation.
Friday 24 Jan
For day three, we finish on a high with an unmissable Arena session from The AI Educator, Dan Fitzpatrick, followed by the inspiring duo Michael Rosen and Christian Foley. Alex Stanley, Vice President of Higher Education at the National Union of Students, joins a panel to tackle key issues in student retention, including accessibility, financial hardships and wellbeing. It may be the final day, but it’s an action-packed agenda that is not to be missed!
What's on at Bett UK 2025
Laura McInerney, Co-Founder, Teacher Tapp
Meet your Bett UK 2025 Arena host - Laura McInerney! Co-Founder of Teacher Tapp, leading voice in education, former teacher, journalist and a regular on BBC Radio 4 and Sky News, Laura is set to bring unmatched insight and energy to the Arena programme. Previously a secondary school teacher, she has also served as editor of Schools Week and contributed as an education columnist for The Guardian.
Rose Luckin, Founder of Educate Ventures
Rose Luckin, a firm favourite of Bett attendees, returns to the stage for 2025! With over 25 years of experience, Rose is a recognised expert on AI in education, serving as an advisor to policymakers, governments, and industry globally. As Professor Emeritus at University College London, a senior non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institute, and Founder and CEO of Educate Ventures Research Limited (EVR), Rose is a fountain of knowledge you don’t want to miss!
HE Student Retention Panel with NUS
Join Alex Stanley, Vice President of Higher Education at the National Union of Students (NUS), and Astrid deRidder, VP of Content at Save My Exams, for a powerful session on Student Retention in HE. Alex, a passionate advocate for students, will bring fresh insights on critical issues like accessibility, financial hardships, inclusion and wellbeing, while Astrid, as moderator, will guide the conversation to uncover practical strategies for supporting students and improving retention in Higher Education.
Dan Fitzpatrick, The AI Educator
After hosting one of the most sought after sessions of 2023 and 2024, Dan is returning to the Arena due to popular demand! As author of the acclaimed book, The AI Classroom: The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education, he will showcase invaluable insights and strategies for harnessing AI in education and is a must-see on Day Three of Bett UK 2025.
Exploring International Students' Digital Experience with Jisc
Elizabeth, a Senior Sector Specialist at Jisc, is a leading expert in digital transformation within Higher Education. She collaborates closely with Jisc members and UK HE sector professionals to address the challenges of digital learning, teaching and assessment, ensuring that Jisc's offerings align with the sector's evolving needs. Don’t miss her session on Digital Shocks and Border Crossings: International Students' Digital Experience, taking place in the Ahead Auditorium.
The Human Side of Cyber Incidents with Mat Flower
Having played a pivotal role in managing the university’s response to a major cyber incident earlier this year at the University of Wolverhampton, Mat will share the challenges his team faced during the crisis, the lessons learned, and how his department not only survived but ultimately thrived after the experience. Catch Mat's captivating session ‘Surviving then Thriving: The Human Side of Cyber Incident’ on the Ahead Auditorium in partnership with UCISA.
Bett's Big Assembly with Tech She Can
Bring your students to the show on Thursday 23 January for Bett’s Big Assembly! In partnership with Tech She Can, we’re hosting an interactive assembly exploring the evolution of gaming technology and career opportunities. Featuring Tech She Can teachers, Zoe Hobman and Rachael Lilley plus surprise special guests, this session is perfect for students eager to learn more about careers in tech.
Global Edtech Startup Awards Competition Final
Founded in 2014, the Global EdTech Startup Awards (GESAwards) is the largest competition and community in the world joining partners from six continents from over 130 countries. Join us on Day Two to meet the visionaries as they present their passionate pitches live before we crown the world’s best EdTech Startup of the year!
Michael Rosen & Christian Foley: Schools of Thought
Beloved children’s author, broadcaster and Bett veteran, Michael Rosen, returns to Bett in conversation with poet and teacher, Christian Foley - what a pair! This session is aimed at educators of primary and secondary school students. Come along on Day Three to learn how culturally relevant pedagogy - teaching students according to their lived experiences - is a beneficial approach for our schools, and is an approach made possible by poetry classes.
Design4SDGs Challenge
The popular Design4SDGs Challenge closes our first day on the Arena. The competition, open to all UK students aged 9-14, was created to promote big thinking and innovative ideas on a large scale, providing solutions for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Kids Judge Bett
Returning for its 10th year, Kids Judge Bett invites students along to explore stands, exhibitors and their products to choose their favourites! The results, announced by the students and the wonderful Michael Rosen, showcase a diverse range of tech products from across the globe.
Turning Digital Data into Valuable Assets with University of Edinburgh
Senior lecturers, Janja Komljenovic and Ben Williams are leading experts in the digital transformation of Higher Education. Together, in their session "Making digital data useful and valuable for universities and EdTech companies," they’ll explore how universities and EdTech can collaborate to turn digital data into valuable assets. Don’t miss this powerful duo in the Ahead Auditorium at Bett UK 2025!
Esports @ Bett Student Tournaments are back
In partnership with the British Esports Federation, school teams from across the UK will compete in exciting 3v3 Rocket League matches, showcasing their skills and the potential of esports in education. Don’t miss our day two tournament, proudly sponsored by Acer, where you’ll see cutting-edge esports technology in action!
Better connections, collaboration and conversations
Bett UK 2025 is set to be bigger and EVEN better than ever before! Join over 30,000 educators and be a part of this year's show, as we change the game and deliver real impact in the education sector with better conversations, collaborations and conversations. We're #BetterTogether.
How can I get the most out of Bett 2025?
Connect @ Bett
Connect @ Bett is transforming the way that our community connects and collaborates. You’ll meet new people, discover new organisations, and create incredible opportunities and meaningful connections that result in positive changes for you, your organisation, and your learners.
TableTalks
This innovative programme connects individuals from schools, universities and governments based on their primary topics of interest. Learn, grow, and debate with likeminded individuals in a sponsor-free environment.