What if the most valuable thing at an EdTech festival isn't the tech, but the conversation with the stranger sitting next to you?
In this episode, Ben and Steve are joined by three people who know the Brilliant Festival inside out: Andy Miah, Melanie Tagg and returning guest Trudi Barrow. Festival director Martyn Collins was unwell and couldn't join, so the panel stepped in to explain why Brilliant has become one of the UK's most distinctive education events. They cover why educators, tech companies, charities and employers need to be in the same room, why creativity and technology belong across the whole curriculum, and how to get the most out of a packed day.
The festival is free and runs on 10th November in Liverpool, and the link to book is below.
We cover:
- Why a northern, free-to-attend EdTech festival feels different from the big London shows
- How Brilliant puts frontline teachers, primary and early years practitioners in direct conversation with CEOs and tech providers
- Chester Zoo, Johnny Vegas and why cross-sector collaboration sparks the best ideas
- Why children don't live in silos, and why EdTech can't be a bolt-on in 2026
- The shift from "what is the technology?" to "is it improving learning outcomes?"
- The disconnect between school skills and employer expectations
- Connect, Collaborate and Create, a new closing session hosted by Edufuturists
- Inside the Brilliant Awards: 20 categories and an exceptionally high bar
- This year's themes: AI, SEND and inclusion, esports, industry engagement and STEAM
- Practical advice for getting the most out of the day
Get your free Brilliant Festival tickets
Chapters
0:00 Welcome to the Edufuturists podcast
01:05 Astronaut costumes and Starbucks training sessions
03:12 Meet Andy Miah, University of Salford
04:47 Meet Melanie Tagg, Futuresource Consulting
07:27 Meet Trudi Barrow, CLEAPSS
09:16 Is there something special about a northern event?
10:08 Hopes for Brilliant 2026: bigger, broader, more frontline voices
11:20 Access to senior people and bridging the skills gap
14:05 Chester Zoo and the magic of cross-sector conversations
15:26 Putting the A into STEAM
17:49 Martyn Collins and a community bigger than one person
18:28 AD: Brilliant Festival
19:33 Why educators, tech and employers need to be in the same room
21:06 Children don't live in silos
22:47 Beyond the tech: learning outcomes, training and guardrails
25:41 The pace of change and taking the pulse of the nation
27:33 Connect, Collaborate and Create: the new closing session
31:10 How to navigate a packed festival day
33:42 Inside the Brilliant Awards
36:31 Themes for 2026: AI, SEND, esports, industry and STEAM
38:41 Final advice: comfy shoes, open minds, talk to everyone
40:55 Book signings and Pick & Mix Education
42:32 Wrap up and thanks
#BrilliantFestival #EdTech #Edufuturists #FutureOfEducation #AIinEducation #STEAM #EdTechUK #Liverpool #EducationConference #SEND #TeacherCPD #Esports
Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xCheck out all about EdufuturistsWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work? Get in touchGrab your copy of the new Pick 'n' Mix Education book
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