Distant Yarnings is an educational podcast exploring the rapidly evolving landscape of global higher education in the digital age. Join us as we unravel the complex threads of how universities worldwide are adapting to technological transformation, examine the growing influence of AI on teaching and learning, and weave together insights from educators, students, and innovators across continents. Visit the Distant Yarnings Website at: https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/ for show notes and transcripts.
Ep. 9: Human-Centered Pedagogy - Finding Purpose in a Digital World
In this episode of the podcast Distant Yarnings, hosts Jim and Julie interview Alison Purvis, an Associate Dean at Sheffield Hallam University, to discuss her extensive career in learning, teaching, and student success. The conversation centers on navigating the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in higher education, specifically highlighting Purvis's creation of an AI transparency scale designed to shift the focus from policing academic integrity to fostering open dialogue.
Beyond technology, the participants explore the importance of human-centered pedagogy, emphasising the need for co-creation between staff and students to alleviate the fear and anxiety surrounding new educational tools. Finally, the group discusses diamond open-access publishing and the value of international collaboration, framing modern education as a continuous, collaborative conversation that transcends institutional and geographic boundaries.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guest: Guests: Alison Purvis, Sheffield Hallam University, UK
Date: 30 March 2026
Length: Approx. 62 mins
Themes: Beyond AI detection to transparency, Staff anxiety and fear, Diamond open access publishing, power dynamics in higher education.
Show Notes & Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2026/06/06/ep-9-human-centered-pedagogy-finding-purpose-in-a-digital-world/)
14 May 2026
Ep. 8: Weaving the Future of Digital Education - A Cross-Stitch with the University of Leeds
This episode features a collaborative discussion with the digital education leadership team from the University of Leeds, exploring the intersection of pedagogy, space, and technology. The conversation centers on the "cross-stitch" of human connection and digital infrastructure, highlighting initiatives like Helix, an on-campus innovation space designed to foster creative collaboration and "safe failure" among students and staff. The participants emphasize that intentional learning design must lead the way, ensuring that technology serves as a partner in education rather than a mere set of tools.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guest: Digital Education and Learning Innovation leadership team from the University of Leeds, UK
Date: 20 March 2026
Length: Approx. 68 min
Themes: Designing Barrier-Free Spaces for Innovation, Strategic Alignment and Digital Capability, Intentional, Subject-Specific Learning Design, Student-Constructed AI and Flexible Learning, Targeted Accessibility and Open Education.
Show Notes & Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2026/05/15/ep-8-weaving-the-future-of-digital-education-a-cross-stitch-with-the-university-of-leeds/)
30 Mar 2026
Ep. 7: STEAM, Snow, and Schooling: A Chat with Kristof Fenyvesi
In this episode of Distant Yarnings, hosts Julie and Jim sit down with Kristof Fenyvesi, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute for Educational Research, to explore the evolving role of modern schooling. The conversation broadly examines how educational institutions can move past rigid, siloed structures to foster better human connections, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and meaningful engagement with technology. Rather than focusing purely on academic outputs or control, the trio reflects on how adapting our educational values and maintaining informal, open networks can better prepare students to cooperatively tackle the complex, large-scale challenges of the 21st century.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guest: Dr Kristóf Fenyvesi from the University of Jyväskylä
Date: 6 February 2026
Length: Approx. 80 min
Themes: Planetary vs. Global Collaboration, Technology Bans in Schools, STEAM and Holistic Education, Contrasting Educational Cultures.
Show Notes and Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2026/03/30/ep-7-steam-snow-and-schooling-a-chat-with-kristof-fenyvesi/)
3 Mar 2026
Ep. 6: More Than Just Content: The Human Side of Digital Learning
Hosts Julie Lindsay and Jim Harris welcome Stephanie McDonald, an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and the Digital Learning Director for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham. Stephanie outlines the scope of the University, which serves over 40,000 students across three campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia. While the university focuses primarily on face-to-face instruction, Stephanie's role involves driving digital strategy, supporting colleagues, and developing inclusive, evidence-based curricula.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guest: Associate Professor Stephanie McDonald from the University of Nottingham
Date: and Length: 29 January 2026, Approx. 70 min
Themes: Holistic Learning Design, The Reality of Hybrid/HyFlex, Institutional Constraints, Student Partnership, Digital Equity and Infrastructure.
Show Notes and Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2026/03/04/ep-6-more-than-just-content-the-human-side-of-digital-learning/)
20 Jan 2026
Ep. 5: Curiosity and Curriculum: Innovation, Equity, and Autonomy in University Learning
In this episode, hosts Julie and Jim are joined by Mark Childs and Julie Usher from Durham University (UK) to discuss the complexities of learning design within a high-ranking, research-intensive institution. The guests describe the unique "Oxbridge" vibes and college system of Durham while addressing challenges such as classism, the need for widening participation, and the struggle to balance world-class research with pedagogical innovation.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guests: Dr Mark Childs and Julie Usher from the Durham Centre for Academic Development
Date and Length: 20 January 2026. Approx. 73 min
Themes: Hierarchies in Higher Education, Student Autonomy and Readiness, The Impact of AI on Assessment, Inclusive Pedagogy, Pedagogy via Pop Culture.
Show Notes and Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2026/01/20/ep-5-curiosity-and-curriculum-innovation-equity-and-autonomy-in-university-learning/)
16 Dec 2025
Ep. 4: Serving the Song: UDL, Community Building, and Agile Project Management in Higher Education
Hosts Julie Lindsay and Jim Harris welcome Stefanie Savage-Campbell, Senior Educational Projects Manager at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, who is also part of the JISC Beyond Blended pilot group. Stefanie discusses her role in managing strategic projects across the university, noting that she often occupies the "weird third space" between professional services and academic staff.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guests: Stefanie Savage-Campbell
Date and Length: 5 December 2025. Approx. 64 min.
Theme: Educational project management, strategic projects, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), building community and belonging, the human element in the age of AI.
Bonus Link: Recife Pernambuco Carnaval 2025 (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxaNdZDUhJMrL8O9StBvwNYabktuNtIJ4&si=7Uk7UMpKQz2XzU85)
Show Notes and Transcript (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/12/15/ep-4-serving-the-song-udl-community-building-and-agile-project-management-in-higher-education/)
2 Dec 2025
Ep. 3: Jisc: Future-Proofing Education Through Inclusive Digital Design (Beyond Blended)
Julie Lindsay and Jim Harris welcome special guests Sarah Knight, Director of Digital Transformation at Jisc, and Sheila McNeill, Independent Consultant working on the Beyond Blended program. The discussion centers on Jisc's three decades of work supporting UK universities and colleges with technology, internet connectivity, and digital strategy. They trace the organization’s foundational work in learning design back to 2004, noting that issues like ensuring technical systems interoperability remain perennial challenges.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guests: Sarah Knight and Sheila McNeill
Date and Length: 25 November, 2025. Approx. 51 min.
Theme: Digital transformation, curriculum design, digital capabilities, and the future of higher education.
Show Notes and Transcript: https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/12/02/ep-3-jisc-future-proofing-education-through-inclusive-digital-design-beyond-blended/ (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/12/02/ep-3-jisc-future-proofing-education-through-inclusive-digital-design-beyond-blended/)
30 Nov 2025
Ep. 2: Beyond Blended - Negotiating Terminology and Embracing Active Asynchronous Learning
Julie Lindsay and Jim Harris begin Episode 2 by discussing the JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) organization and its role in UK higher education, including providing a nationwide internet service and negotiating for resources like e-books. They introduce their guest, Lisa Jacka from UNISQ (University of Southern Queensland), who was involved in the JISC Beyond Blended pilot.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Guest: Dr Lisa Jacka (Australia)
Date and Length: October, 2025. Approx. 48 min.
Theme: Learning and Teaching, Higher Education, Blended Learning, HyFlex, Async, the Beyond Blended Project.
Show Notes and Transcript: https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/09/30/ep-2-beyond-blended/ (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/09/30/ep-2-beyond-blended/)
28 Nov 2025
Ep. 1: Where Stories Begin
Welcome to the very first episode of Distant Yarnings! In this debut, Julie and Jim introduce the heart of their podcast — built around “yarning” (the art of meaningful, narrative-rich conversation) and the many meanings of “distance” in modern education.
Hosts: Julie (Australia) & Jim (UK)
Date and Length: September, 2025. Approx. 50 min.
Theme: Distance, learning, storytelling, and a dash of archaeology
Show Notes and Transcript: https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/11/28/ep1-where-stories-begin/ (https://create.usq.edu.au/distant-yarnings/2025/11/28/ep1-where-stories-begin/)
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