Morning Session – Presidents Suite 09:00 — 12:30
Welcome to Learnovation 2025!
Welcome to Learnovation 2025! Today is all about rethinking learning, igniting innovation, and uncovering ideas that will shape the future of work and education.
Nessa McEniff is the Centre Director at Learnovate for over five years. She drives a powerful convergence of applied research, industry partnerships, and business development to support innovation in workplace and education technologies. Her strategic leadership emphasises the importance of data, AI, and impact measurement in transforming upskilling across sectors.
Nessa McEniff, Centre Director, Learnovate
When Research and Industry meet, Innovation happens
Eric Paquin is Head of Research, Innovation, and Technology at Learnovate, where he shapes strategies that drive impactful innovation in the future of work and learning. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Eric brings a rich background in product and innovation management, and human-centric design. He has held roles at organisations such as Microsoft, Fexco, the ADAPT Centre, and CLEAR Global (Translators without Borders).
Eric Paquin, Head of Research, Innovation & Technology, Learnovate
Learnovation Host
John Hannaway is the 2025 Chair of Learnovate’s Patron member Thought Leaders Circle meetings.
John is the Business Development Director at The Learning Rooms, where he collaborates with learning teams in Ireland and internationally to deliver innovative, research-driven digital learning solutions.
The Learning Rooms are a specialised team who are passionate about designing better learning. They achieve the results you need by providing a full range of highly effective and creative eLearning and training solutions.
John Hannaway, Business Development Director, The Learning Rooms
Principal Keynote – Rethinking work and learning in the era of AI
Brenda Sugrue will discuss AI’s transformative impact on work, changing roles, evolving skill needs, and how organisations must rethink learning, leadership, and talent development at scale.
With over 25 years’ experience leading learning transformation and innovation in global organizations, Brenda was EY’s Global Chief Learning Officer from 2014 to 2024, overseeing the learning strategy for 400,000+ employees worldwide.
Brenda Sugrue, PhD Strategic Advisor and Former EY Chief Learning Officer
Tomorrow’s talent today
In this session we will share insights into reskilling to support the future of work, rethinking the irreplaceable role of humans (subject matter experts) in learning technologies and increasing engagement and passion for L&D, by reinventing ourselves & the industry! In this intimate conversation we will meet a medical doctor re-skilling to enter the world of L&D and a learning designer reimagining learning experiences. We will explore industry wide skills challenges, debate new ways of talent acquisition and address how best to engage and motivate learners in the modern workplace.
Featuring two of the Learning Technologies 2025 “30 under 30”.
Tadelayo Sodipe, Instructional Designer & Digital Learning Developer
Dr. Des Conroy, MD & Head of Capability Building at Prova Health
Hosted by Sharon Claffey Kaliouby
Host – Sharon Claffey Kaliouby, Co-founder #WomenInLearning
Coffee Break – The Atrium
Tinkering vs reinvention: The strategic choice facing L&D
As AI reshapes how individuals learn and work, L&D faces a critical moment: evolve within its current remit or radically reimagine its role. Egle Vinauskaite explores how the most forward-thinking teams are embracing not just smarter tools, but a whole new paradigm.
Egle was named one of HR’s Most Influential Thinkers in 2025 by a selection of senior HR leaders and influencers for HR Magazine.
Egle Vinauskaite, Learning Strategist & Director of Nodes
Uniting Europe’s testbeds to raise standards in learning innovation
Edtech testbeds create real-world environments for innovation, where educators and developers test, refine, and validate new tools. They reduce adoption risks, ensure solutions meet genuine learning needs, and drive more effective, equitable education.
Join us to discover an exciting new initiative uniting European testbeds to harmonise standards and deliver benefits for everyone—from developers, to educators, to students.
Kim Brandes, NOLAI, The Netherlands
Heidi Lammassaari, Helsinki Education Hub, Finland
Annelies Volckaert, Edtech Station, Belgium
Hosted by Peter Gillis
Host – Peter Gillis, Innovation Services Lead, Learnovate
Lunch – The Atrium
Afternoon – Corporate Learning – Reskill – Presidents Suite 13:30 — 16:30
Welcome to the Corporate Learning session
Welcome to the Corporate Learning session! Get ready to explore bold ideas, cutting-edge research, and practical strategies that will transform how organisations learn, innovate, and grow.
Michelle Thompson is the Strategic Partnership Manager at Skillnet Ireland, leading initiatives that connect industry partners with workforce development programs.
Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of Ireland. In partnership with industry, Skillnet Ireland offer upskilling programmes and business supports to companies of all sizes.
Michelle Thompson, Strategic Partnerships Manager, Skillnet Ireland
Research that will transform the way we think…
How can research help us Reskill, Rethink, and Reinvent the future of learning and work?
In this fast-paced research track, we showcase three areas of research in quick-fire 8 minute presentations.
1. How AI is powering personalised coaching
Janet Benson, Learning Lead & Senior Researcher, Learnovate
2. Adapting microelectronics training to real-world barriers
Richard Harte,UX/UI Specialist, Learnovate
3. Early Careers Learning in the Age of TikTok
Ciara Garvan Founder, WorkJuggle & Frank O’Reilly, Corporate Learning, Learnovate
Host – Eric Paquin, Head of Research, Innovation & Technology, Learnovate
Corporate Learning Keynote – Unlocking innovation through personal & collective wisdom
Ready to unlock the power of innovation and technology across your whole organisation? This keynote session dives into fostering a culture primed for innovation and successful technology integration. Steven Hope will explore key elements like: Embracing experimentation, Fostering curiosity, Creating Collective Genius.
Join us to discover how to cultivate an innovation-driven culture that unlocks the full potential of technology and propels your organisation forward.
Steven Hope, Director at EduFuturists | CEO of Primary Goal
Coffee Break – The Atrium
Fireside Chat – The rapidly changing landscape of organisational development
Patrick Ward in conversation with Cleo McCormack, Global Head of Organisational Development at Version 1.
Patrick Ward, Founder of Aitheria Partners
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2025
Elliott Masie will close Learnovation with a round up of the key learnings and predictions on the future of corporate learning and reskilling, offering insights, trends, and practical foresight to drive action beyond Learnovation 2025.
Elliott is a renowned educator, analyst, and speaker on workplace learning and technology—credited with coining the term “e‑Learning.” He heads the MASIE Center in Saratoga Springs. In addition to his leadership in corporate learning, Masie is also a Tony‑nominated Broadway producer through Masie Productions.
Elliott Masie, Founder the MASIE Learning Foundation
Drinks reception in the Atrium
Afternoon – Formal Education – Rethink – Presidents Terrace 13:30 — 16:30
Welcome to the Formal Education session
Welcome to our Formal Education session, where we’ll rethink how educators teach, learn, and adapt in a changing world. From bold new research to the promise and pitfalls of AI, this is where the future of learning takes shape.
Seán Glynn is Chief Learning Officer at Wriggle Learning, leading Wriggle Connect, the company’s educator training platform. Wriggle Learning supports over 150 schools nationwide in implementing classroom technology and developing digital learning environments, making it a market leader in educational technology in Ireland.
Seán Glynn, Chief Learning Officer, Wriggle Learning
Research that will transform the way we think…
How can research help us Reskill, Rethink, and Reinvent the future of learning and work?
In this fast-paced research track, we showcase three areas of research in quick-fire 8 minute presentations.
1. From research to impact – how Learnovate is translating deep research into impactful initiatives in the real world
Peter Gillis, Research Lead, Learnovate
2. Empowering teachers to create their own digital learning content
Dr. Keith Johnston, Associate Professor, Trinity College Dublin
Helena Ledermann, K12 Pedagogy Researcher, Learnovate
3. Rethinking teacher development through Communities of Practice
Dr. Mary Kelly, Academic Dean, Hibernia College
Ilse White, Senior Learning Researcher, Learnovate
Hosted by Dave Farrelly
Host – Dave Farrelly, Head of Membership Services, Learnovate
Formal Education Keynote – Responsible adoption in education: Is AI the new plastic?
What happens when innovation outpaces responsibility? AI’s potential is immense but so is its environmental cost. With paper assessment, there was a natural limiting factor: the cost of a finite resource. But in today’s AI arms race fuelled by subsidised energy and geopolitical tensions—no such limits exist. CO₂ targets and SDGs are being quietly sidelined, while the language of climate change denial creeps in through false equivalences and techno-optimism.
Rita Bateson will unpack the true ecological footprint of AI and challenge the dominant narratives of progress. Through systems thinking and actionable strategy, we’ll explore how schools can take the lead—ensuring AI adoption is part of the climate solution, not the problem.
Rita Bateson, Co-Founder & Director of Education, Eblana Learning
Coffee Break
Fireside chat – AI in the classroom
Bob Regan in conversation with Siobhan Ryan, co-founder of Diotima, an AI-enabled platform to help teachers create assessments and provide formative feedback to learners.
Bob Regan, Head of Curriculum, XQ Institute
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2025
As the session concludes, Dr. Joanne Banks will share the most powerful takeaways and offer a forward-looking perspective on the key opportunities and challenges that will shape the future of formal education.
Joanne is an Associate Professor in Inclusive Education at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin, with a demonstrated history of working in education research. Research interests in special and inclusive education, education policy, and educational inequality.
Dr. Joanne Banks, Associate Professor, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin
Drinks reception in the Atrium
Afternoon – Start Up Studio – Reinvent – O’Connell Area 13:30 — 16:30
Welcome to the Start Up Studio
Welcome to the Start Up Studio, where ideas meet action and founders get real answers. From clinics to candid insights, this is your chance to tap into the expertise, funding know-how, and bold thinking driving the next wave of edtech innovation.
Tom Pollock brings broad business and product development experience across multiple industries, from web and software applications, to his most recent role in the corporate learning sector. His entrepreneurial mindset is geared toward realising the commercial potential of the Centre’s innovations to provide a platform of value for our industry partners.
Tom Pollock, Commercialisation Manager, Learnovate
Start Up Clinic
We have brought together a range of experts to examine the pain points start ups are experiencing today. An opportunity to ask questions and get answers.
Colin Lewis, Co-founder of Retail Media Works
Caitlin Hafer, Co-Founder and CEO of HedgeHog Financial Wellness
Alex Cornelius, Director and Co-Founder, R&D Tax Solutions
Hosted by Stephen Bonney
Host – Stephen Bonney, Account Manager – EdTech, AWS
Start Up Studio Keynote – What AI startups get wrong (and what they get right)
EdTech founders are under pressure like never before, massive hype, rising expectations, and an unforgiving funding landscape. The difference between scaling successfully and stalling out often comes down to hard lessons that are rarely shared openly.
In this keynote, Andreea Wade draws on her experience as both an AI founder and investor to unpack the realities of building and scaling AI startups. She’ll cut through the noise to highlight the common mistakes founders make, from overestimating data moats to underestimating execution, and the patterns that separate the winners from the rest.
Expect candid insights, stories from the trenches, and a forward-looking view on how AI companies can build real, defensible businesses in a market that moves faster than any other.
Andreea Wade, General Partner, Delta Partners VC
Coffee Break
Show me the funding!
Join the conversation with industry experts, investors, and successful entrepreneurs to explore key strategies for securing funding in the competitive Start Up ecosystem.
Helen McBreen, Partner, Atlantic Bridge
Mary McKenna, Co-Founder & Chair, Awaken Angels
Christian Stafford, Senior Development Advisor, Digital Health Sector Lead, Enterprise Ireland
Hosted by Conor Meaney
Conor Meaney, Senior Manager, PwC Private
Predictions powered by Learnovation 2025
Sarah Clarke will wrap up today’s Start Up Studio by sharing insightful predictions and highlighting the key takeaways from the session based on her extensive experience in the digital space in Ireland and USA.
Sarah is a board member of Digital Irish, where she supports the organisation’s mission to advance Irish innovation and innovators on a global scale. She is also the CEO of Intuition, Americas.
Sarah Clarke, Digital Irish Board & CEO Americas Intuition Publishing
Drinks reception in the Atrium
Sign up to our newsletter
Stay updated with the latest research, EdTech trends, innovations, and reviews by signing up for our newsletter.
Exclusive content for our members
If you're already a member, please sign in now to continue.
Or contact our team to find out more.