ALTC25 Guest Post: ALTC Comes to Glasgow — Finally! 

ALTC25 Guest Post Joe Wilson

After years of campaigning to bring ALTC, or a related ALT event, to Glasgow, it’s finally happening in 2025. I nearly managed to host #OER21 at City of Glasgow College, but COVID had other plans. I’ve also long advocated for a more college-friendly time of year for the conference. This year, both goals have been realised. 

It’s genuinely exciting to see the programme coming to Glasgow at last. I’m hoping we’ll reach colleges and universities across the UK, with a strong Scottish contingent and a brilliant turnout overall. We’ve got plenty of fun things planned, and I’m thrilled to be co-chairing with Emily Nordham and Laura Milne. The programme is engaging, but I also hope you’ll take time to enjoy some of Glasgow’s other delights. (I’ll share a separate post soon with recommendations of things to experience and sample.) I’m biased, of course, but if you can, stay on after the conference and spend a weekend here. Glasgow is a UNESCO Learning City, and it’s well worth exploring. 

A Personal Journey with ALTC 

I think my first #altc was in 2000, and by 2001, thanks to a twist of fate, I found myself on the organising committee for the conference at Edinburgh University.  Since then, I’ve tried to attend either the full conference or at least one policy forum or special interest group event each year. ALTC is a brilliant space for professional development and networking, and ALT’s work through CMALT and other initiatives has never been more relevant.  

In the early 2000s, we were talking about online assessment systems and the rise of virtual learning environments. By the mid-2000s, it was all about BYOD and MOOCs. The sessions and discussions at ALTC are always cutting-edge, sometimes positively contentious, and always practical. I know this year’s themes reflect that spirit. 

Top Tips for ALTC 2025 

• Step out of your comfort zone. Attend a few sessions on unfamiliar topics, you’ll be surprised what you learn. 

• Network like mad. Someone in the room has already solved your next challenge. ALT is a broad clan of technical problem solvers and academic thinkers  

• Pack smart. It’s Glasgow in October: bring your dancing shoes and some warm waterproof gear! 

I’ll be posting soon with ideas for places to visit and things to experience while you’re here. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned ALTC attendee, I hope you’ll find time to enjoy everything Glasgow has to offer. 

See you in October! 

ALT’s Annual Conference is one of the UK’s largest conferences for learning technology and digital education professionals. The conference provides a valuable and practical forum for practitioners, researchers, managers and policy-makers from education and industry to solve problems, explore, reflect, influence and learn.

ALTC25 will take place in Glasgow on 23 and 24 October 2025.  Early bird bookings end Friday, 15 August. Register for ALTC25 now.