Introducing: Phil Vincent, Co-Chair of the ALT Independent Consultancy & Career Pathways SIG
Phil Vincent, Co-Chair of the ALT Independent Consultancy & Career Pathways SIG
Q: What do you do?
I’m Head of Digital Education Enhancement & Design in the Digital Education Service at the University of Leeds. I lead cross-institutional work to support the development and delivery of inclusive, accessible, and engaging blended and online learning for our students and researchers. My role sits at the intersection of learning design, strategic leadership, staff development, and digital education enhancement.
Q: Which sectors or audiences do you support?
Primarily, I work within UK higher education, supporting staff and students across all faculties. Increasingly, my work also connects with researchers, professional learners, and wider community-based learners, particularly through our involvement in lifelong learning and short course development.
Q: How do you usually refer to yourself – e.g. Learning Technologist, Learning Designer, Instructional Designer, etc.?
That’s a great question, and one that comes up often! I tend to describe myself as a digital education leader, but I’ve worked closely with (and been) learning technologists, learning designers, academic developers, and everything in between. The diversity of roles and titles in our field can be both a strength and a source of confusion, something that came up strongly in the recent Padlet discussion during our SIG Unconference. It’s one of the reasons I’m so invested in clearer pathways and shared language around career progression in this space.
Q: You’re not a consultant, so what’s your connection to the consultancy world?
That’s right, I’m not an independent consultant myself. However, I collaborate with consultants and freelancers on digital projects and transformation initiatives. I also support in-house colleagues to explore consultancy-style approaches to their work, particularly as part of our growing focus on portfolio careers and professional agency. I see enormous value in recognising the diverse ways people contribute to the sector, whether through permanent roles, freelance projects, or hybrid pathways.
Q: What attracted you to this SIG?
Career progression in digital education has always been a core interest of mine. At Leeds, I’ve led the transformation of our Digital Education Enhancement team into a more strategically aligned, values-led team. As part of that, I’m now developing a Digital Education Attributes Framework to support staff CPD, career mapping, and clearer role identity across the Digital Education Service. This SIG is a brilliant opportunity to connect with others thinking about the same challenges, whether from inside institutions or as independent professionals. I’m excited to be part of a space that can help shape and advocate for the future of digital education careers.Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m particularly interested in the tensions (and possibilities) between institutional structures and independent practice, and in how we can foster more transparent, equitable career pathways for everyone in our field. I’d love to hear from others, consultants or otherwise, who are working on similar frameworks or grappling with the same questions.