Spotlight on ALT Trustees: Leadership, Governance, and the Future of Learning Technology

We are pleased to introduce Joe Wilson, recently announced as one of ALT’s newest Trustees. His appointment marks an exciting moment for the Association as we continue to strengthen our Board with voices that reflect the breadth and ambition of the Learning Technology community. ALT Trustees play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the Association, ensuring strong governance, championing our values, and supporting our diverse membership.

In this profile, we take a closer look at Joe Wilson’s journey, what motivated him to join the Board, and the perspectives he brings to ALT at this important time.

How has ALT influenced your professional journey so far?

The ALT Community has been an important touchstone throughout my thirty nine year career. I’ve used ALT events and networks for my personal and professional development and made sure that any organisation I was engaged with became an institutional member of ALT so that the teams I worked with could access CMALT and relevant ALT networks for their own career and professional development. 

I’ve contributed,  chaired and keynoted at ALT and OER conferences, and I really value the community.

What motivated you to become a Trustee of ALT?

It’s partly about giving something back and partly about ensuring that ALT continues to grow and thrive and support learning technologists wherever they are. 

What excites you most about ALT’s work in Learning Technology right now?

ALT is a trusted partner across the UK and beyond, and its role in supporting the ethical adoption and application of learning technology is needed more than ever.  Learning Technologists need the professional recognition that CMALT provides, and the community needs communities of practice that reflect the challenges of implementing systems, policy and practice.  

I was teaching and developing digital learning materials when the internet arrived. I thought then that things in the classroom would change faster than they actually did. I think now we are at a real inflexion point. We need to ensure that systems and approaches are in place to support blended learning, new ways of assessing and the ethical use of AI.  The ALT community is in a pretty unique place where it can influence and shape change for the good across the system.

What priorities or areas of focus do you hope to champion during your time on the Board?

In terms of policy, as co-founder of Open Scotland certainly the broader adoption of the UNESCO standards around open educational licensing and practice and making some of the great work that goes on within our special interest groups more visible.

In governance, strengthening bonds across the community,  increasing our membership in further education, the third sector and beyond and ensuring the organisation grows in a financially sustainable way.  

ALT’s strength comes from its members. How do you see your role in supporting and representing the ALT community?

As a trustee, I think a lot of our job is about amplifying the informed views of the membership and making sure, as an organisation, we are in the right forums with the right partners to influence sensible decision-making institutionally and nationally. 

What advice would you give to members who are interested in contributing to ALT’s governance or leadership in the future?

I’ve always volunteered for things even when it has been tough. It is easy to say, but it is true that you get so much more back when you are prepared to look beyond your day job, and it is how you grow and shape change. Make full use of your ALT contacts and relevant special interest groups, and contribute to the community, always speak up and engage, and always be positive, even when the going gets tough. 

What was the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that inspired you in your role as a leader?

In educational technology, I’m spoiled for choice – so many great colleagues past and present and across the gender divide, I am pleased to say. 

But I think we are short on inspiring models of leadership generally at the moment, and I do worry about cults of leadership over sensible open management. I found this the toughest question; perhaps Jimmy Wales and Wikipedia, Zelensky resisting Russian aggression, continue to inspire me. 

Tellingly, few senior educational leaders. I think many of them have still to read Gramsci. Staff and learners should always feel empowered. I think we have a way to go to get the leadership that learners and educational technologists deserve. 

If you were on a deserted island, what one item would you take with you?

Gosh,  always a Boy Scout, so I hope I could look after myself – and with no internet,  probably an acoustic guitar, no one would be around to hear how badly I play, but it would be a creative diversion.  (As now a bit deaf, I’d need my tuner too).

We hope you enjoyed hearing from one of our Trustees. To learn more about ALT’s governance, explore opportunities to get involved, or stay up to date with news and events, visit alt.ac.uk.Future profiles will feature colleagues involved with Special Interest and Members Groups, CMALT holders, ALT Members, Trustees, assessors, apprentices, and ALT staff. If you are a current member of ALT and would be interested in featuring in an upcoming post, or want to recommend someone, please contact us at blog@alt.ac.uk.