Dear partners and innovators, 

We agree with the organizers of #SXSWEDU: Society’s true rock stars are educators!

The 2023 conference +  festival will bring learners, practitioners, and entrepreneurs together March 6 through 9 in Austin, Texas. 

And once again, a team of “Labbies” from the Education Design Lab will travel to Austin to learn, network, and be inspired. 

We rounded up the 8 sessions we’re most excited to attend in 2023, along with some conversation starters for five of our Labbies.

If you're registered, be sure to reach out in the SXSW EDU Social tool to connect!

The Lab traveled to Dallas, Texas, for 1EdTech's annual Digital Credentials Summit Feb. 27-March 1.  Labbies including Dr. Lisa Larson, Dr. Naomi Boyer, and Dr. Tara Laughlin joined some of our innovative partners for sessions about micro-credentials, micro-pathways, and skills-based hiring. Catch up on all of the tweets with #DCSummit23.

Our partners (pictured from left): Dr. Falecia Williams, President of Prince George's Community College; Dr. Kate Smith, President of Rio Salado College; Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, President of Community College of Aurora; Dr. Rufus Glasper, President and CEO of League for Innovation in the Community College; and Dr. Rick Aman, President of College of Eastern Idaho.

As announced at the Digital Credentials Summit: Edalex, a key Lab partner based in Australia, just released the results of their Edalex Credentialate Alliance research project — including that 76% of learners are more confident speaking about their skills after receiving a personal evidence record. The Edalex Credentialate Alliance included the Lab, the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education (MSPACE), and the University of Dayton’s Institute of Applied Creativity for Transformation (IACT). The insights from the research will be used to inform future policy around skill transparency and personal evidence, and their benefits to participants in the learner-earner ecosystem. 

The Lab is looking for passionate, rising stars to join our team as we tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing education and the future of work. High school graduates, as well undergraduate + graduate students with some relevant experiences, are encouraged to apply.

Curious about what it's like to work at the Lab? Associate Education Designer Maureen Isimbi, who started as an intern in 2021, shares her journey: My first year at the Lab.

Do you know a transformative higher ed leader? Maybe it's you? The Lab is seeking applicants for our Designers in Residence (DIR) program. Applications are due by March 17. 

As part of its Million Dollar Community College Challenge, the Lumina Foundation is offering a series of marketing webinars to any interested community colleges who want to learn how to reach prospective learners more effectively. Two webinars remain in the series.

• The Power of Digital Marketing, Tuesday, March 21
• Omni Channel Planning, Tuesday, April 18

Note: Each session will only be offered live. A recording will not be made available to registrants. However, both are scheduled for two times: 11 a.m. to noon EST or 2 to 3 p.m. EST.