Agenda Assessment Now

Time	Session
08.30-09.00	Arrival & Registration
09.00-09.15	Welcome & opening remarks - Dylan Jones, Director Education, Govt, Corporate, Partnerships English & Exams, British Council
09.15-10.45	Opening plenary panel Mind the gap: Bridging traditional assessment and tomorrow's needs As new skills reshape learning and work, regulatory landscapes shift unpredictably, and technology advances at breakneck speed, education and assessment systems worldwide are straining under the weight of traditional approaches and static delivery models. Yet within this challenge lies unprecedented opportunity. This dynamic panel discussion brings together leading voices in educational testing as they address the following questions: What emerging threats demand our immediate attention? Which promising innovations offer genuine transformation? How are forward-thinking organisations already adapting to thrive in this evolving landscape? Join us as we chart a path from challenge to opportunity in the future of education and assessment. Moderator: Dr Mariano Felice, Senior Researcher and Data Scientist for Language Assessment & Learning, British Council Panellists: Dr Linda Amrane-Cooper, Director of Academic Practice in Online and Distance Education, University of London and Director, Centre for Online and Distance Education Aimée Hobby Rhodes, Head, Exam Management & Measurement, CFA Institute Joanna Pearson, Director of New Product Development, British Council Dan Bray, Director of Assessment Innovation and Transformation, Cambridge International Find out more about the speakers here
10.45-11.15	Networking tea / coffee break
11.15-12.00	Rotating table talks led by the panellists Dive deeper into panel topics through focused, expert-led conversations. Participants can connect directly with experts, share their own expertise, and build meaningful connections with industry peers.
12.00-13:00	Networking lunch
13:00–13:50	Deep-Dive breakouts – Round 1 These sessions offer participants the opportunity for more in-depth discussion on key topics in assessment. The sessions will be run twice, providing the audience with the opportunity to attend two different sessions. Breakout 1– Authenticity in Assessment As technology and workplaces evolve rapidly, assessment must move beyond traditional testing to reflect the realities of learning, work, and life. Future-focused assessment should mirror authentic, real-world tasks and workplace challenges, supporting integrated learning experiences that prepare individuals for success. Richard Spiby, Head of Assessment Research, British Council Dr Huahui Zhao, Associate Professor in Language Education and Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, School of Education, University of Leeds Breakout 2 – Accessibility & Equity in Assessment Assessments should enable every learner to demonstrate their potential, regardless of need, location, or context. This session explores how inclusivity can be embedded at every stage — from development to delivery — ensuring fairness through thoughtful design, reasonable adjustments, and accessible technologies. Damon Young, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Researcher, British Council Mary Goodhall, Director, Candidate Management, CFA Institute Kristina Altoft, Head of Assessment Services, Pearson Edexcel Breakout 3 – Global challenges in assessment This breakout explores the sub-theme of global challenges in assessment through three case studies, showing how diverse contexts bring unique challenges. The examples span varied delivery modes, markets, and regulatory environments — from shifts in exam formats to technology-led innovations and emerging approaches in new regions. Kemi Donovan, Director Global Operations, English & Exams, British Council Ben Cook, Head of Assessment, EnglishScore, British Council Find out more about the speakers here
13.50-14.30	Deep-Dive breakouts – Round 2
14.30-15.00	Networking tea / coffee break
15.00-15.45	Plenary talk AI and Education: How the advent of accessible digital tools has accelerated a much broader review of our education system, curriculum and assessment Al will take us on a reflective and challenging tour of Education around the world. He will discuss how the arrival of Ai has not just sparked a debate about its own use, but how it has shifted the dial on what assessment might look like, what employers want from their future workforce, and that, for the first time, the most valuable commodity might just be those most human of skills we possess. Al Kingsley MBE, Bestselling author, Multi Academy Trust Chair, RSC Board & CEO of NetSupport, Digital innovator Top Tech Influencer 24, ISC Edruptor
15.45-16.45	Panel discussion From exams to experiences: Navigating AI-enhanced assessment How do we design meaningful evaluation when humans and AI work together? As artificial intelligence transforms how we work, learn, and solve problems, traditional assessment methods are becoming increasingly disconnected from real-world practice. This expert panel tackles one of education's most pressing questions: how do we evaluate human capability in an AI-integrated world? Our panellists explore: Real-world assessment approaches that integrate human-AI collaboration Measuring both outcomes and critical process skills Practical design and implementation challenges Emerging risks and opportunities in AI-enhanced assessment This forward-looking discussion prepares assessment professionals to design evaluations that are both technologically sophisticated and fundamentally human-centred. Moderator: Catherine Whitaker, Global Director Online Learning, British Council Panellists: Dr Adam Edmett, Head EdTech Innovation, British Council Amanda Azman, Data Share Administrator in AI for Assessment of Research & Innovation, OxfordAQA Kirsty Parkinson, Assessment Development Manager, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Al Kingsley MBE, Bestselling Author, Multi Academy Trust Chair, RSC Board Member & CEO of NetSupport; Digital Innovator, Top Tech Influencer 2024, ISC Edruptor Find out more about the speakers here
16.45-17.00	Closing remarks Mark Walker, Director English & Exams, British Council
17.00	Conference close

Return to the home page