Leeds Digital Festival is the UK’s biggest open tech event and, as part of its work to recognise and support innovation in the region, build strong relationships across the city and inspire its students to thrive in the digital world, Leeds Trinity is featuring at the festival for the third consecutive time. 

This year, the University has collaborated with three of its strategic employer partners – UST, a Digital Transformation Solutions Company; Hippo, a digital consultancy service; and Liberty Shared Services (part of Liberty Global) – plus several other key stakeholders to plan events that will explore computer science, artificial intelligence, careers in technology and more.  

From Buzz Words to Best Practice, Why Social Value is a Business Essential, will be hosted by Hippo and feature expert speakers from a range of organisations including Leeds Trinity and Liberty Shared Services on Tuesday 17 September, 2:00 – 4:00pm. The event will explore how having defined values can help businesses boost recruitment and retention, and how education helps them with their talent pipeline and skills gaps. 

The following day, Leeds Trinity Escape Boxes will be held at UST, 1:00 – 4:00pm. The activity, designed to engage the public with computer science and encourage them to think about cybersecurity, will challenge participants to solve puzzles against the clock and save the institution from a hypothetical cyber-attack. 

UST will also host AI and the Job Market: Ethics, Socio-Economic Impact, and Maximizing Benefits on Wednesday 25 September, 2:00 – 3:30pm. Featuring the expertise of Leeds Trinity academics Nicky Danino and Yashar Baradaranshokouhi, the discussion will look at how AI is reshaping employment, from creating new job opportunities to altering existing roles, and the broader socio-economic implications of these changes. 

In addition, on Thursday 26 September, 12:00 – 2:00pm, Leeds Trinity and the team from Accenture Next Gen Engineering, a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security, will deliver Techsploration: Discovering Careers in Technology. The event will delve into the various job roles that the tech sector has to offer. 

Nicky Danino, Head of Computer Science at Leeds Trinity University, said: “I’m thrilled to participate in this year's Leeds Digital Festival. Events like these are crucial for outreach in Computer Science, helping to bridge the gap between academia, industry and the wider community. By engaging with diverse audiences, we can inspire the next generation of digital innovators and ensure that cutting-edge research translates into real-world applications. 

“Such outreach is not just vital for education, but also has a significant impact on the UK economy. As we nurture talent and foster innovation, we contribute to the growth of the tech sector, which is a key driver of economic prosperity. I'm excited to be part of these important conversations that will shape the future of digital technology in the UK." 

Activities exclusively for students from Leeds Trinity University’s Computer Science and Journalism degrees have also been planned. Journalism students will be able to attend a live podcast recording at the Main Campus in Horsforth featuring Stuart Clarke, Director of Leeds Digital Festival, while Foundation and first-year Computer Science students will have the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Glean, the creators of a note-taking study tool used by students at over 750 universities across the world, where they will be able to participate in an interactive workshop and a panel discussion with tech professionals. 

Stuart Clarke MBE, Director of Leeds Digital Festival, said: “This year is our ninth at the Leeds Digital Festival and we've only been able to reach this milestone due to the generous support of our sponsors. We've been honoured to have Leeds Trinity University’s active participation not only as a sponsor, but also as an organisation that is at the heart of the digital community in the city, connecting their talented students into the wider tech sector. During this edition, I’m looking forward to participating in the Digital Dynamics live podcast that will be recorded in front of some of those students to discuss the importance of adaptability to thrive in the modern media environment.” 

The digital events in Leeds city centre come as Leeds Trinity University prepares to open its new Leeds City Campus in the 2024/25 academic year. Located at 1 Trevelyan Square, the City Campus will be home to the University’s School of Computer Science, in addition to its Business School, Law School and Schools of Construction and the Built Environment, and Criminology, Investigation and Policing.  

The central location is complementary to the University’s Main Campus in Horsforth and places Leeds Trinity at the heart of the city, connecting with businesses and employers, responding to the city’s continued growth and supporting demand for skills. 

For more information on Leeds Trinity’s Computer Science degrees, visit the Computer Science webpage.