Educause 18

Educause 2018 Diary....

Crossing Greenland

Saturday October 27th
A 9 hour flight from London, good to see a few UK colleagues on the long flight. The last time I came to Denver was to attend my first ever Educause conference in 2009 clearly Denver was quite a bit changed.

Sunday October 28th

A early morning run along the clear and fast flowing Cherry Creek River which was fun albeit a little dark and there were a few sleepers along way, the other thing I noticed were the large number of rabbits and rats I think I saw more rats than I ever do see in London but on a par with the number of foxes I see in London. I spent Sunday having a bit of a wander around and I went to the Denver Art Museum a good walk, shopping and trying to get rest.

Monday October 29th

The Rockies

A day off to take a chaperoned trip to the Rocky Mountain Park, this was a trip I had promised myself the last time I came to Denver. It was well worth the 90 minutes drive, quite astonishing in scale and breadth. Blue skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. I really enjoyed seeing the landscape from growing up in North Norfolk (highest point about 350ft above sea level) interesting to get to nearly 12,000 feet above sea level.

Tuesday October 30th

Up again around 3.30am to get in touch with work and catch up on outstanding emails/items. I had a number of business meetings planned throughout the day. Tried out the Hotel gym, realised yet again why I don't like running on treadmills. The weather was completely different, much colder and overcast with some snow & rain. A few further meetings and an evening event with fellow UK & UCISA attendee's.

Wednesday October 31st

Some Great Sessions

Below freezing, but early morning run was good, except for the freezing rain. Early morning contact with work with some operational matters, went to a very good keynote by Michele Norris and then on to several sessions including Women CIO's: Diverse Pathways to the C-suite, API's: A Better Strategy for Higher Ed, Creating a more inclusive Higher Ed Community. Had a great discussion with colleague Peter Bryant. Halloween of course was in full swing and inspite of the cold some great outfits on show.

Thursday November 1st

up early for 6am run with other colleagues from Educause......the 3rd annual Educause run, really enjoyable and a chance to meet new people with a common interest, then on to several sessions including, How to think like a Futurist, 3D Printers as a Sketchbook, Digital Transformation in Higher Ed, 5 Years Later: Is CIO still the best job on Campus?

Denver Union Station

Friday November 2nd

A final run in the cold along the Cherry Creek River and onto the last sessions of this Educause, the final keynote 'Making Something People Love' by Alexis Ohanian was very good a final lunch with new colleagues and I gradually made my way back to the Denver Airport by means of the much improved rail link. 

Saturday November 3rd

Back into Heathrow by 9.30am, very easy and well connected journey back to the homestead by11.30am.

Reflections

I think it was one of the best Educause conferences I have been to, and I've been attending Educause for nearly 10 years. My impression this time around was a marked change in direction towards leadership skills, strategic thinking, what Higher Education is actually for and a big focus on equality, diversity and fairness, all very welcome and some bold changes. I would like to be more involved with the organisation of Educause & I think there is more to be done in the way in which Educause operates internationally although I am encouraged with some changes to the program committee for next year. I left the conference feeling optimistic and hopeful for the future and looking forward to Educause 2019 in Chicago.

Denver Airport

Physical Stats

October 28th - November 2nd

Running 

24.5 miles

Total Steps

123,000

Total Distance

64 miles


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