New Cross-sector Lab podcast episode: Dr Nicole Ponsford on using AI and data to build more inclusive education

ASDAN has released a new episode of the Cross-sector Lab podcast: reimagine education together, featuring a conversation between ASDAN CEO Melissa Farnham and Dr Nicole Ponsford, award-winning educator, researcher, edtech innovator and founding CEO of the Global Equality Collective. 

In this episode, Melissa and Nicole explore how AI and data can be used to build more inclusive education, while also considering the ethical risks of relying on narrow or unreliable data to make decisions about young people. 

The conversation looks at how education settings can move beyond attendance, attainment and behaviour data to better understand learners’ lived experiences, including their sense of belonging, engagement and wellbeing. Nicole shares insights from her doctoral research and her work with schools, trusts and local authorities to explore how richer, more nuanced data can help leaders understand what inclusion looks and feels like in practice. 

Melissa and Nicole also discuss the importance of using AI carefully and ethically, with learners’ best interests at the centre. The episode considers the risks of AI reinforcing labels, assumptions and stigma, while also exploring how technology can support accessibility, contextualised learning and learner agency when used well. 

The discussion also reflects on the difference between equality and equity, the importance of listening to learners, parents and carers, and the role of relationships, trust and social capital in creating inclusive education environments. 

The episode is available to listen to on Spotify and a video of the discussion can be viewed on YouTube. 

About the series 

Cross-sector Lab: reimagine education together is ASDAN’s podcast series bringing together leaders, educators and changemakers from across education, policy and industry to explore how we can build a more equitable and future-ready learning system.