Katharine Jewitt

Katharine Elizabeth Jewitt BA Hons, MA, MAODE, MSc HRM, MRES, MBA, MEd, FHEA, FRSA (born 13 April 1977) is an Educational Technology and Management Consultant. She is a British Fellow, Speaker, Researcherand Editor-in-Chieffor a number of publications. She is currently Special Editor for Interactive Learning Environments published by Taylor and Francis.
Jewitt works on the Association for Learning Technology Communications and Publications Committeeand established and chairs a monthly Digital Learning Community of Practice. Jewitt was appointed a Lecturer of the Open University as of June 2005in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Faculty of Business and Law and The Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships. She also works for The Open University's Teaching and Learning Centre and International Development Office in a consulting capacity. Jewitt works as a Producer Editor and Writer for OpenLearn Worksand is a Visiting Honorary Associate in The Open University's Faculty for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. She also works as Mentor for FutureLearn.

Jewitt was born in 1977 in Preston, Lancashire. She was educated at Kirkham Grammar School, an independent school in Kirkham, Lancashire and went on to achieve a total of seven degrees (six at postgraduate level). She graduated from Staffordshire University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons) degree in History and Politics. She then gained a postgraduate qualification in Politics at Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Jewitt continued studying at the Open University gaining a

Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, a Master of Arts degree in Online and Distance Education, a Master of Education in Education with Lifelong Learning, a Master of Research in Educational Technology.

Jewitt has much experience in real world research in a range of contexts and has carried out pioneering research, working with local councils to develop an alternative education system for young people excluded from school.

Research activities are in Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL), learners' experiences and uses of technology in learning, computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL), learning in virtual, augmented reality and mobile environments.

Currently completing a Doctorate degree in The School of Education at The University of Glasgow, Jewitt is researching the use of virtual reality to enhance learning in small and medium enterprises.

Jewitt was appointed a Digital Learning Fellowship by The Education and Training Foundation leading a transformational project to develop and implement a digital learning strategy, for delivery of vocational education of the future.

Jewitt explored specific areas for the application of digital learning and also supporting the wider adoption of good practice in the sector.

Most recently, Jewitt carried out research benchmarking UK Higher Education Institutions' best practice in assessment, feedback and feedforward.

After university, Jewitt led a successful supply chain and logistics career at Fujitsu before joining DHL, holding a number of roles encompassing programme management, strategic management and business development; project management; customer service management; warehouse management system designs and implementations, supply chain and procurement; operational management and continuous improvement. Management experience included specialist experience for many large organisations ~ Oracle, IBM, McDonalds, M&S, Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Fujitsu Siemens, Boots, Action 4 Employment, The Open University, Staffordshire University ~ in the areas of: Programme Management, Management Consultancy; Human Resource Management; Organisational Change; Procurement and Supply Chain Logistics; Project Management; ICT; Training and Coaching.

Jewitt founded an education and management consultancy and publishing house in the mid 1990s and has subsequently consulted on education and management change projects for many of the FTSE 100 and leading UK colleges and universities.

Jewitt is an advocate of causes such as education equality and social justice. She is particularly interested in how Technology Enhanced Learning can help people to develop key life skills and realise their full potential. She works as a Prison Educator.

Jewitt was awarded a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2008.

In 2012, Jewitt was awarded The University of Glasgow College of Social Sciences PGR Scholarship.

A Digital Learning Fellowship was awarded to Jewitt in April 2015, funded by The Education and Training Foundation.

She served as Chair of the Evaluation of Learners' Experiences of e-learning Special Interest Group (ELESIG) 2015-16,

Jewitt was appointed Microsoft Innovator Educator Expert in November 2015.

In 2016, Jewitt was shorlisted for The Naace Impact Awards for her leadership impact.

Jewitt is one of Further Education's Top 50 Social Media Users, as awarded by Jisc

Awarded the Institutional Change Leader Award in 2016 by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), supported by Jisc. Jewitt was recognised as a Change Leader working in partnership on technology-related curriculum innovation projects in UK further education and skills and higher education.

Jewitt was awarded a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in 2016.

Jewitt became a Visiting Honorary Associate of the Open University in 2016 in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

2017 Horizon Project Higher Education Panel of Experts - Jewitt was invited to be on the panel of experts commissioned to identify the trends that will drive technology adoption; the challenges that will impede the technology options available to institutions unless resolved; and the new developments in educational technology that institutions are most likely to consider over the next five years.

Jewitt lives in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with her long-term partner.