Profile: Dan Lawrence

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Dan Lawrence, Chief Digital Information Officer for IT Services at the University of Liverpool enjoys pushing boundaries both personally and professionally. He kindly shared an honest insight into his world, including how IT Services is helping drive a big shift towards digital transformation, including the move to a smarter campus setup.

Birthplace 

Angel, London 

Biggest achievement to date 

Personal life: I love being outdoors and pushing myself to the absolute limit on an almost daily basis - so I guess the biggest achievement would be: seven marathons in seven weeks in 2022, for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my mum who died in 2019. I was absolutely broken by the end of the seventh, but also immensely proud that I’d pushed myself to and somewhat beyond the limit, for a cause that meant so much to me. 

Work life: The obvious answer is moving the University of Birmingham online in a matter of days in March 2020 – one that will resonate with most of you. It never fails to remind me how incredibly well IT staff in universities reacted to what would have been seen to be the ‘impossible’, countless times in the early days of the pandemic. 

The collective will to provide support and change at a time of unprecedented global chaos can never be underestimated or forgotten. 

I’ve worked across many sectors before coming into higher education (HE) in 2015 and have a firm belief that building and respecting your teams, will deliver many great collective achievements as it should never be about the individual. 

Best life lesson or piece of wisdom

Life is for living; embrace it and make the most of it. 

Favourite snack

Those that know me, know that I’m permanently eating/grazing so I couldn’t possibly select one snack.  However, Colcannon – a traditional Irish dish – is an absolute go-to!  

Happy place

Blackrock, Dublin.  I am first generation Irish and very proud of the country and its people and one day will settle there. Whenever I need downtime or an escape, I’ll head there. 

An áit a bhfuil do chroí is ann a thabharfas do chosa thú – Your feet will bring you where your heart is. 

Your three desert island items 

  • My vinyl (and obviously something to play it on); is that allowed as one item? 
  • My running shoes – need a big island! 
  • A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve read it, but could never tire of it. 

What are the key technology trends you see shaping higher education in the next 3-5 years? 

So much is on the horizon! It's all part of this big shift towards digital transformation, including the move to smarter campus setups. Now Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning get a lot of buzz, but they can actually do some pretty cool stuff for students. Think personalised learning experiences, better academic advising, and smoother admissions processes. 

Online and hybrid learning is here to stay. With tech getting better and students wanting more flexibility, virtual classrooms, online platforms, and interactive resources are becoming the new normal for colleges and universities. Finally, data management, which some might say sounds a bit dull, is the absolute backbone of all these exciting changes. Without smart handling of student and staff data, none of this cool stuff can happen. So, investing in better data management is key to speeding up digital transformations in higher education. Accessibility, sustainability, and green technologies are all growing in importance which is great to see and support.   

How is IT Services approaching digital transformation for the University? 

Well, we've recently refreshed our Digital Strategy, which is not just about supporting the University's vision for 2031, but also about driving it forward. We're diving into the latest technology solutions but also very focused on optimising systems we have already got and building stronger ties with industry partners. Plus, we're putting data and cyber security at the heart of it all. We are fully on board with digital transformation to allow the University to become more flexible in how we operate and give our students and staff excellent value. Ultimately, it's all about creating amazing learning experiences underpinned by digital solutions, that connect with research and help everyone at the University reach their full potential. IT Services' role is fundamental, and we are working hard to make it a success.  

What are the biggest challenges you face on the digital transformation journey? 

Any shift is difficult. Many universities in the UK have legacy systems and infrastructure that may not be compatible with newer digital technologies and University of Liverpool is no different. Upgrading or replacing these systems while ensuring continuity and minimal disruption can be a significant challenge. 

Can you share an example of successful technology implementation or innovation within your department? 

In collaboration with the University, IT Services has embarked on a series of exciting Digital Innovation Proofs of Concept (PoCs) that are pushing the boundaries of what digital can offer to its students, academics, researchers, and staff, these include: Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tools, AI-powered chat, voice assistant technology – exciting stuff, watch this space.  

What can staff and students do to get the most out of IT Services right now?   

  • Stay informed: Keep abreast of the latest developments by tuning in to announcements, newsletters, and communication channels provided by IT Services. We were excited to announce the launch of our campaign for 2024 YOUR I.T. including new social media pages, blog, and newsletter, offering you exclusive insights into the latest features, updates, and available resources. Go check it out! 
  • Utilise support resources: Familiarise yourself with the support resources available such as our self-service portal, Sydney Jones Library drop-in and knowledge articles to troubleshoot issues and seek assistance when needed. Our Business Partners have recently been put in place to advise and guide faculties and schools on how to optimise IT to achieve their goals.
  • Provide feedback: Share your feedback and suggestions with IT Services to help improve services and tailor them to better meet the needs of staff and students 
  • Stay secure: Follow best practices for cyber security, including use of strong passwords, updating software regularly, being cautious of phishing attempts, and safeguarding sensitive information. 
  • Explore available services: Take the time to explore the range of offerings from IT Services, such as cloud storage, collaboration tools, software licenses, and remote access options, to optimise your productivity and efficiency.