Laura Dent is Epigeum’s Director of Publishing and Learning Design, responsible for developing publishing strategy across our portfolio and implementing learning design principles into our course design. Laura has over fifteen years’ experience working with Higher Education institutions to develop learning tools.
What brought you to Epigeum?
During my publishing career, I’d always worked on digital products to accompany and supplement textbooks. Epigeum interested me because it develops full ‘born digital’ training courses and it was an exciting move into elearning and learning design. I also liked Epigeum’s strong collaborative approach and the chance to work with institutions on training needs outside of a subject curriculum.
Which parts of your role do you enjoy the most?
A big part of my role is to follow developments in Higher Education and understand the challenges that institutions are facing. Working closely with institutions and hearing about their experiences, training needs, and best practices is something I find so interesting, and it’s crucial so that I can assess changes in the landscape and shape future plans to continuously improve and expand Epigeum’s portfolio of courses.
The other part of my role that I really enjoy is developing Epigeum’s approach to learning design. I work with the team to consider what outcomes the user needs to achieve by the end of the course, and then how we can create the best learning opportunities to enable that. We develop a specific pedagogical framework for each course that can consist of animations, infographics, development activities, scenarios, and more – it can be creative and challenging in equal measures!
I also have a really great team, and working with such a committed and talented group on our product development is one of the best parts of my role.
What does your workspace say about you?
Oh dear! Well, my desk generally has agreements for me to approve, various conference brochures, and storyboards covered in scribbles and arrows where we’re trying to find the right approach! As well as being in the office, I’m also out regularly at Higher Education conferences, elearning conferences, and visiting institutions and experts.
What do you do in your free time?
I love all kinds of literature, so I read a lot. I also really like wandering around the Tate Modern, plus the views at Southbank are an added bonus.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I play the trumpet and piano. I originally went to university to study English and Scottish Literature and Music, but then I loved the Literature side so much I ended up focusing on it.
To find out more about Epigeum’s work with universities and colleges, or to arrange a consultation, please get in touch with us.