Dr Esther Barrett

As a Jisc subject specialist in digital practice, Esther has been closely involved with the digital literacy movement and the development of a national digital strategy for the post 16 sectors in Wales.

Esther offers consultancy and training in such areas as employability, apprenticeship digital delivery, blended learning and assessment, and digital capability.

Esther has been working in the education sector for 20 years. She started out teaching literacy and ESOL in the community, and went on to design courses, train teachers and expand learning opportunities while working on a regional learning network project.

She joined Jisc Wales in 2006, as an eLearning advisor supporting the adult community learning and voluntary sectors across the nation. Over eight years she saw these sectors grow from being unaware of the opportunities afforded by technology to support them and their learners, to embracing technology and digital literacy as part of their future vision and strategic development.

Esther has a PhD in education and online language from Swansea University. She combined her interest in lifelong learning, technology, bilingualism and literacy to develop a thesis based on Welsh speaking adult learners’ attitudes to technology and online language.

Outside work, she likes travelling, keeping fit and going to shows.