In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into the fast-evolving world of AI and digital literacies with Dr Ann Thanaraj, unpacking why these are must-have skills for today’s higher education students. We start by defining what AI and digital literacies really mean and explore why they’re critical for navigating our digital age. Ann shares insights into how universities are embedding these skills into their curricula, despite facing significant challenges, and highlights some cutting-edge teaching methods and frameworks making waves across diverse disciplines.

But we go deeper - beyond digital fluency - into the power of interdisciplinary opportunities. Why is blending knowledge from different fields increasingly vital for students’ academic and career success? How are these cross-disciplinary pathways reshaping the student experience and enhancing career readiness? Ann shares what the future might hold for interdisciplinary education and how it’s set to transform higher education over the next decade. Whether you’re an educator, student, or just curious about the future of learning, this episode offers a roadmap for navigating and thriving in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Dr Ann Thanaraj is an Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Digital Transformation at Teesside University, as well as a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of Advance HE. Ann is also the Chair of the University's AI Operations Group who is doing some tremendously innovative work around reimagining what an AI fuelled digitally empowered curricula looks like. Her practical and research work intersects between AI and digital both in Higher Education Learning, Teaching, and Assessments, as well as in Legal Education and practice. Ann’s work has contributed enormously to the national conversation on digital literacies in the curriculum, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to train students in research. I am very excited to be speaking to Ann today. Ann Welcome to the show.