Season 2 of Learning Beyond Limits opens with a timely and honest conversation about artificial intelligence, the excitement, the disruption, and the growing fatigue.

Our guest, Professor Xue Zhou, Associate Dean of Education at the University of Leicester and award-winning scholar in AI and business education, joins host Brett Koenig to dissect the rapidly shifting reality of AI in higher education.

Together, they explore:

- Why Prof. Zhou moved from AI optimist to AI worrier

- The widening digital divide between students in the UK, China, the US and Nigeria

- How universities are falling behind industry and what needs to change

- What AI literacy really means (beyond prompting skills)

- The rise of AI fatigue and how to avoid becoming intellectually passive

- Whether future students raised on AI will lose creativity and independent reasoning

- The possibility of robotic educators with human faces

- What makes humans still (for now) the differentiator in an AI-saturated world

This is a candid, thought-provoking discussion about what educators, leaders, and students must do to stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Canham, a trainee solicitor specialising in private client law at Nelsons Solicitors and a former DMU law student. Alex shares her journey from student to legal professional, offering insights into the importance of mentorship, extracurricular activities, and the transferable skills gained through work experience. She also discusses the value of paralegal roles, the realities of transitioning from law school to practice, and how aspiring lawyers can stand out in a competitive field. Whether you're a law student, graduate, or career-changer, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration for navigating the legal profession.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Irina Gokh, an award-winning educator and National Teaching Fellow, as she shares her journey, insights, and vision for the future of higher education. From innovative teaching methods to the impact of AI in the classroom, Dr. Gokh explores what it truly means to be an impactful educator.

In this episode, Angel Nkwanzi shares her inspiring journey of advocacy, resilience, and personal growth. As a passionate advocate for Sickle Cell Disease and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Angel opens up about her mission to raise awareness and empower others to embrace their abilities despite challenges.

We delve into her experiences navigating life after university, building a career and founding 20s Who—a supportive community dedicated to helping people thrive during the transformative decade of their 20s. With insights from her background in International Business and lessons from her personal development journey, Angel explores the importance of health, intentional living, and creating meaningful connections.

Tune in for an empowering conversation that will leave you inspired to embrace growth, overcome obstacles, and live your best life in your 20s and beyond.

In this episode we are joined by Zara Khan, an Associate Solicitor in the Intellectual Property team at Howes Percival.

Zara brings a wealth of experience in contentious and non-contentious IP matters, media, defamation, and privacy law.

Beyond her professional achievements, Zara is a passionate advocate for increasing accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the legal field. She serves as a mentor with Bridging Barriers and the Muslim Lawyers’ Hub, helping aspiring professionals navigate the challenges of breaking into the legal world.

Together, we delve into the critical aspects of building a successful legal career, including the importance of resilience, the role of representation in driving diversity, and practical networking strategies for students and young professionals.

Zara also shares her insights on securing internships, balancing academics with work experience, and leveraging extracurricular activities to stand out.

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Caprice Nembhard, a former law student and current employment paralegal. Caprice shares her journey from law student to legal professional, offering invaluable insights into navigating career transitions, embracing one’s unique path, and staying connected to your “why” in the legal profession.

We also delve into the critical importance of representation in the legal field, exploring the barriers underrepresented individuals face and how we can create a more inclusive industry. Plus, Caprice reflects on the lessons she wishes she’d known earlier in her career and offers a piece of advice to her future self.

In this insightful episode, Dr. Kevin Merry joins Brett Koenig to explore transformative approaches in education, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL), active learning, inclusive teaching, and the block model. Dr. Merry, an educator, author, and advocate for accessible education, shares his journey and the inspiration behind his book Delivering Inclusive and Impactful Instruction: Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education. This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you create more engaging and inclusive learning environments.

Join us on The 3 E’s as we explore the intersections of Equality, Employability, and Extracurriculars, diving into the challenges and triumphs of creating an inclusive and vibrant university experience.

Our guests are Paige Billings, a dynamic student leader and passionate advocate for mental health and women’s liberation and Daniel Duke, De Montfort University’s dedicated BAME Officer driving meaningful change in equality and inclusion on campus, this podcast unpacks the issues that matter most to students.

Together, Paige and Daniel bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the table, fostering honest discussions about diversity, opportunity, and the role extracurriculars play in shaping well-rounded, employable graduates.

Whether you’re a student, educator, or ally, The 3 E’s offers actionable insights and inspiration to build a more inclusive future.