Beyond the screen: robotics, education and the skills pipeline

Austin Earl

Senior Programme Manager, Education and EdTech, techUK

Austin leads techUK’s Education and EdTech programme, shaping strategies that support the digital transformation of schools, colleges, and universities. His work focuses on strengthening the UK’s education technology ecosystem, enhancing core technology foundations, and advancing the adoption of emerging technologies to improve educational outcomes.

Austin also chairs the EdTech Advisory Panel for AI in Education, contributing to national discussions on the future of EdTech, AI, and the UK's Education system.

Email:

[email protected]

Phone:

020 7331 2000

Rory Daniels

Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation, techUK

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the UK Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.

Today, Rory leads techUK's five-strong Emerging Technology and Innovation team, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene experts and decision-makers, showcase best practice, shape government's thinking, and ensure the UK leads on developing and deploying transformative technologies.

The team's main areas of focus are AI Innovation, Quantum, Semiconductors, Robotics, Photonics, Neuromorphic, Innovation Policy, and Technology Convergence.

Rory sits on DSIT's expert Robotics Advisory Group, hosts techUK's Meet the Innovators video interview series, and chairs techUK's Emerging Tech Leadership Committee, comprising 36 senior leaders from the UK's most exciting tech companies. He has also judged the Global Space Awards, hosted London Tech Week's Deep Tech Stage, completed Stanford University's Tech & Entrepreneurship residency, and given oral evidence in a House of Lords Select Committee.

In his spare time, Rory enjoys photography, reading non-fiction (tech, architecture, design & geopolitics), and searching for London's best burger.

Email:

[email protected]

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/

Luke Lightowler

Junior Programme Manager - Emerging Technologies & Robotics, techUK

Luke is a Junior Programme Manager in techUK’s Emerging Tech and Innovation team. He works on techUK’s robotics programme, collaborating closely with members, policymakers and stakeholders to support the safe development, deployment and adoption of robotics technologies across the UK. Alongside this, he also contributes to the team’s wider work on emerging technologies.

Luke began his career on the DHL Supply Chain graduate scheme, where he worked across large-scale logistics operations and supported transformation initiatives focused on efficiency, automation and process improvement. This gave him first-hand experience of complex industrial environments and the practical application of technology within supply chains.

Following this, Luke worked for Michelle Donelan MP, focusing on policy communications and parliamentary engagement. He supported briefing, stakeholder engagement and cross-sector communications, gaining insight into how legislation and policy are shaped and debated, as well as developing a strong understanding of parliamentary process.

He later worked at the Department for Transport as a Senior Policy Advisor, focusing on digital policy development and leading on data-driven programme delivery within government. This strengthened his understanding of policymaking and the regulatory and digital landscape shaping emerging technologies.

Luke holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, which provides him with a strong technical foundation and a particular interest in robotics, automation and applied engineering.

Outside of work, Luke enjoys weight training, walking (particularly in Wiltshire and the Cotswolds) and reading non-fiction. He previously spent time at a Shaolin temple in the rural mountains of Shandong province, China, where he studied Kung Fu while living alongside Shaolin monks - an experience that also sparked his appreciation (and slight obsession) for tea.

Email:

[email protected]