As the first cohort of the ‘transforming together’ programme ends, we celebrate a year of progress. This unique collaboration between participating universities, Jisc and Adobe has helped embed Adobe Express across campuses and acted as a catalyst for creativity, student employability and digital innovation.
From early discovery to confidence – the final workshop of the ‘transforming together’ programme concluded a remarkable journey for the first cohort of participating universities.
The new Adobe Express option in the Jisc Adobe Enterprise Term Licence Agreement (ETLA) was launched to help institutions achieve their digital transformation ambitions. However, with tight budgets across the sector, it was vital that investment in Adobe delivered value. ‘Transforming together’ was created so universities could implement Adobe Express in a way that was both strategic and sustainable, fostering a campus-wide culture of creativity, inclusion and innovation.
Adobe Express: a catalyst for strategic ambitions
During the workshops, participants shared many successful outcomes from implementing Adobe Express, applying a strategic lens to lay foundations for embedding the technology. At the University of Hertfordshire, Express aligned with more than just digital skills. Jen Gainsford, deputy head of TEL and digital capability explains:
“We considered how Adobe Express supported our 2025–30 strategy – and where it didn’t. We saw Adobe Express as a key part of our digital transformation as we aim to become a digital first institution. But what surprised us was how much further its relevance extended. It wasn’t just about digital skills: it connected to careers and employability, authentic assessment and curriculum redesign, our brand and global reputation and more. Its potential impact was far greater than we had imagined.”
In March, participants showcased their stories at Digifest highlighting how the collaboration sparked institution-wide digital transformation.
Employability: empowering students for career success
Manchester Met University emphasised Adobe Express as an asset for boosting student employability. Deputy PVC and professor of digitally enhanced education, Janet Lord noted:
“Our digitally enhanced learning teaching and assessment (DELTA) strategy is the key to our ‘Road to 2030’ document. It’s about embedding digital skills which are important in the northwest for the employability of our students, as well as for our staff thinking about inclusion and authentic assessment.”
Nigel Hayes, digital media support technician, highlighted Express’s long-term value to Leeds Trinity University students:
“Adobe Express is not just a tool for students to use at university, but to take forward in their professional lives as well.”
Shared experiences: shared solutions, shared success
Participants used the sessions to focus on implementing Adobe Express effectively. Jen Gainsborough explained:
“It’s been fantastic having time with colleagues to really consider our strategy for increasing engagement with Adobe Express; collaborating with other universities has allowed us to share ideas, receive peer feedback, and drive forward practical ways to embed it across our community.”
The programme used various approaches to facilitate the implementation of Adobe Express. During the final session, focused on curriculum design, collaborative problem-solving helped institutions develop a common roadmap for embedding Adobe Express into the curriculum. They tackled turning enthusiasm into action; overcoming resistance; making skill building easier by fitting training into existing workloads and boosting Adobe’s visibility.
Discussing challenges sparked practical solutions. One participant noted that a suggestion for another institution’s issue would help overcome their own barriers.
Participants found it reassuring to know other institutions on the same journey. Jen Gainsford noted:
“We may have different set ups but we’re tackling similar challenges; we have much to learn from one another.”
The group highlighted the importance of access to experts. Having access to colleagues from Adobe who understood the classroom experience was invaluable, helping them move down the authentic assessment path.
The programme surfaced challenges common to all participants:
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- Supporting students to adopt new technology confidently
- Demonstrating how Adobe Express enhances the student experience
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- Validating the academic rigour of digital assessments
Mark Andrews, Adobe’s principal strategic development manager, praised the programme’s collaborative spirit. He said:
“It’s been wonderful to see how this community has united to realise the opportunity of implementing Express across their institutions and sharing practice and the journey with us all.”
Looking ahead: building on momentum
Institutions grew in confidence, but noted that their journey continues with next steps including:
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- Creating frameworks to ensure rigour in diverse assessments
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- Supporting students without overburdening staff
Fiona Camino, Adobe’s head of HE UK&I, hoped to build on the community’s success. She said:
“We’ve all come such a long way. I can see your successes and your growing confidence in the long-term use of technology.”
Chris Thomson, Jisc’s subject specialist: digital practice, concluded:
“It’s been brilliant being part of a programme with such committed and engaged people, pushing us to create something valuable for them.”
Join us next time!
The Jisc Adobe ETLA agreement purchase window is open until 14 July. Institutions signing up for the Adobe Express option, can join next year’s cohort of universities benefiting from expert support, peer collaboration, and a shared commitment to digital innovation.