Neil Marshall at TEDx: Rethinking Universities for Innovation and Job Creation

ChangeSchool’s Development Director, Neil Marshall, recently took to the stage at TEDx Cranfield University to share a powerful message on the future of higher education. In his talk, Neil explored how rethinking university systems can unlock innovation, drive inclusive economic growth, and create meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for the next generation of learners and leaders.

In his engaging presentation, Neil drew on his vast experience, having led programmes in over 30 countries and led change across the education sector, to make the case for systemic reform in higher education. He emphasised universities' pivotal role as innovation incubators and how adapting their structures to encourage entrepreneurship and industry collaboration can generate meaningful economic impact.

Neil used real-world examples to spotlight emerging partnerships between academia and the business world, showcasing initiatives where students and researchers gain practical experience, solve genuine problems and bring solutions to market. His core message: by reshaping curricula, fostering cross-disciplinary projects, and embedding support for enterprise, universities can become launchpads for sustainable job ecosystems.

True to ChangeSchool’s ethos of empowering individuals and organisations through education, Neil’s talk resonated with our purpose. He didn’t just highlight challenges—he offered actionable insights. From fostering entrepreneurial mindsets in students to redesigning assessment and funding models, he outlined practical steps universities can take now.

This talk reflects ChangeSchool’s commitment to rigorous yet accessible approaches. It demonstrates how strategic education innovation, grounded in tested frameworks, can deliver both personal transformation and systemic change.

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We celebrate Neil’s contribution to the conversation on education reform and invite you to watch the talk to explore how universities can become catalysts for inclusive growth and development. Let’s continue the dialogue on how together we can future‑proof education systems and empower learners worldwide.