DEFI Innovation Lab
We review, test and build
The DEFI Innovation Lab, led by Dr Imogen Casebourne, aims to explore and foster innovative ways of teaching and learning via new technology. We help our clients and partners in industry, government, and academia to investigate approaches that were not possible before and could potentially result in new ways for people to learn and flourish in a time of global change.
Research services
Based at the Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, the DEFI Innovation Lab delivers its services through the expertise of DEFI team members, researching the application of digital technology to a variety of educational topics, including:
- Dialogue
- Inclusion
- Professional development
- Pedagogical innovation (including AI and wearables)
- Design Based Research
Choose our bespoke horizon scanning service.
To help you with early warning of upcoming trends and developments that could have an impact on policy or strategy.
By delivering a horizon scanning service.
Resulting in early insight into factors you may want to consider as you shape your strategy.
Guidance on your research focus and aims.
To help you with refining your research question, focus, and aims
By delivering an initial workshop or webinar with your organisation
Resulting in refined research questions and a high level research strategy that you can take forward.
Scalable from rapid evidence scans to systematic reviews.
To help you with gaining a view of the existing evidence and any gaps that might exist.
By delivering a map of the research landscape and a report.
Resulting in an overview of the research on a topic of interest, which you can use to plan future research, or to guide design.
Education for collective intelligence and future skills
Journal article: A Dialogic Theoretical Foundation for Integrating Generative AI into Pedagogical Design
Conceptual research, published by BJet, on how to integrate generative AI into pedagogical design.
AI and Education for Collective Intelligence: A Futures Perspective
UNESCO has published Dr Imogen Casebourne and Professor Rupert Wegerif’s think piece on collective intelligence and education. Read more.
Using AI to Support Education for Collective Intelligence
Dr Imogen Casebourne and Prof Rupert Wegerif have contributed to a research paper investigating how AI can be used effectively to support education for Collective Intelligence.
Journal Article: Education for Collective Intelligence
Dr Mike Hogan visited DEFI and led work on developing a framework for collective intelligence.





