Elevating Inclusive, AI‑Ready Education: A Conversation on ITL Awards 2026
- Digital Strategy
- Mar 5
- 7 min read
An in‑depth conversation between Mandy Campbell (Director, Program Outreach, Searchruby Consulting) and Lucy Hale (Global Research Lead – Education Sector, SoftwareVerdict) on the ITL Awards 2026 for Education.
The discussion covers why the Higher Ed and K‑12 chapters were created, how the GRID Framework works, who can nominate, timelines, and the strategic upside for institutions that participate.
If you’re involved in digital, academic, or edtech leadership, I think you’ll find it a useful primer on how AI‑enabled, inclusive education leadership is being recognised globally.
Interviewer: Mandy Campbell, Director – Program Outreach, Searchruby Consulting
Interviewee: Lucy Hale, Global Research Lead – Education Sector, SoftwareVerdict
Mandy: Lucy, thank you for joining us. To begin, what are the ITL Awards 2026 for Education, and why do they matter right now?
Lucy: Thank you, Mandy, it is a pleasure to be here. ITL Awards 2026 for Education is a global recognition program led by SoftwareVerdict that celebrates transformative technology leadership across Higher Education and K‑12 schools in the age of AI. As education systems navigate rapid digitization, these awards spotlight leaders and institutions that are not just adopting technology, but using it to build inclusive, resilient, and future‑ready learning ecosystems.
Scope and Chapters: Higher Ed and K‑12
Mandy: You mentioned both Higher Education and K‑12. How are the awards structured across these segments?
Lucy: The 2026 edition has two dedicated chapters: a Higher Education Chapter and a K‑12 School Chapter.
The Higher Education Chapter recognizes universities, colleges, and institutions — along with leaders such as Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans, Heads of Departments, and senior academic executives — who are driving AI‑enabled equitable education, robust digital infrastructure, and inclusive innovation.
The K‑12 School Chapter focuses on schools and school networks that excel in edtech integration, student‑centric digital experiences, and sustainable technology ecosystems that can scale responsibly.
Together, they provide a unified lens on how leadership and technology can reshape learning from early years all the way through advanced degrees.
Who the Awards Recognize
Mandy: Who can be nominated in ITL Awards 2026 for Education?
Lucy: The awards recognize both individuals and institutions. On the individual side, we welcome nominations for senior education leaders who are shaping digital transformation and inclusive outcomes, including:
Vice Chancellors and Presidents
Registrars and Provosts
Deans and Directors
Heads of Department and senior academic or technology leaders in education
On the institutional side, universities, colleges, and schools that have demonstrated measurable impact through technology‑driven initiatives — from AI‑powered learning environments to resilient digital campuses — are all eligible.
Core Themes and Evaluation Lens
Mandy: What are the core themes or focus areas that define ITL Awards 2026?
Lucy: At the heart of ITL Awards 2026 is a commitment to inclusive and AI‑ready education. For this cycle, we emphasize four interconnected themes:
Technology transformation for personalized, inclusive learning: How institutions use AI, analytics, and digital platforms to personalize learning and close equity gaps.
Student experience and outcomes: The quality of student‑centric experiences, including digital engagement, wellbeing, and success metrics.
Future‑proof infrastructure: The strength of digital foundations across scalability, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
Ethical and equitable leadership: How leadership embeds diversity, equity, and inclusion into governance, policies, and day‑to‑day decision‑making.
These awards are not about technology for its own sake; they are about leaders using technology to create more equitable and resilient learning systems.
The GRID Framework
Mandy: SoftwareVerdict often references the GRID Framework in connection with these awards. Can you explain what that is and how it’s used?
Lucy: Absolutely. Nominations for ITL Awards 2026 are assessed using SoftwareVerdict’s proprietary GRID Framework. GRID stands for:
G – Governance: Clarity of vision, policies, and accountability around technology and inclusion in education.
R – Resilience: The ability of institutions to sustain learning during disruption, whether due to pandemics, socio‑economic shocks, or rapid tech change.
I – Inclusion: How leaders and institutions embed diversity, equity, and inclusive access into their digital strategies and student experiences.
D – Data Strategies: The maturity and responsibility with which data, AI, and analytics are used for decision‑making, student success, and operational excellence.
Our research team uses GRID to translate narrative evidence, metrics, and case studies from each nomination into a structured evaluation, ensuring rigor, comparability, and fairness across regions and institution types.
Nominations: Who, How, and Cost
Mandy: Let’s get practical. Who can submit nominations, what does the process look like, and is there a fee?
Lucy: Nominations are open globally and are free of charge.
Who can nominate: Institutions can nominate themselves; leaders can be nominated by their institutions, peers, partners, or by professional associations.
Where to nominate: Nominations are submitted online via the SoftwareVerdict portal dedicated to ITL Awards 2026 for Higher Education and K‑12.
What to submit: We ask for a concise narrative of the initiative, supporting evidence of impact (such as metrics, testimonials, or case examples), and alignment with the GRID dimensions.
We have deliberately kept the process open and accessible so that resource‑constrained institutions, including those in emerging markets, can participate and showcase their leadership.
Key Dates and 2026 Timeline
Mandy: For leaders planning their submissions, what does the 2026 timeline look like?
Lucy: The call for nominations for ITL Awards 2026 in Higher Education and K‑12 was announced in mid‑February 2026. The key milestones are:
Nominations window: Opens February 2026, with submissions accepted over several months to accommodate global academic calendars.
Evaluation phase: Rolling review using the GRID Framework, combining nomination material with independent research.
Announcement of winners: Winners are highlighted via SoftwareVerdict’s channels, partner networks, and associated insights reports later in the year. Exact closure dates and ceremony details are updated on the official awards page, so we encourage applicants to refer there for the latest information.
Benefits for Winners and Finalists
Mandy: Beyond recognition, what do winners and finalists gain from ITL Awards 2026?
Lucy: The awards are designed to create sustained value for education leaders and institutions, not just a one‑day spotlight. Key benefits include:
Global recognition: Winners are showcased across SoftwareVerdict’s global research platforms, insights publications, and partner communities.
Digital badges and credentials: Awardees receive verifiable digital badges and credentials that can be shared on institutional sites, professional profiles, and communications.
Feature in insights reports: Selected winners and standout initiatives are profiled in thematic reports and case studies, which are read by decision‑makers across education and technology.
Benchmarking and learning: Participation helps institutions benchmark themselves against global peers and learn from the practices of the “Mighty 90” and subsequent cohorts.
For many leaders, the visibility and credibility of this recognition directly support institutional partnerships, student recruitment narratives, and funding discussions.
Learning from Past Cycles: “Mighty 90” and Beyond
Mandy: The 2024 ITL Awards and the “Mighty 90” cohort created a lot of buzz. What have you learned from earlier editions that informs the 2026 Education focus?
Lucy: The 2024 ITL Awards recognized the “Mighty 90” — HR and Talent leaders worldwide who set new standards in inclusivity, diversity, and equitable leadership. From that experience, three lessons stood out for us:
Inclusive leadership is measurable: We were able to see clear links between inclusive talent strategies, culture, and business outcomes, which validated our GRID‑based approach.
Story plus data is powerful: The most compelling nominations combined human stories with clear metrics — for example, improved retention, better representation, or learning outcomes.
Cross‑sector relevance: The frameworks and insights from HR and Talent leadership translated naturally into education, where institutions are also building inclusive, AI‑enabled ecosystems for learners and staff.
ITL Awards 2026 for Education builds on this foundation, but tailors the lens to the realities of classrooms, campuses, online learning platforms, and education policy.
Strategic Impact for Education Ecosystems
Mandy: Beyond individual winners, what is the broader strategic impact you hope ITL Awards 2026 will have on education?
Lucy: Our ambition is to turn ITL Awards into a global benchmark for what “good” looks like in AI‑enabled, inclusive education. We want:
Institutions to see concrete models for building resilient, data‑driven digital campuses.
Leaders to learn from peers who are reimagining governance, pedagogy, and student support around equity and technology.
Edtech partners to better understand the needs of institutions that are serious about inclusion, ethics, and measurable impact.
As AI reshapes curricula, assessments, and student support, these awards help identify pioneers who are creating not just “smart” campuses but just, humane, and future‑ready ones.
Connection to SoftwareVerdict and Digital Strategy Institute
Mandy: How do the ITL Awards fit into the broader mission of SoftwareVerdict and the Digital Strategy Institute?
Lucy: SoftwareVerdict is a global research and software marketplace organization, offering Strategic Business Reviews, Economic Impact Radar studies, and a marketplace of over 1,700 technology solutions to support informed decisions. As part of the Digital Strategy Institute ecosystem, we focus on ethical digital leadership across sectors, including education.
The ITL Awards are a natural extension of this mission: they take our research, frameworks, and market understanding and translate them into a recognition platform that elevates leaders who embody inclusive, responsible technology adoption. In education, this means highlighting those who are equipping the future workforce and nurturing learners for an AI‑first world.
Guidance for Strong Nominations
Mandy: For institutions or leaders listening to this and considering a nomination, what advice would you offer to strengthen their submissions?
Lucy: Three practical suggestions:
1. Be specific about impact: Move beyond high‑level aspirations; share concrete outcomes such as improvements in access, retention, student performance, or digital engagement that resulted from your initiatives.
2. Show alignment with GRID: Explicitly connect your story to governance, resilience, inclusion, and data — for example, describing how you governed AI use, ensured continuity during disruption, or used data ethically.
3. Highlight equity and student voice: The most compelling education stories center on learners — especially underrepresented groups — and show how their experience has improved through technology and leadership choices.
Strong nominations read like concise case studies: they tell us what challenge you faced, what you did, how you did it, and what changed as a result.
How to Get Started
Mandy: Finally, where should interested readers go to learn more or start the nomination process?
Lucy: The best starting point is the official ITL Awards 2026 section on the SoftwareVerdict website, where you will find detailed information on the Higher Education and K‑12 chapters, criteria, and nomination forms. The Digital Strategy Institute announcement also provides a concise overview of the call for entries and reiterates the focus on transformative, inclusive tech leadership in education.
We encourage institutions and leaders from all regions — including those who may be early in their digital journey but have made courageous, equity‑focused choices — to participate. Every strong nomination helps us collectively raise the bar for what technology and leadership can achieve in education.
ITL Awards 2026 Partner Companies
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