Speaker: Simon Nelson (CEO, FutureLearn, the U.K.)

Date: March 5, 2015 – Thursday

Time: 16:00

Venue: West Hall, Library, Songjiang Campus

Language: English

Speaker Biography: Simon Nelson is the Chief Executive of FutureLearn, the first UK-led provider of massive open online courses (MOOCs). Since taking on the role in December 2012, Simon has turned The Open University-backed initiative into a fully functioning company, and overseen the development of the website which went live in September 2013. To date, FutureLearn has 23 university partners, as well as content agreements with the British Library, British Museum and British Council. FutureLearn’s first open online courses began in October 2013.

Simon was a pioneer in taking media brands and content online. He joined the BBC in 1997 and by the time he left in 2010, was heading all digital activities for the Corporation’s television divisions. In this role he worked with BBC Controllers to commission websites, mobile and red button services to support and enhance the BBC's drama, entertainment, comedy and knowledge programmes. Simon was instrumental in the launch of the BBC iPlayer and built an award-winning portfolio of online and cross-platform services for the BBC. During his BBC tenure, Simon also worked as Head of Strategy for BBC Radio in the late 90s. He went on to set up and manage all digital activities for BBC Radio & Music, where he launched its world-leading podcast service in 2005 as well as the Radio Player.

Since leaving the BBC, Simon has led a number of digital strategy and product development projects in the TV, radio and publishing sectors, working for a number of companies including Random House, UKTV, Lime Pictures, New York Public Radio and Phaidon Press.