Elly Cope is a Jisc ‘community champion’

Award recognises people who collaborate with technology for the good of the education sector as a whole.

Elly, the Head of Access and Acquisitions in the Libraries, has been named one of 15 education and research sector community champions by Jisc, the UK’s edtech not-for-profit. 

Running since 2020, the Jisc community champions programme celebrates passionate individuals who successfully share knowledge beyond their own institution, and who bring people together to solve problems and share experience for the good of all. 

“What motivates me is the constant opportunity to learn, grow, and help others do the same. I’m driven by the chance to develop new approaches, test innovative techniques, and improve the way things are done within our sector.”

The nomination for the award highlighted how Elly always considers how her knowledge can successfully deliver positive change at the University of Leeds and beyond, forging key partnerships with suppliers that contribute to developing and improving platforms and services that are used across the community. 

The nomination stated "As a leader in an incredibly fast changing environment Elly uses her technical knowledge and skills relating to library and data systems to identify, test and implement creative solutions in a way that improves processes and inspires colleagues.” 

She has been able to put her team at the heart of all Library activities by developing the team into a forward thinking and dynamic team that is engaged in myriad projects. 

Elly says "What motivates me is the constant opportunity to learn, grow, and help others do the same. I’m driven by the chance to develop new approaches, test innovative techniques, and improve the way things are done within our sector. 

I’m passionate about seeing others flourish – whether it’s through mentoring, creating connections between projects and people, or helping individuals to tap into their full potential. 

Being selected as a Community Champion in recognition of this approach is very exciting and humbling. I’m very much looking forward to meeting the rest of the cohort and continuing to make connections and creating new opportunities for collaboration." 

This year’s champions will enjoy a special trip to Jisc’s flagship edtech conference, Digifest, (11-12 March) where they will be able to network, meet other champions and share their community activity. 

A full list of community champions, finalists and nominees is available on the Jisc website.