Welcome to EDINA’s News — your hub for updates, insights and stories from the team behind ELM, DataNation, Digimap, Digimap for Schools and Noteable. Explore service updates, product releases, research highlights, events and user stories, including collaborations with Ordnance Survey. Check back regularly for the latest features, tips and community highlights. EDINA Marks 30 Years as the UK’s EdTech Innovation Powerhouse EDINBURGH, UK – EDINA, the University of Edinburgh’s world-leading centre for digital expertise, today marks its 30th anniversary by bridging three decades of data heritage with a bold vision for technological sovereignty and the future of Generative AI in Higher Education. To celebrate this milestone, EDINA has announced a year-long programme of high-profile initiatives, headlined by the launch of a first-of-its-kind AI Innovation Award. This award recognises groundbreaking innovation among users of the ELM® platform—EDINA’s flagship GenAI tool. Through ELM®, the University of Edinburgh became the first in the UK to provide equitable, safe, and secure access to Generative AI for its entire community of staff and students. Since its inception in 1996, EDINA has transitioned from a national data provider to a strategic innovation partner. This evolution is marked today by a refreshed brand identity and a new digital hub, designed to reflect EDINA’s role in building "sovereign" university-hosted alternatives to commercial "Big Tech" platforms. Anne Robertson, Director of EDINA, said: “Thirty years ago, EDINA began with a mission to make complex data accessible to all. Today, we are applying that same rigour to the AI revolution. Our new identity reflects a future-facing organisation that isn't just watching the EdTech landscape change—we are building the tools and hosting the critical conversations that define it. This anniversary celebrates a legacy that began with mapping the world and continues with mapping the future of intelligence.” A Year of Insight and Innovation The 30th-anniversary programme focuses on sector-wide leadership and the "students-as-partners" model: The AI Conference (November 2026): A landmark summit bringing together HE leaders and platform providers to discuss challenges, concerns and opportunities related to ethical GenAI adoption in education. “Trusted Voices” Content Series: Insights from industry visionaries on why secure, university-governed technology is critical for research integrity. The Future-Facing Video Series: Expert projections on EdTech in 2056, examining how the foundations laid today will shape the next 30 years. EDINA Impact Timeline: A digital retrospective showcasing achievements from the national success of Digimap® to the rapid scaling of Noteable®. 30 Things Series: Highlighting the human impact of EDINA, including the role of student interns who have worked alongside senior developers to build and deploy sector-leading tools. Gavin McLachlan, Vice-Principal and Chief Information Officer at the University of Edinburgh, added: “EDINA remains one of the University’s most significant success stories. By consistently anticipating the needs of the sector—from the early days of Digimap® to the pioneering rollout of ELM®—they have ensured that Edinburgh remains a global leader in digital pedagogy and research support.” The new EDINA website and logo launch today. Author: Jim Killough, Sales and Marketing Manager @ EDINA at The University of Edinburgh jim.killough@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2026-01-26
