GVAV
Enabling flexible and accessible learning at Birkbeck University of London.
Background
Birkbeck, University of London has a long history of making higher education accessible to people whose studies need to fit around work, family and other commitments.
As expectations around how and where students learn evolve, Birkbeck embarked on an ambitious programme to transform its teaching estate. GVAV was appointed to deliver one of the UK's most extensive HyFlex technology rollouts, upgrading more than 70 teaching rooms and 10 lecture theatres alongside new specialist facilities including an Immersive Learning Centre and Centre for Creative AI.
Arrow & Zest was commissioned to bring the story to life through video, photography and social content.
Challenge
This story went far beyond the scale of the AV installation.
At its heart was the role technology can play in making higher education more flexible and accessible – enabling students to participate meaningfully whether they are in the classroom or joining remotely.
Our challenge was to capture both sides: the technical ambition of a major campus-wide AV deployment and, more importantly, its human impact – while showcasing new opportunities for teaching and learning through immersive technology, virtual reality, AI and virtual production.
Services
✔ Video case study
✔ Photography
✔ Social assets
Watch the video case study
Solution
Arrow & Zest planned and delivered a people-led video case study designed to show the technology being used in real teaching environments.
Working closely with GVAV and Birkbeck, we brought together six stakeholders spanning university leadership, digital education, teaching, project delivery and AV integration to tell the story from different perspectives.
Rather than filming empty teaching spaces, we worked with a Birkbeck lecturer and 10 students who volunteered to participate in live HyFlex teaching sessions. This allowed us to capture the technology in context – showing interaction between students and lecturers in the room alongside remote participants and demonstrating how AV supports a joined-up learning experience.
Filming also took us into Birkbeck's new Immersive Learning Centre and Centre for Creative AI, capturing virtual reality, immersive learning and professional-grade virtual production in action.
The result combines human storytelling with the technical scale of the project – focusing not simply on what GVAV installed, but why it matters.
“The best two weeks of my job at Birkbeck are graduation week, where you see those students walking across the platform beaming with smiles.
HyFlex is an integral part of getting them there.”
Sally Wheeler Vice Chancellor, Birkbeck, University of London
Results
The finished film tells a powerful story about how AV technology can help remove barriers to education and create more flexible, accessible and engaging learning experiences.
For GVAV, it provides a flagship higher education case study demonstrating its ability to deliver complex AV technology at significant scale while keeping students, lecturers and users at the centre of the project.
The film is supported by photography, social content and stakeholder testimonials, providing GVAV with a rich bank of content for ongoing marketing and business development.
The Birkbeck project has also been shortlisted for Education Project of the Year at the AV Awards, providing further recognition for the teams behind the programme.
Most importantly, it demonstrates the real-world impact of HyFlex: not simply allowing students to join remotely, but giving more people the flexibility to participate in and complete higher education.
“The Arrow & Zest team were a pleasure to work with once again.
Alex took the time to fully understand the brief and what we were trying to achieve, while bringing genuine creative flair and fresh ideas to the table. The whole process from planning through to delivery was seamless.
Having worked with Alex on previous case studies we knew we were in safe hands, and the final video does justice to a project that we are incredibly proud of. Already looking forward to working together on the next one."
Michael Courts Marketing Manager, GVAV
Have a story worth telling?
Explore our Case Study Services or book a call to see how Arrow & Zest can help bring your projects to life.