Journal Launch #16 - Why Human Connection Still Matters

Join Us for the Launch of IEP Journal #16

We are delighted to invite you to the official launch of the latest edition of the IEP Journal, themed:

'Why Human Connection Still Matters'

At a time when Artificial Intelligence, automation and digital platforms are rapidly reshaping employability services, this edition explores a vital question:

How do we harness technology without losing the human relationships that make sustainable employment possible?

What Edition #16 Explores

Through contributions from leaders across employability, careers, quality assurance and lived-experience organisations, Journal #16 examines:

• The balance between AI-driven efficiency and professional integrity

• Protecting agency and co-design in action planning

• Equity, empathy and compassion in digital delivery

• The ethical responsibility of professionals in an AI-enabled world

• Why relational practice remains central to sustainable outcomes

This edition moves beyond a simple 'technology versus people' debate. Instead, it challenges us to think carefully about how digital innovation and human connection can — and must — coexist.

A Special Live Discussion with Our Contributors

For this launch event, we’ll be joined by four of our featured authors and contributors, who will explore and debate key ideas from this issue.

A Brief Introduction to our Speakers - 

Roger Chapman FIEP, The Growth Company

Roger Chapman is at the forefront of quality assurance and standards management, and whose extensive career demonstrates a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of information, advice, and guidance (IAG) delivered across the UK, particularly within the Employability sector. His career achievements make him a fitting recipient of the Fellow status at the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP).

Leadership in Employability Standards
Since January 2020, Roger has served as the Head of Service for the matrix Standard. This role places him at the forefront of quality assurance for Career, Education, and Employability services, overseeing the management of the Standard and leading 26 Assessors across the UK.

Dr. Jackie Le Fèvre, Director, Magma Effect

Building on a fascination with animal behaviour Jackie is a zoologist turned psychologist who confesses to often finding people puzzling. Her current practice is focused on harnessing values insights for meaning and motivation. Working with individuals, groups, teams and sometimes whole organisations Jackie strongly refutes the suggestion that values is ‘soft stuff’ that cannot be usefully codified.

Jackie holds a Certificate in Education (Post Compulsory), a level 7 qualification in leadership and management, and a PhD in occupational psychology from the University of Hertfordshire where she is also a Visiting Lecturer on the Masters programmes in Occupational and Business Psychology. She is an accredited practitioner and licensor with the Minessence Values Framework, a founder of the Global Values Appliance, member of the UK Values Alliance and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Relationships between values connection and wellbeing are a particular research interest of Jackies’ alongside developing methodologies that enable individuals to access their values without the need for lengthy questionnaires.

Richard Strauss, Development Director, Offploy
Richard has spent the past few years helping build Offploy into what it is today, a not-for-profit that believes people with convictions deserve not just a second chance, but the tools, support and opportunities to take it.

As Development Director, his role is to oversee the income streams, develop strategy and infrastructure, and work closely with funders, commissioners and employers to make inclusive recruitment not just aspirational, but practical and safe. Offploy have built tools such as DisclosureToolkit.org, and developed the R3 Certificate in Reintegration and Reducing Reoffending.

Dr.Tom Staunton, Lecturer in Career Development, University of Derby
Tom is a Lecturer in Career Development at the International Centre for Guidance Studies teaching on the MA Careers Education and Coaching at the University. His research interests focus on the way the internet, and especially social media, is changing the field of career development. He is especially interested in how these technological shifts affect both individuals undertaking career development activities and the practitioners who support them, and how the profession can respond thoughtfully and ethically to these changes.

This event is open to IEP Fellows, Members and non-members from across the world.

Register to Receive Your Advance Copy

Everyone who registers for the launch will receive an advance digital copy of IEP Journal #16 by email ahead of the event, giving you the opportunity to read the articles and come prepared with your own reflections and questions.