Today’s “60 Seconds With …” interview is features another of the plenary speakers at IWMW 2019: Stratos Filalithis, University of Edinburgh.
1. How do you describe to your friends/parents/next door neighbour what you do for a living?
I very often introduce myself as the “Website guy” or just the “Web geek”.
2. Tell us something really cool about your job at the moment
There’s always something cool happening at The University of Edinburgh! The coolest thing right now is putting the foundations for an innovative approach to introduce the next iteration of central efficient and continuous improving web services, fit for purpose for the needs of the organisation.
3. What’s the most exciting thing about web and digital in the HE sector right now?
What has always made me excited, since I joined this sector, is the amount of collaboration, sharing of ideas and open contributions. This is a total contrast to other sectors, and what makes it more exciting is that this culture grows even stronger.
4. What’s your proudest moment in your career so far?
By far, earning the trust to be in my current role, leading the Website & Communications team at The University of Edinburgh towards a better digital future.
5. If you weren’t doing this career what would your dream job be?
I hate to disappoint but don’t really believe in the idea of a “dream job”. What I would really like to do is to have the flexibility to try a good number of, diverse, things that would definitely include travelling, writing, researching history and philosophy, exploring nature, and, of course, being in touch with technology, amongst others.
6. What will delegates take away from your session at IWMW this year?
How a web strategy, which as all strategies can be abstract, can be used as a vehicle to deliver tangible results, positively affecting an organisation. At least, that’s my aim.
7. Any fond/embarrassing memories of previous IWMW events?
I have only fully attended IWMW 2015 at University of Kent, but the whole experience was great. I would highlight the BBQ and the ducks as company for our daily breakfast.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I always try to fill up my time outside work with as much as I can. By far, my main priority is spending time with my family. We really like walking, either in hills or beaches, and always keen to try new routes. On a personal level, I am a man of many hobbies, including scale modelling, book reading and watching movies. Recently I have been focussing on my running, training to do my first full marathon, supporting the British Heart Foundation as a charity of choice. Having personal experience, I truly believe in supporting people and families having impact of heart conditions.
9. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Have a few, to be honest, but will just reveal that I am really fond of junk food! Trying hard and have cut it out of my diet, but not entirely.
10. Sum up IWMW in one word
Excellent!
Stratos Filalithis is leading the delivery of core web services in support of the University’s key strategic goals. His role is to oversee the management and support of the corporate University’s web presence by managing related web interfaces and experiences.
Stratos will give a plenary talk on “How to turn a web strategy into web services“.
