Heads & Tales - Joe Seddon
Joe Seddon is a tech entrepreneur with a seriously exciting social mission.
He is the founder of Zero Gravity, a technology company that supports low-income students into universities and careers. In October 2020, Joe was appointed as a Trustee of the British Youth Council and he is also a Governor of Lister Community School.
Have you had a mentor in your own life, someone specific? Can you tell us more about what mentoring has meant to you growing up?
Sure, I've had a number of mentors throughout my crazy journey to this point. My first real mentor in life was actually my grandma. I grew up in a small town in West Yorkshire in a single-parent household, and my grandma played a crucial role in inspiring me to look beyond my school life. She would give me interesting things to read, which sparked my passion for politics and economics. Thanks to her influence, I had the confidence to apply to universities like Oxford and pursue a degree in PPE. Sometimes the greatest mentors can come from our own family or close friendships, and it doesn't always require a calculated search for the best mentor. However, as I transitioned from education to the world of startups, I also found mentors outside of my immediate circle.
One of the most important mentors I met by chance in a pub in North London. His name is Bill Westwater, and he became the first investor in my company and the chair of the board. He taught me everything I know about growing an early-stage company. In my experience, the core of a great mentoring relationship is resonance between the mentor and mentee. The best mentors are not just guides but also friends whom I can trust and open up to, with my problems and challenges. Building that personal bond and understanding is crucial for effective mentoring.
What gave you the initial drive and passion to work in education?
I was inspired by the significant impact education had on my own life. Growing up in a single-parent family in a small town, going to state schools, and then receiving an offer to study at Oxford University for PPE was a life-changing opportunity for me. It opened doors, provided me with credibility, and allowed me to build a network of individuals I would have never met otherwise. It was during my time at Oxford that I realized the glaring inequality in the UK and saw firsthand the uneven playing field for students. Interacting with people from affluent backgrounds, private schools, and privileged families made me realize the disparity and the need for change.
I wanted to do something about it and ensure that low-income students have tangible opportunities to access top universities and achieve their full potential. The idea of inspiring people who might not even consider top universities as an option and providing them with the necessary information and support to navigate the admissions process really motivated me. I wanted to make a difference and address the systemic inequalities in the educational landscape.
If you could change the UCAS system, what would be your dream process for university admissions?
I firmly believe that the UCAS system is on the verge of a massive disruption. The upcoming change for the 2024 admission cycle, moving away from personal statements to a couple of written questions, is a small step forward. However, it still falls short of addressing the advantages enjoyed by those who have access to excellent preparation and know how to make themselves stand out. I foresee a significant shift away from language-based admission systems due to the emergence of AI technology, specifically GPT-4, which is now being explored by students across the UK.
These AI systems will level the playing field in terms of language-based admissions, even if some view it as introducing new unfair advantages or potential plagiarism. Affluent individuals have long enjoyed similar advantages through access to relatives or paid tutors who help script impressive answers for admissions officers. Thus, I believe UCAS will have to move toward standardized admissions tests and employ video interview technology more extensively. This would provide a more equitable and personalized approach to university admissions, departing from the traditional and somewhat idiosyncratic interview system currently in place
What are your plans for the next year? Any specific goals you're excited about achieving?
In the coming year, our main focus is on scaling our platform and reaching a larger number of students. We started with 150 students in our first cohort, but now we have 10,000 students using our platform to navigate the university admission process. While not all of them are from disadvantaged backgrounds, they are all aiming to apply to top universities and achieve remarkable things. So, our goal is to continue expanding our platform to serve tens of thousands of students and simultaneously enhance the quality of our offerings.
How has your platform evolved over time?
Our platform has gone beyond providing mentorship alone. We now offer masterclass content and foster a community where individuals with similar aspirations can connect. Additionally, we have integrated AI technology into our business, enabling us to provide personalized goals and development plans for our users. This way, we can offer a more comprehensive and tailored experience to our students.
What opportunities do you see in using technology to address educational inequalities?
I believe that the upcoming technological revolution provides a significant opportunity to tackle the age-old problem of unequal access to education and career opportunities. Throughout human history, societies have undergone radical changes, leading to advancements in spreading opportunities. The current technological revolution presents yet another chance to reshape the educational landscape. By leveraging technology, we can create a more equitable system, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the best universities and careers. If Zero Gravity can be at the forefront of this change, it would be truly incredible and motivate me to keep striving for progress.