Agenda

Woburn Hall

• Chair: Professor Tom Lawson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Northumbria University

• Emeka Forbes, Director of Secretariat, Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion

This opening keynote will draw on insights from the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion to explore the state of community cohesion across the UK. It will highlight what this means for universities as both campus and civic communities, and share practical approaches to fostering open dialogue, building trust, and strengthening a sense of belonging.

• David Bass, Director of Inclusion and Governance, Advance HE
• Robin McIver, Deputy Vice President, Operations, King’s College London
• Fiona McClement, University Lead for EDI, The University of Edinburgh

This panel examines the regulatory and leadership landscape shaping institutional decision-making. It explores how universities are interpreting their legal and regulatory duties, where uncertainty remains, and how leaders are balancing risk, responsibility and institutional values in practice.
 

• Dr Shaid Mahmood MBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), Durham University
• Matthew Guest, Head of Local and Regional Business Engagement, University of Lancashire 

This session explores the role of universities as civic institutions embedded within wider communities. Drawing on practical examples, it considers how engagement beyond the campus can support cohesion, build trust, and help institutions navigate controversial or sensitive issues more effectively.

Choose one to attend.

Woburn Hall

• Chair: Dan Hurley, Deputy Director, Policy, Universities UK
• Dr Maisha Islam, Doctoral College Research Culture Lead (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), University of Southampton
• Professor Kristin Aune, Visiting Professor of Religion and Higher Education, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University
• Louis Danker, President, Union of Jewish Students
• Dr Luqmaan Waqar, President-Elect, King's College London Students' Union

This session explores how universities can support religious diversity while responding robustly to religion- and belief-related harassment. It considers how institutional culture, policy and practice can encourage respectful engagement across difference while protecting lawful speech and protest.

Foster & Bloomsbury

• Chair: Beth Cooper, Policy Adviser, Universities UK
• Andrew Boggs, Director, Independent Higher Education
• Shraddha Chaudhary, Assistant Director, Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion, University of Exeter
• Dr Pradeep Passi, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Social Justice and Equity, University of Salford

This session examines the governance frameworks, senior decision-making processes and cross-institutional coordination that support effective responses aligned with legal duties and sector policy. Speakers will reflect on how policy frameworks are operationalised in practice, the role of senior oversight groups, and the challenges of balancing risk, values and public opinion.

Choose one to attend.

Woburn Hall

• Chair: Amy Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• Saranya Thambirajah, Vice President, Liberation and Equality, National Union of Students (NUS)
• Morgan Smith, Senior Inclusion Coordinator, University of Manchester Students' Union
• Jayne Flowers, Democracy Development Coordinator, Students’ Union UCL 

This session considers how universities can support transgender students in ways that are lawful, compassionate and coherent. It explores the challenges institutions face in translating guidance into practice, building staff confidence, and maintaining inclusive environments amid differing views.

Foster & Bloomsbury

• Chair: Geoff Brown, Chair, Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO)
• Jon Elsmore, Director of Student Affairs, University of Birmingham
• Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement and Student Life, University of Portsmouth 
• Alex Stanley, Vice President, Higher Education, National Union of Students (NUS)

This session examines how universities can support student voice and protest while maintaining safe, inclusive environments. It explores the role of students’ unions, the practical realities of managing protest, and how institutions can set clear expectations without escalating tensions.

Woburn Hall

• Chair: Professor Tom Lawson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Northumbria University

• Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford
• Professor Mark O’Brien, Deputy Dean, The City Law School, City St George's, University of London
• Professor Arun Verma, Head of Equality and Inclusion (Governance, Policy and Compliance), University of London

Bringing together reflections from across the day, this session examines how leadership, culture and coordination support institutional cohesion. Speakers will also look ahead to emerging risks, sector pressures and opportunities for collaboration to help universities respond confidently in a changing landscape.

• Chair: Professor Tom Lawson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Northumbria University