Speakers

Naomi Abayasekara is a Policy Adviser at Universities UK. She leads work at UUK on university admissions, access and participation, and supporting student success. 

Professor Emmanuel Adukwu is Dean for Students at UWE Bristol, with a focus on student experience and outcomes for Global Majority students. At UWE Bristol, he has held a number of senior positions including Deputy Head of School and Professor of Applied Microbiology. Previous roles include Widening Participation and Employability Lead for the School of Applied Sciences.

Emmanuel has served on national and international committees promoting inclusive education and research, and maximising opportunities for students globally. He recently led the creation of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) to enable pipeline development of marginalised groups in STEM across the UK and Europe. He was previously named the Royal Society of Biology Bioscience Teacher of the Year in 2023 in recognition of his innovative and inclusive teaching practices.

Elliot Amadi is a third-year PhD student in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield. His research focuses on the production and optimisation of biopolymers for biomedical applications, with a particular interest in sustainable and functional biomaterials. Alongside his doctoral work, Elliot has led seminars and contributed to undergraduate teaching, developing a strong interest in inclusive and engaging learning. He is passionate about empowering younger generations to see that research in science and engineering—though often seen as complex—is achievable and impactful. Through his work, he hopes to inspire others to pursue research that drives positive change in healthcare and society.

Professor Bugewa Apampa joined University of East London in July 2021 as Dean of the Office for Institutional Equity, with a remit to advance an inclusive, equitable, respectful and anti-racist environment for all. She has provided strategic oversight for institutional equity, with her responsibilities encompassing leading a programme of training, engagement and practice improvement activities to foster equity and promote success. In August 2023, she was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education & Experience at the University, with a remit to provide an empowering and socially-just education, anchored in an inclusive student experience and driven by health gain, compassion and 
belonging.

She is one of 61 Black (African/Caribbean, 2025) British female professors in the UK out of a total of 23,000 professors and was featured in Phenomenal Women- portraits of Black female professors in the UK in 2020. Her work has been recognised with awards such as the University of Kent Faculty of Science Teaching Prize (2012) and the University of Sussex Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for outstanding and innovative undergraduate teaching (2017). In March 2021, the University Alliance named Bugewa as one of the Inspirational Women of the Alliance.

Kahvan Bryan is the Access and Participation Manager at the University of Northampton, where he leads institution-wide initiatives to advance equality of opportunity, elevate student voice, and strengthen organisational trust. He oversees the UON APP Special Interest Group and is interested in creating pathways that empower innovative practice in teaching, learning, and access. Kahvan authored the University's Trust Guidelines, embedding principles of transparency, accountability, and authentic partnership into governance and student engagement. A strategic thinker and experienced facilitator, he collaborates with senior leaders and students alike to build cultures of belonging, shared purpose, and impactful change across the student lifecycle.

Kirsty has worked in Scottish Higher Education policy for over twenty years. She is currently Head of Learning & Teaching & Widening Access Policy at Universities Scotland. Kirsty previously worked in funding policy in the Scottish Funding Council. Kirsty’s undergraduate degree and doctorate are in chemistry. 

As Head of University Access & Digital at the Sutton Trust, Jon leads on the Trust’s Higher Education strategy and oversees transformative programmes to champion fair access to higher education and improve social mobility. Jon joined the Trust from the University of Cambridge, where, as Deputy Head of Widening Participation, he oversaw the delivery of effective outreach programmes for targeted groups and schools, contributing to the University’s statutory Access and Participation Plan commitments. With extensive expertise in secondary education, Jon previously served as Director of School Improvement for a school trust and was a senior leader and award-winning teacher in schools across East and North London. He is also currently Chair of Governors at his local comprehensive school, where he continues to advocate for equity in education.

Martin is the CEO of AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services), the community for all who work on careers and employability in Higher Education. Prior to AGCAS Martin was founder and Managing Director of Gradcore, and has 20+ years’ experience working across graduate recruitment and Higher Education, 
His work has included leading graduate schemes for employers, delivering employability consultancy in universities, and working with local and national governments on graduate employment policy. Martin served as a Director of the Institute for Student Employers, and is a Fellow of the National Institute of Career Education and Counselling, and the RSA.

Fiona is the Co-Director of the Unite Foundation, joining at the start of 2021 and moving into the role as a job share in 2025. Supported by a small team, the Unite Foundation, founded by Unite Students in 2012, delivers a unique university accommodation scholarship for care leavers and estranged students across the UK. Her career has focused mainly on the youth and charitable sectors. In addition Fiona is the Chair of the Longleigh Foundation, a charitable foundation that supports social housing residents.

Dr Miri Firth PFHEA is Academic Lead for Assessment and Senior Lecturer in Education Management & Leadership at the University of Manchester. She leads national and international work on employability and flexible assessment, including the award-winning Manchester Assessment Toolkit and the QAA-funded project on assessment optionality. A Principal Fellow of Advance HE, she advises on inclusive curriculum design for QAA, Jisc and Advance HE, and chairs the AGCAS Creative Industries Task Group. Miriam’s scholarship and leadership have shaped policy and practice across over 20 UK universities, supporting equitable, future-ready graduate outcomes.

Rowan Fisher the is Head of Student Experience and Skills Policy at Universities UK. As a membership organisation UUK acts as the collective voice for 141 universities.

He leads UUK's policy work on expanding opportunity, enhancing the student experience and supporting universities to meet national and local skills needs.

Gino is currently the Director of Widening Participation and Social Mobility at the University of Southampton. He has recently finished a secondment as Interim Executive Director of Students Life where he also had oversight of Student Support, Student Engagement and Careers. He oversees the access, success and financial support of students from underrepresented groups, as well as a holistic academic skills service which raises attainment both pre and post entry to the university. Gino has worked in fair access and participation education for twenty three years, and his particular interests are in the evaluation of widening participation, ensuring outreach is done with students rather than to them and promoting the interests of working-class students and staff in higher education. Gino is active in several collaborations, including being co-chair of the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE). 

Emma Hall is Head of Admissions at Edge Hill University, where she leads work to make admissions processes fairer and more inclusive. She oversaw the introduction of the university’s contextual admissions policy and contributes nationally as a member of the UUK and GuildHE Contextual Admissions Advisory Group. Earlier in her career, Emma was Head of Widening Access and Participation, where she authored Edge Hill’s Access and Participation Plan as a Wave 1 provider, helping to shape the university’s long-term commitment to improving opportunities for underrepresented students. She has also held senior roles across recruitment, and widening participation, and has supported sector-wide practice through leadership positions with HELOA. Emma is particularly interested in the intersection of admissions and widening access, and in how national policy can translate into meaningful change for students and institutions alike.

Professor Jane Harrington joined the University of Greenwich as Vice-Chancellor & CEO in December 2019. She has worked in Higher Education for over 30 years and her specific interests include teaching excellence, widening access into higher education, inclusion and social mobility. Jane is passionate about making an impact through working in close partnerships across schools and colleges, business, community and the university sectors. Before joining Greenwich, Jane was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE) and previously worked in senior roles within the university’s Faculty of Business and Law.

David Horner is Head of University Partnerships at The Brilliant Club, a national charity supporting underrepresented students to access and succeed in higher education. He works with universities across the UK to build partnerships that widen access and drive social mobility, helping institutions respond to sector challenges through collaboration. With a background in education and widening participation, David has extensive experience in developing collaborative models between universities, schools, and communities. He combines strategic insight with practical experience to support sustainable approaches that create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Ben has been at UCAS for over a decade and has been described as a ‘leading figure of higher education admissions policy’, with his knowledge in this area ‘second to none’. During his time at UCAS, Ben has led the response and engagement around every major political event that could impact on student progression, including Brexit, admissions reform, qualification reform, Scottish independence, general elections, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, which involved forming part of three separate ministerial taskforces.

Ben has also overseen the delivery of UCAS’ key policy outputs, including Unpacking Qualification Reform, the first major report on schools’ response to qualification reform, Where Next?, a leading piece on student decision making, What happened to the COVID cohort?, the definitive assessment of the impact of the pandemic on student progression, Starting the Conversation, UCAS’ landmark piece on student mental health, and most recently, Next Steps, a first of its kind report looking at the sentiment of LGBT+ students as they progress to university or college. 

Outside of work, Ben is a school governor and can often be found searching for his ball on the golf course.

Nasser Latif is Director of Student Achievement Services at the University of Lancashire. In this role, he leads the development, delivery and evaluation of the institution’s Access and Participation Plan and manages academic and careers teams to improve the student experience, retention and graduate outcomes for all students. Nasser manages key institutional projects and policies, including welcome and induction, academic advising, and careers and employer engagement provision. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has previously advised TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes) on addressing gaps in the student experience.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews in Scotland, a position she took up in 2016. During Dame Sally’s tenure, the University attained a historic “double first”, ranking top of the two leading University league tables in the UK: the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 and the Guardian University Guide 2024.

At a national and international level, Professor Mapstone has also served as President of Universities UK for the period 2023-25, the Convener of Universities Scotland, Vice-Chair of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, and as Chair of the International Advisory Board for the University of Helsinki. She is also currently the Chair of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) board and a trustee of the Europaeum.

Before St Andrews, Dame Sally’s career was spent at the University of Oxford, where she was latterly Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education in the University, and Professor of Older Scots Literature in its Faculty of English, as well as a Fellow of St Hilda’s College.

As Widening Access Manager at the University of Northampton, Natasha leads strategic efforts to improve access to higher education for underrepresented groups. Natasha manages the Widening Access team and oversees the Uni Connect offer in Northamptonshire. Natasha leads on widening access initiatives to engage learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, including staff and leaders working with those young people. She develops and coordinates the professional development of both young people and adults in higher education to enhance their employability skills, understand their education pedagogy, develop learning and teaching skills whilst strategically aligning to regional and national priorities in access and careers education.

Sheree is a leading higher education consultant specialising in student success, equity, and cultural transformation in higher education. As the former Head of Access and Student Success at the University of Manchester, she led two approved Access and Participation Plans and pioneered a Whole Provider Approach to student access and outcomes. 

A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and panel member for Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter, Sheree is recognized for her expertise in inclusive practice, pedagogy, curriculum development, and fostering belonging. She co-founded the Decolonise the University of Kent initiative, driving curriculum diversification and student co-creation. Sheree also designed and led an innovative coaching programme that directly led to the eradication of the BAME White awarding gap at the University of Kent Law School, with 93% of BAME participants attaining a first or 2:1. 

Sheree holds a PGCE from Oxford, an LLM in International Law, and a Level 7 Executive Coaching qualification. Her consultancy portfolio includes work on an Office for Students, UK Research England funded project, and international education programmes, as well as team and individual coaching. As a speaker and advisor, Sheree provides strategic consultancy and presents at national conferences, including for Universities UK, the Open University, the University of Law and Sheffield Hallam University. Sheree is also a convenor for the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Student Success Special Interest Group. Her work is grounded in equity, diversity, and inclusion, delivering measurable impact and supporting student success. 

Ester Ruskuc has over 30 years of HE experience and is a member of the Principal's Office at St Andrews with oversight of the development and implementation of the University’s strategy, associated resourcing, change, and performance and provides leadership in the overall development of the University’s professional services. She develops and fosters external relationships with key stakeholders across government, funding council, policy-makers, sector bodies, other universities and interested parties to raise the University’s profile and impact. 

Previously Ester has held a number of different positions across the University. Ester graduated in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia.

Gemma Styles leads the Higher Education Progression Partnership (Hepp), an organisation jointly funded by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield. The organisation aims to ensure equity in educational awareness, access and progression. Hepp leads on collaborative outreach initiatives for both institutional Access and Participation plans, hosts the South Yorkshire Uni Connect Programme (HeppSY) and South Yorkshire Children's University, facilitating a whole lifecycle, partnership approach to widening access in South Yorkshire.

Annie is Associate Director, Higher Education at Public First. She has spent over ten years working to influence higher education policy at a national level at the National Union of Students, Universities UK International and most recently as Head of Communications and External Affairs at University Alliance. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Independent, Times Higher Education and more. 

Annie has extensive experience of leading campaigns, public affairs and branding strategies at a senior level. She led University Alliance’s rebrand and positioning strategy in 2023 and developed a strategy for positioning the UK as a study destination globally whilst at Universities UK. She has worked on campaigns that influenced key moments in higher education policy, including the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, the 2019 International Education Strategy and higher education policy surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

Professor Antony Moss is Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience at London South Bank University, where he is also a Professor of Addictive Behaviour Science in the Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research. He is Chair of the London Uni Connect Partnership funded by the Office for Students, which works to improve access and opportunity to higher education for disadvantaged groups across London. In addition, he is Deputy Director for PHIRST South Bank, an NIHR-funded national research centre which supports Local Authorities across the UK to conduct evaluations of public health interventions.

Emily is the Chair for leads UUK's work to influence the political environment for universities and make sure parliamentarians know about the vital work members do.

She started her career working in politics, and has spent the past couple of decades running public affairs, campaigns and communications work in a range of sectors including housing, health and social care.

She loves being in a position where she and her team can create change and give a voice to a whole sector, and believes universities have an incredible story for us to tell. 

Jim is the Associate Editor (SU) for Wonkhe.

Kate is an Associate Consultant at Yorkshire Universities.

Sophie provides policy research and analysis to support UUK members in responding to key student experience and skills issues, including student mental health, graduate skills, and harassment and sexual misconduct on campus. She enjoys supporting colleagues and promoting equality at work through her role on the executive team of the Women, Gender, and Equality Network.

Prior to UUK, she worked on gender and equalities policy within the violence against women and girls (VAWG) sector and UK parliament.

Dr Omar Khan joined TASO in June 2020. Omar has led TASO’s transition into an independent charity, developing its team and strategy to widen participation in higher education and eliminate equality gaps between students. His research and professional background has focused on equality and social mobility, particularly in education and the labour market, and he regularly speaks on these topics in the UK and globally.

Omar holds several board advisory positions, including chair of the board of trustees of Trust for London, trustee of the Political Studies Association. Omar has previously been a board or advisory group member at the University of East London, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, the Financial Inclusion Commission, the Department for Work and Pensions, the 2021 REF and 2014 REF assessments, and a 2012 Clore Social Leadership Fellow.

Omar joined TASO from race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust, where he had been Director since 2014, growing the organisation and increasing its profile. He completed a doctorate in political science from the University of Oxford in 2008.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL became Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby in 2015, leading operations across Derby, Buxton, and Chesterfield serving 34,000 students. Under her leadership, the University achieved Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework. Nationally, she has shaped policy through reports such as Arriving at Thriving and Empowering Innovation. 

Kathryn’s academic career includes research at the University of Chicago, Rockefeller Institute, and Basel’s Friedrich Meischer Institute. In 2025, Kathryn joined the University of South Wales Board of Governors, was appointed Chair of the Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group for the Department for Education and became Chair of the Mobility Advisory Group for Universities UK International. 

Shona is the Head of Continuing and Professional Education at The Glasgow School of Art.

Andrew is the Head of Widening Access and Participation in the Directorate of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach. He is responsible for leading the Access Team delivering targeted outreach in schools and colleges. He is responsible for creating strategies to achieve targets set by the Office for Students and developing relationships across the University and wider sector. Andrew also has responsibility for engaging with services that offer support to target students whilst on-course.