Agenda

• Chair: Professor Claire Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Plymouth Marjon University

• Sharanya Sivarajah, SUs Policy and Community Officer, Wonkhe

This opening keynote explores how student expectations are changing and what universities need to prioritise to support success, wellbeing, and engagement.

• Naomi Abayasekara, Policy Adviser, Universities UK
• Charlotte Armstrong, Policy Manager, Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI)
• Nirvan Abedi, Democracy and Change Manager, The SU Bath
• Simon To, Director of Policy, Governance and Advocacy, Students’ Union UCL

This session explores the current policy landscape in higher education and what it means for universities and students, highlighting key developments and future considerations.
 

• Tom Dore, Vice President, British Esports and Managing Director, National Student Esports
• Professor Susannah Quinsee, Vice-President (Digital and Student Experience), City St George's, University of London

As higher education evolves, the concept of student retention is changing. This session explores how digital communities - particularly through esports and gaming - are fostering belonging, engagement, and skills development for all students, including commuter and digital learners. It will highlight how universities can embrace new industries to enrich student life and support personal and professional growth.
 

Choose one to attend

Woburn Hall (will be streamed online)

• Chair: Dr Aleata Alstad-Calkins, Director of Student and Library Services, Anglia Ruskin University, and Chair, AMOSSHE
• Fiona Drouet MBE, Founder and CEO, EmilyTest
• Kerrie Best, Director of Training and Consultancy, LimeCulture
• Emma Douthwaite, Safeguarding and Welfare Manager, Office for Students (OfS)

Nearly a year on from the introduction of new guidance on harassment and sexual misconduct, universities are developing new approaches to prevention, reporting and support. This session will explore how institutions have implemented the guidance, including emerging issues such as what training and policies have been introduced, and the lessons learned so far.

Content notice: This session includes discussion of sensitive and potentially distressing circumstances, including sexual assault, abuse, death and dying.
 

UUK Boardroom (will be streamed online)

• Chair: Paul Rossi, Head of Student Advice and Safeguarding Support, University of the Arts London
• Gianina Harvey-Brewin, Dean Of Continuing Education, University of Roehampton
• David Horner, Head of University Partnerships, The Brilliant Club

Reforms to Level 3 qualifications and the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement will reshape how students enter higher education. This session will explore how institutions can support students arriving through diverse pathways, including BTEC learners, mature and care experienced students, and adult learners.
 

Choose one to attend

UUK Boardroom (will be streamed online)

• Chair: Dr Kate Brown, Co-Director, Unite Foundation
• Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed, Director of Standards, Unipol Student Homes
• David Feeney, Partner, Student Accommodation Advisory, Cushman & Wakefield

Student accommodation remains one of the most significant factors shaping the student experience. With recent changes through the Renters Rights Bill and continued pressure on housing supply, this session will explore what the evolving accommodation environment means for universities and students.
 

Woburn Hall (will be streamed online)

• Chair: Sally Ingram MBE, Director of Colleague and Student Health and Wellbeing, Newcastle University
• Andy Shanks, Director of Student Wellbeing, The University of Edinburgh
• Sarah Garlick, Assistant Director of Student and Campus Life, University of the West of England, Bristol
• Danielle Coe, Chief Operating Officer, Blackbullion

This session examines how universities can support student mental health and wellbeing across the student lifecycle. It will cover strategies for early intervention, inclusive support services, and fostering a campus culture that promotes resilience, belonging, and overall student thriving.

Content notice: This session includes discussion of sensitive and potentially distressing circumstances, including self-harm, mental illness, death and dying.

Foster & Bloomsbury

• Sara Raybould, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), University of West London
• Lisa Abrahams,Partnership Development Lead, Studiosity

With 75% of students fearing false accusations of AI misconduct (YouGov/Studiosity 2026), institutional reputation and student wellbeing are under pressure. Join Sara Raybould (Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of West London) and Lisa Abrahams (Studiosity) to explore why UWL partnered with Studiosity, and discuss early outcomes following their initial semester of providing 24/7 equitable support to a diverse student body.

Sara will share how the University of West London moved from a successful pilot to a campus-wide rollout, explaining how providing a safe, ethical space for students to "learn to learn" builds academic stamina and a sense of belonging for diverse, often hard-to-reach learners.

Following the case study, a live demonstration will show Studiosity's evolution to Support and Validate learning integrity infrastructure - empowering students to self-validate their work, reducing AI anxiety, and ensuring graduates are workforce-ready.

This session is designed for senior leadership and strategic leads tasked with protecting institutional reputation and student wellbeing in a changing AI landscape, as well as practitioners focused on inclusive, scalable student success.

• Chair: Professor Claire Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Plymouth Marjon University

• Danny Mirza, Careers and Experience Head, Coventry University
• Professor Raheel Nawaz, Pro-Vice Chancellor Education and Research), University of Staffordshire 

This session explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the student experience, from support services to engagement, and the opportunities it presents for innovation, inclusion, and personal development.
 

• Jess Lister, Director, Higher Education, Public First

Student and graduate perspectives are increasingly shaping conversations about the future of higher education. This session will draw on UUK’s Future Universities work, the discussion will consider how insight can help institutions adapt and demonstrate their role in driving opportunity, innovation, and social impact.

• Chair: Professor Claire Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Plymouth Marjon University