Speakers

I work as a Policy Adviser at Universities UUK, primarily supporting our policy work in university admissions and widening access to higher education as well as student experience issues.

Prior to joining UUK, I worked at a charity focused on reducing barriers to academia for BAME students and staff. At university, I read Classics at the University of St Andrews and the University of Cambridge.

I enjoy working alongside passionate colleagues to broaden access to the opportunities that higher education can offer, helping to transform lives.

Charlotte is Policy Manager at the Higher Education Policy Institute, where she supports HEPI’s research and policy programme and leads on the HEPI blog. She works closely with researchers, policymakers and sector stakeholders to support evidence-led debate on higher education policy, and is responsible for commissioning, editing and curating HEPI’s blog programme.

Charlotte has particular experience in issues relating to access and widening participation. Her current policy interests include social mobility and inequality in higher education, and the political and public discourse surrounding higher education.
Before joining HEPI, Charlotte worked at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge as Schools Liaison Officer.

Nirvan is the Democracy Manager at Bath Students’ Union, where he leads strategic work on student democracy, governance and institutional change. A Law graduate from the University of Aberdeen, he has worked across the higher education sector at the Universities of Aberdeen, Bristol and Bath, specialising in student representation, policy development, legal compliance and stakeholder engagement.

His role includes leading campaigning and advocacy work at both local and national levels, including initiatives to protect student sport facilities and lobbying for more student-centred reforms within the housing sector, alongside developing new governance schemes aimed at improving the overall student experience.

A specialist in digital transformation and institutional strategy, Lisa Abrahams is a Partnership Development Lead at Studiosity. Drawing on a 20-year career spanning UCAS, the University of London, and Lloyds Banking Group, she brings a unique cross-sectoral lens to the evolution of higher education. Having first joined Studiosity in 2018, Lisa focuses on the ethical scaling of ‘pedagogical-first’ AI learning support and validation, championing digital solutions that drive student equity and long-term academic success.

Aleata Alstad-Calkins is the incoming Director of Student & Library Services at Anglia Ruskin University and has led student support services within higher education for over ten years. She is also Chair of AMOSSHE - The Student Services Organisation, working with colleagues across the sector to advance student wellbeing, inclusion and support.

Aleata completed her doctorate in Counselling Psychology at University of Roehampton, where her research focused on the impact of sexual violence and explored how psychologists and multi-agency partnerships can help alleviate trauma following assault. She is also the founder of the University of Roehampton’s Bystander Intervention Team, a pioneering peer-led initiative that has been running successfully for over a decade.

Kerrie joined LimeCulture in March 2025 as Director of Consultancy and Training, leading and overseeing consultancy and bespoke training focused on preventing and responding to sexual violence. She brings 17 years’ experience in the sexual violence sector, most recently as Head of Service Delivery at West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, overseeing multidisciplinary services including therapists, ISVAs, educators and social workers. A qualified counsellor and trainer, she has held leadership roles across corporate, regulatory, academic and third sector settings. Kerrie has developed accredited qualifications and programmes, including ISVA leadership training and university modules. She holds a PG Cert, Master’s in Education, and is a Fellow of the HEA
 

Danielle Coe is COO at Blackbullion, the student money platform helping students learn, manage and find money. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Danielle specialises in student financial wellbeing, operational strategy, and the use of data and technology to improve student outcomes. She is passionate about creating practical, scalable solutions that help universities better support students through increasing financial pressures.
 

With over ten years’ experience in higher education regulation, Emma is the Safeguarding and Welfare Manager at the Office for Students. Emma is the policy lead for the OfS’s work on tackling harassment and sexual misconduct, working on each of the OfS’s activities to support the sector to prevent and address these harms, including the Safeguarding Catalyst Programme, the statement of expectations and its subsequent evaluation, the development and implementation of condition E6 and the sexual misconduct survey. Emma’s wider portfolio has also included student mental health, access and participation and equality of opportunity.

Kate Brown is co-Director of the Unite Foundation, where she works in partnership with co-Director Fiona Ellison, the Board, team and leaders across the sector to drive towards a safe and stable home at university for all care experienced and estranged students. Kate is a trained and experienced Citizenship teacher, and has led small charities for over a decade, all with the power of education, community and belonging at their heart. 

Tom is the Managing Director of National Student Esports and is recognised as a global leader in esports and education, having led the development of both competitive and academic esports programmes in the UK and around the world since 2017. He is also a Vice President of the British Esports Federation, and holds voluntary position with the Global Esports Federation and International Olympic Committee.

Fiona Drouet MBE is the founder and CEO of EmilyTest, a Scottish charity established in memory of her daughter Emily, who died by suicide at 18 after being subjected to gender-based violence while studying away from home. Fiona has led national efforts to tackle gender-based violence across higher and further education, improving awareness, policy and practice, and contributing to legislative change through the Tertiary Education and Training Bill. She has also chaired ministerial groups focused on gender-based violence. With Scottish Government funding, EmilyTest developed the world’s first GBV Charter for Colleges and Universities, now piloted in England and preparing for wider roll-out.

David Feeney leads Cushman & Wakefield's Student Accommodation Consulting team in the UK and has over 15 years' experience in the sector. He advises universities on accommodation strategy and development and is a specialist in on-campus partnership agreements. He also advises a range of private sector providers, including Unite, iQ, Vita, Fusion and others, including providing portfolio reviews, rent setting services and need assessments. He also acts as an Expert Witness in relation to student accommodation need

Sarah Garlick is Assistant Director of Student and Campus Life (Coaching and Customer First) with a deep commitment to improving student mental health and the everyday student experience. Her work centres on designing thoughtful, people‑focused approaches to support, including the introduction of a coaching and customer‑first model. Sarah believes strongly in a positive, strengths‑based and contextual approach, with a clear focus on prevention and early intervention. She is motivated by making practical, meaningful change through creativity and collaboration, and enjoys sharing alternative ways of thinking about mental health that feel hopeful, accessible, and human for students across diverse university contexts.

Gianina Harvey-Brewin is Dean of Continuing Education at the University of Roehampton. She leads a portfolio spanning foundation programmes, apprenticeships, online partnerships, CPD and short courses, with a focus on widening participation and lifelong learning.

Her work centres on how universities can design more flexible, accessible pathways for students entering through non-traditional routes, including adult learners and those returning to education.

She has contributed to national skills and higher education policy discussions, including through work with the Department for Education on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and as a Board Director at the Institute of Student Employers. She writes and speaks regularly on employability, curriculum design and graduate outcomes.

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.

Sally Ingram is an award-winning leader with more than 20 years’ experience, leading wellbeing services in higher education, statutory and charitable sectors.

Sally manages a very skilled team at Newcastle University that provides a high standard of health and wellbeing support, advising on matters relating to student wellbeing. Her teams include student financial support, disability support, welfare & counselling, student wellbeing advisors, Faith & spirituality services and support for those who have experienced hate crime or sexual violence.

Sally is secretary to the Russell Group Mental Health Roundtable and co-chair of Newcastle University’ Alcohol and Drugs Working Group, where she’s helped to establish the institution’s Student Drug Policy: Reducing Harm. This is a cross-agency working group to educate, safeguard and support students on alcohol and substance use, a project she is passionate about as she wants to protect as many young people as possible.

Sally was awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to student mental health.

Jess is a Director within the Education Practice and leads Public First's higher education work both in the UK and internationally. She runs public opinion and policy projects on a range of topics across higher education, including most recently a comprehensive review of student information for the Office for Students

Danny Mirza is a nationally recognised, award-winning Careers & Employability leader and Careers & Experience Head/Manager London Hub at Coventry University London. A trailblazer in Generative AI for Higher Education, Danny has delivered 150+ global workshops, reaching over 11,000+ participants across the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, and has supported 600+ HE professionals through direct AI engagement.

Winner of the 2025 UK Career Development Award for his outstanding contribution to the profession, Danny is a multi-award-winning and nominated innovator in the HE and careers space. He is a regular speaker for AGCAS, CDI, AHEP, ATEM, AMOSSHE, and international bodies like Research Impact Canada (RIC) and Careers Industry Council of Australia (CICA).

Known for his energetic, practical, and tech-savvy approach, Danny is one of the leading voices on GenAI in UK Higher Education, shaping the future of employability, student experience, and professional services.

Professor Raheel Nawaz is a globally recognized educator and thought leader whose contributions and impact have been celebrated by heads of states, senior government ministers, and global business leaders. He has advised seven governments across four continents on education and technology policy, including direct advice to two heads of state. He is among the top-10 most cited scholars in the world in five fields including Applied AI and Digital Education. He has authored four books and over 350 peer-reviewed research articles, has supervised over 40 PhD students, and has an h-index is 56. He is currently serving as the sole Pro Vice Chancellor and Provost at the University of Staffordshire where he is responsible for all aspects of academic strategy and delivery.

Sara Raybould is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) at the University of West London. A champion for student experience and success and with colleagues, leads institutional innovation. Sara oversees University of West London’s strategies for student experience, teaching excellence, student engagement, employability and digital transformation in Teaching and Learning. Her work focuses on creating inclusive, future-ready campus cultures that drive social mobility, career opportunity and student satisfaction.

Paul Rossi is Head of Student Advice and Safeguarding Support at UAL and an Executive Member of AMOSSHE

Sharanya is Wonkhe's SUs Policy and Community Officer. She joins Wonkhe from Middlesex University SU, where she was Senior Campaigns and Influence Coordinator on the union's Senior Leadership Fast Track - designing policy briefings, coaching
elected officers, and translating student insight into campaigns. She launched the Ideas for Change petitioning platform and overhauled the union's democratic structures to get more students involved across the year.

Before moving into staff roles, Sharanya spent two terms as a sabbatical officer at Royal Holloway SU. In her first term, as VP Education, she co-designed the university's Access and Participation Plan and managed a network of over 350 academic representatives. In her second term, as President, she led the NeverOk and HelpNotHarm campaigns on harassment, sexual misconduct and drug harm reduction.

Sharanya holds a BSc in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Royal Holloway.
 

Andy became the University of Edinburgh’s first Director of Student Wellbeing in 2017. His remit includes leading strategically on student wellbeing and tackling gender-based violence, with responsibility for the University’s Wellbeing Services.

Originally from Edinburgh, Andy graduated from the University of Manchester in 1994 with a BA (Hons) in Russian and Social Policy. Andy trained and worked as a mental health social worker in London.

Before joining the University, Andy worked as a senior manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership. Prior to that he was a senior manager with SLaM Mental Health Trust in South London.

Professor Claire Taylor joined Plymouth Marjon University as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive in May 2023, was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Wrexham University and also held senior roles at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and Lincoln Bishop University. Her background is rooted in educational practice and leadership, with roles spanning schools, teacher education, and educational development.

Claire holds a deep commitment to addressing social inequity with a focus on place and social purpose. As such, Marjon delivers programmes aligned to public, professional and community facing careers across the South West region and through a thriving UK and global academic partner network focused on widening access to higher education.

Claire co-leads the Inclusive Growth pillar of Plymouth’s Economic Strategy and is a member of the Innovation Board for Team Plymouth. She has advised on a wide range of boards and panels across higher education, including with the Office for Students (TEF Panel and Advisory Group), Advance HE and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

Claire is Professor of Education, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, holds an Advance HE CATE (Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence), is a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Professional Affiliate Member of the Chartered College of Teaching. Outside of higher education, Claire has been Chair of Board for a social housing provider and is currently a Member of the Board of Trustees for Bible Society.

Simon is Director of Policy, Governance & Advocacy for Students' Union UCL . He has worked in students’ unions for over twenty years. In his current role, he leads the team who support a vibrant and inclusive network of over 2000 student leaders, ensuring students have a voice that is informed and evidenced. He also leads on the provision of student advice and wellbeing ensuring students are supported in their hour of need.

Simon leads the secretariat for the Russell Group Students' Unions network that collectively represent over 750,000 students at the most research-intensive universities.

Simon has served on various boards and advisory groups including the HE Educational Excellence Strategic Advisory Group for Advance HE.

Victoria Tolmie-Loverseed is the Director of Standards at Unipol, the student housing charity established by the universities in Leeds in 1973. Today Unipol is a national charity that sets standards across the student accommodation sector through the National Codes.

Professor Susannah Quinsee is Vice-President (Digital and Student Experience) at City St George’s, University of London. As Vice-President, she is the strategic lead for digital transformation as well as leading institutional projects and strategy to support student experience. She is an EMCC accredited coach, a National Teaching Fellow, a SEDA Senior Fellow and AdvanceHE HEA Principal Fellow, and was an AdvanceHE Learning and Teaching Excellence Ambassador. She researches on university digital futures and playful practice and leadership and is a Lego Serious Play practitioner.