Overview
Join us for Universities UK's annual Access, participation and student success conference, bringing together senior leaders, practitioners, policymakers and sector partners to explore the future of opportunity in higher education.
As the policy landscape continues to evolve, this one-day conference will provide a space to reflect on the changing role of universities in widening opportunity, supporting student success and responding to new challenges and expectations. Through keynote speakers, interactive discussions and sector-leading insights, delegates will consider how institutions can shape the next chapter of access and participation.
Why should you attend?
This year’s conference will provide:
- Forward-looking discussions on the future of access, participation and student success across UK higher education.
- Insights into emerging government policy, regulation and national priorities.
- Perspectives from leading voices across the higher education sector and beyond, including policymakers, practitioners and students.
- Opportunities to explore innovative approaches, challenge current thinking and learn from practice across the four nations of the UK.
- Interactive discussions focused on the opportunities, challenges and priorities that will shape the sector over the coming decade.
Expect thought-provoking keynote speakers, practical insights and plenty of opportunities to network, exchange ideas and connect with colleagues from across the sector.
You will also be able to access the recordings of the plenary sessions after the event.
Have any questions?
Contact us at [email protected] or call 020 7419 5459.
We allow delegates to cancel their bookings up to one month before the event and receive a refund. If this applies to you, please contact us at the email above.
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Agenda
Speakers
Favour Alexander
NUS England President
NUS UK
Favour Alexander Samuel is the NUS England President and the first international student to hold this role, representing millions of students across England. A human rights lawyer by training, she completed her postgraduate studies in International Human Rights Law at the University of Nottingham, where she also served as Students' Union President.
Born in Nigeria and raised in South Africa, Favour brings a global perspective and lived experience to her advocacy. Her career has been defined by fighting for those whose rights have been violated and whose voices have been silenced: from marginalised communities to students facing exploitation and discrimination. As NUS England President, her mandate is rooted in respecting, protecting and fulfilling student's rights, with a commitment to ensuring every student has access to a dignified education void of any barrier to its full realisation.
Dr Stephanie Harris
Director of Policy
Universities UK
Dr Steph Harris is currently the Director of Policy at Universities UK (UUK), the representative body for UK universities where she has worked for 8 years. The focus of Steph’s career has been higher education policy and influencing, first as an SU sabbatical officer then as a Policy Officer to the Vice-Chancellor at Bath Spa University and finally at UUK. Steph is a current trustee at Bristol Students’ Union
Dr Omar Khan
Chief Executive Officer
Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO)
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.
Who should attend?
This conference will be useful for all university staff who have responsibility for or play a part in student access, participation and success. Possible titles are suggested below, but we encourage anyone interested in the topic to attend:
- Access, outreach and widening participation professionals, e.g. officers, managers, heads of departments and directors
- Pro-Vice Chancellors and Deans of Education/Students
- Other colleagues responsible for areas such as strategic planning; student services; student experience; equality, diversity and inclusion
Sponsorship
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available at our events. Please see our webpage for more information, or contact Magda/Jacob: [email protected]
Pricing
This event is VAT Exempt.
Work at a UUK member university? You'll need a member discount code to book at the member rate. Request one instantly using your work email address - Get your member discount via the membership code request tab.
Membership Code Request
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Booking
This event is VAT exempt.
Booking at the member rate - three steps
- Request your code using your work email address (via the membership code request tab). It arrives by email in a minute or two.
- In the booking form below, click "Use membership code".
- Paste your code. Member group prices will appear, and individual ticket discounts will be applied at checkout.
No approval or paperwork needed - the code is issued automatically to anyone with an email address at a UUK member university.
T&Cs
Terms and Conditions:
In registering for this event, you agree to the following terms: cancellations must be received in writing (to [email protected]) by 22 October 2026 to qualify for a refund. We regret that no refund can be made for cancellations received after this time; however substitute delegates will be accepted. If sending a substitute delegate please provide the registered delegate’s full name and the substitute delegate’s full name, job title, organisation, and email address to [email protected].
Non-payment of an invoice does not count as cancellation and you will still be liable for the full cost. Non-appearances on the day are also liable for the full cost. Refunds for places paid for online using a credit or debit card will be returned minus the transaction fee charged by our booking site.