Overview
Join us for our annual conference on all things student experience, mental health and wellbeing on Thursday 21 November 2024. Take part in engaging plenaries, interactive sessions and networking opportunities.
Register now to either join us in-person in London or gain access to a livestream of the plenary sessions (breakout sessions will not be streamed).
Why should you attend?
This one-day conference will provide informative, timely content from the most pertinent speakers on the topic, as well as a wide range of opportunities to network, discuss, and make connections with colleagues within the sector.
You will also be able to access the recordings of the plenary sessions after the event.
What did past attendees think our event? Read their testimonials below!
- “It is a rare achievement in these days of online conferences to deliver one that stands out as excellent in the way that this did. The seamless presentation, including appropriate communication throughout of the order of events and current speakers, made for an accessible and enjoyable experience. The content was deeply engaging and rich with excellent information providing practical ideas to take back to my institution for the benefit of all the students.”
- “Fantastic chairs and speakers... truly inspirational!”
Have any questions? Please contact us at [email protected] or 020 7419 5459. Please note that online delegates will not have access to the breakout sessions, nor will they be recorded.
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.
If you want to stay up to date with our events, news and publications, you can sign up for our newsletters.
Agenda
Speakers
Dr Paul Best
Director of the Centre for Technological Innovation in Mental Health and Education (TIME Centre), School of Social Sciences, Edu
Dr. Paul Best is the Director of the Centre for Technological Innovation in Mental Health and Education (TIME Centre) at Queen's University Belfast, where he leads a trans-disciplinary team of academics, practitioners, and tech partners dedicated to advancing mental health and social care through digital innovation. With degrees in Media, Social Work, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dr. Best completed his doctoral research on the impact of social media on young people's mental health.
As a BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, he specializes in treating PTSD, providing free therapy services to mental health charities in Northern Ireland. Dr. Best has published over 50 research articles in digital mental health and technology-enhanced education, serving on the editorial board of Frontiers in Digital Health and BMC Public Health. He is also co-leading the work of the Digital Mental Health Forum in Northern Ireland which has been tasked with developing the first Digital Mental Health Action Plan for the country, under appointment from the Department of Health.
Harriet Cannon
Disability Advisory Team Manager / Director
Harriet has been working with disabled students in Higher Education for 25 years. She has worked in Disability Services at the University of Leeds since 2007, first as a Disability Coordinator, and now as the Disability Team Manager, having previously led on disability support for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education. Harriet is a Director of the National Association of Disability Practitioners, as well as a Senior Accredited Member. She sits on the Office of the Independent Adjudicator’s Disability Experts Panel, the AdvanceHE Disabled Student Commitment Partnership Group, the Department for Education’s HE Autism Advisory Group, and she founded the Association of Autism Practitioners in HE. Harriet has a particular interest in inclusive pedagogies, inclusive assessment, and competence standards.
Katie Endacott
Chief Executive Officer
Katie Endacott is CEO at Nightline Association, joining the team in 2023 with 15 years’ experience across the charity sector. Katie is part of AdvanceHE’s Mental Health and Wellbeing in Higher Education Executive Committee and, like many, has living experience of mental health.
Sarah Gordon
Designer, Graphic Design and Illustration Lecturer, Postgraduate Researcher
Sarah Gordon is a designer, graphic design and illustration lecturer (University Centre Leeds) and postgraduate researcher (University of Nottingham). She is appointed to Student Minds’ Anti Racism Council and a member of the Quality Assurance panel for the University Mental Health Charter.
Sarah’s current focus is completing her PhD study, which embraces the worlds of design, education, and mental wellbeing, exploring Black students’ experience of university life with creative, design-led methods. Sarah is passionate about advocating for underrepresented and marginalised groups within education and sharing the value of creative, collaborative, and open approaches to student wellbeing initiatives and research.
Abigail Hamer
Principal - Legal
Abigail Hamer works as a legal principal for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, specialising in matters concerning children and young people. She works across areas including education law, higher education law and children’s public law, and conducted the Commission’s intervention in the legal case of the University of Bristol v Dr Robert Abrahart, instructing Catherine Casserley.
She has previously worked as a children and family solicitor in private practice, in a regulatory capacity for the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, and has also worked in the Academic Services department of a university.
Dr Xiaoxiao Hou
Dr Xiaoxiao Hou, a recent PhD graduate in Music Psychology from the University of Liverpool, specialises in music interventions for wellbeing. With additional degrees from Leeds and Durham universities, she brings a wealth of academic experience to her diverse roles. As a UKCISA Student Ambassador, director at Merseyside Dementia Friendly Radio, trustee of Chinese Wellbeing charity, and public advisor at the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) Liverpool, Xiaoxiao is at the forefront of improving mental health services. M-RIC, a ground-breaking collaboration between Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Liverpool, aims to make Liverpool a world leader in mental healthcare through research embedded in clinical practice. In this capacity, Xiaoxiao has been instrumental in reviewing service protocols and co-applying for research funding with practitioners and psychiatrists to test new interventions for mood disorders.
An accomplished Chinese harp player, Xiaoxiao has been invited to perform for the Lennon family and has offered numerous dementia-friendly concerts. Her musical talents, combined with her research expertise, allow her to bridge cultural gaps and foster community engagement, particularly within ethnic minority communities in the UK. Through her collaborative work with researchers, practitioners, and psychiatrists in Liverpool and Manchester, Xiaoxiao continues to enhance the accessibility and relevance of mental health support, making a significant impact on the field of music psychology and mental health care.
Dr Omar Khan
Chief Executive
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 and the Barrow Cadbury Trust. Omar has previously been a board or advisory group member at the University of East London, 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.
Dr Simon Merrywest
Executive Director for the Student Experience
Dr. Simon Merrywest is Executive Director for the Student Experience at The University of Manchester. His team support students through their journey from recruitment to graduation, including the extensive provision of student wellbeing and more specialist support. They also run a large residential and sport portfolio and operate four overseas centres.
Simon is co-chair of the Greater Manchester Student Mental Health Service Board. He co-edited and co-authored the UUK, PAPYRUS and Samaritans HE Postvention Guidance to guide HE senior leaders to respond sensitively and quickly after an unexpected student death by suspected suicide and new guidance: Collective responsibility, collective action to prevent student suicide; Guidance for the higher education sector to reduce risk and restrict access to means of suicide. He is on the Expert Advisory Group for the National Confidential Inquiry review of suspected student suicides and a member of the TASO Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group.
Dr Monika Nangia
Academic Registrar and Director of Student & Academic Services
Monika is currently performing the role of Academic Registrar and Director of Student & Academic Services at Durham University. With over two decades of dedicated service to higher education, Dr Nangia is a seasoned and trusted senior leader with an ability to drive transformative impact on university operations. Her commitment to inclusivity and support for learners from diverse backgrounds, particularly those facing disadvantages, has been instrumental in broadening access to higher education.
As alumnus of Goldsmiths University of London, Monika earned her PhD in Inclusive Education, a testament to her lifelong dedication to creating equitable learning environments. Her extensive experience spans both Russell Group and Post-92 institutions, where she has consistently advocated for progressive change. Beyond her role at Durham, Monika contributes her expertise as a member of a governing body at another university and was a trustee at a primary school in London, prior to joining DSCF as a Governor. She is a member of the Academic Registrars Council and is the Lead Consultant at the Association of Higher Education Professionals.
She is a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in leadership roles within higher education and actively champions the need for promoting greater diversity among higher education leaders, particularly for individuals from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. As prolific writer and a sought-after speaker, Monika’s influence resonates through the numerous conferences where she shares her insights. Her career began in the classroom, where she laid the foundation for her passion for education. Today, she continues to inspire through her work, mentoring aspiring leaders from minoritised ethnicities, and nurturing the next generation of educators and professionals.
Will Roberts
Chief Executive
Will joined BUCS as CEO in June 2024, bringing significant experience from the sport sector. Having previously served as an officer and board director for National Governing Bodies of Sport, Will joined the senior team at the Youth Sport Trust in 2015 and became Chief Operating Officer in the autumn of 2019, leading transformation in the charity's technology and systems, and the development of its long-term strategy to 2035.
Jenny Shaw
HE External Engagement Director
Jenny Shaw is HE External Engagement Director for Unite Students. She previously led on student experience and student wellbeing, setting up the first student support team in the PBSA sector and contributing to national guidance. Since 2013 she has led national research into the student experience, including the influential Living Black at University report and the annual Applicant Index. Before joining Unite Students she worked at senior level in the HE sector to widen participation and support inclusion. She is currently on secondment one day a week to support the work of the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce.
Craig de Vos
Head of Children and Young People
Craig has an extensive background supporting people with addictions in the criminal justice system.
Craig previously managed the Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme for GamCare, which provided education workshops to over 133,000 young people, and training to over 28,000 professionals over four years.
Craig now heads GamCare’s Children and Young People directorate, overseeing their education and training, support, and participation provisions.
Craig is passionate about harm prevention and believes the earlier we educate young people about the dangers of risky behaviours, the more successful we are at ensuring we prevent harm experienced both now and in their futures.
Who should attend?
This conference is open to all with an interest in this topic, however will be particularly useful for staff who have responsibility for or play a part in any aspect of the student experience, mental health and wellbeing. Relevant job titles include:
- Director/Head of Student Services
- Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience/Learning & Teaching
- Director/Head/Officer of Student Experience/Engagement
- Director/Head/Officer of Education
- Director/Head/Officer of Student Wellbeing/Support
- Student Experience Manager/Officer
- Student Welfare Manager/Officer
- Student Support Manager/Officer
- Students' Union staff
Sponsorship
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available at our events. Please contact Magda Graszka, Senior Events Manager, for more information: [email protected]