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This is a past event from 22 March 2023, 9:30am - 4:30pm (GMT)
They are unavailable to book
This annual, highly-regarded national conference will explore recent developments and sector progress over the past year. It is the perfect chance to hear from and engage with sector-leading experts, as well as from other organisations and the third sector.
The conference will be chaired by Professor Nishan Canagarajah (President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Leicester) and Professor Lisa Roberts (Vice Chancellor, University of Exeter).
Join us in London on 22 March 2023 to discuss the key challenges and opportunities that the sector faces. If you are unable to join in person, you can register for access to a livestream of the plenary sessions (breakout sessions will not be streamed).
If you have any questions about this or any other of our events, please contact us at events@universitiesuk.ac.uk or 07500 441505.
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 or phone number above.
If national rail strikes are called for the date of this event, we will be in touch with all registered delegates to advise of changes to the event, which may include rescheduling or moving the event fully online. If you are unable to make the rescheduled date, or are unhappy with the alternative format, you will be able to cancel your place and request a full refund instead.
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Room: Woburn Hall
In this plenary session, Amy and Nike from the OfS will describe the key proposals from the consultation on the new condition of registration on harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education. They will encourage delegates’ responses to the consultation, take questions from the audience and provide information about next steps in the process.
The University of Leicester commissioned a pilot survey into the nature, scale and impact of harassment facing students in higher education. With a similar prevalence survey likely to be conducted by the OfS in the near future, this session will draw on insights from this research and discuss how universities can use findings to understand students’ experiences of wider forms of harassment and take action.
This session will reflect on and discuss how the two guidance reports that were published last year in the ‘Changing the culture’ series have been implemented at different providers. We will hear about lessons learnt, what has worked and what hasn’t in relation to: ‘Staff-to-student sexual misconduct’ and ‘Sharing personal data’.
Room: Tavistock
Choose one to attend. Breakout sessions are not available to online delegates.
Room: Boardroom
This session will focus on work that is being done to tackle bullying and harassment in research environments. We will hear about the UKRI bullying and harassment forum and reflections from experiences of academic fieldwork.
Room: Foster and Bloomsbury
This session will discuss experiences and solutions on how to protect disabled students from bullying and harassment.
Room: Woburn Hall
This session will hear focus on lessons learnt from investigations. The discussion will include an update on the feedback gathered on the Pinsent Masons ‘How to handle alleged student misconduct which may also constitute a criminal offence’ guidance; plus, good practice tips and examples from real life cases received by the OIAHE.
Room: Tavistock
Lunchtime drop in on sector guidance
Room: Foster and Bloomsbury
Elizabeth Dunford, Senior Associate, Bevan Brittan
Sarah Bevan, Policy Manager, Universities UK
Drop in for an interactive discussion about how the guidance on sharing personal data in harassment cases could be applied in different scenarios commonly experienced at universities
Choose one to attend. Breakout sessions are not available to online delegates.
Room: Boardroom
This session, run by Advance HE, will provide a sector perspective on their approach to transgender equality, which will give an opportunity for discussion around challenges and resolutions.
Room: Woburn Hall
Professor Gurharpal Singh, Emeritus Professor of Sikh and Punjab Studies, SOAS, University of London
This session will discuss advances in work and research in responding to and tackling faith-based harassment, particularly in responding to rising tensions within religious communities.
Room: Foster and Bloomsbury
Student accommodation – university and private halls – can be something of a hidden world, and yet what happens there can have a major impact on student retention, academic success and mental health. Drawing on material from the ground-breaking ‘Living Black at University’ report, this session examines microaggressions, harassment and hate incidents in student accommodation and some of the current barriers to tackling them effectively. The Living Black at University Commission has identified key areas for development of practice which we will discuss in the session.
Room: Tavistock
Room: Woburn Hall
How can universities help to improve safety in public and night-time economy spaces? This session will draw on a range of perspectives to discuss addressing spiking, student safety in bars, and public sexual harassment.
This session will share insights into how gender-based violence (GBV) at universities is impacting students and staff. Graham and Clarissa will give highlights from the range of perspectives they brought together, outlining steps towards tangible changes that can prevent GBV in higher education.
This session will draw on findings, case studies and practical recommendations to tackle racism in higher education. Arun will talk about how we need to disrupt the sector through ambitious actions and evidence-informed responses to racism.
This conference is open to all with an interest in the topic, but will be particularly useful for all university staff who have responsibility for or play a part in the management of student and staff services and wellbeing.
Relevant job titles include:
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available at our events, which can be viewed here. Please contact Jess Jackson, Marketing and Sponsorships Officer, for more information: jess.jackson@universitiesuk.ac.uk
Our monthly updates are a great way for you to stay up to date with our work, events, and higher education news.