The Student Experience in Higher Education Conference 2022

In recent years, delivering a high-quality experience for students in higher education has become increasingly challenging, due to Covid-19 restrictions on university life. 27% of respondents to the 2021 Student Academic Experience Survey reported their experience of university had been mainly worse than expected, compared with 13% in 2020. In addition, there is a need to create inclusive environments to provide positive experiences for students from minority groups, with 24% of students from an ethnic minority background saying they had experienced racial harassment since starting their course, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission. To create the best possible university experience for students in the wake of the pandemic, institutions will need to identify and respond to the changing needs and priorities of all students.

• In a 2021 survey, 44% of respondents felt they received poor or very poor value for money of their academic course
• In 2021, 29% of students had considered leaving higher education
• 34% of students considering leaving university said their mental health was the primary reason
• 32% of students said in 2021 that a diverse student population contributed most to their sense of belonging at their higher education institution

(Student Academic Experience Survey, 2021)

Join us at The Student Experience in Higher Education Conference 2022 to hear the latest updates from experts on creating a varied and engaging university experience for all students. Engage with best practice case studies from across the higher education sector, with key topics including delivering mental health and wellbeing support, developing a wide range of student societies, and supporting minority students. You will also be able to network with senior colleagues from across the higher education sector to discuss approaches to creatively improving student experiences, as well as share ideas for moving forward.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on the latest policy including student engagement strategies and gathering feedback from students
✓ Listen and learn from best practice case studies, including engaging with students’ unions and widening access to mental health and wellbeing services
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues from across the higher education sector
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Jonathan Neves, Head of Business Intelligence and Surveys, Advance HE (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Improving the Student Experience through Engagement: Key Insights from the HEPI

  • Collaborating with universities to implement the Student Engagement Strategy 2020–2023: priorities and progress update
  • Guidance on using the National Student Survey to inform engagement policies and address students’ needs
  • Working with student unions to tackle the causes of dropouts and increase retention rates
  • Resources for universities to consult with student representatives and successfully implement regulatory updates

  Dr Laura Brassington, Policy Manager, Higher Education Policy Institute (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Insights from the Student Academic Experience Survey 2022

  • What sector-wide polling tells us about the student experience and how this is changing over time
  • How perceived value-for-money is impacted by different aspects of the experience
  • The impact of the recovery from the pandemic on how students feel about their learning
  • How different groups of students view their experience
  • What is most important to students – and what are their areas of concern

  Jonathan Neves, Head of Business Intelligence and Surveys, Advance HE (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Question & Answers Session

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Case Study: The GSU Retention Project – Building Student-Centric Services To Create Inclusive and Supportive Environments

  • The Retention Project: Providing 1-to-1 support and check-ins for all students
  • Developing interventions for specific student groups to support retention
  • Working with the SU to understand student insights feeding into university projects and initiatives

  Colum Mackey, GSU Head of Advocacy and Policy, Greenwich Students’ Union (CONFIRMED)

  Tania Struetzel, Head of Student Engagement and Success, Greenwich University (CONFIRMED)

• 11.35

  Case Study: Expanding the Range of University Clubs and Societies to Encourage Student Participation

  • Creating communication campaigns to promote the variety of activities available to new and prospective students
  • The Amigo Scheme: pairing existing club members with new students attending alone to increase participation
  • Designing social activities to encourage friendships between students with similar interests outside of societies
  • Best practice in securing allocating university resources to enable SUs to establish new groups and deliver activities

  Max Mcloughlin, Chief Executive, Aston Students’ Union (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Question & Answers Session

• 12.15

  Lunch Break

• 12.55

  Panel Discussion: Creating an Inclusive Campus to Improve the Experiences of Students from Minority Groups

  • Panellists will share their approaches to implementing successful diversity initiatives to increase student engagement and prevent feelings of isolation
  • Sharing insights into developing robust procedures to report and investigate incidents of harassment and discrimination on campus
  • Inclusive cultures: creating safe spaces and ensuring a positive student experience for disabled, LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority students

  Carley Owen, Student Experience Manager, University of the Arts London (CONFIRMED)

  Janette Alvarado-Cruz, Associate Director for EDI, Nottingham University (CONFIRMED)

  Professor Sally Everett, Vice Dean (Education) and Academic Lead for Inclusive Education, King’s College London (CONFIRMED)

• 13.45

  Breakout Networking Session: Creatively Improving the Student Experience: Sharing what Works

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in enhancing student experiences, allowing you to share ideas and encourage innovation in student services.

• 14.15

  Comfort Break

• 14.30

  Case Study: Delivering a Varied and Engaging Academic Experience to Meet Student Educational Needs and Priorities

  • Working with students to expand the variety of course learning activities and improve the accessibility of degree modules
  • Developing academic courses to strengthen subject skills and knowledge and ensure value for money
  • Delivering blended teaching to create learning experiences that ensure academic progress for all students
  • Collaborating with local employers to offer extra-curricular opportunities to apply course knowledge in professional settings

  Tom Lowe, Senior Lecturer in Higher Education, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)

• 14.50

  Case Study: Widening Access to Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Services

  • Implementing a ‘whole university’ approach to embedding mental health and wellbeing into student life
  • Maintaining and improving remote student mental health and wellbeing support post-Covid-19: key tips
  • Local mental health service partnership groups: collaborating with NHS trusts to reduce waiting times for accessing mental health support
  • Wellbeing pedagogies: incorporating wellbeing into teaching processes and learning environments

  Lesley Black, Director of Student Support and Success, University of Winchester (CONFIRMED)

• 15.10

  Question & Answers Session

• 15.30

  Chair’s Summary & Close

  *Programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in the higher education sector.

This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Private Sector Rate: £599.00+VAT
• Public Sector Rate: £399.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £329.00+VAT