Authentic Student Engagement in contemporary Higher Education

More info and register >

Event overview

Organised by the Researching, Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement (RAISE) Network, the flagship event grows year on year, bringing together students, practitioners and academics from across the world to share best practice, research findings and network with peers.  The two-day hybrid conference will focus on the theme of Authentic student engagement in contemporary Higher Education and will follow the 2025 conference hosted by the University of Glasgow last month. A critical time for student engagement in the modern university, where stakeholders in all positions – from lecturers to support staff, and students to managers – are perhaps experiencing a major shift in student engagement, where expectations of engagement in higher education are changing due to external forces imposed on our learning communities. The conference will ask delegates and speakers to submit contributions on topics such as the changing nature of accessing and assessing knowledge due to mass availability of generative artificial intelligence; how we ensure higher education remains people focused whilst flexible to support a new time-poor stereotype of a commuting-working student; what does ‘authentic’ really mean for employability, assessment and learning experiences; and finally, how can our sector continue to ensure we co-design and engage students’ voices.” I will feature research papers, workshops, project reports and debates on this critical theme for the years ahead. A call for papers and further information on registration will be released soon.  

Belonging in action: where everyone matters, NNECL Annual Conference

More info and register >

Event overview

This year, in addition to hearing key insights from UCAS, the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers annual conference will explore how Colleges and Universities can foster a sense of belonging for care-experienced and estranged students throughout their student journey.  It is widely recognised that belonging is foundational for care leavers in post-16 education, as it underpins their emotional well-being, academic success, social integration, and long-term life outcomes. This year’s conference will explore how to create environments across Further and Higher Education where care experienced and estranged learners not only access opportunities but genuinely feel they belong and that they matter.  NNECL welcomes proposals that share evidenced good practice, research, and lived experiences that challenge, inspire, and inform. Their aim is to spotlight impactful work shaping inclusive, compassionate, and effective systems of support. Call for Papers.  Workshop duration: 45 minutes. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: Co-production with care experienced and estranged learners Implementing inclusive practice Whole institution approaches Creating safe and welcoming spaces Collaborating with communities beyond your institution Please make sure you read the Submission Guidelines before starting your workshop proposal.  Final date for submission 5:00 pm, 11 June 2026.  

Scholarship of Student Engagement, RAISE Buddy Scheme Learning session

More info and register >

Event overview

This online event is open to all RAISE members, including those who are not currently participating in the RAISE Buddy Scheme, whether new to RAISE or a longstanding member.  Dr Stuart Sims, Senior Lecturer in Curriculum and Assessment at Arden University, will lead a discussion on the scholarship of student engagement, exploring how practitioners and researchers can engage with, contribute to, and benefit from scholarly activity in this area. The session will also provide an opportunity to learn more about the RAISE Journal, including how members can get involved as readers, authors, reviewers, and contributors. There will be time for questions and discussion, making this a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore current developments in student engagement scholarship. To register for the session, please complete the following form: Join the next RAISE Buddy Scheme Learning Session – Fill in form

Invest now or pay later? The future of professional services in higher education

More info and register >

Event overview

HEPI is hosting this online webinar on Thursday 12 November to explore the findings of The invisible majority (HEPI Report 205), a study of the professional and support staff who make up 56 per cent of the UK Higher Education workforce and 48 per cent of its pay bill. These staff run student services, maintain buildings, manage research grants and operate digital systems.  Yet most institutions respond to financial pressure through restructuring, hiring freezes and outsourcing, cutting the very capability they need to recover. Drawing on surveys of 450 respondents, the report finds that three-quarters face sustained high work intensity and two-thirds say change has affected them negatively, rising to 79 per cent of those earning below £40,000.  Jobs have expanded without redesign, and change is too often done to staff rather than with them. This webinar will unpack the report’s evidence and recommendations, from reforming job evaluation to fixing the sector’s workforce data and discuss how Universities can protect the capability they depend on while budgets are tight.  It will offer clear evidence and practical insight into the choice between investing now and paying later.