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4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 LONDON SECURE YOUR PLACE
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
The most exciting event in the UK HE calendar; a festival of ideas and cutting edge debate about the future of universities. Presented by Wonkhe - home of the UK higher education debate.
Presented by
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
Hear from sector leaders and experts on the most important issues facing higher education as well as speakers from out-side who will offer a wider lens on our policy debates.
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE
The best thing about Wonkfest is that it covers sector-wide matters rather than that of my own area of HE.
WHY
The political and policy landscape is as uncertain as it has ever been. By hosting Wonkfest, we bring the sector together to tackle many of the questions posed by the uncertainty and share the great challenge of navigating what lies ahead.
UNDERSTAND HIGHER EDUCATION’S ROLE IN AN AGE OF UNCERTAINTY
I valued the varied debate, the quality of the speakers which acted as a provocation for me to think more creatively and deeply about my institution.
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
With sessions on a huge array of specialisms you will have access to the most up to date thinking and insight on almost every aspect of higher education.
ADD TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL TOOLKIT
A perfect opportunity to learn from both peers and speakers about the higher education landscape.
Wonkfest is nothing like any other higher education event that you’ve been to. Just ask the guests from
our first two festivals...
WONKFEST IS DIFFERENT
The Wonkfest vibe is different to any other event!
The breadth of Wonkfest means we bring together professionals from across different areas and disciplines and at every level of seniority, with students rubbing shoulders with sector leaders and policymakers. The diversity of perspectives and experiences makes it a uniquely vibrant event in UK HE.
MEET A HUGE RANGE OF AMAZING PEOPLE
Excellent opportunity to meet like minded colleagues.
WHY
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
Sessions include…
HAS BRITAIN BLOWN IT?A minority government, a divided Parliament, the enigma of Brexit, and a looming election. The British people are ideologically divided and worried about the future. Our political institutions and our leaders seem radically unequal to the challenges we face. Can we resolve the crisis and put Britain on a strong footing for the future, or have we blown it? And what role might universities play in all of this?
IS THE FUTURE TERTIARY? A NEW VISION FOR FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATIONA frequent challenge posed by policymakers has been to move towards a more integrated system of tertiary education to meet the needs of future learners. Different perspec-tives already exist about how this might happen: the Augar review proposes one model, some want to go further towards a comprehensive National Education Service, and in Scotland and Wales parallel policy journeys are already well underway. What should be the right strategy to build a tertiary future?
HOW DO WE BUILD A RESEARCH AGENDA FOR HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY?What should be the research priorities for higher education’s uncertain future? We offer an opportunity to discuss new research directions with leading academics working in the field, supported by the Society for Research into Higher Education.
BUILDING THE COLLEGE OF THE FUTURE The Independent Commission on the College of the Future asks a simple but crucial question – what do we want and need from our colleges in ten years’ time? This work-shop enables your participation and input in the commission’s ongoing work.
JOHN KINGMAN: IN CONVERSATION
NATE SILVER: IN CONVERSATION
THE STATE OF THE NATION WITH MARIE LE CONTE
THE RETREAT OF WESTERN LIBERALISM WITH EDWARD LUCE
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
I’M NOT RACIST BUT ... Higher education has a problem with race. From the attainment of BAME students to the lack of black academics, the content of the curriculum to black graduates earning less than their white counterparts and the almost complete absence of non-white leadership, higher education is grappling with race. In this session we have a frank discussion about how to get to grips with these challenges and how to reframe our thinking about this perennial issue. The discussion, featuring Kehinde Andrews, author of Back to Black: Retelling Black Radicalism for the 21st Century and Professor of Black Studies who led the development of the Black Studies degree, will give a candid examination of how we talk and think about race in the higher education system.
PARENT POWER: A NEW APPROACH TO WIDENING ACCESS This session we interview parents who are members of Parent Power, a group convened in partnership by CitizensUK and Kings College London, a new approach to widening access for non traditional students. You will hear first hand what barriers parents face in lack of information, resources and know-ledge which block their and their children to access university and, most importantly, what they are doing about it.
HOW TO BE GLOBAL CITIZENS IN FRAGMENTED TIMES Politicians talk about “global Britain” even as we prepare to leave the EU, and the unity of the UK comes under pressure. Universities remain proudly global institutions, fostering international collaborations and exchange, and contributing to the UK’s soft power abroad. How might universities sustain their claim to be global citizens - and prepare students for global citizenship - at a time when national interest is prioritised above all things?
I, VICE CHANCELLOR: EXPLORING HUMANITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP Vice chancellors have been frequently caricatured - even demonised - as grasping, heartless, or incompetent, and attacked for the decisions they make. Wonkhe and Minerva have inter-viewed higher education leaders to understand how they protect their humanity in the role, what authentic leadership means to them, and how they cope with all the criticism. This session will offer a fascinating insight into the human beings behind the shiny desks, and offer reflections on how we can make the most of our leaders.
Sessions include…
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
FINDING NEW ANSWERS ABOUT STUDENT WELLBEINGWe’ve done the research, we’ve put the student services in place and we’ve hosted the petting zoos. At this point it’s not a question of what more can we do, but what new understandings, partnerships and practices might support a significant step forward in supporting the well-being of an increasingly diverse student body.
A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT? SUPPORTING THE FUTURE RESEARCH WORKFORCE The UK has historically punched well above its weight when it comes to research output. But are UK research systems and cultures fit for purpose for the future? A shift to a more open model of science requires the building of inclusive and flexible research cultures that make space for diverse research talent and build interdisciplinary, inter-industry and international connections. This session will bring together a panel of experts on research development to explore what should be done to ensure “the brightest and the best” are able to build flourishing research careers in the future.
RISE OF THE ROBOTS: PUTTING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO WORK IN UNIVERSITIES Is artificial intelligence an agent of radical educational transformation, a major threat to our way of life, or a damp squib? Moving on from breathless predictions and prophecies of doom, this session will explore the potential applications of AI in universities and map out the ethics and practicalities that should be considered to ensure the tech works for us, not the other way around.
BE A UNIVERSITY GOVERNOR FOR A DAY It’s often said that university governance is no longer fit for purpose, but what are the practical realities of governing universities? This session will challenge participants, supported by expert insight, to consider the proper roles and skillsets of governors, senates and university executives using real-life examples of strategic governance questions and the risky situations that universities encounter.
IS IT STILL WORTH DOING A PHD? The academic job market is saturated and it’s debatable whether universities prepare doctoral graduates for work outside academia. We know that access to doctoral study is not equal, especially for women and ethnic minorities, but should we be seeking to widen participation to doctoral study and how might the PhD develop in the future?
Sessions include…
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
CAN UNIVERSITIES MOVE FAST WITHOUT BREAKING THINGS?Agility is desirable for any organisation in a competitive environment, but universities are typically run by slow deliberation and collective decision-making. Moving faster and adopting efficiencies can mean gaining an edge, freeing up staff time to focus on what matters, and a better student experience. But trying to do things quickly in complex organisations can be risky, and for some, goes against the grain of how universities ought to function as academic communities. This masterclass will share evdence-based examples of best practice in improving university processes and systems, helping universities to go faster where it counts.
SHIFTING THE DEBATE FROM SOCIAL MOBILITY TO SOCIAL JUSTICE Labour has said that social mobility has failed, and that policies should now focus on social justice - and the party is not alone in believing this. This session examines the difference between social justice and social mobility, and asks whether it’s just a shift in framing or a major change coming in how inequality is tackled?
BUILDING A TRANS- INCLUSIVE EDUCATION Trans students and staff often face discrim-ination and bullying at university. This session explores how universities can build policies, cultures and communities to support trans people.
SNOWFLAKES FIGHT BACK: A NEW AGE OF STUDENT ACTIVISM Over the last year, we have seen activists of all ages band together on shared issues, and this year schoolchildren and students joined together in climate marches. Are we entering a new age of student activism?
TACKLING ONLINE HARASSMENT Students spend a lot of their time online, and online harassment can be devastating. How and should universities police online spaces? This session digs into developing policies on online harassment.
Sessions include…
WHAT CAN YOUNG PEOPLE’S READING HABITS TELL US ABOUT THEIR INTERESTS? The Guardian Universities team knows what young people are reading - and 18-24 year olds are more interested in what’s going on in the world than you might think. This session will share data and insight on the articles that engage young people - and what that tells us about this generation of young university students.
THE NEW PROVIDERS CHALLENGING OLD MODELS IN HIGHER EDUCATION Not every provider has a campus, a vice chancellor, and a glossy prospectus. From co-operatives to new forms of corporations, from spinning off to levelling up, those who are changing the way the nation thinks about studying in higher education explain their approach.
SHOW ME THE MONEY: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IN UNIVERSITIES How do we make an assessment of how financially stable a provider is, and why do the methods that we choose matter? With more financial information becoming available, and higher regulatory stakes attached, we speak to those fluent in the language of finance to translate.
HOW CAN WE USE BETTER DATA TO ACTUALLY GET STUFF DONE? These days every policy needs a graph, and every idea is measured against a data-driven picture of reality. There’s a lot said about data driven decisions (or decision driven data) but how do we get from talking about numbers to getting stuff done?
BUILDING THE LEARNING COMMUNITY INTO DIGITAL STRATEGIES Drawing on new analysis undertaken by Wonkhe and Aula, this session will explore how university digital strategies are grappling with the potential of education technology to shape, support and transform learning communities.
…plus many more SECURE YOUR PLACE
Sessions include…
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
All guests have access to our Monday night party where we let our policy hair
down and relax after a hard day Wonkfesting. Held nearby, there will be drinks, food and
plenty of conversations to be had with people from across higher education.
Ideal for catching up with old colleagues, and a time to find many new ones
from different and unexpected parts of university life.
LATE
THE
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
NATE SILVER Founder and Editor-in-chief, Fivethirtyeight
KEHINDE ANDREWS Professor of Black Studies
JOHN KINGMAN Chair, UK Research And Innovation
SHIRLEY PEARCE Chair of independent review of TEF
MARIE LE CONTE Journalist and political commentator
EDWARD LUCE Author, The Retreat Of Western Liberalism
MORE OVERLEAF
Speakers include…
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 SECURE YOUR PLACE
WES STREETING + MARY STUARTVIVIENNE STERN + ANNA BIRD
GEOFF LAYER + ED FIDOE + SUE RIGBY JAYNE ALDRIDGE + JULIE LYDON
ANDERS KROHN + ZENA CREED ZAC ASHKANASY + VANESSA WILSON
PAUL GREATRIX + ALISON JONESRACHEL HALL + ANDY WESTWOOD
ANDREW HARGREAVES + MARK CORVER JANE WHITE + FIONA GOODWIN
LEWIS COOPER + STEVE GOLDENBERGJOHNNY RICH + GOLDIE BLUMENSTYK
SALLY MAPSTONE + MORE...
Speakers include…
OUR EVENT PARTNERS WHO HELP BRING THE FESTIVAL TO LIFE
Featuring contributions from our association partners
4–5 NOVEMBER 2019 BUSINESS DESIGN CENTRELONDON N1
SECURE YOUR PLACE
Wonkfest is a two-day festival hosted and organised by Wonkhe, the home of the UK higher education debate. Taking place over two days, there are dozens of sessions and speakers, hundreds of guests, it’s the biggest and most exciting event in the UK.
For further details about how to book including discounted rates for our Plus subscribers, travel and accommodation details and everything else, visit:
wonkfest.co.uk
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