AI hasn’t just changed how students write essays – it’s forced us to confront what learning actually means. As The Secret Life of Students returns for its eighth year, we’re launching major new research revealing how students are really using AI, discussing what “graduate-ready” means in 2026, and showcasing institutions already reimagining assessment for authentic learning at scale.
Taking a step beyond what has felt like for many as a moment of crisis, we’re looking at it as a chance for creativity and a chance to reimagine what higher education is actually for, to strip away assessments that measure memorisation rather than meaning-making, and to design learning experiences that develop capabilities no algorithm can replicate.
You’ll explore how AI can enhance rather than replace human learning, and what this means for everyone. With a new government white paper reshaping the landscape, from oracy initiatives to work-based learning at scale.
With institutions under pressure to demonstrate genuine learning gains, the timing couldn’t be sharper. This is the essential gathering for anyone working on student experience, teaching practice, or education policy – where you’ll get evidence not platitudes, practical strategies not theoretical debates, and a vision of higher education that’s more human, not less.
Event information
- The Secret Life of Students takes place at the Shaw Theatre, a short walk from Euston, Kings Cross and St Pancras train stations.
- All delegates will receive full joining instructions, including further venue and access details, tickets, delegate list and a guide to the event before the day.
- We will be running an event chat on Discord.
- The event will start at 09.30 and finish at 17.00.
- A full programme will launch in the new year.
