Date

15th May 2018

Raising the Stakes: Collective Action in Pursuit of Social Mobility – The Bridge Group Conference 2018

Raising the Stakes: Collective Action in Pursuit of Social Mobility

9.45am – 5pm (followed by a networking reception, with drinks and refreshments)

KPMG, Canary Wharf
London, E14 5G7

Register here.

The implications of social inequality are increasingly apparent in our social, economic and political fabric. Decades of investment have delivered some progress, including: narrowing the gaps in school-level attainment; widening access to higher education; and increasing socio-economic diversity in parts of the workforce.

However, these gains have been slow and modest. Disadvantages are often accumulated throughout the educational journey and continue into the workplace. Family background continues to determine outcomes.

This conference will be of value to colleagues across the employer, university, government and charity sectors.

Senior leaders, policymakers, practitioners and experts from across sectors will come together at the conference to consider the persistence of social inequality in the UK. Building on the themes of last year’s event, we’ll explore fundamental issues about how we define and debate class in the UK, and highlight effective practices and policies. New research, including from the Bridge Group, will be shared and debated.

Collective solutions will be sought; delegate contributions and questions will be invited throughout the day.

Join the debate.

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@bridge_group #bgconference18

Headline speakers include:

  • The Rt. Hon Alan Milburn
  • The Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP
  • Alan Davey, Controller, BBC Radio Three
  • Melanie Richards, Deputy Chair, KPMG LLP
  • Chris Millward, Director of Access, the Office for Students
  • Professor Mike Savage, London School of Economics
  • Professor Vikki Bolliver, University of Durham
  • Maddalaine Ansell, Chief Executive, University Alliance
  • Emran Mian, Director of Strategy and Social Mobility, Department for Education
  • Dr Louise Ashley, Royal Holloway University of London
  • Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck College
  • Nicholas Miller, Chief Executive, the Bridge Group
  • Anne-Marie Canning, Director of Social Mobility, King’s College London
  • Helen Thorne, Director of External Relations, UCAS

Key themes

  • The imperative for addressing social inequality, in the context of the current social and political climate.
  • Priorities and effective practices in university access: including pupil attainment, the impact of place, contextual admissions, and effective models of outreach.
  • Student retention and success, including amongst mature, part-time, and commuter students.
  • The role of universities in driving regional economic growth and promoting graduate retention.
  • Contributions and coordination from the third sector.
  • The business case for socio-economic diversity amongst employers, and practices and policies to realise this.

Collectively, we can raise the stakes and achieve social change.