Wonkhe presents
The Secret Life of Students 2023
Being real, getting real
Shaw Theatre, Pullman London St Pancras Hotel
Get DirectionsThe Secret Life of Students 2023 is here. This page includes everything you need to to plan your day at Wonkhe’s event all about the student experience.
Default title
Wonkhe presents
The Secret Life of Students 2023
Being real, getting real
Shaw Theatre, Pullman London St Pancras Hotel
Get DirectionsThe Secret Life of Students 2023 is here. This page includes everything you need to to plan your day at Wonkhe’s event all about the student experience.
Default title
Programme for the day
8.30am Registration opens in the theatre foyer
Tea and coffee will be available in the Nobel Suite
9.30am Introduction: time to get real
Wonkhe’s associate editor Jim Dickinson introduces our latest research in to the student experience in the auditorium.
9.50am Belonging in a cost of living crisis
The stats are dire and the initiatives have come thick and fast – but what sort of impact is the cost of living crisis having on the student learning experience? Do efforts to enable students to succeed in these circumstances normalise a thin and stretched student experience?
Mady Baugh, President, Newcastle University Students’ Union, Amy Creighton, Democracy and Campaigns Development Coordinator, University of York students’ union, Andrew Wilson, Student and Disability Officer, University of Derby students’ union – chaired by Debbie McVitty, Wonkhe’s editor.
10:20am John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation, Office for Students in conversation
Wonkhe’s editor in chief Mark Leach will host a wide ranging conversation with John Blake about his agenda for student success, including time for an audience Q&A.
11.20am Break – Nobel Suite
11.40am The real risks to equality of opportunity
Tacking equality gaps in higher education remains a huge concern – particularly when some initiatives and efforts seem to fall foul of government guidance and preference. In this session we’ll bust some myths and seek to understand what really works when it comes to narrowing the gaps.
John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation, Office for Students, Omar Khan, Director, Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in HE (TASO), Sally Burtonshaw, Associate Director, Public First, John McKendrick, Commissioner for Fair Access in Scotland – chaired by Wonkhe’s editor Debbie McVitty.
12.20pm How to (re)calibrate the needle of trust
Post-Covid, there’s been lots of debate about the extent to which safety-net shifts in trusting students should be rolled back in the name of academic standards, as well as discussion about assessment methods that both appear to narrow awarding gaps and exacerbate allegations of cheating. How viable is it in 2023 to maintain the idea that every student should achieve a standard at the same pace? Where is the line between cheating and collaboration? And what could new AI tools mean for teaching, learning and assessment?
Tracey Horton, Head of Student Lifecycle, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Elizabeth Nixon, Associate Professor in Marketing, Nottingham University Business School, Phil Newton, Director of Learning and Teaching, Swansea University Medical School – chaired by Mike Ratcliffe, former academic registrar.
1.00pm Lunch (provided) – Nobel Suite
Or you stick around in the auditorium to watch a live recording of our weekly podcast The Wonkhe Show with Team Wonkhe & guests.
1.50pm Cracking the code
So your department has a difficult NSS score on assessment fairness, and the Dean wants you to turn things around – fast. Or a flag goes up on your engagement analytic dashboard – what now? In a field teeming with data, finding out what is going on with the people behind the numbers can make the difference. In this session we’ll consider the role of the qualitative in turning data to action – and share new insight from our new student survey platform Belong on what students are really thinking.
Charles Knight, Assistant Director, Knowledge and Innovation, Advance HE, Nicola Watchman-Smith, Deputy Director Student Learning, Teesside University – chaired by Wonkhe’s associate editor Sunday Blake.
2.30pm Why are students so left wing?
The political leanings of students have been central to the free speech debate that has played out in recent years – but is it nature, or nurture? Some would argue that the past decade has seen a huge expansion in higher education participation, opening up opportunity to more students than ever. Others would argue that politics is increasingly skewed away from students and young people’s economic interests. What’s really going on – and what should universities, SUs or governments do about it?
Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics at Birkbeck College, University of London, Elizabeth Simon, Postdoctoral researcher in British politics, Queen Mary University of London – chaired by Wonkhe’s associate editor Jim Dickinson.
3.15pm Break – Nobel Suite
3.45pm Secrets of the student experience
Increasingly universities are expected to have a handle on “difficult” aspects of the students’ experience: alcohol and drugs, sexual harassment, and sex work. In this session, we will think through the various frames available for managing behaviours and the implications for students, university policy, and the competencies of university staff.
Nic Beech Vice Chancellor, Middlesex University and chair of the UUK drugs taskforce, Amy Norton, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Office for Students – chaired by Wonkhe’s associate editor Sunday Blake.
4.30pm How to become a perfect student
Before they can succeed, we have lots of ideas about what a “good” student ought to know and be able to do – but are those ideas universal across generations, subjects and student characteristics? And how confident are students, their universities and their SUs that they’re meeting those ideals? We’ll share new polling and debate the issue with others involved in student “becoming”.
Michelle Morgan, Student experience transitions specialist & Dean of Students, University of East London, Tiffany Chiu, Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development, Imperial College London, Billy Wong, Associate Professor in Widening Participation and Deputy Programme Director PG Research Studies at the Institute of Education, University of Reading – chaired by Wonkhe SUs community & policy officer Livia Scott.
5.15pm Close
Drinks reception to launch Belong, the student insight platform at The Somers Town Coffee House, from 5.30 pm until late.
All slides and resources will be made available shortly the end of the event.
Programme subject to change.
The Secret Life of Students takes place at the Shaw Theatre, next to the Pullman London St Pancras Hotel – Map: 100-110 Euston Rd, London NW1 2AJ. All registered delegates have received full joining instructions including further venue details, if you have not, please email events@wonkhe.com.
Speakers
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![]( "John\'s role is to ensure universities and colleges are doing all they can to support learners from all backgrounds, especially the most disadvantaged, to access and succeed in higher education. John is an executive member of the OfS board.")
John Blake
Director for Fair Access & Participation, Office for StudentsJohn’s role is to ensure universities and colleges are doing all they can to support learners from all backgrounds, especially the most disadvantaged, to access and succeed in higher education. John is an executive member of the OfS board.
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John McKendrick
Commissioner for Fair Access for ScotlandJohn McKendrick is Commissioner for Fair Access for Scotland. John is Professor of Social Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University, where he co-directs the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit.
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Omar Khan
Director, Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in HE (TASO)Omar Khan is Director of the Centre for Transforming Access and Students Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO). Omar joined TASO from race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust, where he had been Director since 2014. Prior to this, Omar was Head of Policy at the Runnymede Trust and led its financial inclusion programme. Omar holds … Continued
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Sally Burtonshaw
Associate Director, Public FirstSally is an Associate Director in Public First’s Education Practice where she leads work on post-18 education policy. Previously, Sally was Head of Policy at London Higher where she led the Policy Team, representing over fifty London HEIs across a range of policy issues. Previously, Sally has worked on access and participation policy at fair … Continued
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![]( "Michelle is a HE student transition and experience specialist and practitioner. She develops initiatives based on pragmatic and practical research to improve the experience of students and staff. The impact of her work is to enable students to succeed to the best of their ability in a high quality HE environment that challenges and supports them. She is recognised both nationally and internationally and has 29 years\' experience in Higher Education at a time of rapid change (8 years at University level, 21 years at Faculty level).")
Michelle Morgan
Student experience transitions specialist & Dean of Students, University of East LondonMichelle is a HE student transition and experience specialist and practitioner. She develops initiatives based on pragmatic and practical research to improve the experience of students and staff. The impact of her work is to enable students to succeed to the best of their ability in a high quality HE environment that challenges and supports … Continued
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Sunday Blake
Associate Editor, WonkheSunday Blake is President at Exeter Guild of Students
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Nic Beech
Vice chancellor, Middlesex University -
![]( "Amy Norton is Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Office for Students,")
Amy Norton
Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Office for StudentsAmy Norton is Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Office for Students,
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![]( "Charles Knight is Assistant Director, Knowledge and Innovation at Advance HE")
Charles Knight
Assistant Director, Knowledge and Innovation, Advance HECharles Knight is Assistant Director, Knowledge and Innovation at Advance HE
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Jim Dickinson
Associate Editor, WonkheJim is an Associate Editor at Wonkhe and takes a particular interest in the student experience, university governance, and regulation – and leads our work with students’ unions. His career background is in support for student leadership. He has held senior roles at the National Union of Students – where he led on SU development, … Continued
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![]( "Elizabeth Nixon is Associate Professor in Marketing at Nottingham University Business School.")
Elizabeth Nixon
Associate Professor in Marketing, Nottingham University Business SchoolElizabeth Nixon is Associate Professor in Marketing at Nottingham University Business School.
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![]( "Eric Kaufmann is Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, University of London.")
Eric Kaufmann
Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, University of LondonEric Kaufmann is Professor of Politics at Birkbeck, University of London.
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![]( "Debbie McVitty is Editor of Wonkhe. Debbie is a former chief of staff at Universities UK, director of policy at the University of Bedfordshire, and head of policy at the National Union of Students, and is a founding member of Wonkhe’s editorial group.")
Debbie McVitty
Editor, WonkheDebbie McVitty, Editor, Wonkhe
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![]( "Dr Nicola Watchman Smith (PhD, PFHEA) is Deputy Director of Student Learning at Teesside University, and previously Head of the Teaching Excellence Awards at Advance HE. At Advance HE Nicola oversaw the CATE and National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) schemes and their Apprenticeships service, informing approaches to professional recognition in UK-based higher education. She sits on the Advisory Committee for Degree Awarding Powers (QAA) and Board of Governors within college-based HE. An advocate for challenging barriers to HE access, participation and professional recognition, she is a founder member of the In it Together EDI project and the Sorority of HE Leaders (SHEL). Nicola is a published author, with research interests spanning higher education practice and the Northern Soul music scene.")
Nicola Watchman Smith
Deputy Director Student Learning, Teesside UniversityDr Nicola Watchman Smith (PhD, PFHEA) is Deputy Director of Student Learning at Teesside University, and previously Head of the Teaching Excellence Awards at Advance HE. At Advance HE Nicola oversaw the CATE and National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) schemes and their Apprenticeships service, informing approaches to professional recognition in UK-based higher education. She sits on … Continued
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![]( "Phil Newton is the Director of Learning and Teaching for the Swansea University Medical School.")
Phil Newton
Director of Learning and Teaching, Swansea University Medical SchoolPhil Newton is the Director of Learning and Teaching for the Swansea University Medical School.
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![]( "Tracey Horton is Head of Student Lifecycle at Cardiff Metropolitan University.")
Tracey Horton
Head of Student Lifecycle, Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityTracey Horton is Head of Student Lifecycle at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
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![]( "Mike Ratcliffe was the Academic Registrar at Nottingham Trent University. Mike is a career academic administrator, who\'s also held senior posts at Winchester and Oxford Brookes universities. Having become unnaturally interested in universities in themselves, he is particularly fascinated with their history and philosophy and has been doing postgraduate study at the UCL Institute of Education on the history of the university curriculum.")
Mike Ratcliffe
Former Academic RegistrarMike Ratcliffe was the Academic Registrar at Nottingham Trent University. Mike is a career academic administrator, who’s also held senior posts at Winchester and Oxford Brookes universities. Having become unnaturally interested in universities in themselves, he is particularly fascinated with their history and philosophy and has been doing postgraduate study at the UCL Institute of … Continued
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![]( "Elizabeth is a Postdoctoral Researcher in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London")
Elizabeth Simon
Postdoctoral researcher in British politics, Queen Mary University of LondonElizabeth is a Postdoctoral Researcher in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London
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Livia Scott
Community and Policy Officer, WonkheLivia Scott is Wonkhe SUs’ Community and Policy Officer. A history student who has completed both an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, Livia served as the full time elected Education Officer at Newcastle University Students’ Union in 2021/22. A former peer mentor, at Newcastle Livia led on work to promote the student interest as we emerged … Continued
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![]( "Billy Wong is Associate Professor in Widening Participation and Deputy Programme Director PG Research Studies at the Institute of Education, University of Reading.")
Billy Wong
Associate Professor in Widening Participation and Deputy Programme Director PG Research Studies at the Institute of Education, University of ReadingBilly Wong is Associate Professor in Widening Participation and Deputy Programme Director PG Research Studies at the Institute of Education, University of Reading.
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![]( "Tiffany Chiu is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development at Imperial College London.")
Tiffany Chiu
Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development, Imperial College LondonTiffany Chiu is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Educational Development at Imperial College London.
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![]( "Andrew is a Student and Disability Officer at University of Derby students\' union")
Andrew Wilson
Student and Disability Officer, University of Derby students' unionAndrew is a Student and Disability Officer at University of Derby students’ union
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![]( "Mark Leach is the founder, Editor in Chief and CEO of Wonkhe. Mark worked in policy, politics and public affairs in and around UK higher education and founded Wonkhe in 2011 while working as a jobbing policy wonk in the sector. The first part of his career took him to the National Union of Students, HEFCE, University Alliance, GuildHE as well as a stint in politics as a special adviser to the former Shadow Minister for Universities & Science. Mark began full-time work on Wonkhe in mid-2014 growing it into a thriving business. As CEO, Mark is responsible for running and developing Wonkhe and as Editor in Chief oversees Wonkhe’s editorial platforms. You can read more about everything that Wonkhe does here.")
Mark Leach
Editor in Chief, WonkheMark Leach is the founder, Editor in Chief and CEO of Wonkhe. Mark worked in policy, politics and public affairs in and around UK higher education and founded Wonkhe in 2011 while working as a jobbing policy wonk in the sector. The first part of his career took him to the National Union of Students, … Continued
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![]( "Mady Baugh is President at Newcastle University Students\' Union")
Mady Baugh
President, Newcastle University Students' UnionMady Baugh is President at Newcastle University Students’ Union
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![]( "Amy is Democracy and Campaigns Development Coordinator at University of York Students\' Union.")
Amy Creighton
Democracy and Campaigns Development Coordinator, University of York students' unionAmy is Democracy and Campaigns Development Coordinator at University of York Students’ Union.
