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
- More speakers are being confirmed all the time
- See photos from last year’s event.
Agenda
9.30 Demonstrating learning: how students navigate the system today
Wonkhe’s Jim Dickinson opens the day sharing exclusive insight on how students are really using AI for their work and facilitating an honest conversation about what’s driving AI use in assessments: laziness and cheating, or time poverty and survival? We’ll examine how official requirements can often mask unofficial practices, and consider the implications for pedagogy, workload, and assessment design.
10.15 Student story 1
10.20 Being human, staying human: learning futures in an age of AI
What the contemporary world demands, and how learning prepares individuals to thrive in it, has occupied the minds of education leaders since well before AI came on the scene. In this session we’ll hear from leaders operating in very different environments and with very different visions, but with a shared commitment to building education environments that develop the whole range of human capability: critical judgement, curiosity, and practical wisdom. With Ed Fidoe and Deborah Longworth.
11.15 Break for refreshments and networking
11.45 Student story 2
11.50 From production to presence: what employers value in graduates now
What do graduate employers actually value in their workforce today? Drawing on employer insight, we’ll explore what it means for graduates to be effective, employable and resilient in workplaces shaped by AI, automation and constant change — and where higher education is, and is not, preparing students for these realities. With Matt Robb and others exciting names, to be confirmed.
12.45 Lunch and live recording of The Wonkhe Show podcast
1.45 Student story 3
1.50 AI for optimising student experience: making space for what matters?
AI tools promise efficiency and optimisation – a more personalised experience, available to every student equitably, while educators free up time to focus on the human interactions that matter most. Can AI deliver? We’ll discuss how institutions are approaching using AI tools – and how they can separate the gold from the dross. With Helena Lim, Camille Kandiko Howson and Danny Mirza.
2.30 Academic standards, misconduct and regulation: testing the system in practice
As the line between legitimate assistance and misconduct blurs, complaints are rising and institutions are grappling with investigations that feel impossible to resolve fairly. We’ll engage directly with the regulators to explore whether current frameworks are keeping pace with practice, and how institutions can build systems that maintain standards while supporting students to reach them. With Josh Fleming.
3.10 Break for refreshments and networking
3.40 Student story 4
3.45 Authentic assessment at scale
It’s time to revisit authentic assessment – not just for workplace relevance but for challenging students to think deeply, and produce outputs that evidence the things that matter. The problem? Most authentic assessment practices were designed for small cohorts and resource-rich environments. How do we scale oral exams, portfolios, real-world projects and workplace assessment across mass higher education? What role can technology play – and what must remain resolutely human? With Jayne Pearson and Jasper Roe.
4.30 The policy and practice that enables human learning
Our closing session will seek to distil all the learning and discussion from the day into actionable insight: what needs to change to foster human learning in the age of AI? What role can or should policy play in enabling that change? And who are the institutional actors best positioned to act as change agents?
To help focus minds, John Blake joins us, fresh from his stint as Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students, to share his insight about what really drives education change.
5.30 Close of event: join us for a drinks reception at The Shaw Theatre.
