1st May 2025 in Manchester
Simac-IDS Ltd (UK) are delighted to announce our first Student Engagement Conference to be held on 1st May 2025, at Manchester Metropolitan University.
As student engagement continues to evolve in the years following the global pandemic, we are bringing together a dynamic forum for discussion, innovation, and best practice in supporting student success.
This free conference, open to all higher education professionals, welcomes both newcomers and experienced practitioners in student engagement, analytics, and planning. It provides a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and exchange insights with like-minded colleagues from across the sector.
As student engagement remains a key priority across the sector, this conference brings together professionals from student experience, academic leadership, learning and teaching, planning, timetabling, and student services. It offers a unique opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore best practices in student retention.
Attendees will gain valuable insights from leading sector experts on student engagement and analytics, along with real-world experience showcasing innovative approaches from UK universities. Beyond the sessions, the conference is the ideal setting to build connections and continue the conversation in a relaxed environment.
Keynote Speakers
Tom Lowe is a leading researcher in student engagement who works at the University of Westminster as Assistant Head of School (Student Experience) in Finance and Accounting where he leads on student experience, outcomes and belonging. Tom is also the Chair of RAISE, a network for all stakeholders in higher education for researching, innovating and sharing best practice in student engagement.
Tom’s keynote will share insights on student attendance and offer best practices for effectively engaging Generation Z students.
Helen Kirby-Hawkins is an experienced higher education professional currently serving as Assistant Director of Education Services at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research specialises in student engagement, timetabling, and student belonging. She has contributed to studies examining factors impacting student attendance and engagement behaviours, such as students’ lifeload, tolerance of gaps and habit formation.
Helen’s keynote will discuss how Manchester Metropolitan University are operationalising the recommendations from her research findings in delivering more student centric timetables, leveraging her latest insights into timetable changes and their impact of student habit formation.
Other Speakers
Louise Banahene, Director of Educational Engagement & Student Success at the University of Leeds, provides leadership of services and areas of work focused on enriching the learning experience with a strong focus on equity and inclusion, including leadership of the Access and Student Success strategy. In 2017 she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to higher education and holds Principal Fellowship with Advance HE.
There’s no doubt that placing student engagement at the heart of our work—and making effective use of data— plays a key role in addressing barriers to student success. However, there is often a gap between intention and implementation. In this talk, Louise will reflect on the approaches, strategies, challenges, and opportunities involved in delivering meaningful change at scale for the benefit of student communities in higher education.
Dr Nathaniel Pickering leads the Student Success Evaluation Centre at the University of Greenwich. His evaluation and research work has predominately focused on understanding what works to improve equity in student experiences and outcomes in higher education.
In this thought-provoking session, Nathaniel discusses how evaluation can act as a crucial bridge between student outcomes and institutional key performance indicators (KPIs) and drive meaningful institutional change.
Elle Stockdale is the Academic Engagement Manager, University of York and manages the operational oversight of the University's Check In system, which is designed to support both academic engagement and wellbeing. Before working in higher education, she worked in the criminal justice sector, including Youth Offending Teams, Victim Support and Police.
Elle’s session explores how the University of York is using data to proactively support student welfare and wellbeing, sharing practical insights into the strategies and tools helping the university better understand and respond to student needs.
Gareth has over ten years in London's Education sector, serving as a Visa Compliance Manager and developing expertise in timetabling, policy development, and course administration. In 2022, he joined Simac IDS UK as an Implementation Consultant, supporting universities from initial system implementation through to ongoing process improvement and development.
In his session, Gareth will explore key student engagement strategies used across UK higher education institutions, examining their impact and effectiveness. He will discuss the distinctions between passive, reactive, and proactive student support approaches, offering insights into how universities can strike the right balance—enhancing student success without overburdening staff.
Panel discussion
To conclude the event, a dynamic plenary panel will explore key questions shaping the future of student engagement in universities. Topics will include redefining contact time, what constitutes a valid reason for non-attendance, and whether it's time to reintroduce mandatory attendance policies.
How to register
To register for this free event, please see the Eventbrite Link below:
Register now for Data-Driven Engagement: Shaping the Future of Student Success Conference
Places are limited. Please register early to avoid disappointment.
About us
Simac IDS Ltd (UK) is a leading provider of innovative data solutions, helping universities harness the power of analytics to enhance student engagement, retention, and success. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by higher education institutions, we deliver cutting-edge technology and actionable insights that empower universities to make data-driven decisions.
From student engagement analytics to strategic planning tools, we equip institutions with the resources they need to improve student outcomes and operational efficiency. By combining expertise in data science with a passion for education, Simac IDS Ltd (UK) works closely with universities to drive innovation, improve student experiences, and shape the future of higher education.
