Simac IDS 2026 Conference
Measuring What Matters: Harnessing Data to Transform Student Engagement
Tuesday 14th April 2026 | Manchester
Following the success of our inaugural conference in 2025, we are delighted to announce that the Simac IDS 2026 Conference will take place on Tuesday 14th April 2026 in Manchester.
Our 2025 event brought together 73 delegates from 27 institutions to explore data-driven approaches to student engagement, featuring sector research, practitioner-led insight, and real-world case studies. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees commenting on the quality of discussion, the value of practical examples and the energising atmosphere.
Building on this strong foundation, the 2026 conference will expand both scope and depth. Next year’s programme will include:
- Three plenary sessions offering sector-leading insight into student engagement, institutional strategy, and emerging challenges.
- Three rounds of parallel sessions providing a total of nine interactive workshops. Featuring practitioner or research-led presentations, these workshops provide a hands-on exploration of best practice, operational delivery, and innovative approaches across UK higher education.
Our goal remains the same: to create a warm, welcoming, and intellectually rich environment for discussion, reflection, and sector-wide collaboration.
Registration will open in early February and the full programme details will be released at the same time.
For now, please mark Tuesday 14th April 2026 in your diary — we hope you will join us for a day of insight, inspiration, and shared learning.
Call for Workshop Contributors
As part of our 2026 conference programme, we are inviting proposals for workshop sessions that share innovative practice, research insights or practical approaches to engaging students through meaningful data.
We welcome contributions that explore real-world challenges, evidence-based interventions, collaborative projects or operational improvements that have enhanced student experience and success. Workshops should be interactive, practice-focused, and designed to encourage discussion, reflection, and peer learning.
If you would like to contribute a session, we would be delighted to hear from you. Details on how to submit an expression of interest can be found here.
