Measuring What Matters: Harnessing Data to Transform Student Engagement
📍 Date: Tuesday 14 April 2026
📍 Location: Manchester
Register NowFollowing the success of our inaugural conference last year, we’re returning with an expanded programme designed to support deeper discussion, practical learning, and sector-wide collaboration around student engagement.
Who should attend
This conference is designed for higher education professionals and academics working in the areas of student engagement, analytics, learning and teaching, planning, timetabling and student support. Designed for both those new to the field and experienced practitioners, the conference provides a valuable opportunity to share insights, explore emerging practice and engage in meaningful discussion with peers from across the sector.
What to expect
This one-day conference will bring together higher education professionals, practitioners, and sector leaders to explore how data, insight, and operational practice can be used to better understand and support student engagement.
The 2026 programme includes:
- Plenary sessions offering sector-leading perspectives on student engagement, institutional strategy and emerging challenges.
- Breakout sessions offering practitioner-led workshops focusing on real-world challenges, operational delivery and innovative practice across UK higher education.
- A panel discussion reflecting on current challenges and future directions for student engagement.
Keynote Speakers
We’re pleased to welcome three outstanding keynote speakers, each bringing a distinct perspective on student engagement, policy and practice:
Tom Lowe
Tom Lowe has researched and innovated in student engagement across higher education for over twelve years, focusing on areas such as student voice, retention, employability, and student–staff partnership. He 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 Chair of RAISE, a network bringing together stakeholders across higher education to research, innovate, and share best practice in student engagement.
Prior to joining Westminster, Tom was a Senior Lecturer in Higher Education at the University of Portsmouth and previously held leadership roles focused on engagement and employability at the University of Winchester. He has authored three books on student engagement with Routledge: A Handbook for Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theory into Practice (2020), Advancing Student Engagement in Higher Education: Reflection, Critique and Challenge (2023), and most recently Student Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Practice (2025).
Alongside his academic work, Tom has supported over 40 institutions in consultancy and advisory roles to improve student engagement. His most recent research focuses on student attendance in the post-Covid-19 context.
Sunday Blake
Policy Manager for Education and Parliamentary Engagement, GuildHE Sunday leads on higher education policy, regulatory reform, and parliamentary engagement, with a portfolio spanning student engagement, access and participation, admissions, and learning and teaching innovation. Formerly an Associate Editor at Wonkhe, she brings deep insight into how student priorities are shifting and what this means for institutional practice.
Sunday Blake is Policy Manager for Education and Parliamentary Engagement at GuildHE, where she leads work on higher education policy, regulatory reform, and engagement with Parliament and sector stakeholders. Her portfolio spans student engagement, access and widening participation, admissions, skills and lifelong learning, learning and teaching innovation, and the changing expectations placed on students and institutions.
Before joining GuildHE, Sunday was an Associate Editor at Wonkhe, writing extensively on higher education policy, student experience, and sector reform. She had a specific focus on freedom of speech, data analytics, and sexual misconduct policies. She has published research and book chapters belonging and inclusion in higher education and student sexual misconduct. She regularly works with universities, policymakers, and regulators to explore how student priorities are shifting, how engagement is evolving, and what this means for institutional practice.
Ayoola Johnson
Lead Student Achievement Officer, University of Lancashire Ayoola leads institution-wide work on student transition, success, and belonging, with a strong focus on equity and inclusion. His experience spans widening participation, student partnership, and service design, including leadership of the University of Manchester’s Black Leadership Programme and national research on peer-supported learning.
Ayoola is the Lead Student Achievement Officer at the University of Lancashire, where he leads institution‑wide work on student transition, success, and belonging, with a particular focus on equity and inclusion. Prior to joining Lancashire, he led the design and delivery of widening participation initiatives at the University of Manchester, including its flagship Black Leadership Programme.
Ayoola also served as Education Officer at the University of Portsmouth Students' Union from 2021-2022, where he contributed to national research on student engagement through peer-supported learning. His practice is grounded in service design and student partnership, with a focus on driving cultural change and creating inclusive environments that enable students to realise their potential and thrive.
We look forward to welcoming you to a day of thoughtful discussion, shared learning, and practical insight.
