Thursday 29th February 2024
9:30am - 3:00pm
Virtual Conference
Public Affairs in Higher Education 2024 will explore how institutions can deliver a high impact approach to policy engagement, reputational management and strategic communications as the UK faces a general election.
This implementation-led conference will allow your team to assess how the sector is preparing for a forthcoming election, the next steps in building constructive partnerships with decision makers and how to formulate a long-term approach to advocacy.
Objectives
Examine how your external affairs teams can influence and drive policy change ahead of the 2024 election
Gain insights on developing constructive and impactful partnerships with decision makers
Evaluate approaches to maximising your reputation and managing risks
Assess the next steps in driving robust regional partnerships and collaborating with local policymakers
Explore how to design, plan and deliver your institution’s next advocacy and engagement campaigns
Headline Speakers
Rachael Richards
Director of Public Affairs
Durham University
José Lope
Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs)
University College Birmingham
Simon Darby
Head of Public Affairs
PLMR
Hayley Mace
Head of Communications and Advocacy
University of East Anglia
Javneet Ghuman
Associate Director, Policy and Advocacy
University of the Arts London
Agenda
9:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Hayley Mace
Head of Communications and Advocacy
University of East Anglia (CONFIRMED)
9:40 am
Influencing the Higher Education Debate: What Does it Take to Be a Constructive Partner to Policy Makers?
What does valuable engagement and advocacy look like to senior policy makers?
How to communicate policy proposals impactfully through evidence and sustainable funding ideas
Working across the political divide, building coalitions and winning the public debate
Thinking long-term: Being persistent and consistent in developing robust relationships with policy leaders
Simon Darby
Head of Public Affairs
PLMR (CONFIRMED)
10:05 am
A Broken HE Funding Model: Where Can the Arguments be Won with the Next Government?
What is the public appetite for HE funding reform and voters perceptions on the sector?
What should the sector expect from the leading parties on funding ahead of an election?
Why is the higher education sector gaining limited traction on calls for a sustainable funding model?
Where can the sector make progress and how can universities begin to shape a deal on efficiency, transparency and enhanced outcomes?
Dr Kate Wicklow
Policy Director
Guild HE (CONFIRMED)
10:30 am
Break and Networking
10:50am
Election 2024 Ahead: How Are Universities Delivering Approaches to Advocacy and Engagement?
What is on the sector’s manifesto wish list and how are advocacy leaders making the case on funding?
How can progress be made on transforming public perceptions on the sector?
Where can institutions make real impact on policy engagement?
How have institutions been engaging with the political parties ahead of the election and are there ‘wins’ to be had?
Liam Hurley
Director of Strategy and External Relations
University of Roehampton (CONFIRMED)
Rachael Richards
Director of Public Affairs
Durham University (CONFIRMED)
José Lopes
Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs)
University College Birmingham (CONFIRMED)
Cristina Chapman
Head of Public Affairs
University of Nottingham (CONFIRMED)
Joan Concannon
Director of External Relations
University of York (CONFIRMED)
Russ Millhouse
Head of External & Public Affairs
University of Central Lancashire (CONFIRMED)
11:30am
Break and Networking
11:40 am
A Sector Under Attack? Building Agility and Resilience in Your Institution
Preventing crisis mode: how can an institution avoid sudden reputational shocks?
Developing a structure for long-term resilience to reputational risks
When things do go wrong: Lessons for the sector on communications and media management when facing reputational damage (and how to recover)
Lucian Hudson
Director of Advancement, Marketing and Communications
Durham University (CONFIRMED)
12:05 pm
Designing an Impactful Regional Engagement Strategy
Understanding the engagement motivators for regional stakeholders
Exploring your institution’s presence with regional policy leaders
Where can you deliver the most impact regionally and where do gaps exist?
Exploring the components of a successful regional engagement strategy that is able to influence
Matthew Guest
Head of Local and Regional Business Engagement
University of Central Lancashire (CONFIRMED)
12:30pm
Break and Networking
Public Affairs in Action Series
This sessions will bring together leading practitioners and institutions at the forefront of high impact advocacy and engagement to explore practical lessons and insights for you to implement in your own context.
1:10pm
Building and Maintaining Relationships with Decision Makers
Elly Sample
Director of External Relations
University of Derby (CONFIRMED)
1:30pm
Public Affairs and Policy Engagement - Local to National
Dionne Lee
Policy & Public Affairs Manager
Teesside University (CONFIRMED)
Geraldine Brown
Head of Policy, Development and Public Affairs
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (CONFIRMED)
Break and Networking
1:50 pm
2:10 pm
How to Successfully Work with Academics in Engagement Activity
Ian Turgoose
Head of External Engagement
Sheffield Hallam University (CONFIRMED)
2:30 pm
Embedding Compelling Storytelling into Your Engagement
Paddy Smith
Senior Public Affairs Manager
Loughborough University Policy Unit (CONFIRMED)
2:50 pm
Designing Your Next Advocacy Campaign: Identifying Targets, Setting Goals and Mobilising an Institution-Wide Approach
Javneet Ghuman
Associate Director, Policy and Advocacy
University of the Arts London (CONFIRMED)
3:10pm
Conference Close
*Programme subject to change
Audience
Heads of Strategic Communications
Heads of Public Affairs
Heads of Advocacy
Heads of Engagement
Public Affairs Managers
Directors of External Affairs
Director of Policy and Advocacy
Directors of Communications
Pro Vice Chancellors
Heads of Policy
Pricing
Public Sector
£345 + VAT
Attendance to Public Affairs in HE 2024
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
Attendance to Public Affairs in HE 2024
HE Professional
£395 + VAT
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