This year’s conference programme can be viewed as a PDF by clicking here. A full programme, including abstracts is available via our conference platform Oxford Abstracts for those registered to the event.
Programme at a glance
| 08:45 – 09:00 | SRHE welcome & opening remarks |
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Plenary: The Captive Mind and Anti-Colonial Thought |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Break |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | Parallel session 1 |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Break |
| 11:45 – 13:15 | Parallel Session 2 |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | Break |
| 13:30 – 13:50 | Network Convenor Sessions |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Plenary Discussion Panel: Institutional and Epistemic Forms of Resistance: Lessons from History |
| 15:00 – 15:15 | Break |
| 15:15 – 16:45 | Parallel Session 3 |
| 16:45 – 17:00 | Break |
| 17:00 – 17:15 | Closing Remarks |
| 10.00- 11.00 | Registration, tea & coffee and exhibition viewing |
| 11.00- 11.15 | SRHE Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 11.15- 12.00 | Plenary: Aspirational Thinking for Resistance and Change within the Shrinking World of Higher Education |
| 12.00- 12.30 | Meet the SRHE Network convenors |
| 12.30- 13.30 | Lunch, networking, poster & exhibition viewing |
| 13.30- 15.00 | Parallel session 1 |
| 15.00- 15.30 | Tea & coffee, poster and exhibition viewing |
| 15.30 – 17.00 | Parallel Session 2 |
| 17.00- 17.15 | Break |
| 17.15 – 18.15 | Poster presentations |
| 18.15 – 21.30 |
Welcome Drinks Reception& Informal Buffet Dinner All delegates are welcome |
| 08.30- 09.00 | Registration, tea & coffee, poster and exhibition viewing |
| 09.00- 10.30 | Plenary: The Contemporary Spheres of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech: Sex and Racism |
| 10.30- 10.45 | Break |
| 10.45- 12.15 | Parallel Session 3 |
| 12.15 – 13.15 | Lunch, networking, poster & exhibition viewing |
| 13.15 – 14.45 | Parallel Session 4 |
| 14.45 – 15.15 | Tea & coffee, poster and exhibition viewing |
| 15.15 – 15.45 | Parallel Session 5 |
| 15.45- 17.00 | Break |
| 17.00 – 18.00 | Network and Meet the Editor sessions |
| 18.00 – 18.30 | Break |
| 18.30- late |
Welcome Drinks Reception, Informal Buffet Dinner & Entertainment All delegates are welcome
|
| 08.30 – 09.00 | Registration, tea & coffee and exhibition viewing |
| 09.00 – 10.30 | Parallel Session 6 |
| 10.30 – 11.00 | Tea & coffee, poster and exhibition viewing |
| 11.00 – 12.30 | Parallel Session 7 |
| 12.30- 12.45 | Break |
| 12.45 – 13.15 | Closing Remarks |
| 13.15 – 14.00 | Lunch |
Meet the Editors Sessions
With Dr João Miguel dos Santos
In this session, designed for early-career researchers, aspiring reviewers, and anyone interested in understanding this essential process, João will discuss on a number of topics relating to peer review including: being or becoming a first-time reviewer; the relationship between peer reviewers and editors; and good peer reviewing practice. Following João’s presentation, participants will have the opportunity to interact with examples of peer reviews, highlighting best practices and common pitfalls, while also discussing strategies for giving clear, actionable feedback that both authors and editors find valuable. This session will also offer the opportunity to ask questions about the peer review process.
With Dr Roz Collings (presenting), Shweta Mishra and Caroline Wesson
Higher education research (HER) continues to expand and progress in line with environmental, economic and political shifts. HER within the past 5 years has focused on the impact of globalization; equality, diversity and inclusion; as well as digital transformation and EdTech integration. Researchers continue to investigate how institutions have adjusted to blended and online learning methods, as well as student achievement, mental health, and belonging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in pedagogical innovation allow for research on the integration of artificial intelligence and virtual/ augmented reality into the curriculum. With a stronger emphasis on key performance indicators, recent research has focused on employability and social inequality in HE. This has been a driving force for an increase in policy review and development studies.
Future directions in HER are likely to build on these trends, with increased attention to the sustainability of higher education systems in an era of economic pressures and demographic shifts. As HE continues to evolve, future research will need to consider the intersection of technological innovation, societal needs, and educational effectiveness. Future research should be utilised in the shaping of policies and practices that can lead to a more inclusive and resilient global higher education system.
With Professor Maria Slowey, Professor Stephen Wilkins and Professor of Rob Cuthbert
Studies in Higher Education is one of the leading international journals in the field of higher education research. Established almost five decades ago by the SRHE the journal is owned by the Society and published by Taylor and Francis.
Members of the Editorial Team welcome this opportunity to engage actively with the community of higher education researchers- both those who are more established and those at early career stages. We currently publish c180 articles pa, including two Special Issues. In terms of readership, over a recent 12-month period it was gratifying that downloads reached c1.1m. In terms of submissions, between September 2023 and August 2024 the journal received over 1.8k articles- of which c11% were published. This means the rejection rate is higher than we -and prospective authors- would ideally like.
In this session we will outline: the overall mission of the journal, its methods of operation and some key statistics; how Special Issues operate; challenges which we share with all reputable academic journals concerning securing good quality, timely, reviews; and, the main characteristics of what constitutes a ‘successful’ submission.
We look forward to both queries and any feedback which colleagues might have on Studies in HE.
SRHE Network Sessions
In this network event, the Network conveners, Professor Alex Owen, Professor Namrata Rao and Dr Emily Danvers would like to review the work of the Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) network, sharing with participants the milestones covered and laying out the path for the future. They would also like to explore the possibilities of how they can inform the sessions by feedback from the network membership and in turn inform the learning and teaching practice of the members.
With Dr Martin Gough and Dr Paula Nottingham
The Postgraduate Issues Network was established in 1995 to help interested parties find out about new developments in the field of postgraduate education and to interpret these for their own use and benefit, by means of seminar and workshop events, variously online or face-to-face. Recent and planned events consider part-time research study, the doctoral examination, the ideas of independence of creativity in research, and the Post-Pandemic vista, and we welcome other ideas from you.
Drop in at this informal session to meet some of the convenors of the IRR network and other researchers working on topics related to international higher education and student mobilities. We will tell you about the IRR events we are planning for the coming year, and would be very interested in hearing about your research, and the kinds of events you would like to see the network organise. Everyone is very welcome!
The SRHE Networks provide the primary means of bringing together researchers in special interest groups through facilitating meetings with fellow researchers to share research issues, exchange ideas and review current thinking and new developments.
Come along and meet the SRHE Network Convenors. This is a chance to informally learn more about the various SRHE Networks, share your thoughts and ideas, and discuss the Society’s activities and program of events.
With Professor Colin McCaig and Professor Karen Mpamhanga
This discussion will be around the theme ‘What the new government may mean for higher education’ and will take its starting point from the recent UUK report Opportunity, Growth and Partnership, a blueprint for change from the UK’s universities and the October budget statement. Key themes for discussion will be the finances of universities, the long-term prospects for reforms to students fees and the market, including the impact of cost of living on the lived experiences of students. In addition, the speakers will seek to discuss potential changes to the regulatory practices of the Office for Students (OfS).
With Dr Fiona Christie, Professor Tracy Scurry and Dr Daria Luchinskaya
This session provides an opportunity to meet the network convenors and to connect with fellow researchers. The network is always interested in getting ideas for future events and publications. Join us if you want to hear more and/or would like to contribute. Come ready to share your interests and research interests past, present and future
With Dr Martin Gough and Dr Paula Nottingham
The Postgraduate Issues Network was established in 1995 to help interested parties find out about new developments in the field of postgraduate education and to interpret these for their own use and benefit, by means of seminar and workshop events, variously online or face-to-face. Recent and planned events consider part-time research study, the doctoral examination, the ideas of independence of creativity in research, and the Post-Pandemic vista, and we welcome other ideas from you.
With Dr Simon Pratt-Adams and Dr Charlie Davis
Our Newer Researcher network convenors will introduce the network and reflect on its activities to date, and how they are shaping plans for our schedule next year. This will be an opportunity to meet fellow newer researchers and to share your own ideas for NR network sessions.
Poster Sessions
Poster presenters are invited to be available by their posters for a live discussion with conference attendees. This is a chance to showcase your research, receive feedback and connect with colleagues.
There will be two prizes for poster presenters; all posters will be judged by members of the SRHE Committee and by conference delegates. The Delegate Pack will include the voting form with further guidance. Voting will open on Wednesday 4 December and end after lunch break on the following day.
Poster prize winners will be announced at 18:30 on Thursday 5 December – good luck to all involved.