This event will explore the future direction of UK higher education at a time of significant policy turbulence. Key policy uncertainties include:

• The possibility of ‘Brexit’ as a result of the referendum on membership of the European Union
• Changes resulting from the Green Paper: ‘Fulfilling our Potential: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice’, including proposals for a Teaching Excellence Framework (the TEF), new arrangements for private providers, and changes to the regulatory framework with the proposed ‘Office for Students’.
• The future shape of the Research Excellence Framework (the REF) in light of the ongoing Stern Review

Rather than focusing specifically on individual policy issues or proposals, the aim of this event is to stand back and consider the ‘bigger picture’: what might the HE sector look like if significant changes are initiated in relation to all of the above? What are the risks and opportunities for the sector, and what might we hope for?

The event is intended to be participatory, informed by a panel of expert speakers:

Professor Roger King, Higher Education Commission

Liz Lawrence, Past-President of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU)

Dr Colin McCaig, Sheffield Hallam University

Professor Louise Morley, University of Sussex

Sorana Vieru, Vice President Higher Education, National Union of Students (NUS)

Programme:

11.00 -11.20        Registration, tea and coffee

11.20-11.30         Welcome and introductions

11.30-12.30         Panel – input from the speakers (5 speakers, ten minutes each)

12.30-1.15           Small groups group discussion and identifying questions for the panel

1.15-2.15              Lunch (with flipcharts from small group discussions displayed)

2.15 – 3.30           Panel responses to questions and open discussion

3.30 - 3.40            Closing comments

3.40 -4.00             Tea, coffee, networking and depart