Festival of Higher Education is the biggest yet

The third Festival of Higher Education held at The University of Buckingham, was the most well attended to date.

More than 50 speakers over the two days discussed important issues currently facing the higher education sector. Topics discussed included mental health, artificial intelligence, and social mobility.

Sam Gyimah, Minister for Universities Science, Research and Innovation opened the second day of the Festival. His session, ‘In conversation with Sir Anthony Seldon’, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham, covered a variety of topics such as free speech in universities and the duty of care tech companies should have for their social media users.

James Murray, whose son tragically took his life whilst studying at Bristol University, unveiled his pledge to help prevent suicide. He raised the need to relax data protection laws for universities to enable parents to be alerted if their child displays in any way that they may be suffering with a mental health problem. He spoke alongside author and student Nancy Tucker who talked about her own problems with eating disorders and mental health.

Two mini HEPI debates discussed whether academic selection is wrong at 11 and still wrong at 18, as well as whether it would be of public benefit for far more people to go to university. Issues in higher education were put under the microscope in a question time with Claire Fox, Director of the Academy of Ideas.

Speakers across the two days included:

• Sir Anthony Seldon – Vice-Chancellor, University of Buckingham.
• Mary Curnock Cook – Independent Educationalist and Former CEO of UCAS.
• Stephen Tierney – CEO, Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust and Chair of the Heads Roundtable.
• Bill Watkin – Chief Executive, Sixth Form Colleges Association.
• Carl Cullinane – Research and Policy Manager, The Sutton Trust.
• Joan Deslandes – Headteacher of Kingsford Community School and co-Founder and Governor, London Academy of Excellence.
• Sir Kevan Collins – Chief Executive, Education Endowment Foundation.
• Claudia Harris – Chief Executive Officer, Careers and Enterprise Company; Geoff Barton – General Secretary, ASCL.
• Professor Damien Page – Dean of The Carnegie School of Education, Leeds Beckett University.
• Ellen Wilson – Vice-President Higher Education Services, Pearson.
• Rt Hon David Willetts – Executive Chairman, The Resolution Foundation.
• Clare Marchant – Chief Executive, UCAS; HMC Rep HE.
• Rt Hon Lord Andrew Adonis – Author and Campaigner.
• David Goodhart; Head of Demography Policy Exchange and Author.
• Ant Bagshaw – Deputy CEO, WonkHE.
• Roxanne Stockwell – Principal, Pearson College.
• Sir Michael Barber – Chair, Office for Students.
• Duncan Piper – Director, Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology.
• Ryan Craig – Managing Director, University Ventures.

The Festival was rounded off by Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Buckingham, “This was the best yet. There was a phenomenal range and calibre of speakers and we had some really important debates. The issues have been picked up by the media and followed up in a number of ways which will help with shaping the future of HE. We are looking forward to building on this year’s Festival to have even more stimulating discussions and an even wider breadth of speakers next year. Huge thanks to our sponsors Pearson and Cass.”

Find a full list of speakers and topics covered as well as podcasts from this year’s event on the website: www.hefestival.co.uk