GuildHE

Insightful and enjoyable presentations plus supportive conversations at this fantastic joint event today. It’s encouraging that even in challenging times for the sector GuildHE continues to offer such a productive space to think and work collaboratively.

We’ve a fantastic line up of members and sector colleagues speaking at our symposium today, jointly hosted by GuildHE Research and the GuildHE Knowledge Exchange Network with GHE Research Director Professor Emile Bojesen from the University of Winchester and KE Network Chair Mhairi Ambler from Falmouth University. In addition to a policy update from our Head of Research Policy Rachel Persad and Policy Manager Dana Gamble, today will feature a R&I regional collaboration panel and a discussion on leveraging specialisms and creating impact from research. R&I REGIONAL COLLABORATION PANEL ✅ Mhairi Ambler (Chairing), Chair of the KE, Innovation and Place Network, Falmouth University  ✅ Peter O'Brien, Director, Yorkshire Universities  ✅ Mark Corbett, Head of Policy and Networks, London Higher LEVERAGING SPECIALISMS AND CREATING IMPACT FROM RESEARCH ✅ Julie Bayley (Chairing), Director of Research Impact and Culture, Northeastern University London ✅ Bryce Lease, Head of Knowledge Exchange, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama - AHRC Impact Accelerator Account and Centre for Performance, Technology and Equity (Expanding Excellence in England (E3) funded centre)  ✅ Lee Miller, Head of Postgraduate Research, Falmouth University - Centre for Blended Realities (E3 funded centre)  ✅ Christian McLening, Director of Research and Development, Arts University Bournemouth - Centre for Plastics Innovation and Curation (E3 funded centre) Today's symposium is held at superb venue Cecil Sharp House. Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Ellen Graves / Sunday Blake / Professor Ken Sloan

What an honour—congratulations to our beloved GuildHE member The Place on this magnificent patronage. If the Duke of Edinburgh can see the value of small, specialist creative arts institutions, so can we all! Clare Connor Professor Ken Sloan Tara McNicholas ACIM Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA

Starting shortly, we’re thrilled to be hosting an exclusive Masterclass Panel event for the students of GuildHE members in partnership with The Macmillan Prize for Illustration focusing on how illustrators can build a successful career in publishing. Chaired by Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, VC of Arts University Plymouth and Director of GuildHE Creative, Pan Macmillan Art Directors Chris Inns and Rachel Vale will be offering a wealth of publishing experience, and insights into their design processes and work, and are joined by picture book creator Diane Ewen, who will bring her illustrator perspective to the panel. The discussion will delve into children’s books and look at how iconic book covers are created and designed, how picture books move from artwork roughs to a beautiful finished storybook, and how publishers work collaboratively with creative talent. The prestigious Macmillan Prize for Illustration is marking 40 years since its inception. The closing date for 2025 entry is on 25 April – find more information at https://lnkd.in/eTBKXufh Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Rachel Persad / Dana Gamble / Sunday Blake / Ellen Graves

This morning we are hosting a key bespoke session exclusively for GuildHE members, led by Mills & Reeve education law sector specialists, on the critical aspects of a university’s legal and regulatory obligations in respect of student and staff harassment and sexual misconduct, including in respect of new Office for Students Condition E6. Mills & Reeve's specialists Siân Jones-Davies and Siân Jackson will be facilitating discussion of key requirements and expectations and the challenges raised for universities in both the student and staff arenas. We will also consider what the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education has most recently published in a casework note and case summaries. Colleagues will also have the opportunity to share concerns and examples of best practice. This session follows the roundtable for members we hosted with the Office for Students in January on implementing E6. Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Professor Ken Sloan / Rachel Persad / Dana Gamble / Sunday Blake / Ellen Graves / Susan Lapworth

Fantastic to see GuildHE Executive Board member and VC of ARU Peterborough Professor Ross Renton getting important BBC News coverage about the vital role of higher education in supercharging growth and supporting infrastructure. Ross set out how ARU Peterborough is an exemplar of an institution that prioritises delivering for the needs of its region and communities. The university had hosted a packed Living Lab ARU Peterborough for Opportunity East - The Infrastructure and Growth Conference and Ross lead a panel on the skills challenges and solutions for the East of England. Watch the BBC News interview in full: https://lnkd.in/eiQYiG48 Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Sunday Blake / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Dana Gamble / Ellen Graves / Rachel Persad /

On #UniMentalHealthDay we’re sharing the excellent initiatives that GuildHE member and online HE provider University College of Estate Management developed to deliver the four main aims of #HEMHIT – the Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce – including an Early Intervention and Monitoring Tool and their commitment to #CompassionateComms. ➡️ Read the blog on our website: https://lnkd.in/e2urKR72 Lynne Downey GMBPsS / Ashley Wheaton / Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Ellen Graves / Sunday Blake / Dana Gamble / Professor Ken Sloan / Academic Registrars' Council / Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education / Department for Education / Student Minds /

In our latest GuildHE think piece for HE Professional ‘Getting HE Partnership Provision Right’, Director of Policy and Strategy Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA sets out the risks, opportunities and next steps for validated partnerships, franchised courses, joint degrees and transnational educational partnerships. The article includes excellent examples from our members Arts University Bournemouth, Bath Spa University, Buckinghamshire New University, The Northern School of Art and University Academy 92 (UA92). GuildHE is jointly working on academic partnerships with Universities UK, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education and Independent Higher Education. We will be releasing our report in the summer of 2025. The Department for Education consultation on regulating franchise provision will close on 4 April 2025 and inform a new regulatory approach from April 2026. Read the article on the HE Professional website: https://lnkd.in/eP7SHAmP Lisa Mann FRSA / Prof Georgina Andrews / Professor Damien Page / Dr Martin Raby / Sara Prowse / Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Professor Ken Sloan / Dana Gamble / Sunday Blake / Rachel Persad / Ellen Graves / Department for Education

🎉 Congratulations to our GuildHE members shortlisted in the targetjobs UK National Graduate Recruitment Awards! ✅ Arden University ✅ Bath Spa University ✅ Birmingham Newman University ✅ Royal Agricultural University ✅ The University of Law. These prestigious awards recognise institutions that go above and beyond in preparing students for the world of work. ➡️ View the full list of nominations: https://lnkd.in/e9_3emSV Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Professor Ken Sloan / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Rachel Persad / Dana Gamble / Sunday Blake / Ellen Graves / Mark Taylor / Professor Carl Lygo / Prof Georgina Andrews / Professor Jackie Dunne / Professor Peter McCaffery / Professor Andrea Nollent

Advance HE is launching ‘The Big Conversation’ in partnership with GuildHE, Committee of University Chairs, Universities UK, Independent Higher Education and Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA). This is a new project which aims to bring the UK HE governance community together through collaborative dialogue. GuildHE is part of the Steering Group and will be delivering a workshop on ‘Mergers and Acquisitions’. Read more about the project in a blogpost by Advance HE Chief Executive, Alison Johns FRSA: https://lnkd.in/eDpmZ2cn Dr Brooke Storer-Church / Dr Kate Wicklow, FRSA / Rachel Persad / Professor Ken Sloan / Sunday Blake / Dana Gamble / Ellen Graves