Evidence, Equity and Excellence: Student Success and Ethics in a Digital Age
Our theme this year reflects the evolving priorities of higher education in a rapidly changing technological landscape. It brings together key dimensions such as teaching quality, assessment and feedback, student belonging, and equitable access to success and progression.
At its core our conference will explore the following elements:
- Evidence‑Informed Pedagogy and Impact - Exploring how data, research, and evaluative practice, used transparently and ethically, drive meaningful improvements in teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
- Equity, Belonging, and Inclusive Student Success - Addressing structural inequities and designing learning environments that foster belonging, equitable progression, and success for all students.
- Ethical and Human‑Centred AI in Higher Education - Examining responsible, transparent, and human‑centred approaches to AI and digital technologies, including digital literacy, academic integrity, and the ethical design of learning environments.
- Assessment, Feedback, and Authentic Learning in a Digital Age - Innovating assessment and feedback to ensure fairness, authenticity, and academic integrity, while exploring how digital and AI tools can both challenge and enrich assessment design.
- Wellbeing, Employability, and Sustainable Futures - Understanding student success as a holistic, future‑focused outcome that integrates wellbeing, ethical citizenship, sustainability, and readiness for an evolving world of work.
Our overarching theme invites educators, researchers, and students to collaborate in shaping a higher education that is not only fit for the digital age, but worthy of it.
Our Keynote, Dr Ann Kaegi, will be discussing inclusive co-design and why participation without power will not deliver equitable student success
In their keynote, Dr Ann Kaegi (University of Hull) will explore how universities can move beyond simply listening to students towards working in true partnership with them. She will be highlighting how many current approaches still leave important decisions in the hands of institutions, which can limit real progress on inclusion and equality.
Dr Kaegi argues for sharing power with students, especially those who are underrepresented, so they can help shape how learning is designed and experienced. Her talk offers a clear and practical vision for creating more inclusive learning environments where all students feel they belong and can succeed.
See the full line-up of events taking place at our conference in our programme
Throughout the day we will have a variety of presentations and lightning talks from staff across all three universities. We will also be joined by Prof. Simon Harvey (Associate Dean – Research & Knowledge Exchange) opening our conference, followed by an Address in the afternoon from Julie Taylor (Associate Dean, Education and Curriculum Development, Canterbury Christ Church University), and closing remarks from Prof. Rasoul Khandan (Head of School, Engineering).
Register to our online conference for free
All staff (academic and professional) and students are welcome to attend. The conference will take place in person at our shared Medway campus on Thursday 2nd July.
A variety of sessions will be featured throughout the day along with free refreshments.
If you have any questions, please contact our team via ILS-ale@gre.ac.uk.
