HEPN Expo

20 - 21 May 2025, Hilton Deansgate, Manchester

  • Day 1
  • Day 2

20 May 2025

  • 8:00 am - 8:40 am

    Main Room

    Registration

  • 8:45 am - 8:55 am

    Main Room

    Chair's opening remarks

    Welcome to the Higher Education Partnership Network (HEPN)

  • 8:55 am - 9:35 am

    Main Room

    Panel discussion – Balancing open academic culture with the need for strong security protocols

    Chris Green

    Chief Digital Officer
    University of Lincoln

    Chris Haigh

    Assistant Director and Head of IT PMO
    University of Wolverhampton

    Heather Lowrie

    Independent Advisor

    Waleed Shahid

    Director MSc Information Security – Royal Holloway
    University of London

    This opening panel discussion will firstly explore the benefits of an open academic culture before considering the threats to security.

    We will look at how to effectively balance the two, and explore:
    • Proactive defence: ...

  • 9:40 am - 10:00 am

    Main Room

    Headline Sponsor presentation

  • 10:05 am - 10:40 am

    Main Room

    Dragons' Den - Speed presentations

    Our signature ‘Dragons’ Den’ session provides each solution provider with an opportunity to deliver a short pitch, explaining why they are here and how their services can help tackle some of the sector’s ongoing challenges.

    ...
  • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm

    Main Room

    Networking and business meetings

    15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.

  • 12:05 pm - 12:25 pm

    Main Room

    Platinum Sponsor presentation

  • 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

    Main Room

    Realising efficiency gains through AI

    Andrew Gill

    Deputy Director, IT & Digital Services
    Teesside University

    Case study: Applications of AI in automating administrative tasks, reducing staff workload, and cutting costs.

  • 12:55 pm - 1:15 pm

    Main Room

    Gold Sponsor presentations

  • 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm

    Main Room

    Networking lunch

    An opportunity to connect with your peers and suppliers to talk over the learnings from the event. Lunch is served buffet style and a range of options are available to cater for different dietary requirements.

  • 2:05 pm - 2:35 pm

    Main Room

    Group discussion – Exploring classroom technology

    Chris Green

    Chief Digital Officer
    University of Lincoln

    On your tables, discuss the following examples of classroom technology, and think about the benefits of each:

    • Immersive learning: Scalable VR and AR technologies to enhance STEM, arts, and medical education.
    • Accessib...

  • 2:40 pm - 3:25 pm

    Main Room

    Gold Sponsor presentations

  • 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm

    Main Room

    Networking and business meetings

    15 minute meetings with suppliers who are offering solutions most relevant to your challenges. Please check the schedule on the back of your delegate pass for your meeting timings.

  • 4:50 pm - 5:30 pm

    Main Room

    Panel discussion – Building a data-driven university

    Chris Green

    Chief Digital Officer
    University of Lincoln

    Maneesh Kumar

    Pro Dean, Technology Systems and Data
    Cardiff University

    Dr Rachel Curzon

    Head of Digital Academic Practice
    Birmingham City University

    Matthew Holden

    Head of Educational Technology
    University of Salford

    Our panellists will share how to best utilise data and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making.

    They will showcase projects, showing the use of analytics to improve student engagement, academic performance, and operational...

  • 5:30 pm - 5:55 pm

    Main Room

    Closing keynote – Engaging people in transformation: engaging stakeholders at all levels

    Laura Milne

    Head of Digital Education
    University of Chester

    Any transformation project will rely on people. It is critical to engage stakeholders at all levels in your change projects – without people, change won’t stick. Your people are the key to success when driving transformation across t...

  • 5:55 pm - 6:00 pm

    Main Room

    Chair's closing remarks

  • 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    Main Room

    Hotel check-in / free time

  • 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

    Main Room

    Drinks reception & networking dinner

  • 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

    Breakout Room 1

    Meeting diverse needs through AI and personalised learning

    Discover how podcasting can be a powerful tool for preparing students for the future world of work.

    Explore the benefits of podcasting for developing essential skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking.

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  • 12:30 pm - 12:50 pm

    Breakout Room 2

    Upskilling for an AI-driven environment

    Case study: Initiatives to upskill staff and students, ensuring they are equipped to work with AI tools.

Register Now

20 - 21 May 2025, Hilton Deansgate, Manchester