The launch of our new FACE Manifesto. A bold statement of intent for the decade ahead.

Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough

sets the scene with a keynote on the work and ethos of ARU Peterborough and its place in community.

Students are already redefining success in ways the sector hasn’t fully caught up with. The panel surface the tensions between traditional metrics and lived experience.

Chair: Dr. Morag Duffin FACE
Panellists: Assoc Prof Stacey Mottershaw - University of Leeds • Sunday Blake - Guild HE • Prof Kelly Edmunds - University of East Anglia • Joe Clements - Centre for Belonging in Education, Student University of Warwick • Dr Linda-Marie Nakibuuka - Applied Inspiration

Dr Michael Priestley, University of Durham,

FACE: Dr Wendy Fowle, Dr Morag Duffin

Dr Neil Raven - Neil Raven Consultancy

Youth Employment Hub • Peterborough United Foundation-

Dean Watson, Youth Hub Manager showcases the fantastic work of his organisation.

Post‑18 System Reform

New thinking, Ideas & Policy Solutions for Post 18 Education in the UK

Krisha Bainham, Head of Access and Participation Policy, University of Derby and Ben Jordan, Director of Strategy, UCAS

HE Access and Participation Task and Finish Group

Outlining the key insights arising from the initial analysis, including emerging themes from the early evidence base.

A panel exploring the implications of the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper for widening participation, adult learners, and regional skills ecosystems.

Chair: Prof John Blake

Panellists: Prof Ross Renton, Principal of Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough • Member of Task & Finish Group Ben Jordan, Director of Strategy, UCAS • Annette Palmer, Acting Director, Tertiary Education Department of the Economy Northern Ireland • Rachel Nicholls, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Inspire Education Group.

Innovating Access: How the I‑GIVE Digital Labs Are Transforming Participation in Education.

Professor Denise Hawkes Kings College London 

Room 2- UHP222:

Building Thinking Skills Together: How IntoUniversity and ARU Are Co‑Developing and Evaluating a Metacognition Pilot for Primary Students

Dr Emily Magrath, IntoUniversity & Bilal Hazzouri, ARU

What does success really look like? Rethinking evaluation in access and participation

Louise Whittaker Arts University Bournemouth

Room 3- UHP223:

Measuring the Impact of Academic Success Tutors and Coaches in Year Two: Student Performance and Institutional Insights

Dr Sibel Kaya & Kathryn Nethercott University of Bedfordshire 

Collaboration within social prescribing at UEL.

Joseph Bowden University of East London

Room 4- UHP224:

Future Leaders: Empowering and supporting students from under-represented backgrounds to shape their futures and lead with confidence. 

Rob Thatcher University of Surrey

Unlocking Potential: How Grit Builds Belonging, Agency and Success

Charon Tsang Southampton Solent University

Jon Down GRIT

Room 5- Main Conference room LLP001- hybrid delivery:

HE Access and Participation Task and Finish Group- what do we know so far?

Ben Jordan & Ellie Rowley UCAS

Krisha Bainham University of Derby

For more details view the Paper Sessions descriptions Padlet

What Universities Want – A sector-level overview of transparency in admissions using UCAS personal statements.

Charlie Deeks & Dr Tom Fryer University of Manchester

UCAS Breaking Down Barriers

Ellie Rowley UCAS

Room 2- UHP222:

Voices That Matter: Reciprocal Mentoring to Build Belonging in Higher Education

Hannah Goodrick Lancaster University

Eleanor Dove Lancaster University

Jess Woodsford Inclusive Futures

Room 3- UHP223:

Moving beyond targets: the case for rethinking the place of inclusive design to support access and success.

Ellen Engstrom Independent Higher Education

Peterborough Parent Power

Sophie Waring and Georgia Downs, The Brilliant Club

Adeliede Mberi Parent Leader

Room 4- UHP224:

Rethinking Student Success: From Access and Participation Plan to Practice

Victoria Edwards, Sarah Tucker, Tamar McPherson, &

Simon Tullett SOAS University of London

Exploring the Impact of a Mature Students Network on Awareness, Belonging, and Engagement in Higher Education.

Gemma Standen, Associate Professor, University of East Anglia

Room 5- Main Conference room LLP001- to be delivered online:

What lies beneath:  Rethinking practice, standards and student success 

Andrea Didier University of East London

A Realist Evaluation of Belonging and Decolonising the Curriculum at the University of Bath

Monna Matharu University of Bath

For more details view the Paper Sessions descriptions Padlet

Lynton Lees (Public First) — Degrees of Doubt- Reform voters views of higher education.   

Tej Nathwani (HESA) — Statistical measures that align with the goals/ambitions of graduates

Tara Webster- Deakin (SCAPP/DAPP) Professional standards framework and accreditation scheme

Travel to the venue- please allow 20 minutes travel time by car or taxi:

-If travelling by taxi, make sure it drops you at the second car park on Nene Park Road, outside the Lakeside sailing venue.

-If travelling by car, you can park in front of the venue and leave your car up to lunchtime the next day if required- see Michelle Chapman for a car park pass.

-There will be a raffle fundraiser for The Light Foundation, Peterborough

Evening schedule:

19:00-19:15 Arrival, Dohl Drummers and Welcome Drinks

20:00-Dinner and drinks served at the table

21:00- Dance Show (with a chance to get involved)

22:00- Disco

Midnight- Depart

Large metal fans will be on and large doors onto the deck and windows will be open for the breeze coming off the lake.

There will be a drink included with your meal and a cash bar available.

Professor Arun Verma is a dynamic keynote speaker and ethical innovator, Professor Verma connects with diverse audiences worldwide. His joyful leadership blends systems thinking, design thinking, and intersectional insight to tackle pressing societal challenges, transforming how places, communities and organisations understand, lead, and act.

What does a sector-level overview tell us about contextual admissions and widening participation? 

Dr. Tom Fryer  University of Manchester  

What do you mean by a contextual offer?

John Baldwin  Stamford College/Higher Opportunities

Independent/State School Partnerships - A Two Way Street.

Gordon Montgomery  Oundle School

Julie Taylor  OPEN Learning Partnership 

Room 3:

Empowering students to privilege their Lived Experiences.

Christopher Munt MBE, Vikki Firth & Michaela Stevens 

Who Supports the Supporters? The Role of Supervision in Access and Participation.

Jess Woodsford Inclusive Futures CIC  

Hannah Goodrick University of Lancaster

Room 4:

Challenging the Expert Model: Rethinking Wellbeing Services through Co-created Theory of Change

Christine Khalil & YiFen Tan University of East London

What more could higher education providers do to support Neurodiverse students?

Sam Bonnett & Professor Ross Renton Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough 

The Importance of knowing your place.

Alex Bairstow Higher Education Progression Partnership (Hepp) 

Room 5:

Beyond Impact: Co-Creating Pedagogical Quality in Widening Access and Participation.

Dr Emma Thompson & Katrina Lueddeke University of Southampton

For more details view the Paper Sessions descriptions Padlet

Citizens UK - A diverse alliance of people from schools, faith institutions, universities, trade unions, and community groups.

Together, they organise to overcome injustice and win change on the things that local communities care about most across the city.

ARU Peterborough

Bishop's Road,

Peterborough

PE1 5BW

Most conference activities will take place in The Lab in conference rooms LLP001/ LLP010 with some activities taking place in University House (UH) on the Friday. Floor plans can be viewed at the following links:

• The Lab Floor Plan

• University House Floor Plan

Quiet spaces will be available for breaks, private calls, or a moment of calm.

Lifts and accessible restrooms are available.

If you have any issues on the day, please contact 01733 968268 or 07929 628521.

Once you get to the campus, look out for signs for the FACE Conference.

If you have luggage to store, there will be storage space in the main conference room and luggage tags will be available.

Please bring your own reusable water bottle (water refill stations are available).

If you have registered for a full 3 day Conference Pass, this includes the Gala Dinner event on Thursday evening.

There is a cafe on campus in University House and the closest shop is the UNI EXPRESS on St John's Street.

• Spark conversations and share your ideas. 

• Look out for others—invite quieter attendees into discussions. 

• Respect every perspective and appreciate the diversity of lived experiences. 

If you ever encounter any issues or witness behaviour that doesn’t align with this spirit, please let us know via the welcome desk or by emailing Events@face.ac.uk

We recommend you bring your own notebook and pen for jotting down insights.

Alternative free wifi will also be available- just text (SMS) FACE with your mobile to the phone number +44 7860 039833. Only valid on 24-26 June 2026.

We have visited the ARU Peterborough buildings, and the temperature is comfortable. Typical summer attire should be suitable in the spaces.

We encourage conference delegates to:

• Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle, particularly during travel. There are water fountains available on campus that can be used for refills.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. We encourage delegates to prioritise their comfort over typical ‘business’ dress.

• Check your journey for travel ahead of commencing your journey, as disruption may occur.

• Take breaks throughout Conference as needed.

• Please inform a member of the FACE Management Group or ARU staff if you feel unwell.

• Please check your own institutional policies regarding extreme weather.

The conference will be hosted across two buildings that are no more than a two minute walk so there will be times when you are briefly outside.