Student Continuation Conference 2025
Tuesday 6th May 2025
9:30 am - 4:10pm
Virtual Conference
The Student Continuation Conference will explore the next steps for universities seeking to design, deliver and measure high quality interventions for students at risk of non-continuation.
The Conference will examine:
The next steps in managing risks to non-continuation
The latest insight from universities at the forefront of delivering holistic strategies to support improved student retention
How universities can enhance their evidence-base and evaluation capabilities when measuring student continuation interventions
What effective support on student transitions, mental health and belonging look likes in driving improved continuation outcomes
How data and learning analytics can be harnessed to deliver improved interventions for students at risk of non-continuation
Why attend the conference?
Gain the latest insight from universities developing high impact interventions to tackle risks of non-continuation
Learn how to develop your evaluation capabilities to measure success
Design your strategic approach to supporting continuation as part of the wider student success agenda
Agenda
09:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Lynda Brady
Interim Vice-Chancellor
Edge Hill University (CONFIRMED)
09:40 am
Tackling Non-Continuation through an Enhanced Evidence Base
Developing a base for causal evidence on non-continuation
Enhancing evaluation capabilities to understand student success
Approaches to successful measuring interventions on continuation and how they drive student success
Dr Omar Khan
CEO
TASO (CONFIRMED)
10:10 am
Developing Evaluation Capabilities Across the Student Success Agenda: A Practical Guide
Why evaluation must be joined up across all student success interventions
The challenges of the leaky pipeline on impact evidence
Developing the evaluation tools to measure the short, medium and long-term outcomes from every intervention
What is needed to advance evaluation capabilities and support a theory of change approach
Professor Liz Austen
Associate Dean Learning, Teaching & Student Success
Sheffield Hallam University (CONFIRMED)
Joel Gray
Associate Dean Learning, Teaching & Student Success
Sheffield Hallam University (CONFIRMED)
10:40 am
Break and Networking
11:00 am
The Foundations for Continuation: What’s Needed to Enhance the Student Transition into HE?
Professor Kate Strudwick
Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Student Engagement
University of Lincoln (CONFIRMED)
11:30 am
Holistic Interventions on Non-Continuation: How Do We Overcome the Barriers?
Examining the drivers for students making a decision on non-continuation
Managing the expectation gap: What is needed to ensure students are mentally and emotionally prepared for university life?
How do we support robust evidence-led interventions that deliver outcomes for students at risk?
What does a joined-up strategy look like that supports a whole-provider approach to access, retention, attainment and progression?
How do we reflect the personal complexities of students lives when delivering holistic interventions?
Sarah Longbottom
Head of Student Continuation and Completion
London Metropolitan University (CONFIRMED)
Dr Meaghan Banham
Head of Student Engagement and Communications
Leeds Trinity University (CONFIRMED)
Lana Orr
Head of Directorate Office and Strategic Engagement
Edge Hill University (CONFIRMED)
12:30 pm
Break and Networking
1:40 pm
Reimagining Engagement in the Learning Environment
Widening discussions around student engagement to draw on user and people engagement in wider society
Outlining the long-term impacts of technology enhanced accessibility, covid-19 and a cost of living crisis
Assessing the dominant historic practices in higher education and how they do not match with modern engagement preferences
Actions to improve student engagement in the modern learning environment
Tom Lowe
Principal Lecturer & Assistant Head of School (Student Experience), University of Westminster
Chair, RAISE Network (CONFIRMED)
2:10 pm
Harnessing Engagement Analytics to Support Real Time Interventions for Students Under-Engaging
This case study will explore how a mature analytics model was harnessed to support robust interventions for non-traditional foundation year students facing risks to continuation.
Harnessing live data to made predictions on how a student will engage with the course
Analysing learning behaviours in the first two weeks of a programme to design targeted support
Understanding when and how to intervene when under-engagement is identified
What early engagement and transition intervention looks like
Joining up data insight with meaningful outreach to address why a student is facing barriers to success
Abi Keay
Student Experience and Support Manager
Keele University (CONFIRMED)
Helen Foster-Bullock
Student Experience and Support Manager
Keele University (CONFIRMED)
Julie Willis
Student Experience and Support Manager
Keele University (CONFIRMED)
2:40 pm
What Persistent Cost of Living Pressures Mean for Student Engagement and Continuation Outcomes
What we know about the impact of financial pressures on student engagement for those at risk of non-continuation
The rise of the time poor student: How the push to paid employment has placed increased pressure on the structure of delivery
How do universities adapt to reflect the ‘new normal’ for students facing financial strain?
Examining how we rethink approaches to continuation in a cost-of-living context
Dr Cathy Schofield
Staff Tutor in Psychology & School Scholarship Lead
The Open University (CONFIRMED)
3:10 pm
Break and Networking
3:30 pm
Using Data to Promote Student Continuation and (re) Engagement – A Case Study
Exploring a holistic approach to supporting student engagement as a method of ensuring continuation
Findings from two government funded research projects looking at the data that underpins interventions to improve student engagement
Insights into an innovative and collaborative approach, which employs randomised controlled trials
The next steps for the project as they hardwire innovations into an approach to student engagement and continuation through the lens of mental health and wellbeing
Professor Helena Gillespie
Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Inclusion
University of East Anglia (CONFIRMED)
3:50 pm
Closing the Awarding Gap for Ethnic Minority Students: Interventions that Drive Positive B3 Outcomes
B3 conditions: the perpetual cycle – How do we achieve real impact on continuation, attainment, and progression?
Students at the centre – Shedding light on our blind spots and embracing authentic co-creation
What works: Evidence-based interventions – A deep dive into how I designed and led a strategy that closed a 34% Global Ethnic Majority (BAME) Awarding Gap
The path to transformation – Turning insights into lasting change
Sheree Palmer
Education Consultant (CONFIRMED)
4:10 pm
Conference Close
*Programme subject to change
Audience
This event is designed for all those engaged in supporting student continuation and the wider student success agenda across higher education. Those in attendance will include:
Academic Quality Managers
Academic Registrars
Associate Deans
Deans for Teaching and Learning
Directors for Student and Academic Services
Directors of Academic Quality
Directors of Student Experience
Directors of Widening Participation
Heads of Student Engagement
Heads of Student Life
Heads of Student Success
Pro Vice Chancellors for Education
Student Engagement Managers
Student Success Managers
Widening Participation Managers
Secure Your Ticket
HE and Public Sector
£195 + VAT
Private Sector
£395 + VAT
HE Team of 3+
Discounts Available
For group discounts and enquiries about your registration please contact us on enquiries@heprofessional.co.uk