THE Live 2019: programme announced

Leading academics and higher education experts will debate how UK universities can “change the story” at this year’s THE Live event.

The two-day summit, which takes place in London on 27-28 November, will focus on how the sector can more effectively set the agenda and deal with perceived scepticism about its value to society at a time when the UK’s global reputation is in flux.

The event will open with the Times Higher Education annual lecture, which will be given this year by Kevin Fong, professor of public engagement for science, technology and medicine at University College Hospital. He will speak on “engagement in the age of uncertainty”.

Other highlights include a debate on the economics of higher education between Sir Anton Muscatelli, principal of the University of Glasgow, and Baroness Wolf, Sir Roy Griffiths professor of public sector management at King’s College London; and discussion of value for money in higher education led by Anna Vignoles, professor of education at the University of Cambridge, and Andrew McRae, professor of renaissance studies at the University of Exeter.

Vice-chancellors on the programme include London Metropolitan University’s Lynn Dobbs; Nick Petford of the University of Northampton; Bill Rammell from the University of Bedfordshire; Staffordshire University’s Liz Barnes; and Robert Allison of Loughborough University.

Topics on the agenda include the impact of artificial intelligence on universities, how institutions can fulfil their civic role more effectively, and how to teach “Generation Z”.

The event also features a debate on diversity featuring Jason Arday, assistant professor of sociology at Durham University; Jess Wade, research associate at Imperial College London; and Nicola Rollock, reader in equity and education at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The event will close with the THE Big Debate, featuring Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute; Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of the Office for Students; and Sarah Churchwell, chair of public understanding of the humanities at the School of Advanced Study, University of London.

The annual THE Awards will be held on the evening of 28 November.

To book tickets for the event, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Tower Bridge, click here. An early bird discount is available until 30 August.