Policy SIG
About the Policy SIG
The AHEP Policy SIG aims to bring together anyone in a professional services role with a professional specialism, remit or interest in steering, reporting or acting on developing education policy in further or higher education. Whether you feed directly into strategic decision making or government consultations, work with academic leads or oversee central service provision on implementing policies to achieve university strategic objectives, or have a broad interest in the sector’s direction of travel, this group will accommodate your needs.
We want to create a network that considers the role professional service staff have in their education provider’s reaction to policy developments, identifying the opportunities, mitigating against the risks and driving forward policy development inside and outside member’s institutions.
The group is aimed at anyone who has an interest in utilising education policy insight within their current specialism and university, considering how they can contribute to strategic decision making by briefing and collaborating on developing sector developments
What can you expect from the Policy SIG?
The Policy SIG is a collaborative and inclusive space that pulls on the creativeness and diversity the sector has to offer, considering all aspects of professional services and backgrounds of its staff in delivering policy ambitions.
The group offers a personable approach, that fosters positive relationships and relatable understanding of complex policy areas, to ensure the discussion is community focused and collegiate, supporting complimenting the career development opportunities of its members.
To access more information and become a member of this SIG, sign into your AHEP account. Not an AHEP member? Join now!
Meet the Coordinators
Martin Lowe, Policy SIG Lead Coordinator
Head of Policy
University of Central Lancashire
Martin is the Head of Policy at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Martin drives the development and delivery of policy-informed strategy, ensuring that intelligence from policy analysis informs strategic decision-making and the assessment of institutional performance in relation to the developing Higher Education sector. Martin leads the University’s policy function, in understanding, reacting and contributing to regulatory, governmental and social direction.
Prior to working at the University, Martin worked at the University of Nottingham, Edge Hill University and the University of Liverpool, following graduation from Sheffield Hallam University with a BA Hons in Accounting and Financial Management
Liam Conway, Digital SIG Deputy Coordinator
Director of Governance
Hugh Baird College
Liam is the Director of Governance at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool, he has overall responsible for the corporation’s governance arrangements and processes. Prior to this he worked in higher education for ten years with roles at the University of Bolton, Edge Hill University and Manchester Metropolitan University. These roles were focused on Governance, Compliance and Quality Assurance, and it was through these he developed an interest in higher education policy and the bigger picture of what happens in higher education. He is passionate about professional development and believes policy is key to helping professional services staff better understand their role and progress in their careers.
Liam was Clerk to the AHEP Board of Trustees 2022-2024 and maintains strong links to the sector.