About this session
Join Andrew Crossland and Martha Horler for a thought-provoking session on the evolving role of AI in higher education.
Building on some popular conference sessions, this new session dives into the opportunities and challenges of generative AI across professional services and teaching. We’ll explore findings from the latest sector survey, discuss the ethical and legal landscape (including the new Data Use and Access Act), and look at practical strategies for institutional readiness, staff capability, and student engagement.
Expect real-world examples, sector updates, and lively discussion as we unpack how AI is shaping – and reshaping – the higher education environment.
Why attend?
AI is rapidly reshaping how universities operate, from professional services workflows to academic practice. This session offers clear, practical insight into what these changes mean for your work, backed by real sector evidence and examples. Attendees will gain an up to date understanding of key trends, opportunities, and risks in AI adoption across higher education.
You will leave with a clearer grasp of current sector practice, emerging risks, and realistic opportunities for AI use. You will gain practical approaches for using AI tools in a way that is efficient, ethically sound, and compliant with data protection requirements.
Who is this session suitable for?
This session is ideal for higher education professionals interested in data, strategy, and the future of digital capability at all levels.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, delegates will be able to:
1. Describe current trends and challenges in the use of generative AI across higher education.
2. Apply ethical and legal principles, including GDPR considerations, when assessing AI tools and workflows.
3. Identify practical, low risk ways to incorporate AI into their work to improve efficiency and decision making.
Details in brief
Venue: Online
Date: Wednesday, 14 January
Time: 12:00-13:00
Price: Free and exclusive to AHEP ‘associate’, ‘members’, ‘accredited’, and ‘fellow’
If you have any questions, please email hello@ahep.ac.uk.
This session is the introductory webinar in a series of exciting new sessions surrounding AI. Stay tuned for further detail.
How does this session align with the AHEP Professional Framework?
Empowering Professional Development
This session supports delegates in developing their professional capability and confidence with AI. By combining sector insights, reflective prompts, and practical examples, the session helps participants build the knowledge and behaviours needed to use AI responsibly and to support others in their teams.
Demonstrating Responsible Practice and Personal Integrity
The session directly addresses ethical and legal considerations, including data protection, transparency, and fairness. Delegates will explore how to apply values driven decision making when engaging with AI, ensuring they uphold high ethical standards in their work.
We look forward to welcoming you to this event.
Speakers
Martha Horler
The Data Goddess and AHEP Lead Consultant
AHEP Consulting
About Martha
Martha Horler has worked in the UK higher education sector for over two decades, primarily specialising in data strategy, governance, and insight. Her experience spans both institutional roles and consultancy, where she has supported universities, colleges, and small providers to improve their data practices and drive better decision-making. Martha focuses on helping teams use data more effectively—whether that’s through designing impactful student dashboards, supporting HESA and regulatory returns, or delivering staff training on data literacy and data protection. She is passionate about demystifying data and ensuring it becomes meaningful, ethical, and actionable at every level of an institution, enabling organisations to navigate complexity with confidence.
Andrew Crossland
Senior Business Analyst
University of Edinburgh
About Andrew
Andrew Crossland is a Senior Business Analyst and Agile Project Manager at the University of Edinburgh with 16 years’ experience transforming student-facing systems and processes. A member of the original EUCLID implementation team, he now leads cross-functional programmes—including the recent turnaround of the University’s People & Money interface—delivering measurable improvements through benefits-realisation and Lean/Agile practices. Andrew chairs the national Tribal SITS working group, serves on the Student Records Officers’ Conference committee, and frequently presents on benefits-led change, testing frameworks, and practical AI adoption. Inside the University he runs mentoring circles, and founded the Digital Champions forum to pilot AI and digital tools that free staff time for higher-value work. Most recently, Andrew has been shaping the institution’s emerging AI strategy—identifying use cases, guiding safe implementation, and supporting expert users across Registry and IT to embed AI-driven efficiencies into daily operations.