Development Monthly | #44 June 2025 | More Than Survival: Connection, Courage and Change
“As a first time AHEP Conference attendee, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d never been to an AHEP conference before, I’d never been to Glasgow before, and yet, I was excited to see what would be in store. I was surprised to discover there were around 400 delegates present, and delighted that everyone I met (whether in a session or for a brief chat over tea) was so kind and passionate about higher education. It’s true that there’s safety in numbers, but there’s also reassurance in hearing that other people at other institutions experience the same highs and lows as you.“
This year’s theme was “is higher education, as we know it, sustainable.” As someone who is still at the start of their working in higher education journey, this felt like a particularly relevant topic. What I wasn’t expecting was that the word sustainable would be playing double duty – in an environmental sense, and in a professional sense.
Admittedly, my expectation for a conference was a lot of badges in a room listening to multiple presentations around the theme. I couldn’t have been more wrong! Yes, there were key note sessions and panels, but everyone was constantly moving around to different sessions (and in between, having a break with tea and refreshments). The mix of interactive sessions and plenary sessions gave the AHEP conference a more vibrant tone, and put everyone’s passion for higher education on display.
The ability to select four working sessions is one of the things that made my AHEP experience so special. Being able to read through the massive (and I mean massive) list of options and choosing something that interested me helped tailor my experience in more ways than one. I particularly enjoyed “Game changer: An interactive change journey,” and the reflections that came out of it. The creativity of using a game of telephone as an illustration for communicating change within Higher Education has really stuck with me. I only wish that it were possible to be in two places at once to experience more of the sessions (I guess that’s more reason to plan a return next year – I’m looking at you “A short history of UK Higher Education: a sector embracing transformational change since 1208”).
The sessions I attended all had an interactive element to them, and that really connected with me. I like testing my understanding in real time, and being able to engage in conversation (or play a board game) with other attendees, meant that I could do that as well as take the learnings away with me. It also meant that I didn’t get bogged down in worrying if I’d written down my notes correctly because I got to experience the learning first hand. The reflection, to me, is more valuable that way.
I was also impressed that the working sessions were led by fellow delegates. I didn’t realise that the names listed on my app would be people I’d sit next to throughout the conference, and that definitely gave it a sense of camaraderie. The sessions were truly amongst peers, and it gives me a goal to work towards that one day, I might be able to lead a working session myself (although we’re not quite there, yet).
Alongside the working sessions, I was impressed by the variety of speakers brought in for key notes and panel sessions. It made a difference to hear from so many different people and on such varied topics. The panel session about evolving student engagement left me with a lot of food for thought about how we define the student experience, and how I can implement that in my role.
It was surprising how often a little nugget would stick with me after a talk, which may not have even been the main point. During the Closing Keynote, Ben Rogers made a point about not sending student emails after 2pm, especially on a Friday to ensure that students have time to reply with people still in the office. It’s a small thing, but even in the couple of days directly after the conference, I was checking the clock before sending my own emails out to students.
Meeting new people at the conference also felt like a breeze. I’m not sure how many times I asked “and what university are you from?,” but it was a sure fire ice breaker. Whether you come in a big cohort or on your own, the opportunities are countless to meet new people. It was also nice to sometimes see someone you’d done a session with in the library, or at another session and to go “hello again!”
I’m not usually someone who feels super confident networking and making that first introduction, but I got to dip my toes in the water a little through AHEP’s buddy scheme. Even though that initial step was taken over LinkedIn, it meant that I could arrange a meeting with at least one new person on day one (and thankfully, my buddy and I kept meeting up throughout the conference!).
If meeting new people throughout the day wasn’t enough, the connecting continued into the evening with dinner at Platform. Everyone was assigned a table, and while initially I was hesitant to leave my colleagues, this meant that I was able to make more connections over a delicious meal (if you ran out of things to say, you could always comment on the neeps and tatties!).
I’m often the first on the dance floor so when the ceilidh dancing started, you can bet I was taking part. As someone not from the UK, I found this, along with the food, to be such a fun and special experience – not only was I getting to gain insightful knowledge about higher education, but I also got a bit of a cultural education as well. I’m very grateful for experiences like this, and AHEP will forever be the reason for my first taste of haggis!
It’s been over a week since the conference and I still find myself thinking about various sessions and talks. My first visit to Glasgow will now be filled of happy AHEP memories, and of many takeaways on working in the world of higher education. I can only hope that my first AHEP conference won’t be my last!
Ultimately, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth attending an AHEP conference, it absolutely is. There are so many opportunities to learn – both in sessions or talks, as well as in informal chats. If you’re a first time attendee, take advantage of the buddy scheme, and don’t be afraid to make new connections throughout the conference.
I think, especially as someone newer to the world of Higher Education, it’s an eye-opening experience, and all I can say is, let the countdown begin to AHEP 2026!
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