Changing communications: meeting our sector’s evolving challenges and opportunities is UCEA’s annual communications conference which brings together communications and HR specialists to consider shared communications challenges within the sector.
This one-day, in-person conference in central London takes place against a background of ongoing communications challenges for HR and communications teams across the sector.
The conference will be chaired by Professor Stuart Palmer, Chair of Council, Brunel University London, Deputy Chair of the UCEA Board and Chair of UCEA’s Communications Strategy Working Group.
This year’s in-person conference takes place during ongoing intense sector challenges, fuelling industrial relation conflicts alongside wider campus protests. These unprecedented changes need to be addressed but they also generate new opportunities. Alongside this are the sector’s positive progressions, including advances in important matters to all on campus and beyond, from sustainability to the employee experience.
Our speakers for this conference will deliver presentations and case studies reflecting on recent industrial relations experiences and student protests but also the new challenges and opportunities to enhance the employee experience. The speakers will share their experiences and any lessons learnt, while all attendees consider the new wave of challenges.
Speakers
We are pleased to announce the following case study sessions this year:
Change, complexity and cultural challenges: working with a distributed model of leadership and management communications
Claire Whitelaw, Director of Communications and Engagement and Lucian Hudson, Executive Director, Communications and External Relations, Durham University
Beyond the podium: sporting excellence, authentic storytelling and institutional impact
Jennifer Harrison, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment and Greg Christison, Communications Manager, University of Stirling
This session explores how strategic communications and impactful storytelling are transforming the University of Stirling's sporting success into a powerful platform for reputation-building, student recruitment, and philanthropic engagement.
More details on these sessions and a timed programme will follow shortly.
Who is it for?
This is the perfect event for communications and HR colleagues to plan internal and external communications together.
--> If you attend as a pair, you pay less per head. UCEA members can book two places for £545 (a £122.50 discount per place). This provides opportunities for HR and communications specialists to attend together to prepare their HEIs for the challenges and changes that lie ahead.
This one-day, in-person conference in central London takes place against a background of ongoing communications challenges for HR and communications teams across the sector.
- When and where: Tuesday 25 November 2025, Bloomsbury in central London
- Times: 10 am to 3.30 pm
- Register here: Book your place before Friday 24 October to enjoy the Early bird
Event overview
What to expect?The conference will be chaired by Professor Stuart Palmer, Chair of Council, Brunel University London, Deputy Chair of the UCEA Board and Chair of UCEA’s Communications Strategy Working Group.
This year’s in-person conference takes place during ongoing intense sector challenges, fuelling industrial relation conflicts alongside wider campus protests. These unprecedented changes need to be addressed but they also generate new opportunities. Alongside this are the sector’s positive progressions, including advances in important matters to all on campus and beyond, from sustainability to the employee experience.
Our speakers for this conference will deliver presentations and case studies reflecting on recent industrial relations experiences and student protests but also the new challenges and opportunities to enhance the employee experience. The speakers will share their experiences and any lessons learnt, while all attendees consider the new wave of challenges.
Speakers
We are pleased to announce the following case study sessions this year:
Change, complexity and cultural challenges: working with a distributed model of leadership and management communications
Claire Whitelaw, Director of Communications and Engagement and Lucian Hudson, Executive Director, Communications and External Relations, Durham University
Beyond the podium: sporting excellence, authentic storytelling and institutional impact
Jennifer Harrison, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment and Greg Christison, Communications Manager, University of Stirling
This session explores how strategic communications and impactful storytelling are transforming the University of Stirling's sporting success into a powerful platform for reputation-building, student recruitment, and philanthropic engagement.
Universities merging – the ultimate comms challenge and opportunity
Tim Longden, Director of Marketing and External Relations and Sophie Cubbin, Head of Communications and Events, City St George’s, University of London
More details on these sessions and a timed programme will follow shortly.
Who is it for?
This is the perfect event for communications and HR colleagues to plan internal and external communications together.
Attendance fee
Early-bird price for UCEA members: £395 (VAT free) per place until Friday 24 October.--> If you attend as a pair, you pay less per head. UCEA members can book two places for £545 (a £122.50 discount per place). This provides opportunities for HR and communications specialists to attend together to prepare their HEIs for the challenges and changes that lie ahead.
Full price for UCEA members: £425 or £610 for two places (VAT free) per place after Friday 24 October
Non-UCEA members: please email events@ucea.ac.uk for pricing information.
Follow this link to book places
If you have any queries about this event please contact events@ucea.ac.uk
Read the Terms and conditions of booking
