Designed for leaders and aspiring leaders in university commercial and campus services, the programme highlights innovative practices that will help you to enhance your campus experience and commercial contribution.
Group to meet at the Lanyon Building, front doors of the University. Introductions to the QUB team and a brief history of the building and University.
From there, the group will move into the Black and White Hall and take a route which includes the following:
Please register here if you would like to attend the campus tour
Kirsty Woodward, CUBO Chair & Director of Estates & Campus Services, University of Leicester and Jan Capper, CUBO Executive Director
Professor Judy Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students and Caroline Young, Vice-President, Student and Corporate Services - Queens University Belfast
Kevin Jackson, Director of Ideas and Innovation at The Experience is the Marketing
Kevin works at the cutting-edge of industry innovation, solving problems and allowing his clients to achieve their growth potential. Kevin is a thought leader with a huge catalogue of success behind him. Voted the most influential person in the UK event industry on three separate occasions, Kevin has a rare understanding of every conceivable touchpoint between a brand and its most valuable audiences.
Leon Diop, Co-Founder, Black & Irish
As organisations increasingly recognize the importance of fostering diverse and inclusive environments, there is a growing need to move beyond performity - superficial or tokenistic efforts that may lack genuine impact. This discussion will shed light on how organizations can authentically embrace EDI, going beyond mere optics to instigate transformational change.
Leon will share the inspirational Black & Irish story before a panel including CUBO EDI Lead Carol Thomas, CUBO Vice Chair Melissa Browne, Unite Students Jenny Shaw and LSE's James Greenwood.
Kirsty Woodward, CUBO Chair & Director of Estates & Campus Services, University of Leicester
Tim Daplyn, CEO, Global Student Living and CUBO Member Panel
An exclusive presentation and panel discussion of the findings of this year's report, exploring the wellbeing and experiences of vulnerable groups in student accommodation.
The report provides an update on the national picture and trends over time through the latest wave of the GSL Index before examining, through statistics and powerful individual testimony, the experiences of some of our most vulnerable student cohorts, including those who are part of an ethnic minority, students who have a long-term illness, health problem or disability which limits daily activities or work, students who report themselves as neurodivergent, and those identifying within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.
Printed copies of the report are available exclusively to CUBO members and can be picked up from the GSL stand.
Declan Curry, Business broadcaster and journalist
Declan Curry is one of the BBC's most recognisable business presenters , he presented business news on BBC One's breakfast television for almost a decade. Declan will provoke thought and reflection on the current political and economic climate and how this may affect University Commercial Services in the future.
Academic Conferences: Increasing Impact through City and University Co-operation - Rachael McGuickin, Director of Business Development, Sustainability and Transformation, Visit Belfast and Gráinne Doherty, Business Development Manager, Queen's University Belfast - PFC/02/018
Hosting conferences and events are a powerful way to showcase University research, create new partnerships, attract talent and build global reputation. Hear how Belfast has created a strategy that brings together the leading business, academic and Government leaders across Northern Ireland to attract and host events that can showcase the region as a vibrant place to study, live, work, do business and Invest in and generate real impact and legacy.
Sustainable Building Projects - Conor McGowan, Head of Estates Planning and Jonathan Thompson, Estates Planning and Chartered Architect, Queen's University Belfast - PFC/02/025
This workshop will review the sustainability approach of Queen’s University Belfast in relation to the delivery of building projects, both historically and into the future with their Net Zero Plan in place. The workshop will welcome discussion from attending delegates inviting not only dialogue, but also hoping to encourage learning from the experience of other colleges and universities.
Profit on a Plate: Pricing Strategies in Hospitality - Sam Roth, Operations Director, Gather & Gather - PFC/02/017
Rising Food Costs , Labour Costs , Energy Costs and lower footfall due to hybrid working , means that pricing strategies have to be reviewed and evaluated. This workshop will put hospitality pricing strategies for students , staff and visitors under the spotlight.
Generation Alpha and What You Need to Know About Your Students of the (near) Future - Pete Maginn, Managing Director of Commercial Insight, Beano Studios - PFC/02/011
This session will include Beano Brain covering:
• Key Generation Alpha Attributes & how these manifest in the real world
• What Gen Alpha expect from brands and organisations
• What values & things are important to Gen Alpha
• What their media ecosystem looks like (for now!)
How One Elmwood enhances the Student Experience - Helen McNeely, Head of Student and Academic Affairs and Ciaran Higgins, Director of Queen's University Students' Union, Queen's University Belfast - PFC/02/018
2023 saw the first full year of operations in One Elmwood Student Centre and Students' Union at Queen's. The whole ethos behind the design was to offer world class facilities and services all under one roof in the heart of campus creating a base for students to meet socially, study together and feel at home on campus.
In this workshop we will provide attendees with an insight into the opportunities and challenges presented by the new Centre. You will also hear how the new building has allowed the SU and Education and Student Services to jointly deliver a range of innovative initiatives aimed at supporting students in areas including; cost of living, mental health and wellbeing, student voice and representation, student entrepreneurship and student volunteering as well as being a hub for student led activity. This has led to increased student engagement and enhanced student satisfaction across services.
Convenience 2030 – Compelling, conscientious, commercial - Martin Rogers, Director of Partnerships, Jonathan Perry, Head of Development, Co-op - PFC/02/025
Retail propositions across Universities will need to innovate in response to changing market and customer trends. What does the future look like and how can you deliver it profitably, sustainably and use it as a catalyst for positive social change?
Generation Alpha and What You Need to Know About Your Students of the (near) Future - Pete Maginn, Managing Director of Commercial Insight, Beano Studios - PFC/02/011
This session will include Beano Brain covering:
• Key Generation Alpha Attributes & how these manifest in the real world
• What Gen Alpha expect from brands and organisations
• What values & things are important to Gen Alpha
• What their media ecosystem looks like (for now!)
Supporting the Workforce and Resource Resilience Through Job Crafting - Charlotte Axon, Lead People Scientist, Tailored Thinking - PFC/02/017
People personalise all aspects of their lives - their cars, clothes and holidays. One area that we are often not encouraged to personalise is our work. This is despite clear evidence that shows the benefits of personalising and crafting work in terms of performance, wellbeing, engagement, and growth. An evidence-based way to personalise our work is through Job Crafting, which is an approach that encourages us to make small changes to how we act, interact and think about our work.
The practice of Job Crafting is an established and growing field of academic study, and up to 40% of workers are thought to be crafting to some extent. Yet many are not familiar with the concept, and if they are, they struggle with ideas of how to practically apply it within their role. Tailored Thinking are experts in bringing Job Crafting to life within teams and organisations, and believe that anyone can job craft with the right tools and support.
Job Crafting can also be a powerful personalisation tool for enabling people to individually and collaboratively explore, harness and amplify their talents and strengths in their work. Job Crafting and EDI both have their roots in recognising and valuing difference. There is also some research suggesting that there could be differences in crafting behaviours depending on people’s characteristics.
This talk will explore the what, why, and how of job crafting, including how it can help foster more healthy and inclusive workspaces. It will be focused on practical steps and tools you can use to craft your role, and support others to do the same.
The Delivery Model for Accommodation - Conor McGowan, Head of Estates Planning & Mike Uprichard, Head of Accommodation, Queen's University Belfast - PFC/02/018
This workshop will review the delivery model for accommodation employed by Queen’s University Belfast to date and explore options going forward for future investment, aligned with Queen’s Future Campus and the Net Zero Plan. The workshop will welcome discussion from attending delegates inviting contrasting views with the intention to promote learning from the experience of a range of colleges and universities.
UAL and Trans in the City partnership - Carley Owen, Student Experience Manager, UAL and Bobbi Pickard, CEO, Trans in the City - PFC/02/025
Trans in the City are a trailblazing organisation who have transformed the world for many individuals and created lots of employment pipelines and much more.
University of Arts London have secured one of the first HE partnerships with Trans in the City and are launching the first Trans and non-binary student ambassador programme. UAL students are at the heart of creation alongside support from senior leadership. This session will be facilitated by Carley Owen , UAL and Bobbi Pickard CEO of Trans in the City.
Wellbeing and Mental Health Risk Management - Helen McNeely, Head of Student and Academic Affairs, Queen's University Belfast - PFC/02/017
Impact of Residence Life: Insights from the US - Olan Garrett, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, Temple University (Philadelphia , US) PFC/02/011
There is a growing body of research in the United States on the impact of residence life programs on student engagement, student retention, and academic results. During this presentation, we will highlight recent studies, with a focus on the insights gained ACUHO-I's three-year partnership with the National Survey of Student Engagement.
Deanes and Queen's: An Innovative Collaboration - Michael Deane, Managing Director, Deanes Restaurant - PFC/02/018
Keeping Collaboration at the Core of Innovation - Ali Bott, Head of Customer Experience, Kinetic - PFC/02/025
Collaboration with customers is at the heart of creating innovative IT solutions that deliver business benefits to users.
This session will spotlight how the evolving sector needs can be met through working together in partnership.
Supporting the Workforce and Resource Resilience Through Job Crafting - Charlotte Axon, Lead People Scientist, Tailored Thinking - PFC/02/017
People personalise all aspects of their lives - their cars, clothes and holidays. One area that we are often not encouraged to personalise is our work. This is despite clear evidence that shows the benefits of personalising and crafting work in terms of performance, wellbeing, engagement, and growth. An evidence-based way to personalise our work is through Job Crafting, which is an approach that encourages us to make small changes to how we act, interact and think about our work.
The practice of Job Crafting is an established and growing field of academic study, and up to 40% of workers are thought to be crafting to some extent. Yet many are not familiar with the concept, and if they are, they struggle with ideas of how to practically apply it within their role. Tailored Thinking are experts in bringing Job Crafting to life within teams and organisations, and believe that anyone can job craft with the right tools and support.
Job Crafting can also be a powerful personalisation tool for enabling people to individually and collaboratively explore, harness and amplify their talents and strengths in their work. Job Crafting and EDI both have their roots in recognising and valuing difference. There is also some research suggesting that there could be differences in crafting behaviours depending on people’s characteristics.
This talk will explore the what, why, and how of job crafting, including how it can help foster more healthy and inclusive workspaces. It will be focused on practical steps and tools you can use to craft your role, and support others to do the same.
Accidental managers to intentional leaders - Marion Grey, APSAA President, CEO Deakin Residential Services (VIC, Australia) and Jacob Waitere, APSAA Vice-President, General Manager Portfolio & Senior Leader – Residential Life, UniLodge (Canterbury, New Zealand) - PFC/02/011
Do you feel like you're leading a team but have had no management experience?
Are you reacting and chasing your tail in resource management rather than fulfilling strategic objectives?
Do you sometimes think your job would be easier without the staff you've been given to manage?
Join Marion and Jacob as they talk about levelling up your career, and utilising experiences, opportunities and challenges within student accommodation to maximise your leadership impact. The goal of this session is to generate ideas and identify practices that will help mid-level and new professionals that find themselves supervising and managing staff, take the steps to leading high functioning teams and determining proactive leadership capabilities.
Do you talk to your technology? Does it talk back? With rapid advancements in A.I. and natural language processing, our relationship with computers is on the brink of another revolution. Experimental A.I. deployments like ChatGPT, offer a glimpse of what the world might look like a decade from now – but is that good or bad? Technology reporter and author, Kate Russell, looks back at her 25 years of reporting to share her thoughts and insights about shifting global tech-culture. From the days of dial-up internet and Internet Relay Chat, to ‘playing with’ NASA robots and becoming a virtual presenter in Japan, Kate will share anecdotes from her travels around the world and then imagine what the world of tech might look like in another 10 years.
Kirsty Woodward, CUBO Chair & Director of Estates & Campus Services, University of Leicester
