Universities are critical to society – whether that’s developing the skills our economy needs, boosting regions, driving social mobility or discovering the next scientific or innovation breakthrough.

We are at a critical turning point, however. In 2021-22, one in four UK universities reported an operating deficit.

UUK’s policy and advocacy work is focussed on securing more sustainable funding for higher education across the UK but we also need to act for ourselves. We need to apply all the innovation, creativity and business acumen across the sector and beyond and grasp the nettle to find solutions to the big questions.

Join us for this one day in-person event and take part in vital discussion on whether it’s time to transform the operating model of UK universities.

This conference will cover urgent topics such as:
• How can we innovate and find new ways of operating – through different organisational models, creative use of digital, online and AI tools? What might hold us back?
• Should we challenge the status quo and how? High quality, high touch, high-cost teaching to student ratio? The overall student offering? Geographic footprints in the UK and beyond?
• When you need to transform a university, what are your options and how do you do it?
• How do policy and regulation inhibit innovation and what can we do about it?