This year’s conference challenged us to view education not just as a response to change but as a driving force for it. In a time of significant change across higher education, how can we collectively create transformative learning environments that enable students, staff, and institutions to thrive?
The Warwick Education Conference invited us to explore the transformative power of learning in shaping ourselves, our students, and the world around us. The premise of transformative learning is especially vital now, as the sector aligns itself with pressing priorities such as ensuring equity and access, fostering sustainability, and preparing students for the complexities of a globalised, interconnected world. And with shifts in government policy and priorities reshaping the landscape of higher education, we are called to consider how learning can not only respond to these changes but also act as a catalyst for meaningful transformation in society.
As a community, we explored how transformative learning can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving higher education sector while fostering positive change in society.
For full programme to include session abstracts, click here.
Registration
9:00am - 9:30am
Collect your name badge and join us for some light refreshments before the conference begins followed by the welcome
Welcome
9:30am - 9:45am
Professor Lorenzo Frigerio, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education)
Morning Keynote - 'What are we educating students for?'
9:45am - 10:45am
R0.21
Professor Paul Ashwin (Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University, UK)
What are we educating students for?
Abstract
Social, economic and environmental challenges have placed significant pressures on higher education. As policymakers respond to these challenges, there is a danger that the quality of higher education will be judged simply in terms of graduates’ employment outcomes and we will lose sight of the educational purposes of engaging students in higher education. In this keynote, I will argue that, in order to reinvigorate our understanding of what we are educating students for, we need to focus on how we develop curricula that support students to develop transformational relationships with disciplinary and professional knowledge. These relationships change students’ understanding of themselves and the world and are central to the many ways in which engaging in higher education can transform students' lives and contribute to societal well-being. I will explore the implications of this argument for our educational practices.
Biography
Paul is Professor of Higher Education in the Department of Educational Research, Lancaster University, UK. Paul’s research focuses on the educational role of higher education, how knowledge transforms students’ understanding of themselves and the world, and the role of policies in shaping the education offered by higher education institutions. His recent book,
‘Transforming University Education: A Manifesto’ (Bloomsbury 2020), argues for a focus on the educational, rather than economic, purposes of university degrees. Paul is the lead author on Reflective Teaching in Higher Education (2015, 2020) written by an international team to support the development of research-informed university teaching. He is joint Editor-in-Chief of the international journal ‘ Higher Education,’ and co-editor of two Bloomsbury book series: ‘Understanding Student Experiences of Higher Education’ and ‘Enhancing Reflective Teaching in Higher Education’.
Parallel sessions - including presentation, workshop and panel sessions
These sessions will provide opportunities for learning, sharing and hands-on activity.
11:00am - 12:00pm
Stream A | Presentations (20 mins each) | R0.12
Presented by:
Joanne Lee (SMLC) and Elisabeth Blagrove (Psychology)
Thomas Greenaway and Simon Brown (Student Opportunity)
Project contributors
Wang Zi (Lecturer in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Shanghai University), Clytie Tian (Lecturer in Global Business Communication at AFG College with the University of Aberdeen) and Pawel Plonka (Student Project Officer)
Anil Awesti and Nalita James (Centre for Lifelong Learning), Marie Bawden (Undergraduate student, History) and Rosalia Mweya (Undergraduate student, Centre for Lifelong Learning)
Time and space to refresh, chat and connect - or dip into one of our exciting informal lunchtime fringe sessions to explore the conference theme in diverse and novel ways. Lunch will be provided in the Ramphal atrium as buffet. We ask that you inform us of any dietary requirements on the conference registration form.
Fringe Sessions (12:10pm - 1:10pm)
12:10 - 12:40pm
Delivered by:
David Voss (Flexible and Online Learning Division)
Ahead of the session, we invite you to share your digital learning challenges or concerns on the following padlet space with your contact details: Padlet board
Edwina Jones, Fatemeh Shahbazi and Kim Watts (Warwick Manufacturing Group)
12:40 - 1:10pm
Delivered by:
Korin Grant (Centre for Lifelong Learning)
Parallel sessions - including presentation, workshop and panel sessions
These sessions will provide opportunities for learning, sharing and hands-on activity.
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Stream A | Presentations (20 mins each) | R0.12
1:15pm - 1:35pm
Presented by:
Naveera Abhayawickrama (Undergraduate student, School of Law)
Youn Affejee (WMG) and Dhvani Patil (Undergraduate student, Liberal Arts)
1:35pm - 1:55pm
Presented by:
Nicholas Tawn (Statistics)
1:55pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Katie Reeves and Elizabeth Chant (Global Sustainable Development)
Stream B | Presentations (20 mins each) | R0.04
1:15pm - 1:35pm
Presented by:
Catherine Hale (Warwick Medical School) and Joanne Wale (IATL)
1:35pm - 1:55pm
Presented by:
Elzbieta Titis (Warwick Manufacturing Group) and Esther Solomon Edun (Information & Digital Group)
1:55pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Madhura Sen, Undergraduate student (Global Sustainable Development)
Stream C | Workshop (1 hour) | R0.14
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Inca Hide-Wright (Leadership and Management), Tom Ritchie (Chemistry), Dhvani Patil (Liberal Arts), Sarah Bennett (Student Opportunity), Mark Pulsford (Education Studies and Dean of Students Office), Sarah Wilson (Warwick Manufacturing Group) and Reece Goodall (Chemistry and Faculty of Arts).
Stream D | Workshop (1 hour) | R1.13
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Leda Mirbahai, Anthony Lyons, Chelsea Wood (Warwick Medical School) and Daniel Dauber (Applied Linguistics)
Stream E | Workshop (1 hour) | R1.15
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Luda Ruddock Innovation Group) and Colleagues from Warwick Enterprise
Innovation Fellows (students-staff), Innovation Group
Stream F | Panel (1 hour) | R0.21
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Presented by:
Martyn Parker (Statistics), Claire Rocks (Computer Science) and Sam Grierson (Education Policy and Quality)
Transformative Learning in HE: Sector shifts, policy changes and implications for practice
2:30pm - 3:30pm
R0.21
The aim of this panel discussion is to explore the topic of Transformative Learning through the lens of broader sector shifts and policy environments. We have invited experts from diverse practice and policy contexts within higher education, to examine the dynamic landscape of HE influenced by evolving government policies and priorities.
Our focus for this session is on how institutions can adapt to sector shifts, creating learning environments that are innovative and responsive to current and future opportunities and challenges. We will explore how educational communities can leverage these shifts to enhance practices and create opportunities for innovation, collaboration, growth and development. The session aims to integrate policy considerations into educational strategies, driving meaningful change and fostering positive societal impact.
Professor Emma Flynn (Chair)
Provost, University of Warwick
Professor Rebecca FreemanDeputy PVC (Education), University of Warwick
Director of Regional and National Policy, University of Warwick
Ask a question to the panel
We would like to invite you to ask questions around the topic of Transformative Learning.
If you would like to submit a question, please do so here.
This form will close on Monday 26 May, 2025
Conference contemplations and closing
3:30pm - 4:00pm
This will be facilitated time to discuss and share learning together from the event, as well as identify one or two meaningful actions points to follow up on in your own practices.
