Warwick hosts leading international conference on the future of lifelong learning and celebrates sector award success
The University of Warwick has hosted the UALL–SCUTREA 2026 Conference, bringing together international delegates to discuss the future of lifelong learning, while Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning received a sector award for excellence.
The annual UALL–SCUTREA 2026 Conference brought together higher education leaders, researchers, practitioners and policy makers from across the UK and around the world to re-imagine the future of lifelong learning in higher education.
Held on campus and organised in partnership with the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) and its Standing Committee on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults (SCUTREA), the conference positioned Warwick at the centre of sector-wide conversations about how universities can respond to evolving societal, economic and workforce needs through flexible, inclusive and accessible education.
Professor Ruth Hewston, Professor and former Head of Department at the Centre for Lifelong Learning, in the School of Education, Learning and Communication Sciences at the University of Warwick, said: “Hosting the UALL and SCUTREA conference at Warwick has been a significant opportunity to bring together colleagues from across the UK and internationally to reflect on the future of lifelong learning in higher education.
“The discussions have highlighted the importance of ensuring universities remain accessible and responsive to learners at all stages of life, particularly as the social and economic context continues to change. It has also been an important opportunity to showcase the work of Warwick’s Centre for Lifelong Learning and its commitment to widening participation and supporting flexible approaches to study.
Dr Nalita James, Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Reader, said: “We are delighted to have received the UALL-SCUTREA Award, which recognises the sustained contribution and significant impact that the Centre for Lifelong Learning has made in advancing inclusive and flexible education, supporting learners of all ages, and strengthening community engagement and lifelong skills development. This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of the staff within the Centre.”
Delegates attended from across the UK alongside international participants from Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, Turkey, Japan, Ukraine and South Africa, underlining the global relevance of the discussions and the strength of international engagement within the lifelong learning community.
Across the programme, contributors explored key issues relating to the future of lifelong learning in higher education. Discussions focused on how universities can continue to support access and participation, develop flexible approaches to learning, and respond to the needs of adult learners in a changing social and economic context. The importance of collaboration between universities, communities, employers and policy makers was a consistent theme, alongside wider reflections on how higher education can continue to adapt and evolve.
Professor Jonathan Michie, Chair of the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL), President of Kellogg College and Professor of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Oxford, said: “There is a growing recognition globally that education needs to be regarded as a lifelong endeavour, and the University of Warwick is at the forefront of these developments, both through its Centre for Lifelong Learning and through its institution-wide commitment to innovation in education, and its strong links with business and society.”
As the sector continues to respond to changing patterns of work, skills development and social mobility, the conference reinforced the importance of collaboration across institutions and disciplines in shaping the future direction of lifelong learning.
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
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About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.
23 June 2025