Lessons learned from Developing SUs in Scotland

In this session, staff from NUS Scotland’s Development Team and from some of the colleges they work with, will explore their experience of implementing the Framework for Strong and Effective College Students’ Associations in Scotland with a look to how small SUs across the UK might utilise the Learner Voice Framework to drive development and some of the successes and challenges they might encounter along the way!

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Kerry Beavers – Development Consultant, NUS Scotland 
• Dougie Smith - Development Consultant, NUS Scotland 

 

Stream: 

---

The Future of (Higher) Education: Students' Unions and the Office for Students

In February 2018, the Office for Students launched the new regulatory framework for higher education in England. With it arrived a dramatic landscape shift for students' unions, a new lexicon for unions to communicate in and a host of changed priorities. 

But what does all of this mean for student engagement in higher education? What challenges face us over the coming years? How does the increased delivery of higher education in further education institutions impact on FE unions? How will the government's reforms change the students' union sector and what will the future of education policy influencing look like from a local and national level?

Join us to take a strategic look at where and how NUS and students' unions are most effective to influence and shape education for today and into the future.

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Ellie Russell - Student Engagement & Partnership Manager, The Student Engagement Partnership 
• Hannah Sketchley - Policy Officer, NUS

 

Stream: 

---

How we lost one president and found three more presidents/when it goes wrong

In this session Jon, Mark, and Tom will outline some unexpected opportunities, events, and crises that occur in students’ unions and work with the audience to solve the issues involved. This will be an interactive and engaging session for both officers and career staff that identifies the principles and practice needed to handle the surprises you may experience in the year ahead.

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Jon Berg – Chief Executive, Teesside University Students' Union 

• Mark Crowhurst – General Manager, London Met Students' Union 

Stream: 

---

Faith Based Partnerships

This session, presented by representatives of national faith and belief groups, explores principles and examples of effective partnerships between students’ unions and faith and belief groups on campus and with the community.

Audience: Officers and staff in membership engagement roles

Presenters:

• Saffa Mir, Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS)

• Daniel Kosky, Union of Jewish Students (UJS)

• Sean Turnball, Humanists UK

Stream: 

---

Working with the media, top tips for making your stories work and selling them in

Intended for all staff or senior leaders within students’ unions who have a press and / or PR function in their role. Working with the media, top tips for making your stories work and selling them in. Also we'll be developing the Community of Practice - a day to day network where information goes between each one another – it will be used to respond to time sensitive and politically sensitive matters. Enabling us to collaborate effectively and support our objectives and messages. One of the main immediate advantages of the network will be responding quickly as a movement to external press etc…

Audience: Staff

Presenters:

• Liam McCafferty – Press Officer, NUS 

 

Stream: 

---

Developing Black Talent in the movement

Despite all the work that has already been done to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, the NUS100 strand Attracting and Retaining Outstanding People, acknowledges that much more needs to be done to create a diverse movement, especially in regards to Black staff representation. A key element of this work is about developing and retaining the Black talent that already exists in students’ unions, so that Black staff feel supported and equipped to enter management and leadership positions.

The importance of supporting Black talent was highlighted in the NUS’ Race Matters research, which showed that more than a third of respondents did not feel they had access to career development opportunities and some highlighted a lack of support from managers for their career progression.

This session will allow participants to:

• Develop their understanding of the barriers faced by Black staff progression in the workplace 

• Explore strategies to recognise, support and develop the talents and strengths of Black staff

• Hear about the role of managers and senior leaders in supporting and developing Black staff

• Explore the role of white allies in supporting the career progression of Black staff

• Hear about NUS’ Black Talent Programme

 

Audience: Staff

 

Presenters:

• Tinu Cornish - Equality Challenge Unit
• Jannett Morgan

 

Stream: 

---

The Black Attainment Gap

This session will introduce the context to the attainment gap and provide some practical next steps to enable unions to confidently advocate regarding the attainment gap to their institutions.

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Richard Stewart - Policy Officer (Liberation), NUS 

 

Stream: 

---

Planning for our future students

Over the summer 2017, four SUs and Ampersand Research agency collaborated to explore what 14-18 year olds (UK and International based) expected from their future UK University experiences. Over 700 students were consulted, through the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

This workshop will share main findings from the research, and explore ways in which the emerging insights can be embedded into strategic action over the next 5 years.

Main themes discussed: The role SUs play in preparing students for University and helping students transition towards independent living. Academic and learning expectations of future students, and readiness for independent study. Future student communication preferences and their expectations and understanding of SU activity.

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Sarah Murray - Customer Insight Manager, University of Nottingham Students’ Union 
• Sarah Gosling – Chief Executive, University of Nottingham Students' Union)
• Sophie Hammond - Market Researcher, University of Nottingham Students'
• Tim Cosham - Data Analyst, University of Nottingham Students'

 

Stream: 

---

Getting Match Fit for Digital Transformation 

This session will summarise the future of digital and some of the key steps you can get match fit for digital transformation in your SU. Brought to you by Julian Howison, one of the CEOs of OneVoice, this session will also provide you with opportunities to dig deep into the opportunities within your own SU and create your own action plan

Audience: Officers and staff

Presenters:

• Julian Howison - CEO, OneVoice

 

Stream: 

---

Introduction to trading support

At NUS we believe it is possible to combine commerce with conscience and that through our services we can make a collective difference to students, students’ unions, and society as well.  In this session we’ll give an introduction to Trading Support and outline how NUS can support commercial success in your students’ union.

Audience: Officers and staff

Presenters:

• Lynn King, Director of Trading Support, NUS

 

Stream: 

---

Governance and Government

Students’ unions are covered by a range of regulators, laws, and practices, that have a massive impact on how we’re run and what we can do.  In turn we try to impact other organisations around us to make the world better for students.  In this session you will get an indispensable overview of how your students’ union is governed to help you work effectively internally. Then we will build on this knowledge to show how you can make a change for your students in your towns, cities, and wider society.  The perfect session for new Officers, governance and campaign staff, or anybody interested in the nuts and bolts of students’ unions.

Audience: Elected Officers and Staff

Presenters:

• Anneessa Mahmood, QSU Programme Manager, NUS

 

Stream: