05/10/2026
Unique Venues Birmingham, 6 Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2EP : Room LOB 101,
Soft power in a hardening world: Is the UK making the most of its global educational assets?
Jamie Arrowsmith (Universities UK International , Director)
Ángel Gurria-Quintana (Cambridge University Press & Assessment , Director of Stakeholder Relations)
Dr Naimat Zafary (University of Sussex, Former Chevening Scholar)
Chaired by Charlotte Armstrong (Policy Manager, Higher Education Policy Institute)
The UK has world-leading universities, research, science, culture and the English language. But in a more contested world, influence is no longer something the UK can take for granted. How can government, universities and cultural institutions turn these assets into stronger international partnerships, economic growth and national resilience? With support from Cambridge University Press & Assessment and The University of Manchester.
06/10/2026
Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 7
Shared Institutions: The role of universities in national and local life
The Rt Hon Lord David Willetts (House of Lords, Peer)
Luke Tryl (More in Common, Executive Director)
The Rt Hon Laura Trott MP ( , Shadow Secretary of State for Education (Invited))
Jennie Shaw (UCL, Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience))
Charlotte Armstrong (Policy Manager, Higher Education Policy Institute)
From developing the skills to disagree well, to adapting to the changes in the job market driven by AI, universities remain central to the success or failure of our economic and civic life. How can conservatives ensure these remain shared institutions, rooted in the life of communities and the nation?
