NEON Summit – Supporting Mature Learners
Access Academy Training
Date
25/11/2016
Location/Venue
University of Leicester
Time
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
NEON Summit: Supporting Mature Learners
University of Leicester
25 November 2016
9.30am – 4.00pm
NEON are keen to support the sector by holding a special one day summit on widening access, retention and success for mature learners on 25 November 2016 in Leicester from 9.30am – 4pm. Delegates will hear from a range of experts throughout the day, will benefit from hearing about successful initiatives, new research and panel discussions, and will engage in workshops and networking activities.
During the day we will:
- Review the latest research into the progression, retention and success of mature learners;
- Hear from a range of practitioners working to support mature learners;
- Share the findings from a special NEON members’ report highlighting current practice that specifically supports this target group;
- Discuss future strategies to ensure HEIs can make progress in this important area.
Speakers
Caroline McDonald – Head of Widening Access, Birkbeck, University of London
Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas – Research Fellow/Project Manager Athena SWAN, Birmingham City University
Dr John Butcher – Senior Lecturer/Deputy Director Access and Curriculum, Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships, The Open University
M.J. Morgan – Careers Education & Guidance Officer, Lifelong Learning Centre, University of Leeds
Paul Devlin – Student Experience Officer, Lifelong Learning Centre, University of Leeds
Dr Hannah Ordoyno – Widening Participation Manager, University of Leicester
Charlotte Barratt – Widening Participation Officer, University of Leicester
Martin Webster – Operations Manager, NEON
Steve Kendall – Chair of Executive Committee, NEON
Agenda
| Time | Title | Speaker |
| 9.30 | Registration | |
| 10.00am | Welcoming Remarks | Steve Kendall – Chair of Executive Committee, NEON |
| 10.10am | Keynote Address | Caroline McDonald – Head of Widening Access, Birkbeck, University of London |
| 10.30am | NEON Research – What are HEIs currently doing to attract and retain mature students? | Martin Webster – Operations Manager, NEON |
| 10.55am | Coffee Break | |
| 11.15am | Mature Part-Time Undergraduates: Rethinking Retention and Belonging | Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas – Research Fellow/Project Manager Athena SWAN, Birmingham City University |
| 11.40am | Part-Time Learning in Crisis? | Dr John Butcher – Senior Lecturer/Deputy Director Access and Curriculum, Centre for Inclusion and Collaborative Partnerships, The Open University |
| 12.05pm | Mature Students: Challenges and Opportunities – Panel Discussion | Steve Kendall (chair), Caroline McDonald, Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas, M.J. Morgan |
| 12.40pm | Lunch | |
| 1.30pm | What works? Sharing best practice in supporting the mature student journey (workshop) | Paul Devlin – Student Experience Officer, Lifelong Learning Centre, University of Leeds M.J. Morgan – Careers Education & Guidance Officer, Lifelong Learning Centre, University of Leeds |
| 2.30pm | Mature Student Panel | Paul Devlin (Chair) |
| 3.15pm | Mature Students – Decision-making, transition and student support | Dr Hannah Ordoyno – Widening Participation Manager, University of Leicester Charlotte Barratt – Widening Participation Officer, University of Leicester |
| 3.45pm | Introduction of NEON’s new Mature Learners Working Group | |
| 4.00pm | Finish |