NEON Summit: Engaging with Key Influencers – models of best practice

NEON Summit

The work practitioners do in widening access makes a positive contribution in the community and helps young people to understand the value and opportunities presented by higher education. It makes them feel that higher education is something they can strive towards and achieve – regardless of background.

It is universally recognised that key influencers play a major role on the pathways of young people and, despite the impact of activities designed to widen access for young people, they often rely upon the information and advice given by the people with whom they have close, sustained relationships. Such information and advice, is often affected by a person’s own experience of higher education (or lack of it) and can be inaccurate or out of date.

Engaging with key influencers should be a key part of widening access. By working with key-influencers the higher education sector is able to inform their views and dismiss many of the myths associated with higher education level qualifications.

During the event, delegates will:

• Hear from keynote speakers in the sector on the importance of working with key influencers
• Get together with other colleagues in the sector to discuss this key issue
• Network with delegates from other institutions on how best to work with key influencers
• Share best practice with other delegates to understand how to overcome challenges in effectively engaging key influencers in widening participation activities
• Be the first to see NEON’s new report on ‘Influencing the influencers’

To view the full agenda, please click here.

Speakers include:

• Dr Hugh Rayment-Pickard, Chief Strategy Officer, IntoUniversity
• Catherine Cameron, Senior Higher Education Policy Adviser, Office for Students
• Becca Bland, Chief Executive, Stand Alone
• Ray Henshaw, Principal, Minsthorpe Community College
  More speakers to be announced soon

Price:
Membership organisation rate: £149 – 25% discount for NEON members only
Non-member organisation rate: £199

Date: Monday 3rd December
Time: 9.30am registration, 10am start until 4.30pm
Location: London, 8 minute walk from London King’s Cross station