NEON Summer Symposium 2024 in review
Over 200 researchers and higher education practitioners gathered at the University of West London (UWL) on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June for this year’s NEON Summer Symposium, the largest UK conference dedicated to widening access to higher education. This year’s event was supported by StudentPulse and was themed ‘Inequalities in access and success in higher education – the next 5 years’.
NEON’s annual Symposium has always been one of the most important events for those working in the widening access field, but this year’s conference has truly set itself apart. Not only was it NEON’s first Symposium held in the capital, but it was also one of the most attended in the Symposium’s 12-year history.
On Thursday, delegates came from across the UK and abroad to hear thought-provoking speeches from the Symposium’s keynote speakers: UWL Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Peter John CBE, Director of Policy at Universities UK, Shahid Omer, Newcastle University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Place, Professor Jane Robinson DL, and NEON Director, Professor Graeme Atherton, who also leads UWL’s Centre for Inequalities and Levelling Up.
The speakers offered valuable insights on the headline trends in widening access and the challenges and opportunities over the next five years.
The Symposium dinner held at a nearby hotel that night allowed delegates to network, share ideas and experiences. Delegates heard from three students from widening access backgrounds, George Warlow and Jake Gruenewald from UWL and Lucy James from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, about their journeys to higher education and how they overcame barriers to study in higher education.
The second day of the Symposium saw an insightful presentation from UCAS Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff, Ben Jordan and a riveting panel discussion on the upcoming priorities for widening access between Lord Bird MBE, Founder of the Big Issue and Cross Bench Peer in the House of Lords, the Social Mobility Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Atkinson, Higher Education Policy Institute Director, Nick Hillman and University and College Union’s Policy Officer, Angela Nartey.
In between the keynote speech and panel sessions, delegates were able to choose from a range of laboratory sessions covering various issues that impact upon widening access. Deliverers included UCAS, Student Loans Company, several Uni Connect partnerships, Lancaster University, University College of Estate Management, University of Leeds and UWL.
The Symposium also offered a platform for widening access professionals to share their work, exchange best practices and form new collaborations. Over 50 groups of presenters showcased their work at the conference’s paper sessions, covering a wide range of topics including partnership, AI and technology, evaluation, raising attainment, support across the student lifecycle and more.
NEON Director Professor Graeme Atherton said:
“This is a key time for higher education, in particular widening access. In a month’s time we will have a new government and regardless of the wider challenges the UK faces this represents new opportunities for our work. It was inspiring to see so many people who share our passion and vision for widening access come together to share what we do and discuss how we can protect and grow the work we believe in.”
We at NEON are glad to hear that our delegates found the conference inspiring, and we have enjoyed reading our delegates’ feedback and social media posts. One attendee, Sarah Dirrane from Cosmos, even vlogged about her experience at the Symposium!
Once again, we would like to thank our sponsors, speakers, presenters and everyone who attended this year’s Symposium. A huge thank you also to UWL event, security, IT and catering staff and all student helpers for their support over the two days. We look forward to seeing everyone again at the NEON Summer Symposium 2025!