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GDP: Understanding and Assuring Academic Outcomes and the Student Experience

Enabling governing bodies to actively seek assurance and ensure that academic governance is robust and effective.

Overview

This event addresses the crucial role of the governing body in providing assurance on academic governance and the student experience. As governing bodies navigate these areas, it is not uncommon for them to lack confidence, especially in light of significant changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, which have further complicated the assessment of institutional performance.

This event draws on the insights gained from Advance HE's extensive work with its members. It offers a valuable opportunity for governance professionals to hear from experts in teaching and learning, students, and experienced peers. Together, we will delve into recent educational developments, regulatory requirements, and their implications for boards and governing bodies.

Chairs, Governors, and governance staff will have the chance to network, share their experiences, and gain fresh perspectives on the governing body's role in academic governance, overseeing the student experience, and establishing effective and robust assurance mechanisms.

This a one-day standalone event.

Booking and price information

Event date: 24 June 2026

Location: Virtual

T+Cs

Book your place

 

Who is this event for?

This event is designed for both new and experienced chairs and governors and will give governance professionals, board members and independent governors from outside the sector a greater understanding of academic governance and the student experience.


 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Enhance your understanding of the role of the governing body in seeking assurance on the academic and student experience.
  2. Enhance your understanding of the policy environment and regulatory requirements for governing bodies in seeking academic assurance.
  3. Build effective networks with other governors or governance professionals to learn from shared experiences and gain fresh perspectives on the governing body's role in seeking academic assurance. 

 


Agenda

09:30   Welcome and Introductions - Aaron Porter, Associate Director (Governance), Advance HE

09:50   The HE Policy Environment

10:30   Panel: The Role of the Board in Oversight of Quality and Standards - Jimena Alamo, Independent Student Board Member, QAA & Kevin McStravock, Quality Enhancement Manager , Ulster University

11:05   Break

11:15   Understanding the Student Experience - Jonathan Neves, Head of Research and Surveys, Advance HE

11:45   Breakout Discussions

12:05   Feedback from Discussions

12:30   Close


Speakers

Speakers and presenter for the event are being approached and will include university and students’ union leaders, along with academics and quality and assurance  experts.

Aaron Porter

Associate Director (Governance)
,
Advance HE
AP
Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.

Kevin McStravock

Quality Enhancement Manager
,
Ulster University
Kevin McStravock
Kevin McStravock (he/him) is an experienced higher education professional with a strong track record in advocacy, policy and public affairs, and quality assurance & enhancement.

Jonathan Neves

Head of Business Intelligence & Surveys
,
Advance HE
Jonathan-Neves
Jonathan joined Advance HE in 2015, bringing with him 16 years’ experience in customer insight and market research. Jonathan graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Geography, and is a full member of the Market Research Society. Heading up the insights and student surveys portfolio at Advance HE, Jonathan is co-author of the Advance HE-HEPI Student Academic Experience Survey report, and is responsible for the overall strategy for the UK Engagement Survey as well as the Postgraduate Taught and Research Experience Surveys (PTES and PRES). Jonathan has also worked across the sector collaborating on the use of the UK Engagement Survey within Learning Gain pilots.

Jimena Alamo

Independent Student Board Member, QAA
,
University of Bath
Jimena Alamo
Jimena was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where she lived until graduating school. She graduated from the University of Bath with a Bachelor of Science in Politics and International Relations in 2023. In the same year, she was elected as President for the University of Bath Students' Union, where she was the chair of the board of trustees at the Students' Union, and governor of the University's council (and also sitting on the finance, remuneration, and nominations committee for the University) for two terms (2023-2024 and 2024-2025). She has also been the independent student member on the QAA's Board since October of 2024. Jimena is very passionate about the HE sector - especially about how to provide equal opportunity for students from all backgrounds. Since September 2025, she has been a full-time Master of Public Policy Student at University College London.

Delivery

This event will be delivered virtually through Zoom, with joining instructions sent out by the governance team two weeks before the day of the event.

Along with the joining instructions and links delegates will receive a copy of the programme, with finalised timings, topics, and speakers.

The event will be delivered as a series of presentations, discussions and panels, with time after each for questions and comments.

For any enquiries regarding the event please contact the Programmes and Events Team at:

[email protected]


Student voices video

Self-filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, in this short video first and second year students talk about their higher education experiences and describe the challenges they face, what they enjoy and what they would change.

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