Throughout 2026, DASSH UK has continued to bring senior academic leaders and colleagues together through its programme of seminars, providing a valuable forum to explore some of the key opportunities and challenges currently facing higher education.
The DASSH UK Seminar Series is designed to encourage discussion, knowledge sharing and collaboration across the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. The sessions provide members with the opportunity to hear from experts working across the sector, consider emerging developments and share experiences and perspectives with colleagues from other institutions.
Supporting Colleague Redeployment
The 2026 programme began with a seminar focused on Supporting Colleague Redeployment, held in February. With many UK higher education institutions facing restructuring and changes to staffing, the session explored how senior leaders can support colleagues through significant organisational change.
The seminar featured Corinna Fletcher, Chief People Officer at Aston University, and Beth Lloyd, Head of Organisation Development, Learning & Talent at Aston University. Drawing on Aston University’s experience, the session considered approaches to retraining colleagues and supporting them to explore changing career options for the future.
REF 2029 Policy Update
In June, DASSH members were invited to join a session on REF 2029, providing an opportunity to hear about the latest policy developments and expectations surrounding the next Research Excellence Framework.
The session was delivered by Professor Jane Falkingham and Greg Walker on behalf of Research England, UKRI. The seminar provided an important opportunity for senior academic leaders to engage with developments in research policy and consider the implications for their institutions and disciplines.
Using AI in Higher Education Leadership, Research and Teaching
The July seminar turned attention to one of the most significant developments currently shaping higher education: artificial intelligence.
Dr Paul Jones, Associate Dean at Aston Business School, led a presentation and discussion on Using AI in higher education leadership, research and teaching. The session explored the uses of AI across these different areas, creating an opportunity for colleagues to consider both its emerging role and its relevance to academic leadership, teaching and research.
Continuing the Conversation
The programme will continue throughout the remainder of 2026, with further opportunities for DASSH members to come together and discuss issues affecting higher education.
Planned sessions include a potential September seminar exploring performance management and working with unions, followed in October by a Listen & Share discussion focusing on the challenges of the new academic year. A further seminar is also being considered for November, exploring EDI and the concept of free speech.
These sessions reflect DASSH UK’s commitment to creating a professional forum where senior academic leaders can exchange information, experience and ideas. By bringing colleagues together to discuss practical challenges alongside wider developments in higher education policy and practice, the seminar series supports an ongoing conversation about the future of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities within the UK higher education landscape.
DASSH looks forward to continuing these conversations throughout 2026 and providing members with further opportunities to listen, share, collaborate and learn from colleagues across the sector.