At our last conference, DASSH-UK brought together senior leaders from across Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for its conference, “Leading Change in Challenging Times”, hosted at Birkbeck, University of London.
The conference provided an opportunity for colleagues to come together at a time of significant change across UK higher education, exploring the challenges facing Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, sharing experiences of institutional change and considering how academic leaders can respond collectively and effectively.
Understanding the State of the Nation
The day opened with a session examining ‘The State of the Nation’ for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, bringing together perspectives from the British Academy and DataHE. Dr Molly Morgan Jones, Director of Policy at the British Academy, was joined by Mark Corver, Managing Director of DataHE, and Lucia Costantini, Lead Data Scientist at DataHE.
Drawing on the British Academy’s research into SHAPE provision in UK higher education, alongside sector insights from DataHE, the session explored the current position of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences subjects across the UK. Discussions considered current levels of provision, policy engagement and possible future trajectories for the disciplines.
The session provided an important starting point for the day, grounding subsequent discussions about leadership and change in the wider landscape facing AHSS provision.
Leading Change in Difficult Times
The conference then turned to the practical realities of leading institutional change. Professor Matthew Davies, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Birkbeck, University of London, and Professor Stephen Graham, Executive Dean of Creative Arts and Media at Goldsmiths, University of London, shared their experiences of leading significant institutional change within Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The plenary session explored the change management process and provided colleagues with an opportunity to hear directly from academic leaders who have navigated complex periods of institutional transformation.
The conversation continued through a series of small group discussions, allowing delegates to draw on their own experiences of leading change. These discussions focused on sharing practice, identifying approaches that can support effective leadership and considering ways of managing the challenges that come with significant organisational change.
From Discussion to Action
The final substantive session of the conference moved the conversation beyond responding to change and towards considering how the sector can actively influence its future.
‘The Call to Action’ was a workshop focused on policy, advocacy and the development of a manifesto for challenging times. The session featured Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson MBE MAE, Professor of Classics Education and Public Policy at Durham University and Vice Chair of the University Policy Engagement Network, alongside Sandra Booth, Director of Policy and External Relations at the Council for Higher Education in Art and Design.
Following contributions from colleagues with experience in public policy engagement, the workshop moved into a development session led by Professor Sian Rees, Deputy Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Swansea University. The focus was firmly on moving from ideas to action, with delegates considering tangible next steps and how plans for policy engagement and advocacy could be put into practice.
Continuing the Conversation
The Leading Change in Challenging Times conference demonstrated the value of bringing senior leaders together to share experiences, challenge thinking and develop practical responses to the changing higher education environment.
From understanding the current position of AHSS provision, to sharing experiences of institutional change and considering how the sector can strengthen its policy voice, the conference created space for open discussion and collaboration.
For DASSH-UK, these conversations are central to its role as a professional forum for senior leaders across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. By sharing knowledge, experience and good practice, the organisation provides its members with opportunities to work collaboratively on the challenges facing their disciplines and institutions.
The discussions also reinforced an important message: while the higher education landscape may be challenging, collective leadership, collaboration and a willingness to share ideas can help the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences navigate change and shape the future rather than simply respond to it.
Find out more about our next event – held in London on 6 November 2026.