In May 2026, DASSH-UK brought together senior leaders from across Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities for its annual conference, “Devising & Implementing HE Strategy & Policy”, hosted at the University of West London.
The conference provided an opportunity for colleagues to come together to explore the challenges and opportunities involved in developing and implementing effective strategy and policy within the rapidly changing higher education landscape. Through a combination of expert presentations, practical workshops, leadership development and networking, the day focused on equipping academic leaders with ideas and approaches that can be applied within their own institutions.
Understanding the Policy and Data Landscape
The conference opened with a British Academy Policy and Data Overview, providing an important context for the discussions that followed.
Almendra Guzman Rivas, Policy and Data Analyst in Higher Education & Research Policy, and Ruairi Cullen, SHAPE Observatory Lead, from the British Academy, shared insights into the policy and data landscape affecting higher education and the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The session provided delegates with an opportunity to consider the wider environment in which universities are developing their strategies and making decisions about the future of their provision. Understanding the latest evidence and policy developments is increasingly important for academic leaders as they seek to make informed decisions and respond to change.
Devising and Implementing Policy and Strategy
The conference then moved from the wider sector landscape to the practical realities of developing and implementing strategy.
Dr Paul Geatrix, Director of Higher Education Consultancy at Shakespeare Martineau, led a case study and workshop exploring devising and implementing policy and strategy. The interactive session gave delegates an opportunity to consider how strategy and policy can move from development into effective implementation, using practical examples and discussion to explore the challenges involved.
The focus on implementation was particularly valuable, recognising that successful strategy is not simply about establishing a vision or creating a policy document. Effective implementation requires leadership, engagement and the ability to translate strategic priorities into meaningful action across an institution.
Developing High-Performing Leadership
The afternoon focused on another essential element of successful strategy: leadership.
Dr Amanda Maclean of Work Behaviour delivered a Higher Education Institution Leadership Training session, exploring leadership development within a HEI context and its relationship with performance outcomes.
The session considered how institutions can develop high-performing leadership teams by bringing together senior colleagues with diverse skills and experience capable of operating at a strategic level. Delegates were also encouraged to consider their current Faculty or School performance, identifying areas where their teams are already performing strongly and exploring how these strengths could be developed further.
The session’s “Good to Great” focus provided an opportunity for leaders to reflect on what their areas are already doing well and, importantly, how they can drive further improvement and high performance.
Bringing Strategy, Policy and Leadership Together
Throughout the conference, a clear theme emerged: effective higher education strategy requires more than responding to external pressures. It requires strong leadership, an understanding of the evidence and policy environment, and the ability to turn strategic thinking into practical action.
The combination of sector insight from the British Academy, practical experience of policy and strategy development, and leadership training provided delegates with different perspectives on the challenges facing higher education leaders today.
The conference also provided an important opportunity for DASSH members to network, share experiences and learn from colleagues working across different institutions and disciplines. Alongside the programme, delegates took part in the DASSH AGM and had opportunities to continue conversations informally throughout the day.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 DASSH-UK Conference reinforced the importance of collaborative leadership at a time of continued change across the higher education sector.
For senior leaders across Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, the ability to understand the wider policy environment, develop effective institutional strategies and build high-performing teams will remain essential. By bringing colleagues together to share expertise, practical experience and ideas, DASSH-UK continues to provide a valuable forum for supporting academic leaders and strengthening the collective voice of the disciplines.
The conference closed with remarks from Professor Sian Rees, Chair of DASSH-UK, bringing the day’s discussions to a close and providing an opportunity to reflect on the conversations and learning shared throughout the event.
As the higher education environment continues to evolve, DASSH-UK looks forward to continuing these conversations and supporting its members in devising and implementing strategies that respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities ahead.