Available to Advance HE Members only
The Educational Excellence Change Academy is a structured six-month programme designed to help institutional teams lead systemic educational transformation. This programme is available at no cost to all Advance HE member institutions.
Through a blend of launch and thematic workshops, challenge labs, reflective practice and a final showcase event, teams will explore:
- Redesigning curriculum to align with workforce needs and address inequities
- Reimagining pedagogy to be inclusive, digital and engaging
- Enhancing student support models to strengthen belonging, wellbeing and retention
Delivered virtually across three global cohorts, the Academy provides access to curated tools, resources, and Advance HE’s Student Success Frameworks, alongside opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
By the end of the programme, teams will have piloted or implemented change initiatives, built leadership capability, and shared outcomes at a summative event. Institutions can also choose to access tailored consultancy support to extend the impact of their participation.
Why your institution needs this now
Rising costs and changing funding models demand institutions diversify income streams and improve efficiency.
Clearer requirements to improve retention rates and student outcomes for financial sustainability and reputation.
Post-pandemic education requires new models combining traditional practices with rapid technology adoption.
New technologies are challenging and require rapid adaptation.
Greater focus on league tables, rankings, and reputation in an increasingly competitive landscape.
About the Programme
Transform Your Institution
- Curriculum Redesign – Align programmes with workforce needs while addressing equity gaps and improving graduate outcomes
- Inclusive Pedagogy – Reimagine teaching approaches to be digitally enhanced, engaging, and accessible to diverse learners
- Student Support Enhancement – Develop comprehensive support models that drive belonging, wellbeing and retention
- Leadership Development – Strengthen capability and relational resilience to lead sustainable institutional change
- Cross-Institutional Learning – Collaborate with peers facing identical challenges across multiple institutions and contexts
- Measurable Outcomes – Implement changes that deliver clear ROI through improved metrics and enhanced reputation
6 Months Duration
Structured programme with measurable milestones
3 Global Cohorts
Timed for Eastern and Western hemispheres
4 Team Members per Institutions
Cross-functional teams, ideally from academic and professional services roles
6 Virtual Sessions
6 Virtual Sessions
Ready to lead change?
Join senior academic leaders from across the sector in this transformative academy. Build the capability to drive sustainable change while collaborating with peers who understand your challenges.
Applications were assessed against the following criteria
- Clarity and significance of project focus: Is it a meaningful, systemic change initiative?
- Team composition: Is the team cross-disciplinary, with the potential for diverse perspectives?
- Strategic alignment: How does the project advance the relevant aspect of institutional strategy.
- Commitment and sponsorship: Is there clear evidence of senior leadership buy-in and practical support for the team?
- Potential impact and scalability: Will the project outcomes have relevance for wider institutional or sector learning?
Key Programme Elements
3 Cohorts
Starting from 25 November 2025 (Cohort 1 – Applications closed. Started on 25 November 2025) and Cohort 2 started on 14 January 2026)
Challenge Labs
Associate-led sessions with structured feedback in small groups
Launch Workshop
Introduction, relationship building and thematic overview
Summative Showcase
Virtual celebration and presentation of outcomes for all cohorts, 9 July 2026
Lead Associate
Professor Roger Dalrymple
Professor of Education and Head of the DMU Education Academy, De Montfort University
Professor Roger Dalrymple is also Senior Research Fellow in Education at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford and a Visiting. Professor in Education at Oxford Brookes University. He has led change projects in portfolio transformation and inclusive curriculum development in both pre and post-1992 universities.
Speakers
Dr. Bairbre Fleming
Director of UCD Access and Lifelong Learning, University College Dublin
Dr. Bairbre Fleming focuses on creating equitable opportunities for underrepresented students and champions inclusive, whole-institution approaches through Universal Design.
Professor Gavin Bunting
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Skills and Employability, Swansea University
Gavin provides strategic leadership for employability across the institution, ensuring sector-leading approaches to skills development, placements and career readiness.
Professor Iwi Ugiagbe-Green
Professor of Equity in Education, Manchester Metropolitan University
Iwi is a Professor of Equity in Education and a National Teaching Fellow (2025). She is an inter-disciplinary academic activist whose work is centred in equity and social justice and as such is aligned with SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).
Professor Deborah Johnston
Professor of Development Economics and is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Framework), London South Bank University
Deborah Johnston MBE is a Professor of Development Economics and is Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic Framework) at London South Bank University with overall responsibility for the portfolio, standards, and success at LSBU Group.
Dr Gurnam Singh
Associate Professor (Hon.) of Sociology, University of Warwick
Dr Gurnam Singh, PhD, NTF, FRSA. Dr. Gurnam Singh is a highly accomplished activist researcher, writer, and broadcast journalist with 35 years of experience in Higher Education (HE).
Dr Dave S.P. Thomas (SFHEA)
Associate Professor for Inclusive Curriculum, Southampton Solent University
Dr. Dave S.P. Thomas is a senior strategic leader in higher education whose work advances cultural sensitivity and ethical data-driven inclusion through partnership with AI.
Professor Osama Khan
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Aston University
Professor Osama Khan has over 27 years of experience in higher education. He leads Aston’s academic strategy, driving inclusive, research-informed, and digitally enhanced education aligned with the University 2030 vision.
Professor Jane McNeil
Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, Nottingham Trent University
Professor Jane McNeil oversees student access, experience, and outcomes. She is a Trustee of TASO, Governor at Derby College Group, and works with Nottingham education leaders to improve attendance and attainment.
Jo Midgley
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Registrar, University of the West of England
Jo leads UWE Professional Services and sponsors major change programmes, including the Student Information System and University Transformation Programme. She has expertise in strategy, leadership, international recruitment, widening participation, operations, and student experience.
Allie Scott
Co-chair of the MWBHE Expert Group, Chair-elect of HUCS (Heads of University Counselling Services) and Mental Health and Counselling Manager, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Allie Scott is the Mental Health & Counselling Manager for UHI, where she coordinates student counselling and mental health provision across one of the most geographically distributed university partnerships in the UK.
Leaders in Teaching and Learning are under constant pressure to improve student outcomes while balancing financial and strategic demands. The Change Academy provides a structured pathway to lead systemic educational transformation that sticks, focussing on three core strands; curriculum, pedagogy, and student support.
Stuart Norton, Head of Education Excellence, Advance HE
This isn’t just professional development, it’s a strategic investment in institutional resilience, equity, and long-term institutional standing
