Engage Summit 2026 Draft Programme
We're looking forward to welcoming you to Birmingham on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 April 2026 for the Engage Summit.
This page lists the draft programme where you can find out about the inspiring content on offer! Further content will be added in the coming months, so keep an eye on this page for updates.
Delegate registrations open in mid-January 2026.
Welcome to the Engage Summit
We’re excited to welcome you to this year’s Engage Summit - a space for people who care about the future of universities and their role in society. Building on a year of dialogue through our Engaged Futures programme, the Summit offers an opportunity to connect, reflect, and explore how we can shape an inclusive, sustainable sector amid profound challenges and change. Together, we’ll share bold ideas, learn from inspiring practice, and consider practical steps to turn vision into action.
Scroll down to browse some of the inspiring content we have on offer!
Programme Overview
Wednesday 29th April 2026
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 | Plenary 1 |
| 11:15 | Break |
| 11:45 | Exhibition Parallel Sessions |
| 12:45 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Workshop Parallel Sessions |
| 15:00 | Break |
| 15:30 | Plenary 2 |
| 16:45 | Coffee networking |
| 17:30 | End |
Thursday 30th April 2026
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 09:00 | Registration |
| 10:00 | Plenary 3 |
| 11:15 | Break |
| 11:45 | Workshop Parallel Sessions |
| 12:45 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Exhibition Parallel Sessions |
| 15:00 | Break |
| 15:30 | Plenary 4 |
| 16:30 | End |
Plenaries
Our plenaries will take you on a journey through Engaged Futures, which will confront the current financial climate; consider the impact of recent policies on the sector; and invite us to consider how to align positive action for change.
Full of practical ideas, and insights from our contributors, our plenaries will invite you to consider what each of us can do to bring about new futures for HE.
Exhibition Sessions
Encounters
Part of the 'Exhibition Parallel Sessions', Encounters are an opportunity to experience real-life examples of engagement work in action in a hands-on, interactive activity or demonstration.
Lightning Talks
Part of the 'Exhibition Parallel Session', lightning talks are short and sharp, providing a 5-minute snapshot into the speaker's work.
Posters
Part of the 'Exhibition Parallel Session', posters bring practice to life in a visually engaging way. Drop in and out of the showcase area to ask questions, share practice and delve deeper. Below is a snapshot of the poster content on offer!
Small Group Discussions
Part of the 'Exhibition Parallel Session', these small group discussions allow you to get to grips with a challenge or topic and hear diverse perspectives from your peers.
Workshop Sessions
Summit workshops explore the practice, principles or prospects of public engagement, delivered with a focus on interactivity and participation.
Emotional Touchpoints: Dealing with emotionally challenging situations in public engagement practice