There’s just under two weeks left to submit your proposal to speak at UVAC’s National Conference: Reimagining HE and Skills: Policy, Place, Innovation and Growth.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 31 July 2026, so now is the time to share your expertise, showcase innovative practice and contribute to the national conversation on the future of higher education and skills.

UVAC’s flagship conference brings together leaders, practitioners, employers and providers from across the sector to network and explore one of the most pressing questions facing higher education and skills: how do we reimagine higher education and skills amid rapid policy change and growing opportunity?

Whether you’re leading institutional change, working with employers, delivering innovative provision or conducting research, we are looking for proposals that move beyond diagnosis and into action.

We’re looking for contributions from across the sector

We are seeking proposals for workshop and presentation sessions that explore what is working, what could change and what the future looks like for post-18 skills.

We particularly welcome contributions from a diverse range of voices, whether you are:

• Leading institutional transformation
• Employing a skilled workforce
• Delivering higher skills provision on the ground
• Conducting cutting-edge research
• Developing commercial or professional solutions to address sector challenges

We are especially interested in practical, evidence-based approaches that demonstrate how institutions, employers and providers are responding to the current policy environment. Contributions may draw on research, practice, policy analysis or direct delivery experience.

We welcome proposals aligned to the conference theme, including:

• Institutional responses to the withdrawal of some Level 6 and 7 apprenticeship funding: what providers are doing now
• Alternative funding and delivery models: fee-funded, modular, employer co-investment and blended approaches
• Curriculum innovation: designing provision that meets emerging sector and labour market needs
• The Lifelong Learning Entitlement: early thinking, institutional planning and employer engagement
• Higher Technical Qualifications in practice: employer engagement, quality, take-up and lessons learned
• Skills England and local growth plans: implications for HE and FE providers
• Place-based approaches: how combined authorities and devolved bodies are shaping skills provision
• Research and evidence: measuring economic and social return from higher technical provision
• Employer voice: what businesses need from higher education and skills providers right now
• Supporting underrepresented groups: mature learners, career changers and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
• Progression pathways: from T Levels and HTQs through to degree-level work-based learning
• Professional solutions: how systems and professional solutions providers are supporting employers and providers to respond to challenges

Session Types

Contributors are invited to propose either:

• Interactive workshops (50 minutes), where at least half of the session involves active participation from delegates.
• Presentations (25 minutes) offering a focused exploration of a specific project, challenge or opportunity.

Review and Selection

All submissions will be reviewed by the UVAC Conference Programme Committee. Applicants will be notified of the outcome during the week commencing 10 August 2026.

How to Submit

Download the full Call for Contributions and Guide to Submissions for further information.

Please send your expression of interest by email to [email protected] using the subject line:

Call for Contributions UVAC National Conference 2026

Or, if you prefer you can book an informal chat with UVAC Associate Sarah Ray, who is leading on our programme development, to discuss your proposal at [email protected]

Deadline: Friday 31 July 2026.

We look forward to receiving innovative proposals from across the higher education and skills sector.