HEPI fringe events at the 2026 Conservative Party Conference

Overview

Join HEPI on Monday 5 October 2026 at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. This year, HEPI is hosting two fringe events and you are cordially invited to attend any of these, or all of them.

Please register your expression of interest if you wish to attend our fringe events (see link below).

The seminars will take place outside of the secure zone, so no conference pass is necessary.

Event 1

9.30am -10.30am – ‘Soft power in a hardening world: is the UK making the most of its global educational assets?‘, kindly supported by Cambridge University Press & Assessment and The University of Manchester.

The UK has world-leading universities, research, science, culture and the English language. But in a more contested world, influence is no longer something the UK can take for granted. How can government, universities and cultural institutions turn these assets into stronger international partnerships, economic growth and national resilience? What role should English language and education play in the UK’s global offer? And can a Soft Power Strategy move the UK from ambition to delivery?

With support from Cambridge University Press & Assessment and The University of Manchester, this panel will examine how the UK can use soft power more strategically in a hardening geopolitical environment.

Speakers

• 

  The Rt Hon Lord David Willetts

  Member of the House of Lords and President of the Resolution Foundation

• 

  Professor Duncan Ivison

  President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester

• 

  Jamie Arrowsmith

  Director, Universities UK International (UUKi) 

• 

  Dr Ángel Gurria-Quintana

  Director of Stakeholder Relations, Cambridge University Press & Assessment

• 

  Charlotte Armstrong (Chair)

  Policy Manager, HEPI

Partners

Event 2

11am-12pm – Higher Education Question Time, kindly supported by  Royal Holloway, University of London, Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham.

Speakers

• 

  Baroness Joanne Cash

  Shadow Minister for Education and Women and Equalities, Member of the House of Lords

• 

  Professor Julie Sanders

  Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Royal Holloway, University of London

• 

  Professor David Mba

  Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University

• 

  Professor Nick Vaughan-Williams

  Provost and Vice-Principal, University of Birmingham

• 

  Nick Hillman OBE (Chair)

  Chief Executive, HEPI

Partners

In common with other Party Conference fringe events, places will be available on a first-come, first served basis. 

Register your interest here: Expressions of Interest Form for the HEPI Fringe Events at the 2026 Party Conferences – Fill in form