For all of us working in education, we appreciate the more we learn, the more ignorant we are. The more we understand about equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, the more we realise we need to listen, to learn, and to act - with integrity and intention. Whether you’re worried about what language to use, doing the wrong thing and causing upset, unsure about intersectionality, questioning how inclusive your work and practices are, all the way through to being a confident EDIB ally, utilising your diverse networks of students, staff, alumni, friends and partners, Ben will unpack what we mean by EDIB, provide an honest and open insight into his past, the journey he’s been on individually and collectively, learning immense amounts from diverse individuals, groups and communities. Through them, and their patience, generosity of spirit, and mentorship, Ben is learning how he can be a better person within advancement and wider education circles to be an advocate, ally and leader of EDIB change. He will pose some challenging questions for us, whilst providing inspiring examples of best practice across education, and will welcome dialogue and contribution from delegates during this session.
“For me, complacency quite simply isn’t an option – there is so much we need to do to make our profession and institutions more equitable, diverse, inclusive and where a sense of belonging is accessible to all. Every day we need to think, ‘what can I do?’ We need to listen to individuals who’ve had different paths, who look or sound different to us, get us out of our comfort zone, and challenge our thinking and address our unconscious bias. We are all on this journey together – the more we listen and learn, and act together, we can take those leaps that not only deliver equitable and inclusive change, but inspire others to follow our collective example.”
Ben Plummer-Powell, Head of PAGE & Campaign Director, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
10:45 – 11:15
Break
11:15 – 12:00
Track Kickoff Sessions
People Performance & Planning
Shaping the World from Our Kitchens and Bedrooms: Launching a Campaign in a Pandemic
Chris Kendrick, Deputy Director of Alumni & Supporter Engagement at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
12:15 – 13:00
Breakout Session 1
People Performance & Planning Track
Hybrid Working: Big Picture Pilot at University of Manchester
Gemma Dale, Wellbeing and Engagement Manager, University of Manchester
Technology & Data Track
Increasing Connections With Diverse Audiences
How inclusive are your alumni activities? Do they reflect the diversity of your alumni and student communities and succeed in holding up positive role models who can inspire and encourage others - particularly those from marginalised groups? These were the questions we set out to answer in our own review of alumni relations activities at Bournemouth University in early 2020. Prompted by the Black Lives Matter campaign and a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in all its forms, we analysed our communications, campaigns and volunteering and set out to make positive changes. Join this session to hear about our journey to deliver a more inclusive alumni relations service, including practical tips and insights into lessons learnt along the way.
Jonathan Goode, Head of Alumni Relations, University of Bournemouth
Prospect Management and Insight Track
Implementing Insight at the University of Glasgow (or How an Old-timer Learned New Tricks)
In early 2021, after almost 20 years managing the alumni and supporter database at the University of Glasgow, I moved to a new role as Insight and Reporting Analyst. This dedicated insight role was new for both Development and Alumni at UofG and for me, and it all took place in the middle of our World-Changing Glasgow Campaign and the pandemic.
Since taking the role on, I've learned a lot about how an insight function works. This session will be an honest and practical look at some of the challenges and opportunities of starting out on a new insight and reporting journey in an established office, whether working out how to integrate the role with our existing functions, dealing with colleague expectations, juggling reporting platforms, or learning how best to present those fascinating findings (hint: embrace spoilers). Along the way, I'll also share what I've learned about changing to a new role after such a long, long time in my old job.
James Coleman, Insight and Reporting Analyst, University of Glasgow
Technology & Data Track
Increasing Connections With Diverse Audiences
How inclusive are your alumni activities? Do they reflect the diversity of your alumni and student communities and succeed in holding up positive role models who can inspire and encourage others - particularly those from marginalised groups? These were the questions we set out to answer in our own review of alumni relations activities at Bournemouth University in early 2020. Prompted by the Black Lives Matter campaign and a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in all its forms, we analysed our communications, campaigns and volunteering and set out to make positive changes. Join this session to hear about our journey to deliver a more inclusive alumni relations service, including practical tips and insights into lessons learnt along the way.
Jonathan Goode, Head of Alumni Relations, University of Bournemouth
Gift Admin & Donor Relations
Supporting International Fundraising
University of Exeter + University of Bristol
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 14:45
Breakout Session 2 - Roundtable sessions
15:00 – 15:45
Breakout Session 3
People Performance & Planning Track
Motivating Teams in a Hybrid World
We’ve all missed the connection that comes with sharing a workspace with team mates. We’re all dreading the loss of flexibility threatened by the call to return to the office.
Yet, it’s not really about flexibility: it’s actually about autonomy. It’s not true that connection requires presence: it’s really about intentionality. How should we be thinking about motivating, empowering and building connection and a sense belonging in a more flexible less predicative world? This practical session will get us thinking together about what comes next, sharing good practice and imagining new ways to lead our teams.
Steven Rabson Stark is the founder of ThenSomehow a consultancy that helps teams change behaviours and cultures. They make tools for the messy stuff - practical ways to make work better.
Steve Stark, Founder, Then Somehow
Prospect Management and Insight Track
Providing Insights for Fundraisers: From the Macro to the Micro
The ongoing data explosion has permanently changed the role of any researcher. At the same time, when a decades-old reputation hangs on 280 characters, knowing what’s out there that might put your organisation at risk is more important than ever. These relentless news cycles and ever-expanding global data sources can overwhelm fundraisers and researchers alike. The question is no longer ‘can you dig up everything you can?”, but ‘what do I NEED to know?’ Distilling genuine insight from the mass of information is a highly complex task. This panel discussion will explore how advances in AI, cloud computing, and Natural Language Processing can get to the heart of the matter, quickly. Enabling researchers to provide insight, not just information.
Anthony Duggan, Operations Director, ArrowHNW
Chris Green, Chief Commercial Officer, Xapien
Technology & Data Track
Dynamics for Fundraising and Alumni Engagement
Jenny Wills, Associate Director of Supporter Operations, King's College London
Gift Admin & Donor Relations Track
16:00 - 16:45
Breakout Session 4
People Performance & Planning Track
The Use of Business Intelligence
Chris Connew, Head of Advancement Planning & Performance, UCL
Prospect Management and Insight Track
Session TBC
Technology & Data Track
BBCRM/System review
Luke McGarrity, Head of Campaign Data & Insight, University of Birmingham
Gift Admin & Donor Relations Track
Session TBC
17:00 - 17:15
Day 1 Closing remarks
19:00
Conference Dinner – Manchester Central
08:30 – 09:15
Birds of a Feather Networking
09:15 – 10:00
Breakout Session 5
People Performance & Planning Track
Planning for a complex environment
The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the fact that we live in a rapidly changing world, yet Universities still produce 5-year strategic plans. Organisations are required to be agile and adaptable and make bold claims to be so - how does this need for agility reflect itself in the planning and review process. What are the considerations that must be taken into account in when planning in such a complex environment?
David O'Shea, Director Of Operations, Trinity College Dublin
Prospect Management and Insight Track
Fundraising in China – due diligence, prospect research, the culture of philanthropy in China
Natalie Burles, Senior Philanthropic Due Diligence Analyst, University of Cambridge
Technology & Data Track
UCL and building a framework to support AE
Chris Connew, Head of Planning and Performance, UCL
Rhiannon Williams, Advancement Business Partner, UCL
Gift Admin & Donor Relations Track
Session TBC
10:15 – 11:00
Breakout Session 6
People Performance & Planning Track
Building business case for investment
Sarah Howes, Associate Director of Development, University of Southampton
Prospect Management and Insight Track
Designing a best practice guide for prospect research: experiences and learnings from the Researchers in Fundraising Handbook
The Researchers in Fundraising Best Practice Guide and Handbook for Prospect Research is a new, one-of-a-kind, crowd-sourced resource created by prospect researchers for prospect researchers. For the first time in the UK, comprehensive information and guidance on the diverse range of skills, knowledge and behaviours required for successful prospect research will be bought together through a central online hub.
In this session the Chair of Researchers in Fundraising (RiF) will provide an overview of the Handbook’s objectives, the experience of curating the Handbook with an international team of volunteers, and RiF’s future plans for the project. The session will also spotlight selected content from the Handbook and will draw out some of the key learnings across prospect research best practice that it has provided so far.
Chris Davis, Prospect Research Manager at Birkbeck, University of London
Technology & Data Track
Requirements Gathering session (How to)
Gemma Walton, Head of Supporter Services, University of Bristol and Gemma Windle, Database Administrator, University of Bristol
Gift Admin & Donor Relations Track
Session TBC
11:00 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 12:15
Breakout Session 7
Facilitated Roundtables
12:15 – 13:15
Lunch
13:15 – 14:00
Break out session 8
People Performance & Planning Track
Recruiting and retaining talent
Maggie Pareti, Talent Acquisition Manager and Joanna Logan, Recruitment & Talent Adviser - Development & Alumni Relations, University of Cambridge
Alex Hyde-Parker, Fundraising Operations Consultant, the efficient fundraising collective
Paul Weighand, Fundraising data and systems consultant, the efficient fundraising collective
Gift Admin & Donor Relations Track
Session TBC
14:15 – 14:45
Unconference
14:45 – 15:30
Closing Plenary
15:30 – 15:45
Conference Close
Track Sessions
Implementing Insight at the University of Glasgow (or How an Old-timer Learned New Tricks)
In early 2021, after almost twenty years managing the alumni and supporter database at the University of Glasgow, I moved to a new role as Insight and Reporting Analyst. This dedicated insight role was new for both Development and Alumni at UofG and for me, and it all took place in the middle of our World-Changing Glasgow Campaign and the pandemic.
Since taking the role on, I've learned a lot about how an insight function works. This session will be an honest and practical look at some of the challenges and opportunities of starting out on a new insight and reporting journey in an established office, whether working out how to integrate the role with our existing functions, dealing with colleague expectations, juggling reporting platforms, or learning how best to present those fascinating findings (hint: embrace spoilers). Along the way, I'll also share what I've learned about changing to a new role after such a long, long time in my old job.
James Coleman, Insight and Reporting Analyst, University of Glasgow
Fundraising in China – Due Diligence, Prospect Research, the Culture of Philanthropy in China
Natalie Burles, Senior Philanthropic Due Diligence Analyst, University of Cambridge
Panel Discussion: Looking at Challenges and Solutions for Fundraising Research and Due Diligence in an Increasingly Data Rich World
Jessica Denny, Head of Comms and Partnerships, Xapien
Designing a Best Practice Guide for Prospect Research: Experiences and Learnings from the Researchers in Fundraising Handbook
The Researchers in Fundraising Best Practice Guide and Handbook for Prospect Research is a new, one-of-a-kind, crowd-sourced resource created by prospect researchers for prospect researchers. For the first time in the UK, comprehensive information and guidance on the diverse range of skills, knowledge and behaviours required for successful prospect research will be bought together through a central online hub.
In this session the Chair of Researchers in Fundraising (RiF) will provide an overview of the Handbook’s objectives, the experience of curating the Handbook with an international team of volunteers, and RiF’s future plans for the project. The session will also spotlight selected content from the Handbook and will draw out some of the key learnings across prospect research best practice that it has provided so far.
Chris Davis, Prospect Research Manager at Birkbeck, University of London
Providing Insights for Fundraisers: From the Macro to the Micro
The ongoing data explosion has permanently changed the role of any researcher. At the same time, when a decades-old reputation hangs on 280 characters, knowing what’s out there that might put your organisation at risk is more important than ever. These relentless news cycles and ever-expanding global data sources can overwhelm fundraisers and researchers alike. The question is no longer ‘can you dig up everything you can?”, but ‘what do I NEED to know?’ Distilling genuine insight from the mass of information is a highly complex task. This panel discussion will explore how advances in AI, cloud computing, and Natural Language Processing can get to the heart of the matter, quickly. Enabling researchers to provide insight, not just information.
Anthony Duggan, Operations Director, ArrowHNW
Chris Green, Chief Commercial Officer, Xapien
Increasing Connections With Diverse Audiences
How inclusive are your alumni activities? Do they reflect the diversity of your alumni and student communities and succeed in holding up positive role models who can inspire and encourage others - particularly those from marginalised groups? These were the questions we set out to answer in our own review of alumni relations activities at Bournemouth University in early 2020. Prompted by the Black Lives Matter campaign and a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in all its forms, we analysed our communications, campaigns and volunteering and set out to make positive changes. Join this session to hear about our journey to deliver a more inclusive alumni relations service, including practical tips and insights into lessons learnt along the way.
Jonathan Goode, Head of Alumni Relations, University of Bournemouth
Dynamics Implementation
Jenny Wills, Associate Director of Supporter Operations · King's College London
Building Business Case for Investment
Sarah Howes, University of Southampton
Shaping the World from Our Kitchens and Bedrooms: Launching a Campaign in a Candemic
Chris Kendrick, Deputy Director of Alumni & Supporter Engagement at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Hybrid Working - Pilot Completed at Manchester
Gemma Dale, Wellbeing and Engagement Manager,University of Manchester
The Use of Business Intelligence
Chris Connew, Head of Advancement Planning & Performance, UCL
Planning for a Complex Environment
The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the fact that we live in a rapidly changing world, yet Universities still produce 5 year strategic plans. Organisations are required to be agile and adaptable and make bold claims to be so - how does this need for agility reflect itself in the planning and review process. What are the considerations that must be taken into account in when planning in such a complex environment?
David O'Shea, Director Of Operations, Trinity College Dublin
Recruiting and Retaining Talent
Maggie Pareti, Talent Acquisition Manager and Joanna Logan, Recruitment & Talent Adviser - Development & Alumni Relations, University of Cambridge
Motivating Teams in a Hybrid World
We’ve all missed the connection that comes with sharing a workspace with team mates. We’re all dreading the loss of flexibility threatened by the call to return to the office.
Yet, it’s not really about flexibility: it’s actually about autonomy. It’s not true that connection requires presence: it’s really about intentionality. How should we be thinking about motivating, empowering and building connection and a sense belonging in a more flexible less predicative world? This practical session will get us thinking together about what comes next, sharing good practice and imagining new ways to lead our teams.
Steven Rabson Stark is the founder of ThenSomehow a consultancy that helps teams change behaviours and cultures. They make tools for the messy stuff - practical ways to make work better.
