Data Matters
Turning data into decisive advantage
Our three themes will help you explore how to use data practically as a core capability, moving beyond fragmented reporting towards integrated, organisation-wide intelligence.
- Shaping fundamental strategic decisions: how advanced analytics, dashboards and curated data services can provide clear, actionable insight, allowing more confident and transparent decision making
- Navigating uncertainty with insight: how you can use data and tools to predict change, act with confidence and stay ahead in uncertain environments
- Effective data use through culture, skills and trust: from leadership behaviours to practical tools and training, examine how to ensure that data is not just available, but effective
What to expect
At our 2027 event you'll benefit from:
- High-level topics and themes aimed at leaders and senior managers looking for the latest thinking and direction in data and strategy
- Products and services focused on executive decision makers and strategists
- Exceptional panels, talks and sessions bringing together thought leadership and access to colleagues facing similar challenges in a fast-paced evolving economy
- Opportunities to network and connect with colleagues across higher and further education
Programme preview
Get a taste of some of the sessions you can catch at Data Matters 2027. The full programme and timings will be announced soon.
Keynote panel: turning insight into opportunity
This panel session explores how providers can use data to shape student success, skills and economic growth. It will explore how we can move beyond understanding what has happened and towards shaping what happens next, while adapting to a more devolved landscape and its implications for planning, performance and local impact.
Speakers:
- David Hughes CBE, chief executive, Association of Colleges
- Rachel Hewitt, chief executive officer, MillionPlus
- Alex Proudfoot, chief executive officer, Independent Higher Education
This panel session explores how providers can use data to shape student success, skills and economic growth. It will explore how we can move beyond understanding what has happened and towards shaping what happens next, while adapting to a more devolved landscape and its implications for planning, performance and local impact.
Speakers:
- David Hughes CBE, chief executive, Association of Colleges
- Rachel Hewitt, chief executive officer, MillionPlus
- Alex Proudfoot, chief executive officer, Independent Higher Education
Beyond dashboards: AI, student insight and the next generation of learning analytics
This session will examine how we are evolving both our learning analytics code of practice and our future product roadmap to support responsible AI adoption. Drawing on emerging work around AI-powered student insight, we'll explore what institutions should do now to prepare for the next generation of learning analytics.
Speaker: Tom Moule, senior AI specialist, Jisc
This session will examine how we are evolving both our learning analytics code of practice and our future product roadmap to support responsible AI adoption. Drawing on emerging work around AI-powered student insight, we'll explore what institutions should do now to prepare for the next generation of learning analytics.
Speaker: Tom Moule, senior AI specialist, Jisc
Workshop: how mature is your data?
This interactive sector benchmarking workshop introduces the key principles of data maturity, explores how maturity is measured, and invites delegates to participate in a live assessment.
Speakers:
- Felicity Bingham, senior consultant - BI, Jisc
- Andy Simm, data manager, Jisc
This interactive sector benchmarking workshop introduces the key principles of data maturity, explores how maturity is measured, and invites delegates to participate in a live assessment.
Speakers:
- Felicity Bingham, senior consultant - BI, Jisc
- Andy Simm, data manager, Jisc
From annual snapshot to in year insight: what will need to change
How confident are you that the data sitting in your systems today would stand up to more frequent scrutiny?
Speaker: Sharon Newton, programme director, Jisc
How confident are you that the data sitting in your systems today would stand up to more frequent scrutiny?
Speaker: Sharon Newton, programme director, Jisc
Book your ticket for Data Matters 2027
Join us on 13 January 2027 at The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
Ticket prices and booking information
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
- Customer and member in-person: £175
- Non-member in-person: £400
When booking, please read the delegate terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy.
If you have any queries about the event, please email data.matters@jisc.ac.uk.
We will have a film crew and photographers at Data Matters 2027. Should you wish to be excluded, please inform the film crew directly. Please note, we are unable to take individual delegates out of group shots.
Who should attend?
We're welcoming strategic data leads from tertiary education and research.
Attend our event if you are a:
- Chief data officer
- Chief information officer (CIO)
- Chief operating officer (COO)
- Deputy VC/Pro VC
- Vice principal
- Academic registrar
- Directors and heads of: planning and strategy, programme and performance, student experience, student engagement, graduate and careers services
Data Matters 2026 in numbers
“There are so many interesting, clever people working on the same sort of stuff as me... connecting with them is very powerful”
Data Matters 2026 delegate