Data Matters 2026 programme – what to expect

A look ahead at some sessions confirmed for Data Matters 2026.

Confirmed sessions

We are still finalising details for our programme this year, but here's a taster of what to expect. We'll celebrate best practice, offer key insights and practical takeaways, all delivered by inspiring thought leaders, industry experts and speakers.

From strategy to impact: delivering shared value with university and college data

How is our sector building data foundations and capabilities to find a way through financial and operational pressures, and what are we doing to enable that?

Speakers:

  • Phil Richards, chief technology officer - data, Jisc
  • Rob Phillpotts, chief data officer, Jisc

We will focus on how we can work purposefully together to prepare for in-year data collection and opportunities for further sustainable shared services, taking a lead from the Universities UK Transformation and Efficiency Taskforce.

Proving impact, reducing cost: HEAT’s shared approach to access and participation evaluation

Discover how Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) supports cost-effective, data-led evaluation of equality initiatives through national tracking, policy-aligned research, and its role in shaping sector-wide evaluation infrastructure.

Speaker: Anna Anthony, director, HEAT

Anna will introduce HEAT as a cost-effective, sector-wide system aligned with national policy. She’ll outline its data tracking work with Jisc, showing how it supports consistent, long-term impact measurement. She will also share future plans, including collaboration with TASO to deliver the Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL) and support regional partnership evaluation infrastructure.

What on earth is going on? Trying to make sense of the graduate jobs market

Looking at the current state of graduate employment in the UK: what the sector can do, what the data says and how Jisc can help.

Speaker: Charlie Ball, head of labour market intelligence, Jisc

There are all sorts of stories and beliefs circulating about universities and graduate employment. Join labour market expert Charlie as he explains what we do (and don't) know, how to find the best data and evidence to cut through the noise, and get the real, unsentimental, pragmatic view of the state of current and future graduate demand.

Transforming the pre-arrival experience

How the first national pre-arrival academic questionnaire can shape and influence national policy, institutional practice and the student experience.

Speakers:

  • Michelle Morgan, dean of students, University of East London
  • Jonathan Neves, head of research & surveys, Advance HE

An overview of the Office for Students-funded national project being delivered by UEL/AdvanceHE and Jisc looking at the primary concerns of students, their experience of learning styles and technology use, and their study engagement challenges. We will discuss the origins of the work, the process of establishing the first pilot, participation so far, and the first public discussion on selected headline results.

Changes to the HESA data landscape in the coming year(s)

Exploring the evolving landscape of HESA data and what it means for higher education providers.

Speakers:

  • Alison Berry, director of HESA statutory operations, Jisc
  • Alice Redfearn, director - data collections products, Jisc

With changes to statutory reporting requirements on the horizon, we’ll highlight what’s coming, why it matters, and how institutions can prepare. Whether you're shaping strategy or managing compliance, you'll gain insights to help you stay ahead and respond confidently to new demands.

Beyond the sector: applying cross-industry learnings to HE and FE governance for institutional sustainability

Drawing on insights from corporate, public, and charity governance, the session will highlight how data-informed decision-making can support long-term institutional resilience.

Speaker panel to be confirmed.

In a time of transformation across the tertiary education sector, we'll explore how governance bodies in HE and FE can strengthen strategic oversight by learning from sustainability-focused practices in other industries. The discussion will focus on:

  • What sustainable governance looks like across sectors
  • How boards can use data to anticipate risks and drive strategic planning
  • Tools and practices that support evidence-based decision-making
  • Opportunities for sector-wide collaboration to enhance institutional sustainability