Get in touch with the AUDE team for any queries relating to the conference: info@aude.ac.uk.
The most enormous thank you to all involved in delivering AUDE26 from 20 - 23 April 2026 at the University of Leeds. We celebrated and explored the themes of Industrious and Wise; incorporating the city's owl symbol- the bird long an indicator of wisdom.
The plenary and workshop sessions emphasised the need to reimagine university campuses as flexible, holistic and people‑centred systems rather than static estates. Planning for uncertainty, using iterative masterplan frameworks, changing how space is used (not just rebuilt), and embedding joy, wellbeing and inclusivity were recurring themes. AI offers significant potential to optimise space, maintenance, capital planning and sustainability, but speakers were clear that progress depends on good data, thoughtful governance and effective change management; technology alone is not the solution.
Set against this is a challenging economic backdrop for UK HE, with rising costs, largely fixed expenditure and falling overseas student numbers driving financial pressure. Growth opportunities lie in renewing ageing infrastructure, improving productivity, and strengthening links between research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Universities were repeatedly positioned as anchor institutions: rooted in place, economically influential, and most effective when working in deep partnership with local authorities, health partners, industry and communities. Equity and responsibility cut across all discussions, from addressing gender data gaps to ensuring AI and estates decisions serve diverse users and deliver long‑term public value.
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