The AUDE Annual Conference inspires and encourages members to consider the topical and critical issues that face our sector and the wider world. Our conference also provides unrivalled opportunities for networking, sharing knowledge and expertise, hearing from sector leaders and joining in lively, challenging but overall convivial discussions and debates. The theme of the 2024 conference was A Message From The Ice!
Please click to expand each session below to find out more about them. This page will be updated regularly.
This bus tour is open to pre-booked AUDE members and international guests only. Further details have been sent to booked attendees.
INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle
INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle
Welcome Drinks and Dinner kindly supported by Ryder Architecture
Gino's INNSiDE by Meliá Newcastle
Food and drinks available
Sports Central, Student's Union
Domain, Students' Union
Speakers: Philippa Thomas, Conference Host and Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Northumbria University
Domain, Students' Union
Andrew uses satellites to study the physical processes of Earth's climate, with his main contributions to science involving the development of remote observations of the cryosphere. He is currently Professor of Earth Observation at the University of Leeds, Director of the NERC Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, Principal Scientific Advisor to the European Space Agency CryoSat satellite mission, and co-leader of the ESA-NASA Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise. His talk will explain how Earth’s climate is changing, the role that satellites have played in detecting changes in the cryosphere and in improving predictions, and how this helps us to make informed decisions.
Speaker: Professor Andrew Shepherd, Head of Department, Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University
Domain, Students' Union
Chill and Charge Area and Refreshments kindly supported by AssetWorks
Sports Central, Student's Union
The issue of space utilisation and planning and use is a live topic with many universities and has been for many years. This situation has been further influenced by the challenges of a post-pandemic world, and the desire to blend in-person and virtual solutions. This session will present the recent work that pharmaceutical leaders GlaxoSmithKline have carried out in the field of workplace space utilisation, and the lessons that HEI's can learn from GSK. There will also be discussions on the recent work that AtkinsRéalis has developed in this area, building on the research carried out for AUDE, which enables universities to be much more analytical about their space proposals.
Speakers: Marcus Lyon, Director, UK & Europe Education Sector Lead, Project & Programme Services, AtkinsRéalis; Helen Groves, Architect Director, UK & Europe Education Lead, Building Design, AtkinsRéalis; Chris Higgins, Senior Programme Director, Worldwide Real Estate & Facilities, GlaxoSmithKline [GSK]; Alex Lawlor, Corporate Real Estate Sector Lead, AtkinsRéalis; Ellie Caley, Senior Workplace & Wellbeing Consultant, ART Health Solutions
Domain, Students' Union
An insightful journey delving into the pressing challenges posed by a significant shortfall in support services, amplifying as the expectations of our paying customers (students) rise, and the local skilled workforce diminishes. Our primary motivation stems from the realisation that vital skills are not being transmitted to the next generation, and young individuals are overlooking skilled labour as a viable career path. This session unveils proposed actionable solutions for AUDE and the broader network of HE establishments, advocating for the development of essential skills crucial for sustaining our institutions. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration, challenging mindsets on legacy planning and operational finance, culminating in a suggested way forward that promises benefits beyond individual Estates or HE establishments, filling a crucial gap in the local area and fostering a mindset with an appreciation for manual skills.
Speakers: Debbie Smith, Capital Projects Manager, University of Nottingham; Chris Willis, Head of Asset Management, Anglia Ruskin University; Aga Wegiel, Infrastructure and Facilities Officer, University of Liverpool; Gordon McLeod, Project Manager (Campus Redevelopment), University of Glasgow; Nare Mokobane, Operations Manager, Cleaning and Hygiene, University of the Witwatersand; Philip Dalgleish, Estates Building Manager, University of York
Room 002, Library
This workshop will share emerging findings from the long-term collaborative research between Association of University Directors of Estates, University Design Forum and Willmott Dixon. In the context of the climate emergency, every part of the university estate needs to positively contribute towards wellbeing, improving student experience, student outcomes and the broader picture of regenerative design. The research with the Social Learning Commons Guide (SLC Guide) as output focuses on social and informal learning spaces, getting real world feedback on actual examples to inform the creation, design and management as the sector lacks clear guidance for the improvement of those spaces.
Speakers: Rupert Cook RIBA, Certified Passivhaus Designer, Partner of Miltiadou Cook Mitzman architects; Cora Kwiatkowski, Co-chair of University Design Forum's (UDF) Research Group & Stride Treglown's National Sector Lead for Higher Education; Fiona Duggan, Founding Director of FiD; Dr Hiral Patel, Director of Engagement, Welsh School of Architecture; Seán Woulfe, University Design Forum (UDF), Architects Registration Board (ARB) and member of RIBA; Jane Harrison-White, Executive Director, AUDE
Corry, Sports Central
Chill and Charge Area and Lunch kindly supported by AssetWorks
Sports Central, Student's Union
During this keynote session Matthew Griffin, recent UN COP28 keynote and CEO and Founder of the 311 Institute a futures and deep futures advisory looking up to 50 years out, will share insights into the latest construction, energy, and materials Net Zero innovations and trends, explore new investment and funding models to accelerate the adoption and deployment of these technologies, and discuss the important role that culture and mindset plays when seeking support for capital intensive projects.
Speaker: Matthew Griffin, 13x Author, Futurist & Special Advisor, Founder @311 Institute
Domain, Students' Union
Chill and Charge Area and Refreshments kindly supported by AssetWorks
Sports Central, Student's Union
Domain, Students' Union
The Boiler Shop, Newcastle
Food and drinks available
Sports Central
Domain, Students' Union
A look back at Roger's last forecast,what did he get wrong? A look at current global macroeconomic data and what to expect over the next 18 months. The four issues unique to the UK and the implications for growth. UK demographics: why we need students from overseas? Why house prices will not collapse?
Speaker: Roger Martin-Fagg, Behavioural Economist, Martin-Fagg Associates Ltd
Domain, Students' Union
Chill and Charge Area and Refreshments kindly supported by AssetWorks
Sports Central, Student's Union
Get answers to your economic questions.
Speaker: Roger Martin-Fagg, Behavioural Economist, Martin-Fagg Associates Ltd
Corry, Sports Central
Speakers: Simon Mason, Partner, Ridge and Partners LLP; Phil Kelly, Partner & Subject Matter Expert on Sustainability/NZC, Ridge and Partners LLP; Leonard Poon, Partner, Cost Management, Ridge and Partners LLP
Facilitator: Philippa Thomas, Conference Host
Domain, Students' Union
In this session our international delegates will delve into the transformative journey of university estates and facilities management professionals over the last four years, marked significantly by the pandemic. Kabelo and Jo-Ann will share their experiences and perspectives on how their universities have been reshaped, addressing the challenges and opportunities that emerged during this period. The speakers will also focus on the pressing matter of sustainability and their universities’ commitments to achieving these goals.
Speakers: Kabelo Mocwane, Secretary, Higher Education Facility Management Association (HEFMA) & Deputy Director: Operations, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Jo-Ann Riley, Vice President, Tertiary Education Facilities Management Association (TEFMA) & Director, Property Services and Information Management, Deakin University, Australia
Facilitator: Syd Cottle, Director of Estates Management, University of Liverpool and AUDE Chair Elect
Room 002, Library
Nangak Tamboree is pronounced “nan-ynack tam-bor-ee”, which means respecting, sharing, and looking after the waterway in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people, who are the traditional owners of the land on which La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia) is located. >La Trobe University’s Bundoora Campus is being transformed into a University City of the Future. Delivering a new metropolitan centre for Melbourne’s north, the city will create more than 30,000 jobs, attract 40,000 students and supply homes for more than 12,000 residents, while providing one million square metres of open space and immersive bushland landscape. The session gives an account of the journey (so far) to deliver our uniquely biodiverse University City in partnership with our local Indigenous community and others.
Speaker: Jodie Harris, Deputy Director, Sustainability and Campus Planning, La Trobe University, Melbourne Australia
Room 003, Library
Room 001, Library
Chill and Charge Area and Lunch kindly supported by AssetWorks
Sports Central, Student's Union
With honours degrees in biochemistry and wild animal biology, Liz Bonnin has presented over 40 primetime programmes and documentaries on science, wildlife conservation and the environment. Her talk focuses on what she has learned about the importance of a healthy planet for our ability to thrive, and what we need to change about the way we live in the global north to support the natural world and secure a sustainable future. She covers topics such as climate change and biodiversity loss, the crucial roles of healthy ecosystems, how unrestrained cycles production and consumption are destroying the planet, and how 21st Century business leaders are blazing a new trail to create the systemic transformations needed.
Speaker: Liz Bonnin, Science, Natural History and Environmental Broadcaster
Domain, Students' Union
Sports Central, Student's Union
Professor Imber will talk about some of the ground-breaking research she leads, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of space exploration over the coming decades. She will share her extraordinary story of using satellite data to find undiscovered mountains in the high Andes, and then becoming the first person in the world to climb them - a story of adventure, near disaster and the human face of climate science. Finally, she will talk about her experiences on the BBC Astronauts series, which led her on a voyage to Antarctica with a group of women from around the world, determined to work together to protect this fragile environment from climate change.
Speaker: Professor Suzie Imber, Professor of Planetary Science, University of Leicester
Domain, Students' Union
Speaker: Anita Edson, Director of Estates & Campus Facilities, Cardiff University
Domain, Students' Union
Speaker: Philippa Thomas, Conference Host
Domain, Students' Union
Drinks kindly supported by Overbury
The Glasshouse, International Centre for Music
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music