By many measures Leeds is the UK’s fourth city – behind only London, Manchester and Birmingham in its contribution to the overall UK economy and with a diversity of output and a skew towards the private sector, in fields including financial and business services, manufacturing and law, that would be the envy of many. The city’s owl symbol – the bird long an indicator of wisdom – features as a proud heraldic device representing Leeds and we’re equally proud to adopt a version of it for AUDE26: Industrious and Wise, which takes place at the University of Leeds from 20-23 April. We will be pleased to give a warm Yorkshire welcome to all conference participants.
Industrious and Wise.
It’s what our universities need of us: maximum industry and maximum wisdom in learning and applying those learned lessons to the often immensely complicated situations in which we find ourselves. Industry without wisdom can mean rushing headlong, without sufficient plan or strategy. Wisdom without industry can mean ideas are developed that never leave the page. The AUDE annual conference 2026 is where the two meet, where action is informed by insight, and where insight leads to action.
The pressure on the AUDE community as estates leaders does not lessen. The need to run to keep up with emerging themes and changing technologies is clearer than ever. AI, the digital and physical integration of our campuses and climate change response are just some of the immense issues we face. And we do so against a background of real financial strain. It can only be wise for us as an estates community to look ‘straight in the eye’ at the realities of Higher Education in the UK today. Mergers, efficiency drives and cost savings, maintenance backlogs and the drastic paring back of capital projects, a drop off in international student numbers, an estate which in many universities is inefficiently used: we know the challenges we face and know we are best-placed to come up with answers together. What can we learn as a whole team during our time in Leeds – from our peers, from the excellent industry and sector partners joining us at conference, and from speakers chosen for their leadership insights into the issues we all face?
We’ll be thinking about deepening civic and industry ties, and our role as anchor institutions no matter our geographical location. We’ll be thinking about new models of co-operation across university boundaries, and the emerging ideas from the UUK-led ‘efficiencies review’. We know that universities are transformative within their local communities – and can be this even as they shrink and densify their physical footprints. They are hubs for industry and for innovation, at the heart of cultural ecosystems and economic growth. So, we’ll examine inclusivity and belonging, so both students and local residents feel included. We’ll look at climate-conscious infrastructure, integrating accessible campuses with city centres, and leveraging local strengths. Leeds has a proud tradition in everything from Rugby League to ballet, the weaving of wool to the running of triathlons. What do your local unique assets give you to work with for the future in building community identity and pride? And we’ll be thinking about legacy and heritage and ways in which we can reconcile our estates inheritance from earlier times with the need for modern, inclusive renewal.
Industrious? Yes. Wise? Well, we can all contribute to that. We look forward to seeing you in Leeds from 20-23 April for AUDE26.
If you have any questions about our 2026 conference please email corinne@aude.ac.uk.
