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The University of Sunderland and Stone King are delighted to present the Third Governance of Education Conference: Research, Reflection and Reform, bridging theory and practice in the leadership of schools, colleges and universities.
This conference will consider how governing can contribute to successful teaching, learning and leadership in schools, academies, colleges and universities. We will hear from senior policymakers, chairs, governance professionals, researchers and many more.
Join us for a day of research-informed discussion bringing together speakers and delegates to share insights, test ideas, and stimulate a continuing research agenda for educational governance.
Key Information
Friday 18 September 2026, 10am - 3:30pm
Sir Tom Cowie Lecture Theatre, Prospect Building, St Peter’s Campus, University of Sunderland, SR6 0DD
Free to attend (registration required)
10:00 Welcome and Conference Themes and Linkages
Presenter: Prof Gary Husband
10:15 In conversation with Sir David Bell, VC University of Sunderland and Mark Burden,
Chair University of Sunderland
Presenter: Prof Gary Husband
10:45 Frontier Governance: AI, Research, and Future Boardrooms
Presenter: Kayla Schembri, Chartered Governance Institute
11:15 A revised Code of Governance for H.E. - Hopes and aspirations
Presenter: Iain Cornish, Leeds Beckett University
11:45 Coffee break
12:00 From Voice to Influence: Embedding Staff & Student Voice into Governance,
Assurance & Decision-Making
Presenter: Belle Howard, East Sussex College
12:30 Lifting the Board mood
Presenter: Vari Anderson, South Lanarkshire College
12:55 Lunch
1:30 Introducing BELMAS Research Interest Group –‘Governing &
Governance of Education’
Presenter: Dr Andy Allen, University of Birmingham
1:45 Some current governing of education research - four studies
Presenter: Prof Ron Hill, University of Stirling and University of Sunderland
2:05 Our Governance Journey: Leading Change and Shaping the Future at Rainbow
Education MAT
Presenter: Kerry Morris, Director of Governance, REMAT
2:30 Can governing be fun?
Presenter: Prof Gavin Brooks, Huron Consulting Group
3:10 One year on - external governance review research - what happened next?
Presenter: Tom Morrison, Stone King
3:20 Bringing it all together - a Chair's summing up
Presenter: Mark Burdon, Chair, University of Sunderland
3:30 Closing words by Prof Gary Husband
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