Annual Conference 2025: How to evaluate

9:30–10:00: Arrival and registration

10:00–10:05: Opening and welcome remarks

• Speaker: Dr Omar Khan, CEO, TASO

10:05–10:30: Keynote: Higher education in 2025

• Speaker: Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford
• In this keynote, you’ll hear insight into the current situation for higher education, in particular how we address issues of inequality in the sector given current challenges facing the sector. Come along to understand how your work fits into this wider context, and how it continues to be important.

10:30–10:50: Home groups

10:50–11:35: Home groups

• Achieving impact through evaluation
  • Speakers:
    • Dr Matt Horton, Evaluation Manager, University of Wolverhampton
    • Liz Moores, Deputy PVC, Aston University
    • Fiona Cottrell, EDI Business Partner (Impact and Evaluation), University of the West of England
    • Dr Omar Khan, CEO, TASO
  • How can we ensure our findings are impactful? The evidence created through evaluation has the potential to lead to direct change in policy and practice, but practitioners often face barriers in getting to this stage. This panel discussion will bring together experts in evaluation to discuss the regular challenges in securing buy-in and advocating for change, and how you can approach these for a greater chance of success.
• Engaging students meaningfully
  • Speakers:
    • Dr Sammy Li, AMOSSHE Executive Member and Assistant Director of Student Affairs (Postgraduate and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), University of Birmingham
    • Rosie Jones, Student Engagement and Enhancement Senior Manager, University of Sussex
    • Alex Stanley,  Vice President Higher Education, NUS
  • How can we ensure we are reaching students in our outreach? This panel discussion will look at different approaches that can be used to promote student participation and the inclusion of student voice in projects.

11:35–12:00: Break

12:00–13:00: Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL)

• Speakers:
  • Anna Anthony, Director, Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) Service
  • Rachael Edgar, Research consultant, Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT) Service
  • Eliza Kozman, Deputy CEO, TASO
• The Higher Education Evaluation Library (HEEL) will support the sharing of evidence and evaluation in relation to equality of opportunity in higher education. The Office for Students (OfS) is funding TASO to establish this library which will be hosted and developed by the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT). Hear an update from TASO and HEAT on the development of the HEEL, including the opportunity for attendees to be consulted as part of ongoing development.

13:00–13:45: Lunch

13:45–14:15:Transforming tomorrow: TASO and the global evidence revolution

• Speaker: Dr Eliza Kozman, Deputy CEO, TASO
• TASO is part of a global movement to drive better use of evidence. Hear about how TASO came into being, what we’ve achieved so far, and what needs to happen next for higher education evaluation to drive meaningful change.

14.15–15:05: Breakout sessions

• Breakout session A: Addressing challenges in practice (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator: Katherine Drew, Evaluation Officer, TASO
  • Across the sector, HEP staff are involved in designing, delivering, and evaluating similar APP-related interventions. Often, these staff encounter similar practical problems too. For example, “how do you measure impact when the intervention is light touch?” or “how do you incentivise young people to provide feedback?” In this session, we will reflect on the practical challenges you face and identify those that are most problematic to you. Then, using a ‘world-café’ format, delegates will tackle these challenges in groups, drawing on their own experiences and practice to share solutions. The aim is for delegates to learn from each other, as a problem is more easily addressed when working together.

• Breakout session B: The theory of change gallery (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator: Nicholette Pollard-Odle, Evaluation Officer, TASO
  • Creating a strong theory of change (ToC) is becoming increasingly important in understanding what works to tackle inequality in higher education. Strong ToCs don’t always have to look alike, and there are different ways to map the change you wish to make. Seeing these different styles on display can help you to reflect on your own ToC approach. In this session, we would like to invite you to journey through our ToC Gallery. Delegates will be encouraged to take a walk around the gallery, discovering different ToCs – some published, some draft, some core, some enhance. As you explore in groups, we will encourage you to critically reflect on these ToCs, discuss what you like and what you would do differently, and inspire you in creating your own ToC in your work.
• Breakout session C: Navigating roll-out (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator: Tatjana Damjanovic, Senior Research Officer, TASO
  • Work to address inequalities in access and success in HE changes over time. You might be required to not only refine and improve existing programmes, but introduce new ones. The way in which a new intervention is rolled out however, can have implications for how you go about evaluating the intervention itself.In this session, delegates will share their experiences of rolling out a new programme or intervention, where this has created problems, and what might be done differently. We’re also aware that the decision making around introducing a new programme may not be fully in your control. Therefore, in the second half of the session, delegates as a group will pitch to each other an alternative roll out plan, as part of a role playing activity. Delegates will not only better understand how things can be done differently, but how to influence senior leaders in changing their practice.

15.30–16:10: Breakout sessions

• Breakout session A: Addressing challenges in practice (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator: Katherine Drew, Evaluation Officer, TASO
  • Across the sector, HEP staff are involved in designing, delivering, and evaluating similar APP-related interventions. Often, these staff encounter similar practical problems too. For example, “how do you measure impact when the intervention is light touch?” or “how do you incentivise young people to provide feedback?” In this session, we will reflect on the practical challenges you face and identify those that are most problematic to you. Then, using a ‘world-café’ format, delegates will tackle these challenges in groups, drawing on their own experiences and practice to share solutions. The aim is for delegates to learn from each other, as a problem is more easily addressed when working together.
• Breakout session B: The theory of change gallery (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator: Nicholette Pollard-Odle, Evaluation Officer, TASO
  • Creating a strong theory of change (ToC) is becoming increasingly important in understanding what works to tackle inequality in higher education. Strong ToCs don’t always have to look alike, and there are different ways to map the change you wish to make. Seeing these different styles on display can help you to reflect on your own ToC approach.In this session, we would like to invite you to journey through our ToC Gallery. Delegates will be encouraged to take a walk around the gallery, discovering different ToCs – some published, some draft, some core, some enhance. As you explore in groups, we will encourage you to critically reflect on these ToCs, discuss what you like and what you would do differently, and inspire you in creating your own ToC in your work.
• Breakout session C: Navigating roll-out (peer-to-peer learning)
  • Facilitator:Tatjana Damjanovic, Senior Research Officer, TASO
  • Work to address inequalities in access and success in HE changes over time. You might be required to not only refine and improve existing programmes, but introduce new ones. The way in which a new intervention is rolled out however, can have implications for how you go about evaluating the intervention itself.In this session, delegates will share their experiences of rolling out a new programme or intervention, where this has created problems, and what might be done differently. We’re also aware that the decision making around introducing a new programme may not be fully in your control. Therefore, in the second half of the session, delegates as a group will pitch to each other an alternative roll out plan, as part of a role playing activity. Delegates will not only better understand how things can be done differently, but how to influence senior leaders in changing their practice.

16:10–16:40: Home groups

16:40–17:15: Poster room and networking

• Come along to this knowledge exchange and networking session where you’ll be able to speak to other higher education providers about interventions they are delivering and considering.

17:15–18:30: Break

18:30–19:15: Drinks reception

19:15–21:30: Dinner 

• Speakers:
  • John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students, in conversation with Professor Eunice Simmons, Chair of the TASO Board of Trustees and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester.

8:30–9:30: Arrival, networking and registration for day pass attendees

9:30–9:40: Opening and welcome

• Speaker: Dr Omar Khan, CEO, TASO

9.40–10:10: Keynote: What do financial challenges mean for mission-focused activity?

• Speaker: Professor Zainab Khan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, London South Bank University
• This keynote will help to bridge gaps between those discussing financial sustainability and those leading interventions. Gain insight into the impact of financial challenges on universities, and what this means for APPs and mission-focused activity.

10:10–11:10: Pathways into and through higher education for young people with experience of children’s social care

• Speakers:
  • Leon Feinstein, Director of the Rees Centre and Professor of Education and Children’s Social Care
  • Rebecca Jones, Senior Advice and Support Officer, Further and Higher Education, Become
  • Denise Rawls, Executive Director, NNECL
  • Helen Arber, Manager, Unite Foundation
  • Amir Arian, Medical student, Swansea University
  • Dr Eliza Kozman, Deputy CEO, TASO
• Our recent report with Rees Centre examined the educational pathways of students with experience of children’s social care, using newly linked datasets. In this session, we will give an overview of the findings and discuss key recommendations for policymakers and practitioners, with a chance for the audience to ask questions of the panel.

11:10–11:40: Break

11:40–12:40: TASO live work mini-tours

• Facilitators: 
  • Pete Crowson, Evaluation Manager, TASO
  • Rob Summers, Research Manager, TASO
  • Hannah Thomson, Evaluation Manager, TASO
  • Tatjana Damjanovic, Senior Research Manager, TASO
• The TASO team will take you on a mini-tour of some of TASO’s key projects and resources which can help you provide high-quality evaluation. This session will allow everyone to refresh their understanding of what TASO has to offer.

12.40–13:25: Lunch

13.25–15:55: Homegroups

13:55–15:25: Breakout sessions

• Guide to RCTs
  • Facilitators:
    • Dr Eliza Kozman, Deputy CEO, TASO
    • Dr Rob Summers, Research Manager, TASO
  • In this re-run of our popular 2024 conference session, we will explore the practical considerations of how to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Delegates will engage in a live RCT simulation to grasp key concepts of ethical considerations, randomisation methods, sample size determinations, and resource allocation. The session will conclude with an audience Q&A.
• Tackling the common challenges in evaluation
  • Facilitator: Hannah Thomson, Evaluation Manager, TASO
  • TASO has worked with institutions across the HE sector to support on measuring impact and delivering strong evaluations. In doing so, we often see similar challenges – these are not always practical issues, but instead complex problems related to delivering and evaluating interventions. Things like “how can I produce a strong evaluation with limited resourcing?” or “should I focus my evaluation on breadth or depth?” In this session, delegates will work together using a problem-solving framework unpick some of the most common issues and how to address them.

15:25–15:50: Break

15:50–16:40: The role of contextualised admissions

• Speakers:
  • Professor Vikki Boliver, Sociology Professor, Durham University
  • Jonathan T. Schulte, Evaluation Lead, London School of Economics
  • Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility, Exeter University
  • Jon Datta, Head of University Access & Digital, Sutton Trust
  • Dr Omar Khan, CEO, TASO
• Are contextualised admissions effective in supporting more students from underserved backgrounds to attend higher education, or do they represent a lowering of academic standards? In this panel session, key players in the sector will make the case for and against contextualised admissions, and debate their usage.

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol): Evaluating the impact of the Access to UWE Bristol Summer School for contextual offer holders

• Presenter: Bek Rengel

The Open University: Digital Inclusion Pilots at the Open University

• Presenter: Sirin Tangpornpaiboon

Southampton Solent University: Enhancing Professional Mentoring Programme: Identifying Career Challenges, Improving Pairing Processes, and Strengthening University Support

• Presenter: Charon Tsang

Anglia Ruskin University: ARU Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework: Evaluating the Unlearning Programme

• Presenter: Bilal Hazzouri

Birmingham City University: Delivering fair outcomes for students through changes in assessment practice

• Presenter: Philippa Try

UMO Services: Bridging the Gap: UMO’s University-to-Workplace Transition (UWT) Programme Supporting Young Talent into Employment

• Presenter: Tom Hagley

University of Liverpool: Liverpool Plus: supporting first year transition into university with a theory of change and learning from pilot interventions.

• Presenter: Deborah Fish

University of East Anglia: Make It Count: Evaluating a metacognition project for Year 7 students’

• Presenter: Madeleine Le Grice

University College London: The Next Chapter in attainment-raising programmes at UCL

• Presenter: Vij Zorba

University of Exeter: From Support to Success – Reimagining Student Academic Support

• Presenter: Samuel Braide

The Brilliant Club: TASO’s Access and Success Questionnaire: How is the HE sector using it in practice?

• Presenter: Lauren Belleara

University of Reading: ePALuation: utilising the ASQ and exam scores

• Presenter: Lydia Fletcher

Imperial College London: Evaluation into Practice: Practical ways to link evaluation into programme planning and delivery

Presenter: Ali Lyons

More poster topics will be available soon.

Standard

• Day 1 only: £449
• Day 2 only: £449
• Both days with accommodation and dinner: £699
• Both days without accommodation and dinner: £659

For profit

• Day 1 only: £499
• Day 2 only: £499
• Both days with accommodation and dinner: £799
• Both days without accommodation and dinner: £759

Conference

• Location: The Slate, University of Warwick

Accommodation

• Location: Radcliffe, University of Warwick, Coventry
• If you would like to book accommodation for the night before the conference (Monday 28 April) please contact the venue directly.
• Contact number: +44 (0)24 7652 3222

• Book via their website

Parking

• All attendees and speakers will be entitled to free parking. This includes any University of Warwick employees attending the event.
• All University car parks now have ANPR cameras. Attendees are required to register in advance or on the day of their attendance to facilitate free parking by following the below instructions:
  • Click on this link: University of Warwick Car Parks (apcoa.co.uk)
  • Input the correct dates that you will be attending the conference.
  • Input your personal details.
  • In the promo code section, type the promotional code: UOTTJ and click apply. Adding this promo code will ensure that the total goes to “£0.00” for the duration of your event. Please ensure there are no spaces before or after your code. Click “apply”.
  • Scroll down to the bottom and click “Book Now”.

Public transport options

• Coventry, Tile Hill, Canley, and Leamington Spa are the nearest train stations.
• Coventry is on the West Coast Mainline and serviced by regular trains, 7 days a week and is the most convenient train station for most visitors. It is served by trains from London Euston, Birmingham (New Street and International) and Leicester. From Coventry station, it’s easy to get a taxi or bus to the venue.
• Canley and Tile Hill train stations are both served by trains from London, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby and Northampton. 
• Leamington Spa is served by trains from Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford, Reading and London Marylebone. You can get a bus to the venue from close to the station.

What are the dates of the event?
The conference will take place over two days: 29–30 April.

Where is the event?
The Slate, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7SH

What time does the event start?
Day one will begin at 10:00. We recommend arriving from 09:30 to allow time for registration and networking. Doors will open at 09:00. On day two, the conference starts at 09:30. Doors will open at 08:30 for networking and registration for day pass attendees.

Where can I park?
All attendees and speakers will be entitled to free parking. This includes any University of Warwick employees attending the event.

• All University car parks now have ANPR cameras. Attendees are required to register in advance or on the day of their attendance to facilitate free parking by following the below instructions:
• Click on this link: University of Warwick Car Parks (apcoa.co.uk)
• Input the correct dates that you will be attending the conference.
• Input your personal details.
• In the promo code section, type the promotional code: UOTTJ and click apply. Adding this promo code will ensure that the total goes to “£0.00” for the duration of your event. Please ensure there are no spaces before or after your code. Click “apply”.
• Scroll down to the bottom and click “Book Now”

Is there public transport nearby?

Coventry, Tile Hill, Canley, and Leamington Spa are the nearest train stations.

• Coventry is on the West Coast Mainline and serviced by regular trains, 7 days a week and is the most convenient train station for most visitors. It is served by trains from London Euston, Birmingham (New Street and International) and Leicester. From Coventry station, it’s easy to get a taxi or bus to the venue.
• Canley and Tile Hill train stations are both served by trains from London, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Coventry, Rugby and Northampton. 
• Leamington Spa is served by trains from Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford, Reading and London Marylebone. You can get a bus to the venue from close to the station.

What should I bring?
We recommend bringing a laptop and any materials you’d like to use for note-taking.

What time can I check in and what do I do with my luggage?

If you have purchased a ticket that includes overnight accommodation, a group check in will be available at 17:30 at the Slate welcome desk. Your luggage will be securely stored at the venue until check in.

Will there be any resources provided for the sessions?
Yes, we will update attendees when session resources are available.

How do I register?
Registration is available via TicketTailor.

Can I register on the day?
No. Registration will close one week before the event.

Is group registration available?
No, we’re only accepting individual registrations.

Is there an early bird discount?
The early bird discount period has now ended.

What payment methods are accepted?
Payment can be made through the TicketTailor portal or by invoice.

Are there nearby hotels?
Guests can purchase a ticket that includes accommodation at Radcliffe (University of Warwick, Coventry) or arrange their own accommodation.

What topics will be covered?
You can view the full agenda and session details here.

Will session recordings or materials be shared after the event?
We have no plans to record sessions and will not be distributing recordings or presentation slides after the conference.

Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, Wi-Fi will be available at both the conference venue and the accommodation.

Is food provided?
Yes, we will be providing light refreshments in the morning, lunch, and refreshments throughout the day. If you have chosen our bundle that includes accommodation, dinner will be provided.

If you have any dietary requirements, please contact Alisha Collins (Communications and Engagement Coordinator) at alisha.collins@taso.org.uk and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Is the venue accessible?
Yes, both the conference venue and accommodation are fully wheelchair accessible.

Can I get a refund or transfer my ticket?
In registering for this event, you agree to the following terms: cancellations must be received in writing (to info@taso.org.uk) by Friday 4th April to qualify for a refund. We regret that no refund can be made for cancellations received after this time; however substitute delegates will be accepted at any time. If sending a substitute delegate please provide the registered delegate’s full name and the substitute delegate’s full name, job title, organisation, and email address to info@taso.org.uk.

Who should I contact if I have further questions?
If you have any further questions about the conference, please email Alisha Collins (Communications and Engagement Coordinator) at alisha.collins@taso.org.uk.