Students at the Heart Conference 2026 programme
Tuesday 16 June 2026
9 to 11.10am: Registration and welcome
9 to 9.25am: Registration, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
9.30 to 9.40am: Welcome, Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
9.40 to 10.30am: Keynote, Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
Caroline Wilkinson, Director of Forensic Research Institute (FORRI) - Details to follow
10.30 to 11.10am: Transfer to City Square
Refreshments, 4th floor, Room 4.04, City Square
11.15 to 11.45am: Sessions
Session 1
We can work it out: aligning outreach and academic expertise, a model of institutional good practice
Peter Dolan, Student Recruitment Marketing and Admissions, Zoe Knowles, Miriam Clowes and Monica McCard, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science and Sarah Haynes, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 2
It’s in our DNA: design, navigation, agency, and authenticity
Jane Eme-Power and Joshi Jariwala, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 3
Building real teams: transforming groups into long‑term learning communities
Amr Al Khateeb, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 4
Do what moves you: a student-centred approach to physical activity & wellbeing at LJMU
Ben Conacher, Gina Webb, Mark Curran and Josh McMorine (intern), Student Life and Wellbeing
Session 5
Reflections on the use of drama-based techniques for enhancing adult learning
Elizabeth Taylor & Sarah Yearsley, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 6
To belong or not belong! Sense of belonging and exclusion within JMSU sport teams
Josh Darley, Liverpool John Moores University Students' Union
11.15am to 12.20pm: Workshop
Session 7
Decolonising the curriculum - insights, impact and the road ahead
Phil Bakstad and Moni Akinsanya Diversity and Inclusion, Scott Foster and Amos Fatokun, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science and Tunde Doruwoju, Faculty of Society and Culture
11.50am to 12.20pm: Sessions
Session 8
Engaging your External Examiner: getting the most out of the academic dialogue
Jenny Moran, Academic Registry
Session 9
Making your research matter: policy and practice engagement for doctoral researchers
Emily Walker-Williams, Research and Innovation Services, Liz Edwards, Faculty of Society and Culture, Cherene de Bruyn and Nosa Aikodon, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 10
The adaptive role of negative emotional episodes in the tapestry of the student experience
David McIlroy, Lucy Satterthwaite and Harriet Harding, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 11
Buddycheck for peer evaluation: multi-disciplinary perspectives at LJMU
Rachel White, Rob Darlington and Susanne Zajitschek, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science and Peter Barton and Amr Al Khateeb, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 12
Student evaluations of teaching: an exploration of academics’ perceptions and experiences
Joanne Fisher, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 13
Community action for compassion: developing the LJMU Cancer Support Ambassador Network
Joanne Vincett, Faculty of Society and Culture and Ian Beattie, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
12.25 to 12.55pm: Sessions
Session 14
Lightning talks
A safe space to be brave
Gabriella Wills, Faculty of Society and Culture
Green impact
Jennifer Stokoe, Estates Development and Campus Services
Trash to treasure
Jennifer Stokoe, Estates Development and Campus Services
Session 15
Your new toolkit for belonging: how equity guides can support the student experience
Beatrice Jiaxing Png, Lauren Bundu and Leanne Taher-Bates, Teaching and Learning Academy
Session 16
A student perspective on academic failure: how can we support students to learn from and navigate failure in higher education
Michelle Chatterley, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 17
100% student satisfaction: serendipity? Embodying LJMU values in teaching and accentuating the student experience
Joshi Jariwala, Amy Lee and Isabelle Morris, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 18
The forgotten army: a transdisciplinary project
Sarah Haynes, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 19
From failure to confidence: transforming a level 5 bottleneck module through student-centred design
Xinrui Wang, Ali Shubbar, Denise Lee and Ed Loffill, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 20
Voices of change: student-led civic engagement for equality, diversity and inclusion
Alex Lindsay, Faculty of Society and Culture
1 to 1.55pm: Lunch
Room: 4.04, City Square, Tithebarn Street
2 to 2.30pm: Sessions
Session 21
Curriculum enhancement as climate action: a digital resource facilitating Psychology dissertations on the climate crisis
Ben Rosser, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 22
Advancing the technical commitment: stage 2 action plan
Katie Farrance, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 23
Mapping joyful teaching across LJMU: a co-created student project
Sarah Williams, Angie Daly and Mars Omitoyin, Faculty of Society and Culture, Wendy Johnston and Ghannas Al Shammari, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 24
Beyond the chatbot: what students really want from academic skills support in the AI era
Tom Goodale, Knowledge Engagement, Bryony Parsons and Heather Johnston, University of Liverpool
Session 25
Understanding student timetables for administrators
Louise Medlam, Academic Registry
Session 26
PedaLEGOgy: sustainable and inclusive LEGO-based resources for educational outreach and undergraduate teaching
Louise Dawnay, LJMU International Study Centre
2 to 3.05pm: Workshop
Session 27
LJMU AI Academy
Greg Thompson, Human Resources, Henry Forsyth and Paul Fergus, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science and Multiverse AI apprentices
2.35 to 3.05pm: Sessions
Session 28
Pedagogical toolkit development for an ecosystem of belonging in HE
Susan Barry, Dr Sue Cronshaw and Paul Lees, Faculty of Society and Culture, Justin Knibbe (University of Calgary, Canada) and Victoria Willis (University of Bath)
Session 29
Black student leadership academy (BSLA): empowering success, belonging and achievement
Johanna Jonker, Vanessa Caddick and Millie Munowenyu, Student Life and Wellbeing, Waf Njonjo Shaw, Student Futures & Shawn Reece, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 30
Learning (from students) about the language of (intellectually stimulating and engaging) learning
Wayne Turnbull, Andy Doyle, Cathy Brady and Janine Melvin, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 31
Becoming AI-literate together: a student-led partnership internship in progress
Lucinda Richardson, Daniel Machin, Saied Hamadi, Ian Sadler and Tim Donovan, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 32
Quality assurance: a force multiplier for academic innovation
Claire Hampton, Faculty of Society and Culture and Geetha Ravishankar, University of Birmingham
Session 33
Student-led lab development: a continuous improvement project
Mohamed Kara-Mohamed, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
3.10 to 3.40pm: Sessions
Session 34
Lightning talks
Beyond feedback: the realities of being a student representative
Hawari Osman, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
OurLJMU: a co-creation charter for the student experience
Garry McCartney, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
The use of social media as a tool for education, communication and building community
Susan Camphor and Kate Okeefe, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 35
Neuroinclusive vivas: a qualitative study exploring what neurodivergent students need and inclusive solutions
Claire Hanlon, Gordon Hay and Louise Crane (student), Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science. Dr Ria Cheyne, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 36
Defining and enhancing teaching quality: a cross-school study of student perspectives
Clare Maxwell, Dr Ian Sadler, Toni Hall (student intern) and Ellie Glover (student intern), Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 37
Generative AI for learning: a nursing student change laboratory
Chris Gillies and Laura Schwartz, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science. Natalia Reyes, Emma France, John Paul Kennedy and Umbar Mushtaq (Students)
Session 38
Regulation, risk and reality: the evolution of the LJMU response to sexual violence and misconduct
Jo Bleasdale, Yvonne Wareing and Aine McLauglin, Student Life and Wellbeing
Session 39
Chemical literacy as a learning catalyst: enhancing student performance in analytical forensic science
Jon Ashley, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 40
Improving the teaching of the history of sociology and social theory in the sociology programme: staff and student’s perceptions
David Chalcraft and Beth Hatfield (student), Faculty of Society and Culture
Wednesday 17 June 2026
9 to 11.10am: Registration and welcome
9 to 9.25am: Registration, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
9.30 to 9.40am: Welcome, Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
9.40 to 10.30am: Keynote, Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, Marybone Building
Miles Craven, President of JMSU - Details to follow
10.30 to 11.10am: Transfer to City Square
Refreshments, 4th floor, Room 4.04, City Square (to be confirmed)
11.15 to 11.45am: Sessions
Session 41
Humanising timetabling: putting student and staff voices at the heart of scheduling
Erika Raffle-Currie, Academic Registry
Session 42
Our journey to becoming a menopause accredited employer at LJMU
Amanda Mannion and Liz Cousins, Human Resources
Session 43
Embedding a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing
Shannen Dabson and Yvonne Turnbull, Student Life and Wellbeing
Session 44
'Course, career, community, caring': international PGT construction students’ experiences of the LJMU Personal Tutoring Framework in a time of change
Sian Dunne and Sonia Tandon, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 45
Fostering inclusive doctoral admissions: rethinking recruitment and prioritising potential
Gillian Dyche and Victoria Sheppard, Doctoral Academy, Scott Foster, Faculty of Society and Culture and Julie-Ann Hayes, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 46
The transformational potential of experiential learning: how LJMU field-trips support learning and develop psychological capital
Katherine Neary, Konstantina Skritsovali and Ioanna Yfantidou, Faculty of Society and Culture
11.15am to 12.20pm: Workshop
Session 47
Workshop
Details to follow
11.50am to 12.20pm: Sessions
Session 48
Supporting students from day one: pre-arrival survey insights
Melissa Rankin, Elliot May and Alicia Murray, Teaching and Learning Academy
Session 49
Internships, insights and impact: the discovery story so far
Danielle Anderson, Melissa Sunderland and Marnie Blackman-Cook, Student Futures. Megan Wilson (PhD Student)
Session 50
Leading with purpose: building diverse research teams that thrive
Pooja Saini, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 51
Students as partners
Astra Mangan (student), Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 52
The doctoral experience: rest is not laziness - it's strategy
Shelley O'Connor, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 53
Learning through virtual reality in International Tourism Management
Kehinde Abolarin and Adenike Adebayo, Faculty of Society and Culture
12.25 to 12.55pm: Sessions
Session 54
Lightning talks
Student perspectives on teaching and assessing AI literacy in journalism education
Sophie McCooey, Faculty of Society and Culture
Using AI to unlock deeper insights from module surveys for CME reflection
Andrew Naylor, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Listening to the learners: students’ experiences with negotiated assessment
Lyndsey McCunnell, Michelle Pickering, Clare Fadero and Robyn Lotto, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 55
Enriching the student experience through enhanced employability opportunities
Clare Horrocks, Abi Rose, Nia Williams (student) and Millie O'Reilly (student), Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 56
Exploring how sustained public engagement shapes how PhD students think about their role as researchers
Gemma Reed, Research and Innovation Services, Samantha Cooper, Faculty of Society and Culture and Sio Wynne, Salma Louhaichy and Zainab Mahmood, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 57
Co-creating micro-communities: partnerships for learning and positive change across HE and local neighbourhoods
Sally-Ann Starkey and Wendy Johnston, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 58
Opening the campus gates: inclusive sport as civic engagement with adults with learning disabilities
Harriet Fuest (student), Janette Porter and Janine Melvin, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 59
Promoting excellence in teaching and student experience: a transitional support toolkit for international student nurses
Raji Thomas and Anabal Oyitta (student), Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 60
Collaboration, capabilities, and confidence: embedding project-based professional experiences into the humanities curriculum
Dr Olivia Saunders, Louise Coyne, Charlie Flitcroft (student) and Sophie Mead-Payne (student), Faculty of Society and Culture
1 to 1.55pm: Lunch
Room: 4.04, City Square, Tithebarn Street
2 to 3.05pm: Workshop
Session 67
Workshop
Details to follow
2 to 2.30pm: Sessions
Session 61
AI, assessment and critical thinking: a case study from a public relations module
Joanne Knowles, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 62
Equity in practice: a student-led review of learning experiences and inclusion barriers
Nadine Leese, Ashima Chadha (PhD Researcher), Carla Costas Armada (student) and Charlotte Hall (student), Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 63
Teaching and learning through interactive simulation videos
Carmel Henshall, Anna Dean, Izzy McNamara-Catalano, Suzanne Potter and Andria Vasiliou, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 64
Climate and sustainability at LJMU
Jennifer Stokoe and Nia Prys-Williams, Estates Development and Campus Services
Session 65
Who shows up, who misses out? A case study of attendance in undergraduate business programmes
Michelle Spruce, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 66
Process over product: designing AI-resilient assessment with FeedbackFruits
Jack Bainbridge, FeedbackFruits (Edtech partner)
2.35 to 3.05pm: Sessions
Session 68
The non-human helper: an evaluation of AI learning support in Canvas
Jim Turner and Emma Smith, Teaching and Learning Academy
Session 69
Embedding EDI in student work: how experiential learning in Merseyside’s communities is helping build confidence and inclusivity
Polly Sharpe, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 70
Learning beyond the classroom: how global fieldwork and mobility transform students’ skills, confidence and cultural competence
Sara Parker, Janette Porter, Janine Melvin and Matthew Wood, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 71
Mathsphobia in higher education: building confidence through inclusive practice
Philippa McCabe, Helen Burrell and Kellyann Stamp, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 72
Young adult carers: a qualitative analysis of challenges, barriers and support in university study
Michelle Dwerryhouse, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 73
Using a strengths-based framework to support personal tutees
Jayne Erlam, Faculty of Society and Culture
3.10 to 3.40pm: Sessions
Session 74
The downward spiral: developing student competence and confidence in responsible AI use
Christopher Faulkner, Matthew Hindmarsh and Clay Gransden, Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 75
Two-minute talks: quantitatively evaluating vodcasts as a tool for improving student engagement and achievement
Alex Wilshaw, Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science
Session 76
Assistive technology at LJMU: student reviews, suggestions and developments
Sara Mursic, Student Life and Wellbeing, Laila Elbakhshawangy (Student) Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science and Laura Briggs (Student) Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 77
Yes, we still see you! Scaling inclusive university experiences through cross-sector partnership
Janette Porter, Harriet Fuest and Janine Melvin. Faculty of Society and Culture
Session 78
Managing foreign influence risk
Lois Wiegand and Adam Jones, Legal and Governance Services
3.45pm: Conference closing reception
Download a printable programme (Word, 257KB)
Session abstracts
Download the session overview booklet (Word, 349KB) for individual session abstracts.