Navigating the Future of Access across Europe
The European Access Network (EAN) presents a panel session exploring the future landscape of access and participation across Europe. From micro to macro levels, the panel will interactively discuss the role of access policies and practices with the conference.
Delegates will gain insights into the challenges facing institutional and national practices in preparing students for successful transitions into higher education, encompassing the careful setting of expectations, tailored support mechanisms, and the facilitation of well-designed processes. Furthermore, the panel will highlight the diversity in access initiatives, emphasising the importance of reaching out to and enabling students from diverse backgrounds to thrive in higher education settings.
The panel will also examine the collaborative efforts of schools, colleges, universities, and various organisations in fostering partnerships aimed at supporting both student and institutional success. By showcasing innovative approaches and best practices from across Europe, this panel aims to inspire dialogue and foster actionable strategies for enhancing access to higher education while ensuring equitable opportunities for all.
Delegates will be encouraged to participate in the panel discussions through interactive tools.
Panel Members
Imran Uddin, European Access Network, Belgium
Imran Uddin is Director of the KU Leuven Association, the largest network of higher education institutions in Flanders (Belgium). He is the current president of the European Access Network.
Sophie Kennedy, Abertay Students’ Association, Scotland
Sophie is the Engagement Coordinator (Democracy) for Abertay Students’ Association and is a graduate of Abertay University. She is the lead tutor for the ABE108 microcredential, “Your Student Life”, the only credit-bearing module delivered by a students’ association in the UK.
Erica Russell-Hensens, Scottish Funding Council, Scotland
Erica is passionate about supporting students to access education and achieve their goals and has worked in the tertiary sector for many years. She started as a Student Officer before joining sparqs to develop their Associate Trainer programme and to deliver training herself. Erica then moved into student facing, programme development and leadership roles, working at two Universities in London. After almost a decade away Erica decided it was time to return to Scotland and she worked at the Universities of Stirling and Dundee before joining the Scottish Funding Council to lead the Student Interests, Access and Quality team.
Monika Huesmann, The Berlin School of Economics and Law, Germany
Monika Huesmann is Professor of Organisation, Human Resources and Information Management since 2011. She finished school 15 years old, trained as an educator, then as a remedial teacher and worked for several years. She completed her secondary education, studied business administration, gained a doctorate in personnel policy and worked several years in HRM.
Luke Millard, Abertay University, Scotland (Panel Chair)
Luke Millard is Dean of Teaching and Learning and Head of the AbLE Academy at Abertay University in Scotland. He is a Principal Fellow of the UK’s Higher Education Academy which recognised his work on improving the student experience through collaborative working with staff and students in the areas of student engagement and co-creation, student employment, transitions and the first-year experience.