HE Conference Programme Launch
12th March 2026
We are excited to announce the launch of our inaugural Higher Education Conference Programme taking place at Cardiff University! This landmark event brings together leading voices in widening participation and outreach within music education, offering a rich and varied programme that explores recent research, practical solutions, and pathways for the future.
This year’s event addresses pressing issues facing the sector, from ensuring the longevity of music departments to supporting student progression and enhancing access for all. Our carefully curated sessions and an inspiring keynote are designed to spark discussion and foster collaboration among educators, students, and professionals alike.
Throughout the day, you’ll have opportunities to network with colleagues, hear from leading experts, and participate in workshops that focus on Progression Routes to Higher Education for young people. Whether you’re interested in policy, pedagogy, outreach, or performance, there’s something in the programme for everyone.
Read on to discover our session highlights, featured speakers, and Music Mark toolkit launches. Don’t forget to visit the conference website for full details, timings, and registration information!
Programme
As well as registration, networking over lunch, and a Keynote Address by Professor Benjamin Oliver from the University of Southampton, the programme includes:
Tom Sykes, Liverpool Hope University: Students and survival as a small music department: Engaging with wider communities of musical practice
Charlotte O’Neil, Independent Scholar: Blow your own trumpet – Brass Bands as a conduit to Higher Education
Kirsty Devaney, Royal College of Music: Catching-up and Opting-out: The Impact of Inequality on Conservatoire Music Students’ Progression Routes
Laura Hamer, Open University: Fixing the Leaky Pipeline of Performing Women’s Music: Women Transforming Classical Music
Matt Lawson, Oxford Brookes University: Film Scores to Open Doors: Repairing the Music Pipeline through School Outreach
Ailsa Critten, Northumbria University: Instruments of Access: Museum Collections, Primary Schools, and the Road to HE
Visit the HE Conference Page for the full programme, which includes more information about each session, timings, and speaker biographies.
Join us at the Higher Education Conference
Haven’t bought your ticket yet? Don’t miss out on this fantastic programme!
