Session Outline

Student advising is increasingly recognized as a strategic priority in UK Higher Education, underpinning efforts to improve retention and support success across diverse student groups. This panel brings together representatives from multiple institutions involved in a cross-institutional project exploring how flexible, inclusive advising systems can be developed to align with institutional goals.

Drawing on shared experiences and initial findings, panellists will discuss the practical realities of implementing advising frameworks through a data–people–theory lens. Key themes include:

• Designing student-centred, inclusive approaches with clear role definitions

• Leveraging technology and engagement analytics to enable proactive support

• Co-designing affordable, workable systems that secure stakeholder buy-in

• Embedding robust quality assurance to ensure consistency in the student experience

The session will highlight how institutions adapted the project’s proposed theory of change to their unique contexts, offering insights into policy, practice, and future research. Attendees will gain a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges in creating advising systems that are both scalable and responsive to diverse needs.