Call for Proposals

The conference focuses on advising students through transitions in further and higher education, highlighting how our institutions can use integrated approaches that combine curriculum and professional services to enable this ambition. The conference will bring together college and university staff and students to explore how, through advising, our curriculum and support services can improve the transition for students moving from schools and colleges to university and beyond. Are universities aware of student expectations from school and college, and do those in the schools and colleges really know what is required at university? How do we advise and support students through new challenges that they face? How do we advise students who are moving on to prepare them for the next stage of their journey? And how do we prepare our staff to think differently to address issues with which they may be unfamiliar?

The Further and Higher Education sectors have a great deal to learn from each other. Widely applicable to all tertiary education settings, albeit created for Scotland, the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (https://www.sfc.ac.uk/assurance-accountability/learning-quality/scotlands-tertiary-quality-enhancement-framework/). This has been recently introduced by the Quality Assurance Agency in Scotland and aims to ensure better alignment across the Tertiary education sector to enable student success. This conference will explore the themes identified in that framework and their relationship to student success through effective, integrated academic advising and tutoring.

In particular, proposals are welcomed from college and university staff and students on how advising:

enables successful student transitions, into, through and out of institutions.
takes a personalised approach to enabling student success.
is integrated into the curriculum.
approaches at the institutional, faculty or departmental level are holistically integrated with institutional policies and processes.

Conference Session Formats

Proposals are invited in one of the following formats. View our Submission Instructions for details of how to submit a proposal.

Presentation [50 minutes]

Individual, a pair or a small team of presenters, present in depth for 50 minutes on an area in which they have significant experience/expertise, and which will be of interest to and have impact for the audience. Time should be allocated for a few questions.

Interactive Workshop [50 minutes]

A participatory interactive workshop should enable delegates to work actively towards learning something new in relation to a specific topic. It should include discussion and collaborative activities which enable reflection on delegates’ own and others experience and sharing and analysis of knowledge.

Lightning Talk [15 minutes]

10-15 minute presentations grouped on a common theme managed by a facilitator within a 50 minute session (three Lightning Talks per session). Each presentation is on a single topic, issue, experience, research area, or innovative practice. Maximum of 5 slides per talk. Any questions to be asked at the end of all the talks. Where possible we will attempt to make time and space available immediately after the session for informal discussions to continue between presenters and delegates.

Discussion Panel [50 minutes]

50 minute discussion focused on a specific topic by a panel of experts. The facilitator and/or audience ask questions of the panel pertinent to the topic and the panellists each give their expert perspective on the questions. The proposal must identify the topic for the session, the name of the facilitator and the names and brief biographical details of the experts who will constitute the panel. Note that including the names of the experts in the proposal does not commit them to participating at this stage, it simply provides useful information to reviewers on likely panellists and their depth and breadth of experience

Demonstrations

Similar to lightning talks, this session type focuses on demonstrating a particular activity, platform, module, and/or/and tool that supports student development. Each presenter will demonstrate to a small group, and delegates will rotate around the room after 10-15 minutes.

Access the Online Submission System

The closing date for submissions is Thursday, December 17, 2026

Why should I present at the UKAT conference?

Presenting a session at our conference is a good way to showcase your ideas and achievements, get feedback on your work, develop your professional confidence, build your networks and start new discussions. Summarising your project, practice, or research is a great way to engage with friendly and appreciative colleagues in the field to explain your accomplishments and receive feedback that helps you take your work further.

Who can submit a proposal?

UKAT welcomes proposals from individuals and organisations and across the higher education sector, including UKAT members, colleagues at further and higher education institutions, and both not-for-profit and corporate organisations. Proposals are particularly welcomed from inexperienced, as well as experienced, presenters, researchers, and practitioners. UKAT provides mentoring and support to first-time presenters to help you prepare and deliver your session.

If your proposal is accepted, you must register as a conference delegate.

Can I get help with my proposal idea?

If you have an idea for a proposal, but you’re not sure whether it will be suitable, please get in touch! Email the UKAT conference team at conference@ukat.ac.uk for help and advice.

How do I submit a proposal?

Our guidelines for submitting proposals provide full details on the submission process. Proposals are submitted through an online system, and submitting your proposal simply requires you to complete the online submission form. Your proposal should indicate what your session will be about and identify clear objectives and outcomes.

How does UKAT decide which proposals to accept?

The reviewers will carefully consider all session proposals, and choose the successful proposals by asking the following questions:

Does the session have clearly identified objectives and outcomes?
Is the session idea engaging, informative, inspiring?
Is the topic relevant to those who advise students?
The extent to which the proposed session is interactive and facilitates conversations

You should ensure that your proposal answers these questions satisfactorily.

If I present a session, can I claim for my expenses?

Unfortunately, UKAT can’t contribute to your expenses for this conference.

If I present a session, do I have to pay the delegate fee?

Yes, all presenters are required to register as full delegates for the conference and to pay the conference delegate fee.

What is UKAT’s commercial policy?

Whilst UKAT welcomes proposals from both non-profit and corporate organisations, at no time is it permissible for a session or workshop presenter to use his/her presentation to advertise or promote a commercial product, service, or company.

Submission Instructions

If you want to present a session at the conference, please complete the online proposal form to submit a proposal which complies with the guidance given in the Understanding the Online Application Form section below. You don’t need to create the presentation or other materials at this stage.

You can submit as many proposals for consideration as you like. Your proposal(s) must be submitted through the online proposal submission system.