51st International Conference on
Improving University Teaching
Conference theme: “Navigating Sustainability and Innovation in a VUCA World”
July 16-18, 2025 + Extended Access
Hybrid Conference: Attend live or remotely, or view recordings on your schedule.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr Alex Ryan NTF SFHEA FRSA
Opening Keynote Address
Dr Alex Ryan is a UK National Teaching Fellow and award-winning leader, known for driving education innovation and strategic change for sustainability in universities. She combines experience in institutional sustainability leadership, collaborative research, co-creation with learners, professional development and policy influence.
Alex’s Education for Sustainability expertise has delivered evidenced curriculum transformation at scale, empowering educators, students and institutions to embed excellence in sustainability learning. Through Learning Energy, she works in consultancy and coaching to equip future generations and professionals to lead this change.
Learn more: learning-energy.org.uk
Dr Gurnam Singh PhD., NTF., FRSA, Associate Professor of Sociology (Hon),
University of Warwick, UK
Closing Keynote Address
Dr. Gurnam Singh is a highly respected activist researcher, writer, educator, and broadcast journalist who is dedicated to exposing and challenging systems of power, privilege, and violence. He is currently Associate Professor of Sociology (Hon) at the University of Warwick, a post he has held since 2019. Previously recent roles include, Fellow in Race and Education at the University of Arts, London (2018-2024), Associate Professor of Education and Post Graduate Research Degrees Lead (2017-2023) and Principal Lecturer in Social Work (2012-2019) Coventry University. Dr. Singh’s contributions to pedagogy and higher education have earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2009, he was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the UK Higher Education Academy, and in 2018 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts (FRSA). Dr Singh has worked with numerous universities and public and private sector organisations providing consultancy focusing specifically on student recruitment, progression and attainment, anti-racism, decolonisation, artificial intelligence, and critical pedagogy.
The title of his keynote address is “Bridging Traditions: The role of ‘authentic pedagogies’ in moment of increasing complexity and chaos!”
