Net-Zero Student Living

Discover fresh insights and explore new collaborations between PBSA investors, operators and suppliers in the pursuit of Net-Zero.

08:30 - 09:00
Orangery

Registration and Breakfast Networking

09:00 - 10:30
Burdett Suite

Presentation & Opening Keynote

10:30 - 11:00
Orangery

Networking Break

08:30 - 09:30
Orangery

Registration and Breakfast Networking

09:30 - 10:30
INSIGHT Stream - Maynard Theatre

Closing the Gap - The Experience of Vulnerable Students

GSL’s latest research, conducted in collaboration with CUBO, explores the different needs and experiences of a range of potentially vulnerable student groups including disabled, neurodiverse, LGBTQIA+ and ethnic minorities.

In this session we highlight some of the key findings from the report and present a number of case studies from high-performing universities and private operators, followed by a panel session with Q&A.

Presenter:
Tim Daplyn, CEO, GSL

Panellists:
Jo Hardman, Director of Commercial Services, Lancaster University

Professor Geoff Layer, Chair, Disabled Students’ Commission

Samantha Hollex, Director of Operations, Host

09:30 - 10:30
ACTION Stream - Maynard 3

First Impressions Count - Getting the early days right

The evidence is clear. The first hours, days and weeks in student accommodation are critical to longer-term outcomes across satisfaction levels, mental health and continuation of study.

In this session we draw out the lessons of successful and unsuccessful initiatives. What actually works, and how can we adapt ideas from elsewhere into our Welcome strategy?

Presentation followed by 3 case studies and a Q&A.

Panellists:
Jon Belfield, Customer Experience Manager, Edge Hill

Sarah Knight-Gill, Head of Customer Service, Edge Hill

Niya Gelina, Residence Life Coordinator, Queen Margaret

Kasper Wigen, Global Marketing Director, Yugo

10:30 - 11:00
Orangery

Networking Break

11:00 - 12:00
INSIGHT Stream - Maynard Theatre

Autism-Friendly Accommodation

Autistic individuals are socially and academically disadvantaged by environments, including typical campus design and service delivery. Research, conducted by DCU, identified the key barriers faced by their autistic students. These included transitioning to university, the sensory environment on campus and stigma. The research also identified eight principles that underpin the service designs and actions required to address the barriers. In 2019 AsIam declared Dublin City University (DCU) the world’s first accredited autism-friendly university.

Learn why autism friendly universities are essential and how an autism-friendly approach can benefit the general student population.

Includes case study and expert Q&A.

Presenter:
Fiona Earley, Autism Friendly University Coordinator, Dublin City University

11:00 - 12:00
ACTION Stream - Maynard 3

Index Masterclass: Best Practices & Important New Features

In this session we hear from Hannah Colbran (Customer Success Manager) and James King (Senior Data Analyst) on how to maximise the value of the full Index platform, including the GSL Index app, video capture, AI transcription, sentiment analysis and other new features.

We’ll cover:

  • Planning & pre-launch
  • Maximising responses
  • Importance of data quality
  • Real-time performance monitoring
  • Analysing results
  • Creating action plans

and more!

12:00 - 12:30
Orangery

Networking Break

12:30 - 13:30
INSIGHT Stream - Maynard Theatre

The Blame Game - Net-Zero Fantasy vs Reality

While the topic of net-zero has become mainstream in student accommodation, there can be tension between students feeling their their accommodation provider should lead the way with sustainable behaviours, and accommodation providers looking to students to adopt more environmentally friendly habits.

In this session, we see the latest data that highlights students’ current attitudes towards sustainability in their accommodation and explore how providers can work with students to collaboratively tackle some of the sector’s biggest environmental challenges.

Followed by a panel discussion with Q&A

Panellists:
Olivia McCafferty, Research Director, Red Brick Research

Ben Ramsey, Operations Area Manager and co-founder of Nido’s Environment Committee, Nido

Ashleigh Dunlop, National Reslife Manager, Student Castle

12:30 - 13:30
ACTION Stream - Maynard 3

International Student Needs

Exploring the implication of research from the GSL Index highlighting the diverse expectations, attitudes and experiences of the UK’s largest international student cohorts from China, India and Nigeria.

13:30 - 14:30
Orangery

Lunch Break

14:30 - 15:30
INSIGHT Stream - Maynard Theatre

Wellbeing by Design - from Rooms to Relationships

The GSL Index has accumulated evidence linking good accommodation to positive student outcomes for more than a decade. In recent years attention has turned to wellbeing outcomes.

In this session we review the evidence linking different aspects of the accommodation experience – from room design to relationships – to wellbeing outcomes, followed by a panel discussion.

Panellists:
Clayre Massey, Associate Partner, Sheppard Robson

Frances Abbott, Wellbeing Manager, Empiric Student Property

Juan Luis Díaz, Director of Marketing and Customer Experience, Livensa Living

14:30 - 15:30
ACTION Stream - Maynard 2

Designing Communities : Accommodation Matters Podcast by Unite Students - LIVE RECORDING

Creating student accommodation with a sense of community feels like a holy grail for universities and private operators. But could community be a double-edged sword? Evidence shows that some of the accommodation with the strongest sense of community also has the least diversity. International students, LGBTQIA+ and other specific cohorts appear to feel safer and happier living with similar people so shouldn’t we use room allocations to create safe environments? Or are we in danger of creating ghettos that fail to meet students’ broader needs, or prepare them adequately for life beyond university?

Moderator:
Jenny Shaw, Higher Education External Engagement Director, Unite Students

Panellists:
Vanya Campbell, Engagement Manager, University of Essex

Paul Mercer, Director, Kaplan Living

Jo Blair, Head of Specification, Unite Students

15:30 - 16:00
Orangery

Networking Break

16:00 - 17:00
INVESTOR SUMMIT - Burdett Suite (Open Session)

Women in PBSA

This final session of the Investor Summit is open to all conference attendees.

Moderated and chaired by leading female figures in the PBSA sector, this session marks the launch of a new GSL initiative that aims to produce best practice guidance and active mentoring opportunities to accelerate the career development of women working in every facet of PBSA from reception desk to boardroom.

17:00 - 18:00
Orangery

Closing Networking Drinks

19:45 - 00:30
Horizon22 - London's Highest Events Venue

GSL Awards - Black Tie Awards and Networking Dinner (ticketed separately)

15:30 - 16:30
Breakout Session
Garden Room

BREAKOUT - Changing Behaviours: Turning ESG data into sustainable action

Real-world testimonies and roundtable discussion about the innovative ways in which Utopi ESG technology powered by ASK4 can delivering tangible ESG benefits, and enable resident action to shape the future of student living.

Learn More & Apply for Access

15:10 - 16:20
Burdett Suite

PBSA Futures – Emerging Risk and Opportunity

Moderator: Tim Daplyn, CEO, Global Student Living

Presenter: Petra Molthan-Hill, Professor of Sustainable Management and Education for Sustainable Development, Nottingham Business School

Panelists:

  • Sue Churchill, Director, Church Lukas
  • Dan Smith, Co-Founder, Good Management Group
  • Bobbi Hartshorne, Founder & CWO, WellWise
  • Paddy Jackman, Director, Jackman Education Services
16:20 - 16:30
Burdett Suite

Closing Remarks & Call-To-Action

Charlie Brunyate, Director of Sustainability, Mineral Digital

16:30 - 17:30
Orangery

Drinks & Networking

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