[Responsible-digital-futures] Fwd: House of Lords Convening – Reimagining Sustainability in Higher Education: Leading Through Equity

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues.


I would like to congratulate Dr Jummy Okoya, Samson Olagbami and the
University of East London for the *Reimagining Sustainability in Higher
Education: Thriving Through Equity and Student Success* report published in
partnership with Advance HE.


What started as a conversation at the House of Lords has now become a
national sector report bringing together the voices of Vice-Chancellors,
policymakers and senior leaders from across UK higher education.


This work emerged from a powerful House of Lords convening hosted by
Baroness Sandy Verma and developed through a national dialogue involving:

   - contributions from more than 10 Vice-Chancellors
   - engagement from senior leaders across more than 30 institutions
   - four themed webinar conversations exploring the future sustainability
   of higher education through the lens of equity, leadership and student
   success


*This report aims to reposition equity and student success as the
foundational infrastructure of institutional sustainability in higher
education. Originating from the House of Lords convening, one-on-one
interviews with various university Vice-Chancellors and developed through a
national webinar series, it seeks to move the sector beyond moral rhetoric
toward strategic, evidence-led action.*


*The report has four central aims. First, to redefine sustainability as
more than financial survival, framing student continuation, attainment,
belonging and progression as core indicators of institutional resilience.
Second, to surface practical leadership, governance and accountability
mechanisms that make equity measurable and unavoidable. Third, to connect
innovation, digital transformation and partnership working directly to
inclusion, ensuring futureproofing does not reproduce inequality. Finally,
to provide a clear call to action for governing bodies, executive leaders
and academic communities to embed equity at system level rather than as an
add-on initiative.*


*In doing so, the report offers a strategic blueprint for institutions
seeking to thrive through equity, strengthen public trust, and deliver
student success as a matter of institutional design rather than chance.*


Read the full report at
https://advance-he.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/reimagining-sustainability-he-university-east-london


Okoya, O J & Olagbami, S (2026) Reimagining Sustainability in Higher
Education:Thriving through Equity and Student Success. University of East
London.


Please share this report with your University colleagues and networks.


Best wishes


Suchith





On 23 Nov 2025, at 21:53, Suchith Anand  wrote:

Dear colleagues,

I thank the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the
UK Government for responding to my *Open Letter on REF 2029 - Research
Culture*

https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006617.html

https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-September/006622.html

It is important to talk about research culture and the Research Excellence
Framework 2029. I thank the UK university community and REF 2029 community
for this focus on research culture for REF 2029. Let us all work to build a
healthy and thriving research system that delivers the maximum benefits for
society.

Together, let's drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive and
equitable representation in the UK academic landscape. Let us support the
values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, continuing to build communities
where all voices are heard, and every individual thrives.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise
our human rights. Be a human rights champion!

Best wishes

Suchith


On 19 Nov 2025, at 11:42, Suchith Anand  wrote:

Dear colleagues,

An excellent convening on *Reimagining Sustainability in Higher Education:
Leading Through Equity* at the UK House of Lords on 17th November 2025.  I
represented and contributed on behalf of the University of Exeter for this
important meeting.

Hosted by Baroness Verma, the event united a distinguished cohort of senior
leaders, including:

- Vice-Chancellors and PVCs
- Representatives from over 20 universities, encompassing Russell Group and
post-92 institutions
- Regulatory and sector bodies such as the Office for Students and HEPI

This endeavour will create a unified, sector-wide vision of a sustainable
University, one that champions equity, thrives on inclusion, and endures
through purposeful collaboration. The dialogues were profound, open, and
strategically focused, underscoring a fundamental truth: Equity is not an
add-on to sustainability but the cornerstone of a thriving higher education
sector.

Delegates delved into how equity can propel:

- Financial and operational resilience
- Enhanced outcomes and student experiences
- Robust governance practices
- Inclusive digital and workforce advancements

*Next Steps:*

Our forthcoming actions include:

- Crafting a comprehensive sector-wide report, incorporating insights from
the event and amplifying the voices of Vice-Chancellors leading equity
initiatives nationally
- Facilitating virtual in-depth roundtables for each thematic stream
- Showcasing institutions pioneering equity-driven transformations
- Ensuring alignment of our roadmap with evolving government policies

This endeavour will create a unified, sector-wide vision of a sustainable
University, one that champions equity, thrives on inclusion, and endures
through purposeful collaboration. Thank you to Baroness Verma for hosting
us, and to Dr Jummy Okoya for leading this important conversation.

Looking forward to working together for championing equity and inclusion.
Together, we are reshaping the sector’s future.

Best wishes

Suchith

Professor Suchith Anand
Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and
International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science
Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate
https://spspa.exeter.ac.uk/people/profile/index.php?username=sa1131
https://ethicaldatainitiative.org
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