2026 Conference Information

In partnership with the University of Winchester, the conference will run in-person from Wednesday 8th April to Friday 10th April 2026.

We hope you enjoy our facilities, carefully chosen speakers, breakout session topics and social events. We look forward to you joining us to make the 2026 conference a valuable and enjoyable experience. This year's conference will be aligned with the theme Collaboration for Change.

Meet our plenary speakers 

Professor Sarah Greer, OBE, Vice Chancellor, University of Winchester

Our first Plenary will be presented by Professor Sarah Greer, OBE, Vice Chancellor of the University of Winchester.  Prior to her appointment in January 2022, Professor Greer was Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Worcester, where she led the four-year project to create one of the UK’s newest medical schools, the Three Counties School of Medicine, a graduate entry medical school serving the three counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

An English Literature graduate from the University of Cambridge, Professor Greer qualified as a chartered accountant and later as a barrister, completing pupillage with the Treasury Solicitor.

She is a Professor of Law and a National Teaching Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Professor Greer has held several public appointments, including most recently as a General Commissioner for the Disabled Students’ Commission, where she advanced support for disabled students in higher education. She is a former board member of Advance HE and the Winchester BID. She is currently the Chair of the Hampshire Skills Partnership and on the Executive Board of the Cathedrals Group of Universities.

Dan Kidd, Dean of Students, University of Wolverhampton

Plenary two will be presented by Dan Kidd, Dean of Students at the University of Wolverhampton. Daniel has been working in UK higher education for over 20 years. Having previously worked in student data roles within HE providers, Daniel worked at the Higher Education Statistics Agency as Head of Training and Consultancy from 2006 until 2018. In January 2018 Daniel took up the post of Director of Planning at Arden University with a broad remit across planning and statutory compliance activities. In February 2019 Daniel became Deputy Academic Registrar at the University of Wolverhampton, before becoming Director of Registry Services in August 2022. 

In January 2025 Daniel took up the role Dean of Students with responsibility for the Registry Services, Student Life, and Student Success directorates. Daniel authored a chapter on ‘Data capability across the information landscape’ within ‘Higher Education Strategy and Planning: A professional guide’ (Routledge, 2018) and is a regular contributor to sector-wide initiatives and events. 

Dr Angus Paddison, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester

Plenary three will be presented by Dr Angus Paddison, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester. Dr Angus Paddison is Reader in Theology and Pro Vice-Chancellor. He studied at Cambridge University and the University of Glasgow and held research posts at the Universities of Gloucestershire and Nottingham before coming to Winchester. His areas of expertise are contemporary theology and theologians, theology and politics and theological interpretation of scripture. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

Formerly Director of Academic Quality and Development at the University, he was appointed Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2016 and then Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in April 2021.

Student Panel Chaired by Sam Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor, University of Winchester with Alex Wilson

Our final plenary will be a Student Panel - Centring the Student Voice at the University of Winchester

Sam Jones is the Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Winchester. Sam became Assistant Vice-Chancellor in September 2019. Prior to this he was Director of Communications and External Relations at the University of Winchester.

Sam joined the University in 2015 after a career in the Civil Service and higher education policy. Sam was head of the Ministerial Communications Unit where he led a team responsible for delivering strategic communications for various Cabinet Ministers and Government Departments in collaboration with Number 10.

Within the University, Sam is responsible for areas including Marketing, Communications and Engagement,  Student Support and Success and Widening Participation. 

Sam studied at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, majoring in Australian Indigenous Studies. 

Alex Wilson, President of Winchester Students Union

Alex is the President of Winchester Students' Union, having recently completed her degree at the University of Winchester in BSc Psychology and Child Development. She has previously worked and volunteered with the Union in a variety of capacities, including being Activities Assistant and Student Officer in 2023/24. Alex is very passionate about supporting the student experience through being part of the University's Board and the Union, including her remit areas of: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Sustainability, Communications and Celebrating Success. 

Meet our conference sponsors

General information

Local Organising Committee

• The local organiser is Cath Beck 
• For enquiries before the conference, please contact sroc@winchester.ac.uk
• For enquiries during the conference, please contact the Conference desk which will be situated in the West Downs Centre Foyer

Registration for the Conference

• Day one: you may register for the conference from 3:30pm in the West Downs Centre Foyer.
• Day two: a conference information desk will be available in the West Downs Centre Foyer from 8:30am.
• Day three: a conference information desk will be available in the West Downs Centre Foyer from 9:30am.

IT/Internet Access

• Visitor Wi-Fi will be available throughout the University campus.  Further details on how to access this will be available in your delegate pack.
• If your device is logged into Eduroam prior to arrival you should be connected automatically while on campus.

Your SROC Account

• When first registering to attend the conference you will be prompted to create an account on the SROC website or login to your existing account.
• Your email address will be your username and will allow you to sign into your SROC account.
• Your invoice can be found in your account. Please make sure you download a copy of your invoice for payment, unless you used the on-line store to pay for your delegate place.

Conference App (Coming soon)

• We will be using Guidebook as our conference app (click here for a how-to on using Guidebook).
• You’ll need to have the Guidebook app on your device, but you won't be required to create an account or log-in.
• Download the guide to access up-to-date information about the conference, to build your personal schedule, maps, and much more. 
• We will be using the Guidebook app to collect feedback on individual breakouts and the conference.

Dietary requirements

• Special diets can be catered for. Please inform us of your needs using the conference booking form. 
• Additional queries can be sent to sroc@winchester.ac.uk.

Opening night social

• Our opening evening social event will offer a drinks reception and BBQ.  
• The evening's events will be held in The Gallery.
• After the meal there will be the traditional quiz in the Cafe Bar. 

Conference Dinner

• The Conference dinner and entertainment will be held at the Winchester Science Centre.
• The dinner is not ‘Black Tie’, but we do encourage you to put your ‘glad rags’ on!
• Coaches will be ferrying delegates from the accommodation to the Winchester Science Centre.
• There will be a coach shuttle running to the accommodation after the dinner.

Follow us on Linkedin

• You can follow the conference on Linkedin
• This year’s hashtag is #sroc26
• Please join in and share your experience of the conference!

Retail, Catering Outlets and Bars

• Alcohol will be served at both the evening events with bars in operation as well as those drinks included in the events.
• The University has a card/contactless payment only.
• Winchester Science Centre will accept both cash and card/contactless payments.
• The University is in the city centre with many amenities a short walk away.

Emergency Services and Fire Procedures

• In the event of an emergency or fire follow the instructions provided by University staff.  
• Delegates should adhere to the Hotel’s emergency evacuation protocol when in their accommodation.

Medical Assistance or other emergencies:

• Whilst on campus, visitors in need of emergency assistance should contact the conference team/desk in the first instance.