About the Learning & Teaching Conference

About the annual University of Edinburgh Learning and Teaching Conference, which brings together staff and students to celebrate and share good practice and innovation in learning and teaching.

An illustration representing student voice

Learning and Teaching Conference 2026 

‘Student voice in Learning and Teaching: what is possible?’ 

About the Conference 

The eighth annual Learning and Teaching Conference was a one day, in-person event at the Nucleus Building, King’s Building campus, on 16 June 2026. It was organised around the conference theme: ‘Student Voice in Learning and Teaching: what is possible?’. The University of Edinburgh is prioritising Student Voice because of a genuine desire to empower students to work in partnership with staff to consider how meaningful action can be taken, or not, as a dialogue of feedback. By creating initiatives and systems that support students in defining how and where they use their voices, and which empower staff to listen and respond meaningfully to the feedback they receive, the University can create a culture where all students are partners in contributing to learning and teaching conversations and to the development of future curriculum.  

The Conference brought together staff and students from across the University to celebrate and share good practice in strengthening and engaging with the Student Voice, take a scholarly look at different methods and initiatives, and continue to raise the overall profile of learning and teaching at the University. There was a range of different sessions, from practice and research presentations to interactive workshops and posters. The event concluded with a networking reception.  Selected sessions were live-streamed and recorded. 

Conference Programme with Abstracts

Conference Schedule

L&T Conference Programme 2026 (393.88 KB / PDF)

Conference Presentation guidance

Conference Keynote Speaker: Dr Emily McIntosh, Chief Student Officer, Harper Adams University

“Nothing about me without me” The Student Voice – An Art of the Possible

In an era where belonging, community and mattering are central to the narrative of achieving an inclusive educational experience, this keynote explores the transformative power of authentic student voice. Drawing on the principles of the Teaching Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) and the sparqs Student Learning Experience (SLE) model, it positions students not simply as participants in their education, but as genuine partners in shaping it. Through stories, evidence, and practice, the keynote will provides practical examples and considerations about how co‑creation, shared decision-making, and a culture of trust can strengthen cohesion and create learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. This session invites participants to embrace the art of the possible, moving from consultation to collaboration, and from representation to real partnership, so that “nothing about me without me” becomes a lived reality across the whole student experience.

Biography: Dr Emily McIntosh has held a variety of leadership roles in learning, teaching and the student experience in several UK universities. She joined Harper Adams University in December 2025 as the inaugural Chief Student Officer (CSO), with executive responsibility for the student experience. Emily is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA, 2017) and a National Teaching Fellow (NTF, 2021). She is an Executive Member and Trustee of the Heads of Educational Development (HEDG) group and an Independent Board Member of Trafford and Stockport College Group (TSCG). She is also an Honorary Professor of Professional Practice at the University of Buckingham. Emily has published widely on a variety of topics from academic advising, personal tutoring and peer learning to integrated practice/third space.

The Call for Proposals is now closed.

Please email lt.conference@ed.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Previous Conference information and resources

You can read summaries of our previous conferences, and access programmes and session recordings (where available in Media Hopper), in our previous conference webpages. 

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