Inside the SRHE 2025 Conference: Education Research Meets Innovation

SRHE 2025 Conference
Society for Research in Higher Education (SRHE) 2025 International Research Conference  is set to take place online on Friday, 28th November 2025  and in-person at the East Midlands Conference Center, Nottingham, UK from 2-4 December 2025

The SRHE Conference 2025 promises to be one of the most anticipated events in higher education research worldwide. Organized by the Society for Research in Higher Education, this annual international conference brings together leading academics, doctoral scholars and policymakers to explore innovation, inclusivity and transformation in higher education. From researchers to PhD students, everyone is encouraged to attend this conference.

Established with the mission to promote scholarly research, the SRHE fosters collaboration among academics and encourages the sharing of evidence-based findings into education policy and practice.

In today’s evolving academic world, research in higher education plays a crucial role in shaping teaching methods, improving institutional management and developing inclusive learning environments.

Each year, the conference provides a space for researchers to present new findings, discuss challenges and exchange ideas that change the global education landscape.

With a hybrid format, online and in-person sessions, SRHE Conference 2025 ensures accessibility and engagement for individuals across countries.

Did You Know?

The 2025 conference marks the SRHE’s 60th anniversary. Therefore, as part of the celebrations, the society has announced the award of 22 new Fellowships to recognize substantial contributions to scholarship in higher education.

About SRHE International Conference 2025

The SRHE international conference was founded in 1965, making it one of the oldest conferences, contributes to the academic world.

What began as a small academic gathering in the late 1965 has now converged into an international program with researchers, students and policymakers attending this event. Furthermore, over the decade, it has become a hub for scholarly dialogue, exploring:

  • Key issues in university governance
  • The impact of digital transformation
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Employability and future readiness
Mission:

The SRHE’s  mission is to:

Deepen your understanding of higher education through various perspectives and the knowledge gained from research.

Furthermore, the conference aims to support the research and practice, to ensure new knowledge is shared with academia.

It works as a key forum for international communities and researchers to collaborate, sharing knowledge across different platforms.

Vision:

Their overarching vision is to:

Be the leading international society dedicated to research in higher education.

To positively impact the universities, helping them improve their faculty, education, and facilities.

Who Attends the SRHE Conference 2025?

This international conference is usually attended by a diverse group of professionals interested in higher education, like:

  • Researchers & Academics
  • Publishers like Emerald Publishing.
  • Educational Developers
  • Policy makers
  • PhD Students
  • Professionals in academic writing

This diverse mix ensures that every session captures multiple perspectives, making discussions both practically and intellectually rich.

Did You Know?

The estimated number of the individuals who will attend the SRHE Conference 2025 is 400 to 500 delegates.

Read More: Event: 9th World Conference On Research In Teaching And Education 2025

SRHE International Research Conference 2025 Details

Book your dates as the SRHE International Research Conference 2025 is set to take place this year. It has a hybrid structure, offering both online and in-person attendance. Here are the complete details.

SAVE THE DATE & VENUE 

Online Conference Date: 28th November 2025

In-Person Conference Dates: 2-4 December 2025

Venue: East Midlands Conference Center (EMCC), University Park Campus, Nottingham, UK

Organizers: Society for Research Into Higher Education

Theme Focus: Higher education research, innovation, and inclusivity

Visit the Website

SRHE 2025 Conference

Theme Focus 2025

This year’s theme is all about: Higher education research, innovation, and inclusivity. Therefore, you can expect:

  • Educational equity in the post-pandemic world
  • The rise of AI and technology in teaching
  • Global collaboration in research
  • Inclusivity and accessibility in higher education

Moreover, this event provides a transformative space for education professionals to reflect, learn, and collaborate on challenges that are shaping higher education universitries worldwide.

Why Attend SRHE Conference 2025?

SRHE Conference

Attending the SRHE conference is not just about exploring research. Instead, it is about learning and growing within the global academic community.

Furthermore, it offers opportunities for professional development, networking knowledge exchange and research dissemination.

1. Networking With Experts

The event brings together a wide range of professionals, including researchers, students, policy makers, educational developers and professional services staff. This allows them to foster a collaborative environment for building a professional network. Moreover, these interactions create opportunities for further collaborations, partnerships, and mentorships.

2. Knowledge Exchange and Latest Research

The SRHE conference serves as a solid platform to learn about the latest research, innovations, and best practices in the field of higher education. From the presentations and workshops covering diverse research domains, this conference includes a variety of sessions.

Furthermore, it allows the attendees to stay updated about current industry trends and challenges, boosting their understanding.

Present Your Work & Get Feedback

Researchers and students have the opportunity to present their papers or research findings to a national and global audience. This not only helps you get the feedback from experts in the field. But it can also strengthen your research, guiding future publication efforts.

Professional Development

The SRHE conference organizes different workshops and training sessions. Their aim is to offer practical skills development, such as improving presentation abilities, learning new research methods, or using specific tools.

Thus, attending this conference either online or in person can enhance your CV. Furthermore, it shows your commitment to professional growth and continuous learning.

Access to Diverse Perspectives

With an international membership, the SRHE community offers a broad range of local, national and international perspectives on common issues facing higher education.

Thus, this exposure to different contexts and approaches provides a fresh point of view on academic phenomena and institutional challenges.

Focus on Key Themes

As you know, the theme of the 2025 conference addresses the “Compassion, Collegiality and communities in higher education. Thus, this challenges the discourse.

This theme enables attendees to engage in targeted discussions about critical issues, such as prioritizing kindness and caring, promoting inclusivity and support among students & staff in higher education, and fostering engagement with local communities.

Attending this academic conference in Nottingham provides great opportunities for researchers, students and policymakers alike.

Key Sessions and Activities
SRHE Conference

The SRHE 2025 features a diverse range of sessions and activities that are designed to cater to the different needs of academic interests. They include:

  • Research paper presentations
  • Keynote speaker sessions
  • Workshops, panels, and networking sessions
  • Poster presentations for early-career researchers

So, what’s going to happen in each of the sessions?

Let’s dive into them.

Research paper presentationsSRHE Conference

At SRHE, hundreds of research papers on various domains will be presented, covering topics like higher education policy, leadership pedagogy and student life.

Furthermore, these papers will be organized under 10 broad research domains, including:

  • Academic Practice, Work, Careers, and Cultures (AP)
  • Digital University and New Learning Technologies (DU)
  • Employability, Enterprise, and Graduate Careers (EE)
  • Higher Education Policy (HEP)
  • International Contexts and Perspectives (ICP)
  • Learning, Teaching, and Assessment (LTA)
  • Management, Leadership, Governance, and Quality (MLGQ)
  • Postgraduate Scholarship and Practice (PGSP)
  • Student Access and Experience (SAE)
  • Technical, Professional and Vocational Higher Education (TPV)

Keynote speaker sessions

When attending this higher education research conference in the UK, you can expect inspiring talks from renowned global educators and researchers who will address the most pressing challenges faced by higher education in today’s world.

The scholars you can expect to attend are:
SRHE Conference

Key Speakers at SRHE Conference 2025

Dr Karen Gravett, a higher Associate Professor of Higher Education and Associate Head (Research) at the University of Surrey, UK. She will attend the online session held on 28th November 2025, where she will talk on Thinking with care: Untangling the ambivalences and complexities of contemporary care discourses in higher education.

Another keynote speaker is Professor Theo Gilbert, Professor of Compassion-focused Pedagogy, at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). He will be present in the in-person conference on  2nd December, covering the topic: The Race Against Time for Compassionate Teams Development in HE.

Workshops, panels, and networking sessions

The SRHE conference will also host the interactive workshops focusing on research methodology, academic writing, and digital innovation in teaching.

Moreover, during this session delegates will have the chance of explore different research entries, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Poster presentations for early-career researchers
SRHE Conference

Lastly, the poster presentations will be held, where the early-career researchers will have the opportunity to present their projects, gain visibility, and receive mentorship from established scholars.

Additionally, the Delegate Pack will include the voting form and guidance. Voting will open on Wednesday, 6 December, and end after lunch break on the following day.

Note: If you wish to learn more about such education research events of 2025 in the UK, visit the website of Times Higher Education.

Who Should Attend This Conference & Why?

There is no strict regulations regarding the attendees. Instead, this session is designed for anyone passionate about education and academic development. Here are the ideal participants and how it can help them:

  • University Lecturers & Professors: This session will help them stay updated with new research methodologies and teaching practices.
  • PhD Students & Postdocs: For the postgraduates, this is the perfect opportunity to gain exposure and connect with leading academics.
  • Education Policymakers: Through this conference, they can understand research-driven insights shaping university systems.
  • Academic Writing Experts: For professional academic writers and research analysts, this session can help them explore the trends in scholarly communication and peer review.

Thus, no matter your background or profession, SRHE offers valuable insights and growth opportunities within the higher-education ecosystem. So, get yourself registered now!

What are the registration guidelines & Deadlines?
SRHE Conference

The SRHE conference registration details  will be directly available on the website. However, there are still important dates and ticket information to look out for, like:

Important Details:

Here are some dates that you need to note about when the conference will be held:

  • Online: Friday 28 November 2025
  • In-person: from Tuesday 2 to Thursday, 4 December 2025 at the East Midlands Conference Center in Nottingham, UK.

Additionally, registration is open, and delegates can choose to attend the online day, the in-person days, or both. Also, do remember that if you are registering for both formats, they require separate bookings.

Moreover, you should know that:

  • Early Bird Registration starts in Mid-2025, whereas for submission of abstracts and papers, the deadline for submissions is Thursday, 15 May 2025 (23:59 GMT+1). Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Ticket Pricing

The SRHE members, including student members, can attend the online day free of charge. However, for the non-members, there is a registration fee, including:

  • Online day is £160.
  • Student non-members need to pay £80.

Additionally, for the in-person attendance, covering all three days of sessions and social events:

  • Two fee tiers apply: Early booking, which is until 23 September, and Standard booking from 24 September onwards.

Also, the rates for SRHE members start at

  • £475 (early) and increase to £535 (standard)
  • Non-members and student members have different rates.

Important: Accommodation is not included in the registration fee and must be booked separately by the delegate.

Accommodation & Travel Tips For Nottingham Attendees

The East Midlands Conference Center (EMCC) is conveniently located within the University of Nottingham’s campus. Furthermore, it is surrounded by excellent accommodation and travel options.  Hence, here are some accommodations & travel tips for attendees.

Where to Stay?

There are three different locations for those who are looking to stay for the conference. They include:

  • The Orchard Hotel which is adjacent to EMCC
  • Hilton Nottingham, which is 15 minutes from the venue
  • Premier Inn Nottingham City Center. It is budget-friendly and won’t cause financial strain.

Travel Routes

To avoid any mishaps during the travel, here are some routes to consider:

  • From London: Regular train services from St Pancras International to Nottingham Station, which is 1 hour 45 minutes.
  • From East Midlands Airport: it will take approx. 30 minutes by taxi.
  • By Car: EMCC is accessible via the M1 Motorway Junction 25.

Campus Facilities

While attending the conferences, Attendees can explore different cafes, research lounges, libraries, and accessible transport across campus. This ensures a smooth conference and educational experience.

Past Conference Highlight (2023-2024)

The last two SRHE conferences were exceptional. They showcased the collaboration and thought leadership. While keeping the overall theme to research, these sessions included:

  • 2023 Theme: Education in a Changing World
  • 2024 Theme: Global Knowledge, Local Contexts

The pattern of each session was the same, with one online session and a three-day in-person session. Furthermore, each event attracted over 500 participants from more than 40 countries. They also feature keynote sessions from famous scholars. It even includes lively discussions on global education reforms.

Also the past attendees have described the event as a transformative experience and the best academic networking opportunity in higher education.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of a research conference?

A research conference allows academics and students to share knowledge, present findings, and network with others in their field. Furthermore, it is the best way to collaborate with each other.

2. How do you get invited to an international conference?

You can apply by submitting an abstract or proposal for review. If accepted, you’ll be invited to present your work. Furthermore, do visit their websites and stay updated about the changes, if any, regarding the registrations.

3. Are research conferences worth it?

Research conferences are worth it because they enhance visibility. Also they improve research quality, and foster collaboration opportunities with global scholars. From researchers to PhD students, everyone should attend it.

Key Takeaways:

  • It is the transformative experience bringing together some of the brightest minds in the field of higher education.
  • Furthermore, it is taking place both online and in Nottingham on 28th November and 2-4 December, respectively.
  • This prestigious event invites researchers, educators and policy experts from across the globe to share ideas, present innovative research and explore the evolving challenges and opportunities within higher education.
  • The SRHE 2025 Conference provides a dynamic platform for collaboration, critical dialogue, and professional growth.
  • Participants can look forward to engaging in keynote sessions. Also, there are panel discussions and interactive workshops designed. Their aim is to inspire new perspectives and foster academic excellence.

Wrap Up!

The SRHE International Research Conference 2025 is not just another academic event. Instead it is a powerful gathering that is redefining the future of higher education.

Whether you are a researcher, PhD student or a seasoned scholar, SRHE 2025 offers invaluable opportunities to network. Also is the perfect platform to exchange knowledge, and gain insights. Thus, they can influence your research and teaching practices.

Not only it focus on the rich academic content, the conference encourages inclusivity and global engagement. And in this, their hybrid format plays a vital role. Thus this ensures that participants from around the world can take part, regardless of location. By joining SRHE 2025 you will become part of a vibrant international community.

Honestly you do not want to miss your chance to be part of this influential event. Register early to secure your place and stay updated about the deadlines. Also, be ready to  contribute to the conversations driving the next generation of higher education innovation and policy development. This event is going to be one of the biggest educational events of the year