British Academy to convene experts in research, culture and higher education in support of humanities, arts and social sciences at new flagship annual conference

The British Academy will host a roster of journalists, academics, policy experts, cultural leaders and leading voices in the education and research sector in the first of a new annual conference series next week.

The Conversation Starts Here - taking place on Wednesday 2 April - will convene top thinkers and leaders in support of the SHAPE subjects, with the day’s agenda creating a space to share insights and spark new conversations on the importance, value and future of SHAPE study and research. SHAPE stands for social sciences, humanities and the arts for people and the economy.

Professor Julia Black, President of the British Academy, will deliver a keynote speech on the importance of research, higher education and international collaboration.

Other speakers include the Chief Executive and two Vice-Presidents of the British Academy; Mark Hallett, Director of the Courtauld Institute of Art; Séverine Trouillet, Chief Executive of STEM Learning; and Tom Calver, Data Editor at The Times and Sunday Times. The line-up includes speakers from around the UK including from the National Library of Wales, the University of Glasgow and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. Sessions include SHAPE insights in policymaking, sustainable research careers, access to SHAPE study, and devolution in education and research.

The conference follows a busy year for the Academy’s SHAPE Observatory, its flagship data platform providing independent evidence on the evolving health of the SHAPE subjects in higher education and research. Recent reports include analyses on the health of Politics and International Relations and Media Studies in higher education, Subject Choice Trends in post-16 education in England over a decade, and Mapping SHAPE: a new series of maps highlighting emerging “cold spots” to SHAPE study across all regions of the UK.

Sarah Cowan, Head of Higher Education and Research Policy at the British Academy, said: “In a complex and changing landscape for our subjects, we are thrilled to be convening a range of voices and figures in our community: bringing crucial expertise and insights to bear to influence and shape the future for the SHAPE disciplines. We are so excited to host this first iteration of what will become an anticipated moment in the annual calendar of all those who advocate for the value of higher education and research”.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Anyone unable to attend can follow the Academy on Bluesky at @britishacademy.bsky.social for live highlights and key discussion points from the conference throughout the day.