FACE Conference 2025 at the University of Bath: setting the direction for the next decade
In June 2025, the Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) brought the access and participation community together at the University of Bath for its annual conference. The event marked a significant moment for the sector, combining reflection on what has been learned over recent years with a clear focus on what needs to happen next.
The conference welcomed senior leaders, practitioners, researchers and partners from across higher education and the wider education system. Over two days, delegates engaged in honest, sometimes challenging conversations about the state of access and participation, the pressures facing the sector, and the opportunities to reshape practice in more impactful and collaborative ways.
A central aim of the conference was to move beyond sharing individual projects and instead create space for collective thinking. Sessions explored how evidence is being used in practice, where it is not yet strong enough, and how the sector can better align strategy, delivery and evaluation. There was a strong emphasis on collaboration, regional working and the need to balance regulatory requirements with innovation and responsiveness to local contexts.
The University of Bath provided an ideal setting for these discussions. As both host and contributor, the institution showcased its own work across access, participation, outreach and research, while creating an open environment for debate and challenge. Delegates consistently highlighted the value of being able to step back from day-to-day delivery and think strategically alongside peers who face similar challenges.
The conference also played a pivotal role in shaping the FACE Manifesto (2025–2035). Rather than being written in isolation, the manifesto has been developed directly from the insights, discussions and priorities raised by delegates at the conference, building on earlier FACE summits and sector engagement. It reflects a shared ambition for the future of access and participation, grounded in practice and informed by evidence, without prescribing a single model or approach.
Importantly, the conference reinforced FACE’s role as a convenor for the sector. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, FACE continues to provide a space where difficult issues can be addressed constructively, and where collective leadership can emerge.
The outcomes from the June conference will continue to shape FACE’s work over the coming years, including policy engagement, research priorities and support for members. For those who attended, the conference was not just a moment of reflection, but a clear signal of intent about the direction of travel for access and participation across the UK.
Further information about the FACE Manifesto and how members can engage with its development and implementation will be shared on the FACE website in due course.
