07 March 2025 - The Architecture Exchange 2025 virtual event series
The Architecture Exchange 2025 virtual event series has officially begun, bringing together colleagues from across the higher education sector to share insights, strategies, and best practices. This exciting initiative is made possible through the efforts of the UCISA Enterprise Architecture group committee members Louw Labuschagne (Newcastle University), Rosie Coffey (University College Cork), Hannah Beeson (Queen Mary University of London), Lex Wilkinson (Sheffield Hallam University) and Russell Boyatt (Warwick University) who have meticulously organised and scheduled these sessions over the coming months. Their dedication ensures a platform for meaningful collaboration and knowledge-sharing across institutions.
This week’s inaugural sessions set the tone for what promises to be a highly engaging series. The first session, Introduction to Higher Education Reference Models (HERM), presented by Rosie Coffey and Louw Labuschagne, provided attendees with foundational knowledge about these models, paving the way for deeper discussions in future events. The session highlighted how HERM has developed and provided an overview of the different models within this incredibly valuable tool for aligning institutional strategies with architectural frameworks. Alison Pope (Royal Holloway) shared some fantastic examples of using the HERM models.
The second session, Strategy-on-a-Page, featured a presentation by Ian Johns from King’s College London on the work he and the team have put into building strategies on a page. Geoff Smith from Manchester Metropolitan University contributed his expertise and examples, while Daniel Poole from Newcastle University facilitated the session and added valuable insights. This collaborative effort showcased how institutions can distil complex strategies into concise, actionable frameworks, fostering clarity and alignment within their organisations.
The third session, Architecture Capability Management, was facilitated by Alan Cecchini from Newcastle University. Alan and Dave Berry from the University of Edinburgh presented their experiences establishing and maturing an Enterprise Architecture (EA) practice, focusing on critical aspects such as team structure, governance frameworks, and aligning architecture with organisational evolution. The session emphasised actionable strategies for building EA capabilities while fostering an interactive environment where participants could share insights and experiences.
In the week's final session, Architecture 101, Facilitator Louw Labuschagne provided participants with a comprehensive introduction to the foundational concepts of Enterprise Architecture (EA). The session covered key frameworks and tools, including The Zachman Framework, Architectonic, TOGAF, and ArchiMate. Participants gained valuable insights into developing and integrating EA foundations and tools. By exploring these various frameworks, participants could compare different approaches to EA, enhancing their ability to select and implement the most appropriate solutions for their specific organisational needs.
These sessions bring together higher education professionals to learn from one another’s successes and challenges. The diversity of perspectives ensures that discussions are rich and relevant, offering practical takeaways for attendees to implement in their institutions.
As we look ahead to the upcoming sessions in the Architecture Exchange 2025 series, this initiative will continue to foster collaboration and innovation across the sector. Stay tuned for more updates as we delve deeper into these critical topics that shape the future of higher education architecture.
