31 March 2026 - UCISA26 Jonathan Harrison Reflections
Reflections from UCISA26: Insights, Inspiration, and the Power of Shared Experience
By Jonathan Harrison, Head of IS Project Services, Edinburgh Napier University
24 March 2026
Attending the UCISA26 Leadership Conference was a genuinely rewarding and energising experience. As someone passionate about digital transformation and the evolving role of technology in higher education, I arrived eager to learn, connect, and bring back ideas that could make a meaningful impact. The event didn’t disappoint. Below are my reflections across four key areas that shaped my experience.
1. What I Was Looking Forward To
Heading into UCISA26, I was excited about several aspects of the programme and the community it brings together:
- Learning from other universities and hearing how they are approaching similar challenges.
- Catching up with suppliers and understanding what innovations they are developing.
- Exploring what’s new in the market, especially relevant tools and platforms to the challenges we currently face.
- Understanding the direction of AI, not just conceptually, but how it is actually being adopted in the sector.
These expectations set the stage for what turned out to be an inspiring few days.
2. First Impressions
From the moment I arrived, the conference felt well organised and welcoming, even though I got a flat tyre and arrived late:
- The layout and structure were exceptionally well set up, making it easy to navigate.
- The atmosphere was warm and engaging, with people genuinely interested in conversation.
- Branding and signage were clear, meaning I never felt lost or unsure where I needed to be.
It made for a smooth start and set a positive tone for everything that followed.
3. Key Takeaways from the Conference
Reflecting on the sessions, conversations, and informal discussions, three key themes stood out strongly for me:
Rethinking Recruitment and Broadening Talent Pools
Jake Dovey’s session on Foster the Imposter was genuinely inspirational. It challenged traditional recruitment norms and encouraged a mindset that widens access to opportunities by recognising diverse strengths and experiences.
AI as a Practical Tool — Not a Threat
The breakfast session with ProofID offered a grounded perspective on identity and AI adoption. The message that AI is asset, resonated strongly. The practical insights were immediately applicable and helped demystify some of the hype.
Student Record System (SRS) Replacements Don’t Need to Be Overcomplicated
This was reinforced in discussions with both university peers and suppliers:
- Some of the most successful migrations rely on lean, core systems, not massive, bloated solutions.
- This aligns directly with emerging work on the SURF.NL Student Model, which I’m keen to explore further as a possible industry standard.
All three takeaways directly inform conversations and decisions we’ll be making as part of our future SRS project
4. My Recommendation for First-Time Attendees
If you’re planning to attend the UCISA Leadership Summit for the first time, here’s my top tip:
- Attend as many sessions as possible, but leave intentional time for informal conversations, whether with suppliers or colleagues from other institutions.
I found the value split to be roughly 75% from sessions and 25% from unplanned conversations, which often led to just as many meaningful insights.
