Our speakers list will continue to be updated.

Professor Amanda Broderick
Chair of the BUCS Board of Directors and Vice-Chancellor and President, University of East London
Amanda is Vice-Chancellor and President of University of East London and has over 15 years’ experience of Board-level executive and non-executive roles.
Amongst Amanda’s numerous notable achievements, she led the development of the University Academy 92, building the distinctive industry-facing ‘Target Talent Curriculum’, founded by Manchester United’s Class of ’92 and Lancaster University. At the University of East London, one of the most socially inclusive universities in the UK, with a community of over 40,000 students representing 160+ nationalities, she is leading considerable success in advancing the diversity of the talent pipeline, building health gain to drive learning gain and delivering a transformative contribution for a healthier, happier, greener and fairer world.

Dr Steph Harris
Director of Strategy, Insight and Member Engagement at Universities UK (UUK)
Dr Stephanie Harris is currently the Director of Strategy, Insight and Member Engagement at Universities UK (UUK), the representative body for UK universities where she has worked for 7 years in various roles. These roles have included leading UUK’s immigration policy, managing the organisation’s international response to the covid-19 pandemic, and developing UUK’s current strategic plan.
In her current role, Steph acts as a senior adviser to the CEO and makes sure UUK’s work is driven by and for its membership. The focus of Steph’s career has been higher education policy and influencing, first as an SU sabbatical officer then as a Policy Officer to the Vice-Chancellor at Bath Spa University and finally at UUK. Steph holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bristol and is a current trustee at Bristol Students’ Union.

Izzy Watkins
Senior Programme Manager for Student Space at Student Minds
Izzy is a disabled and neurodivergent professional, with a deep personal and professional commitment to tackling structural and cultural barriers in higher education. She is particularly passionate about fostering a sense of belonging for students from marginalised communities.
Prior to joining Student Minds, Izzy held various roles within higher education, including at the University of Surrey Students’ Union and the University of Exeter. She is also a trustee at Crew 2000, a drug education and harm reduction charity.

Murhad Hussain
Former BUCS athlete and International Olympic Committee Young Leader

Orrin Carson and Robyn Munro
FISU Winter World University Games gold medallists