14 April 2026 - UCISA26 Okan Kibaroglu Reflections
Reflections from the UCISA26 Leadership Summit
by Okan Kibaroglu
Although I have been part of the UCISA community and a committee member for over a decade, this was my first opportunity to attend the Leadership Summit. Thanks to the bursary scheme, I travelled to Liverpool with a sense of anticipation and a number of questions: would the experience live up to expectations, and what new insights might I gain? From the outset, the event made a strong impression. The first day began with a steady flow of attendees into a well-organised and welcoming conference space. The seamless delivery, supported by the excellent work of the UCISA admin team, created an immediate sense of energy and professionalism that set the tone for the rest of the summit.
One of my key takeaways was a deeper understanding of higher education governance frameworks, particularly shared service models such as HEFESTIS. While I had been aware of these initiatives previously, hearing directly from those involved brought their value and potential into much sharper focus. It was an eye-opening opportunity to better understand how such frameworks can support institutions in addressing common challenges more effectively.
Another highlight was Jake Dovey’s talk, “Foster the Imposter.” This resonated strongly with me, not only because of its message but also because it aligned closely with changes we have been implementing in our own organisation. Two years ago, we adapted our recruitment approach to remove invisible barriers and encourage greater diversity—particularly to attract more women into technology roles. It was both affirming and inspiring to see similar work recognised and celebrated with a well-deserved accolade at the Awards Evening.
A further reflection from this session was the importance of continuously measuring team happiness. This served as a powerful reminder that employee wellbeing is not a one-off consideration but an ongoing responsibility. I left the summit with renewed motivation to prioritise this, recognising that a happy and engaged team is fundamental to delivering positive outcomes for our users and stakeholders.
For those attending the Leadership Summit for the first time, my key recommendation would be to fully embrace the variety of experiences on offer. Balance your time between keynote talks, panel discussions, exhibition spaces, buzzer sessions, and informal networking opportunities. Engaging across these different formats not only keeps the experience dynamic but also exposes you to a broader range of perspectives and ideas. Personally, I found this mix both refreshing and highly stimulating.
Overall, UCISA26 exceeded my expectations. It provided not only valuable insights into sector-wide challenges and innovations but also a renewed sense of connection and purpose. The summit reinforced the importance of collaboration, openness, and continuous reflection in leadership. I left Liverpool feeling energised, better informed, and inspired to apply these learnings within my own organisation.
