22 August 2025 - SSG25 Lindsey Barry
It had been quite some time since I last attended a UCISA conference, and I’ll admit—I was a little apprehensive. I often struggle with imposter syndrome, so I fully expected to feel out of place, convinced that everyone there would seem far more accomplished.
From the moment I arrived, though, the warmth and friendliness shown by the events team, exhibitors, and fellow attendees was genuinely outstanding. The openness with which people shared their experiences—good and bad—fostered a welcoming, supportive atmosphere.
I took a lot away from the sessions. The “How to Create a Happy Workplace” talk really resonated, particularly the idea of removing approval levels to empower teams. “The Great AI Debate” challenged me to pause and think deeply, and it was fascinating to hear what other institutions are grappling with—like closing face-to-face counters or operating without an ITSM tool.
Of course, I couldn’t resist the merch. Wandering from stall to stall with my paper bag, collecting chocolate bars, charging cables, and even a surprise umbrella added an element of fun. The exhibitors struck a great balance—friendly and approachable, ready to chat about their offerings without the hard sell and genuinely interested in understanding our challenges.
Overall, I found the conference thoroughly enjoyable. That’s a credit to the hard work of the events team and the enthusiastic engagement from attendees. I left feeling inspired to question the status quo and consider new approaches. Most importantly, it reminded me to be kinder to myself—we’re not necessarily behind; we may just be navigating a similar set of challenges to other Institutions.
