The University Happy Index: Can staff in higher education still flourish in the University of 2030?
Thursday, 18 June 2026 | 7pm–9pm
The Chapel, Keele University
In a changing landscape for UK higher education, and after a decade of cost savings and disputes over pensions and pay, how can staff in universities - whether they be academic, professional services, or operational - flourish as we enter a new decade that will likely see the sector shift even more in both size and shape?
Join Lord James Timpson – Minister of State, former CEO of Timpson Group, and author of The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management – for this debate alongside Professor Stacy Johnson MBE, Professor of Critical Inclusive Leadership; wellbeing expert Dr Andy Cope; and Dr Debbie McVitty, Editor of Wonkhe.
Second-year Maths student Inaya shares her reflections on the Keele Debates, offering fresh perspectives on the ideas, discussions and challenges explored throughout the series.
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The panel
Chaired by Professor Kevin Shakesheff
Vice-Chancellor of Keele University
Lord James Timpson
Minister of State, former CEO of Timpson Group, and author of The Happy Index: Lessons in Upside-Down Management
Dr Debbie McVitty
Editor Wonkhe
Professor Stacy Johnson MBE
Professor of Critical Inclusive Leadership, University of Nottingham
Dr Andy Cope
Wellbeing expert and best-selling author
