Radically Re-Thinking the University
Elementa Leadership invites senior higher education leaders to join us for our 2026 Summit, The End of the Old U? Radically Re-Thinking the University.
Together we’ll explore how universities can thrive amid profound change — and consider what it will take to lead them into the future.
- Thursday, 19 March 2026
- The Royal Institution, London
The Summit responds to a growing need for university leaders to think differently about the future — to look beyond the pressures of the present and reimagine what universities could become by 2040.
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The Future of Higher Education
Elementa Leadership has undertaken new research into the future of higher education to inform and provoke the conversations at the 2026 Summit.
Drawing on interviews with senior leaders from universities across the UK, Europe and the United States, the study explores:
- The trends and forces that will shape higher education towards 2040
- What society will expect from its universities
- What the most successful universities of the future might look like
- The radical shifts institutions may need to make in order to thrive
The research will serve as the centrepiece of the Summit — inviting delegates to test, challenge, and build on its ideas as they explore the future of higher education.
Research Insights
The problem with the future is that it is different. If you are unable to think differently, the future will always arrive as a surprise. Gary Hamel
Beyond the Tyranny of the Present
When leaders are consumed by the urgency of the moment, short-term pressures can crowd out long-term vision — leaving little time for curiosity, reflection or the exploration of what might lie ahead.
The Summit provides the opportunity to pause, question and think differently about the future.
By joining the conversation, you will:
- Challenge sectoral assumptions about the forces reshaping the future of higher education
- Examine the changing authorising environment for universities, and what this reveals about their evolving role and purpose
- Explore radical new ways of thinking and operating — identifying the pathways, possibilities and strategic choices that could lead universities into the future
- Clarify the shifts in leadership and culture that may be required if universities are to thrive
Shaping New Possibilities
The Summit is designed as an immersive, conversational experience.
Rather than a series of presentations, the day will provide opportunities for delegates to engage in meaningful discussion, share perspectives and co-create new thinking.
The programme will include:
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Opening address from Professor Sir Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive of the University of the West of England
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Insight and provocation from Richard Sharpe, drawn from Elementa Leadership’s HE Futures research paper
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Responding and making sense of the research findings — through dialogue and reflection on its implications and possibilities for HE
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Exploring the radical shifts needed for universities to thrive by 2040, and the systemic conditions that will shape what is possible
The Summit will bring together sector leaders for a day of challenge, curiosity and purposeful dialogue — creating the conditions for fresh insight and action.
Summit Programme
Simply pushing harder within the old boundaries will not do. Karl Weick
Summit Details
Who is it for?
The Summit is for senior university leaders — those occupying executive roles responsible for shaping the future direction of their institutions.
There are 50 places available, ensuring a high-quality conversation and exchange.
Where will it take place?
We are delighted the Summit will take place at The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS — one of London’s most historic venues for scientific and intellectual discovery.
The Royal Institution is located in Mayfair, a five-minute walk from Green Park. The venue is also within easy reach of Bond Street and Piccadilly Circus.
When will it start and finish?
The Summit will start at 9:30 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m., with arrival and networking from 9:00 a.m. A full programme will be provided nearer the date.
What is the cost?
£395 + VAT per person (£474 inc. VAT) — including lunch and refreshments.
How can I book a place?
Simply complete our booking form using the link below to request a place.
Once we receive your form, we will contact you to confirm your place at the Summit and provide payment details.
Book Your Place
Elementa Leadership is a specialist leadership and organisational development consultancy for higher education passionate about the future of universities as central to the development of a better world.