The University of Exeter are partnering with Times Higher Education (THE) to host Digital Universities UK (DUUK) 2024 on our Exeter (Streatham) campus this April. We’re honoured to be hosting such an exciting event and we want all the delegates to have the most accessible and connected experience possible so that you can focus on taking in all the amazing content on offer, bringing your learnings back to your own institutions. We are keen to put our own Exeter stamp on this event so we’ve split into four planning subgroups, each focusing on one element to set our event apart from the rest.
Read this blog post to learn about the great things we’re planning to help make DUUK 2024 stand out!
Group 1: Showing up on opening night & legendary lunches
Our first subgroup, led by Ben Samuels, Event Sales Specialist at Event Exeter, is focusing on how we can make the DUUK opening night Start-Up Competition stand out and have a ‘UoE twist’, and also on showcasing incredible local, sustainable food choices throughout the event. At DUUK 2024 sustainability is a huge focus, so you’ll see a fully vegetarian menu. With themed tables and an amazing selection of delicious foods, you certainly won’t go hungry!
Group 2: Phenomenal programme planning & first impressions
Our second subgroup is focusing on how we will make an amazing first impression with everyone attending DUUK, and how we will make this impression last with an amazing programme showcasing the best of the University of Exeter. The work of this group is being led by Emily Prevatt, Digital Operations Lead, and Cintia Nemeth, Executive PA to the Chief Digital Officer, and they are ensuring the whole institution is engaged and represented within the DUUK agenda.
One way that we’re highlighting the amazing work of UoE is through our showcasing happening throughout the whole event, giving space to highlight the amazing innovative work we’re doing across the University. The Showcases will take place in The Terrace (opposite the Great Hall) and will run throughout all three days of DUUK. Stands will showcase digital achievements of the University community, covering a range of departments, colleagues, and students. We want to create opportunities to share experiences to date and have meaningful conversations with people from higher education and beyond, enabling us to share and learn from one another. This will provide a great opportunity for networking and building connections with other likeminded people.
Group 3: Digital Strategy Festival & telling the story
The third planning group are focusing on showcasing the University of Exeter’s 2030 Digital Strategy. During the evening of day two, ticket holders can come along to our Digital Strategy Festival, where you will be immersed in our digital strategy. We’ll be bringing our strategy to life through four bitesize main stage acts, supported by a number of stands which you are free to explore to better understand what we do and how we do it.
Focusing on the unique ways in which we are delivering our digital strategy, you’ll leave feeling excited and inspired to continue with your own digital transformation journey. From our user and data-led approach to delivering our strategy, to how we learn from other industries and are developing our very own platform; we hope that our Digital Strategy Festival is an opportunity for us to learn from one another and build connections.
Group 4: Enablement & the ‘new’ way to network
Our fourth subgroup is focusing on the ‘other stuff’ that umbrellas the whole conference, ensuring we’re thinking of everything. This group is dedicated to considering the sustainability and accessibility of the event, alongside creating opportunities for you to find out more about what we do at Exeter including tours of key facilities such as the Digital Humanities Lab, Creative Quadrant and Engineering Makerspace.
In advance of the event, we will be sending out ‘Think Green’ communications to all attendees that will provide sustainable travel advice, suggesting attendees bring a reusable coffee cup and water bottle and where to access drinks fountains. We will also be a largely paperless conference, embedding key information in the THE event app including a detailed accessibility guide with information on all the rooms and spaces used in the conference, and providing information based on the accessibility needs of everyone attending.
We have also been working with the Creative Quadrant and Playful University Club to look at alternative networking opportunities. We want you to network and meet peers across the sector – but in an active and playful manner!
Get your ticket to THE Digital Universities UK 2024 here to see all of our planning come to life! View the full agenda on the THE DUUK website.