evasys Student Engagement Conference 2025

National Union of Students UK President

Amira Campbell (she/her) [Ah-meer-ah Kam-Buhl] is the National Union of Students UK President. Her background in liberation campaigns, notably the black voices campaign during her time as an undergraduate at the University of Birmingham established her as the first remunerated community organiser at the student union and led her to then take up office as Guild President there also. Amira continues her anti-racism work as a board member for BRIG (Birmingham Race Impact Group) and as an executive for Talawa; a collective envisioning the interconnected futures of black feminism, climate justice and liberated education. Amira has hosted multiple roles in arts organisations including the Birmingham Royal Ballet, CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) and Underscore; a community orchestra that celebrates music of the global majority.

Deputy Vice Chancellor, Education and Provost at the University of Westminster

Dr Sal Jarvis is the University’s strategic lead for student engagement, outcomes and experience. This includes partnership work with the Students’ Union on student voice initiatives. She is a member of the University’s executive board and led the last TEF submission, in which the University gained a Silver award. Prior to joining Westminster, Sal was Pro Vice Chancellor Education and Student Experience at the University of Hertfordshire. She began her career as part of the children’s workforce, working with vulnerable and disadvantaged children, and with learners with additional needs. She trained as a primary teacher in 1992 before moving to Higher Education in 2006 as a teacher educator.

Professor and Dean of Education and Digital Innovation, University of Portsmouth

Professor Ale Armellini is committed to generating institutional change and innovation at pace and at scale. He leads and enables transformational learning through inspirational teaching across the University – and beyond. He has a proven track record of leading and implementing large-scale, student-centred, evidence-based transformation, bringing stakeholders with him in the process. HIs position as an established reference point in the sector is evidenced through his impact as Dean of Learning and Teaching at Northampton, his leadership of Portsmouth’s innovative Digital Success Plan for Learning and Teaching, his co-authorship of the new Education Strategy, his research into active blended learning (ABL) and his global engagement. A visible and highly experienced trained mentor who leads from the front line, he continues to draw on research, colleagues, students and the academic community as essential sources of inspiration and growth.

Associate professor at Kingston University and education consultant

Dr Samar Gad is an associate professor at Kingston University and education consultant working at the intersection of finance, artificial intelligence, and higher education. With 16 years of experience, she is pioneering the integration of AI technologies in financial services and education, leveraging these tools to enhance both student learning outcomes and industry practices. Dr. Gad’s approach to education combines personalised data analytics with career coaching to optimise student learning and enhance graduate employability in an AI-driven world. Dr Gad is a finalist for the PQ Magazine Public Sector Lecturer of the Year (2024) and received the best emerging paper award at the BAFA Accounting Education conference in Belgium (2019), for her investigation of “the Effect of Personalising Delivery Methods on Student Performance in Technology Enhanced Learning Environment”.

Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy, Middlesex University

David Gilani works at Middlesex University as a staff governor and their Head of Student Engagement and Advocacy leading on their efforts to engage both current students and alumni. Having started his career as a students’ union officer, he is a strong proponent of the student voice and in 2012 he founded the Student Publication Association, which supports student journalists across the UK and Ireland. He believes strongly in universities working together to support student engagement efforts, and so leads AHEP’s Student Experience and Engagement Network. He has recently completed his PhD at the University of York on the topic of student belonging.

Senior Consultant, Student Success, Advance HE

Juliette Morgan is a Senior Consultant, Student Success with Advance HE. Prior to this, for the last five years, Juliette has been in senior strategic leadership roles in public and private sector higher education, latterly as Dean for Teaching and Learning. Juliette is a healthcare professional by trade and licence – a qualified Speech and Language Therapist specialising in secondary aged Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Paediatric Feeding. Juliette is also a licensed Insights practitioner, mental health first aider and Executive Coach and Mentor. Juliette is a National Teaching Fellow and a Collaborative Excellence Award Winner, both with Advance HE. Juliette’s impact has encompassed several key themes associated with raising aspirations for success and improving outcomes. No matter what, the unifying thread of enablement through envisaging “possible selves” permeates through all that Juliette does. Juliette has made considerable impact at national and international levels through her leadership, focusing on four distinct areas: creative curriculum, high performance, mental health and well-being and identity for belonging and mattering.

President – Westminster Students’ Union

Divanshu Airan is the President at University of Westminster Students’ Union and a passionate advocate for student engagement and higher education governance. With a master’s degree in Corporate Finance Law and extensive leadership experience, including serving as Vice President of Welfare Students’ Union at University of Westminster, Divanshu has been instrumental in implementing initiatives that enhance student wellbeing and experience. His background in law and student advocacy, combined with his current role as a Student Governor, enables him to offer unique perspectives on student-centred policies and institutional development. As the opening speaker and a panellist at the evasys Student Engagement Conference 2025, Divanshu is excited to share his insights on fostering meaningful student participation and driving impactful change.