Oxford

Two days in one of the world's most historic seats of learning — connecting business school marketing and communications leaders with industry innovators, media experts, and leadership teams to confront the future of higher education.

Thank you to our sponsors

Schedule

  • PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITY

    Locations: Oxford University Colleges (Afternoon) & The King's Arms (Evening)

    • 3:00 pm: Historic College Tour & Literary Pub Walk (Gathering point TBD)

    • 5:50 pm: Pre-Conference Cheers at The King's Arms (All attendees welcome)

  • Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    • 8:00 am: Registration and Coffee

    • 8:30 am: Opening Keynote: The Biggest Shift in 100 Years - AI & MarComms | Oliver Matthews, Founder & CEO of 4UniSolutions

    • 8:45 am: Host Welcome | Mette Morsing, Interim Dean, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    • 9:15 am: Dean Panel: The Challenge to Retain Critical and Creative Thinking in an AI World

    • 10:30 am: Coffee Break

    • 11:00 am: Plenary Panel Topic: Pitfalls and Solutions in AI for Higher Education | Moderated by Kate Byrne

    • 12:00 pm: Lunch

    • 1:00 pm: Brand Messaging, Language and the Role of AI | Simeon de la Torre (SIM7)

    • 1:45 pm: Thought Leadership Spotlight | Gregory Unruh, Author of "Academic Authority: The Professor’s Guide to Becoming a Sought-After Thought Leader"

    • 2:15 pm: Media Panel: The Changing Landscape of Journalism

    • 3:00 pm: Coffee Break

    • 3:30 pm: Expert Session

    • 6:30 pm: Drinks and Mingling at Rhodes House (S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3RG)

    • 7:30 pm: John Byrne Retirement Dinner & Celebration

  • Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    • 8:30 am: Arrive / Coffee

    • 9:00 am: Global Education Insights | Pernilla Carlsson, House of Education

    • 9:30 am: Tech Ecosystems | Tania Roquette, FullFabric

    • 10:15 am: Coffee Break

    • 10:45 am: Panel Discussion: Companies in EdTech and How They are Using AI

    • 12:00 pm: Lunch

    • 1:00 pm: Media Workshop: How to pitch now, how the journalist role has changed, and how AI affects workflow

    • 2:00 pm: Best Practice Session: What’s new with Podcasts & Crisis Communication | Richard Miron and Mark Renouf

    • 3:00 pm: Plenary Session: Preparing for the Next Wave of Change - Geopolitics, Tech, AI and B-schools

    • 3:30 pm: Coffee Break

    • 4:00 pm: Breakout Sessions with Business School Experts

    • 5:00 pm: Conference Ends

Event Details

  • Host

    Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

  • Location

    Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

  • Dates

    May 6 & 7, 2026

About This Conference

Set against the backdrop of the world's oldest English-speaking university, the 2026 Oxford conference tackles "Responding to Change," exploring how artificial intelligence and shifting global dynamics are rewriting the rules of business school marketing and PR. Hosted by the Saïd Business School, this year's event anchors its narrative around the preservation of creative academic thought leadership in an automated age. Participants will collaborate with international journalists, tech developers, and global business deans to analyze the evolving mechanics of pitching, media workflow, crisis management, and digital storytelling, ensuring their institutions stay ahead of the next macroeconomic wave.

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Switzerland 2025