Speakers
Presentation
This keynote session weaves lessons from student experience work in the United Kingdom and Aotearoa (au·tay·uh·row·uh) New Zealand. Drawing on years of practice in diverse institutional and cultural contexts, Jo will reflect on factors that enable staff and students to thrive.
Jo will use stories of change, challenge, innovation, and partnership to explore how different approaches can reshape practice. The session will consider how shifting perspectives can move services from transactional delivery to more transformational support, with ideas that can be reflected on and applied within the UK context.
This closing keynote offers practical insights and an opportunity to reflect on the role we play in supporting students. You will leave feeling energised by what can be achieved when we work together.
Jo is an experienced higher education leader, currently serving as Director Student Experience at the University of Otago. She leads a broad portfolio spanning student administration, timetabling, and student development, with a focus on learner journey modelling to advance learner success. She's the business owner for key enterprise systems including the student management system, a new curriculum management system, and the learner insights project.
Prior to her move to New Zealand in 2019, Jo worked in UK higher education for 20 years, across a range of roles with responsibility for student, registry, and professional service functions.
Jo chairs the New Zealand wide Community of Practice supporting student administration and academic services. She created and chairs the Aotearoa Curriculum Management System Network, and is a member of the Australia-New Zealand My eQuals Operations Committee.
Beyond her professional work, Jo is committed to inclusion and community wellbeing, volunteering as an Event Ambassador for parkrun, as the Chapter Lead for Achilles in Dunedin, and as a Board Member for Blind Sport NZ.