The 2026 AccessHE conference will explore an integrated skills, talent and higher education access agenda for London. Widening participation in higher education and driving equitable economic growth are pursued as separate agendas, limiting their collective impact. Current approaches see universities working in isolation to meet Access and Participation Plan commitments, disconnected from local skills needs and career pathways that could drive regional prosperity.​
An integrated approach is needed, one that connects higher education access directly to London's economic development priorities. Aligned with the Westminster government's Growth and Opportunity missions and the GLA's London Growth Plan, the event will explore how strategic regional coordination can transform widening participation into a powerful driver of inclusive growth.
To coincide with the conference we will be launching a research report. This new report presents the first systematic analysis of how London's universities support inclusive access to careers in innovation-focused industries such as life sciences, artificial intelligence and green technology.
The silver sponsor of this conference is Horizons, the UK’s leading higher education programme providing students from widening participation backgrounds with a supported, structured 3-week work experience with real industry partners.
Join a consortium of 16 UK universities- access five free places for an upcoming Horizons cohort.
