Cradle to Grave 2026

Saturday 21 March 2026

UCU's 'Cradle to Grave' policy conference will take place on Saturday 21 March 2026 at etc. venues Manchester

The conference will be run as a hybrid event, with options to attend in person.

REGISTER HERE

Registration deadline is Friday, 6 March.

The annual 'Education - from cradle to grave' conference brings together UCU members, academics, practitioners, sector representatives and politicians to discuss the major issues facing post-16 education. The theme of this year's conference is 'Fighting for an education for all' and will include plenary sessions on the implications of the post-16 education and skills white paper and on defending academic freedom and professional autonomy, as well as breakout sessions on the following:

• Education Under Attack: International Solidarity and Reconstruction 

Attacks on education occur in many countries affected by armed conflict and occupation, insecurity, and weak systems of human rights protections. This breakout session will focus on supporting the resilience and rebuilding of education systems in Palestine and Ukraine and will explore what we can do as UK-based trade unionists and educators to support this vital work.   

• Artificial Intelligence and EdTech: how to ensure the voice of education

As we see the rapid expansion of AI and greater moves towards the adoption of Edtech in our sector, what high level principles should be employed to foreground the voice of the profession? This session will explore what collaboration, consultation and agreement should look like and will showcase initiatives developed to drive this.

• Green Skills and the Just Transition: Education for Climate Justice

The climate and ecological emergency tends to be associated with the industrial sectors; however, the reality is that our whole society is heavily reliant on fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas, for our energy supply.  This session will focus on how the post-16 education sector can contribute to the decarbonisation of the economy, both by reducing carbon emissions and also, by equipping staff with the resources and knowledge to deliver the 'green skills' required in order to achieve that 'just transition'. 

If you have any questions about the event content, please contact Rob Copeland for more information.

Any enquiries about general arrangements and registration please contact Sue Bajwa