University Event Coordination

What is the future of universities in the UK? It was great to have an opportunity to discuss this vital question in the Houses of Parliament this evening. Our panel included a politician, a UK Higher Ed policy expert, a Japanese higher education policy maker, a psychologist, a school head teacher and myself. I pointed out that universities are increasingly boxed in by a set of macro forces and many of the ways out of the box are not particularly effective or realistic. Finding a genuine way out requires looking at other sectors where there have been genuine disruption and turn arounds. The lesson from research on those sectors is that finding efficiency is important but just doing this won't solve the problem longer term. What drives sustained turn around in the longer term is innovation - in processes, products, business models, and cultural framing. The good news is that the UK higher education sector has gone through moments of stagnation and turn-around in the past. It found its way out through experiment and innovation. It hopefully should be able to do it again. Here is the HEPI report (with Diana Beech) where these ideas are expanded on: https://lnkd.in/e5ChU8xq

If you’re speaking on a panel this month, read this first. I’ve spent 10+ years on panels and moderating them, one pattern is constant and costly. Most panelists don’t struggle with knowledge. They struggle with answering. So they ramble or they stay shallow. Here are three simple structures to answer like a pro, in under 90 seconds. (I teach this to CEOs who have to be on panels) Structure 1: PREP Perfect if you want to get to the point which your audience will appreciate. - P(oint): Answer the question directly with one key point - R(eason): Explain why you make that point - E(xample): Back it up with an example or a piece of evidence - P(oint): Recap the key point Structure 2: STORY-INSIGHT Perfect if you need to first set up some context and also stay memorable. Reply with a story (that you have prepared ahead of time preferably). Follow this structure to tell your story in an engaging way that is within time. - Setting: when and where did story happen - Hero: who was involved (usually someone your audience can relate) - Conflict: what was the big problem - Consequence: what will happen if this problem wasn't resolved (optional) - Sweet spot: what was the positive outcome the hero wish for - Resolution: how was the conflict resolved - Insight: what can we learn from this story Structure 3: ABCIO Perfect if you want to offer depth and spice up the panel discussion. A(cknowledge) - building on (panelist)'s point (a) B(ridge) - we all want (shared goal) C(counter) - but where i differ is (your point) I(llustrate) - in my case, (share story or present evidence) O(pen) - curious if anyone have similar observations/results Want to see this in action? Watch my 90-second response on a panel with the Minister of State at a business panel. This clip went viral on TikTok because my insight (inspired from gaming) resonated with the audience of founders. Any follow up questions on participating in a panel discussion? Ask away in the comment section below.

During the last few years, I have interviewed many PhD students for my positions and colleagues, and I found that sometimes students are confused about what they could expect. Here are a few things that might be useful to know for students. 1. Know your CV Start by reviewing your own CV thoroughly. Panel members will likely ask questions directly based on your experience, previous research, projects, or skills you've listed. 2. Understand the interview format If it’s not already clear, ask who will be in the interview panel. Is it just the potential supervisor or a group of academics? Don’t hesitate to ask what the interview will cover. It’s completely appropriate and helpful to clarify this in advance. 3. Research the panel members Take time to look up their research, publications, recent projects, and social media profiles. 4. Learn about the university, department, group and perhaps the country Get familiar with the university, its research culture, and the country where it’s located. Learn about the department, other academics working there, ongoing projects, and potential research centers you could be involved in. 5. Prepare to talk About your research: You should be able to clearly explain your past research, your contribution to any publications or projects. Stick to short, clear explanations and avoid lengthy introductions. Don't panic if the panel members ask you a few technical questions; usually, they won't be hard questions, and you will be fine if you have done your work. 6. Practice how you introduce yourself: If asked to introduce yourself, briefly cover your academic background, any research you’ve done, your technical or domain-specific skills, and anything else you think is necessary. 7. Prepare a few good questions to ask the panel You can ask about supervisory style and meeting frequency, opportunities to collaborate or publish, department culture and PhD community, etc. 8. Be ready to discuss future plans You might be asked: “Where do you see yourself after your PhD?” There’s no one right answer, but having a direction (academia, industry, policy, etc.) shows that you’ve thought things through. 9. Logistics check Most interviews are online these days. Make sure you test your internet, camera, and microphone ahead of time. Choose a quiet location, keep your CV and notes nearby, and dress well. 10. Above All: Be Genuine You don’t need to pretend to know everything or exaggerate. What matters most is your curiosity, your motivation, and how you behave. Be yourself, people can tell when you’re being real.

Hosting a panel discussion is NOT just about bringing together a group of speakers and hoping for the best. Behind every successful panel lies careful research, planning, coordination, and engagement. Friday was our reshersal for the upcoming inaugural Women in CX ™ Talk Trends Panel, where we will be discussing the meaty topic of ‘How AI and Tech are Redefining Customer Experience’. So, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my top tips. What makes a great panel? 🤔 1. Diverse Perspectives: A great panel is composed of individuals from various backgrounds, industries, and experiences. This diversity fosters a rich dialogue that can offer multiple viewpoints on the subject matter. It’s not just about having experts; it’s about having experts who can challenge and complement each other’s insights. 2. A Skilled Moderator: The role of a moderator is crucial and goes beyond just asking questions. A skilled moderator knows how to keep the conversation flowing, ensure all voices are heard, and delve deeper into interesting points. They should be adept at managing time and dynamic enough to pivot the discussion based on audience interest and panelist responses. 3. Preparation and Structure: While the allure of spontaneous discussion can be tempting, a great panel is well-prepared and structured. This doesn’t mean the conversation can’t take organic turns, but having a clear outline ensures that all critical points are covered and that the panel remains coherent and focused. 4. Engagement with the Audience: A panel should not be a closed conversation among experts. Interaction with the audience is key in bringing in fresh perspectives and keeping the dialogue lively. Incorporating audience questions through live Q&As and using technology to gather questions in real-time can significantly enhance engagement. 5. Clear Objectives and Takeaways: Finally, a great panel is purpose-driven. It’s essential that both the audience and the panelists know the objectives of the session and work towards clear takeaways. Whether it’s solving a problem, sharing insights, or sparking new ideas, the focus should be on delivering value. By ensuring these elements are in place, a panel can transform from a simple discussion into a memorable, impactful experience. Our aim is to creating a dynamic environment that encourages learning and exchange, making every minute count for the panelists and the audience alike. We’re on a mission to change the face of tech events by putting women on stage and the audience at the centre of the conversation. So if you’d like to come along and see us in action, just follow the link in my bio & visit the events page to register 🎟️ Did I miss anything from my list of tips? What else would you add? #WomenInCX #WomenInTech #Panel #TopTips

A former CEO said to me recently that he’s glad he is not a CEO right now. He has a point. Between geopolitics, polarization, stakeholder pressure, and the nonstop pace of AI disruption, leadership today comes with extraordinary complexity. And yet, I’d argue we are living in the best of times, just not the easiest. That is why forums like last week’s Stanford University Graduate School of Business Leadership Forum, marking the launch of the Stanford Leadership Institute , matter so much. They give leaders a chance to shape new frameworks, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another in real time. A special congratulations to Dean Sarah Soule. It was my first time seeing her in person in her new role, and she was terrific. Her conversation with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was sharp, natural, and seamless, even with him joining remotely. A few insights stayed with me. From Sunak on leading through crisis: do not indulge self-pity, trust the judgment that got you into the seat, and communicate relentlessly. In hard moments, leaders cannot go quiet. From Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, on decision-making under uncertainty: move fast in the direction you believe is right, but if the facts prove otherwise, change course just as fast. That only works if you create the kind of honest dialogue where mistakes surface early. The AI panel tackled one of the biggest questions on leaders’ minds today: will AI create jobs faster than it destroys them, or destroy them faster than it creates them? Tamay Besiroglu, cofounder and CEO of Mechanized AI, made the case that in 1-5 years, automation will touch only a modest share of jobs, over 1-30 year horizon most jobs will be automated. Nela Richardson, ADP’s Chief Economist, brought the labor-market reality check. Susan Athey, Stanford professor of economics, made a point that deserves much wider attention: AI can transform one part of a system, but value is realized only if the rest of the value chain evolves too. In drug discovery, for example, advances still depend on complementary innovation in human trials and regulatory approval. Another discussion hit what may be one of the biggest leadership questions today: when should CEOs speak out? John Donahoe, former CEO of Nike and eBay, offered a useful test: if an issue is core to the company’s mission, business, or people, leaders should speak clearly and explain why. If it is not core, restraint may be the wiser form of leadership. In a noisy age, that distinction matters. My overall takeaway: this is an extraordinary time to lead, not an easy one. The premium today is on clarity, speed, adaptability, and communication. Thank you to Stanford GSB for a terrific day. Ken Shotts Susan Akbarpour Soraya Fouladi Laurie Simon Hodrick #StanfordGSB #StanfordLeadershipInstitute #Leadership #CEOLeadership #AI #FutureOfWork #DecisionMaking #LeadershipDevelopment

We've all sat through bad panels. Panellists reading scripts. "Questions" from the audience that are really speeches. Zero conversation. But a great panel? It generates energy, sparks new thinking, and creates momentum that outlasts the session. I've facilitated and spoken on panels at WEF, COP, G20, and universities around the world. Here's what I've learned: 𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: → No one remembers everything from a 45-minute panel. Ask yourself: What's the ONE thing I want people to leave with? Say it clearly. Repeat it. → Stories > credentials. Make yourself human. Make yourself memorable. → Show as much interest in others as in yourself. Ask fellow panellists questions. Build on their points. That's what makes a panel feel alive. → Be ruthlessly aware of time. Short answers. Tight framing. Leave space. 𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: → If the content could be shared in advance, it shouldn't be a panel. The value is in what happens live in the interaction. → Set expectations with panellists before you start: this will be a conversation, not a Q&A. You'll ask follow-ups. They can build on each other. No one's just waiting for their turn to speak. → Introduce humans, not bios. Skip the long credentials. Ask for a story. Make the audience feel like they 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 the person, not just what they've done. → Set time expectations upfront, even publicly. "You have 2 minutes. If you go long, I'll move us along." Keeps energy high. Prevents dominance. → The "question mark rule" (from my Kennedy School days): "If you don't know what a question is, it's a sentence that ends in a question mark." Gets a laugh. Sets a boundary. Stops audience members from becoming mini-panellists. The facilitator's real job is design and choreography. Managing energy, creating conversation, connecting dots. --- A great panel isn't a sequence of speeches. It's a conversation that couldn't have happened any other way. Next up: my tips for designing and facilitating the format I love even more than panels — roundtables. Stay tuned. 👇 What's the most memorable panel you've experienced, for good or bad reasons? --- 📸 Me on a GovTech panel hosted by World Economic Forum in Kyiv, Ukraine. 🔗 Article that sparked this post in comments. 🌍 Follow me, Emily Stanger Sfeile, for insights on big impact in emerging markets and career transitions made meaningful. #TAA30daychallenge

Most panels are posturing and fluff. Because many just show up so they can say they were a ‘speaker.’ Unfortunate, but true. Beauty of that is, if you decide that’s not what you want to do, you can stand out instantly (and build loads of credibility): I've coached clients through dozens of panel discussions, and the difference between forgettable and fantastic comes down to three things. Here's what separates the pros from the amateurs: 1. Prep “It’s a panel, I don’t need to prepare.” Wrong, though yes, you don’t want to be a robot. So, prepare differently. - Know your role – are you a storyteller, a philosopher, naturally funny? Play into that, don’t force something you’re not (yet). - Know your why – why is this panel important to you? What makes you uniquely qualified? A good time to get 7 levels deep, to really know the root. - Know your perspective - What stories might you share? What frameworks do you use? Give people something to remember. Think on what you might leave them with. 2. Actively listen Stop rehearsing in your head. Listen to your co-panelists. Build on their points. Disagree (respectfully). Reference their comments. Make it a real conversation, not parallel monologues. 3. Energy management Your audience lives off your energy. Understand where the room is at, then lift it 10%. Too high, you'll seem forced. Too low, you'll drain them. Great panels aren't about withholding information for an outside conversation. They’re about building value through dialogue. Think of it like a dinner party conversation where everyone's invested in making it interesting. - Listen more than you speak - Ask thoughtful follow-ups - Build on others' ideas - Share the spotlight Simple? Yes. Obvious? Maybe. But will most panelists do this? No. That's your advantage.

Three women. 100+ combined years in higher ed. The kind of conversation higher ed doesn't have often enough. Yesterday I co-hosted a conversation with Dr. Heather French featuring: Lori Ideta (VP for Student Success Emerita, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa), Katya Armistead (former AVC of Student Life, UC Santa Barbara), and Nicole Whitner, Ed.D (AVP & Dean of Students, University of San Diego). All three are first-generation college students who rose to senior leadership. All three had moments where they seriously considered walking away. None of them sugarcoated a thing. Here are some of the big takeaways: ➡️ Mentors open doors. You have to walk through them. Every panelist credited someone who believed in them before they believed in themselves. Katya said, "If 18-year-old me could have seen where I'd end up, I probably would have cried and said, 'I can't do that.'" Showing up, saying yes strategically, and staying curious were the throughlines for all three of these leaders. ➡️ The hardest seasons are part of the job description. Katya managed a meningitis outbreak, a campus murder, a nationally televised attack, and an encampment crisis. Nicole became a Dean of Students on the one-year anniversary of COVID lockdowns. Lori talked about drawing strength from her grandfather, who was interviewed twice by the CIA for possible wartime internment. Then she said, "Given what our ancestors have gone through, who are we not to rise?" Wow. ➡️ The thing nobody talks about enough? Multiple panelists named it directly: Some of their hardest moments came when other women chose not to support them. Lori said, "We have to actively work against the paternalism in this hierarchy and stop it. That's something we can do for each other." ➡️ Relationships are the whole strategy. A treasured piece of advice from a mentor was, "Hire people smarter than you. Be nice to them. Treat them well, because one day they will be your boss." Nicole reframed networking beautifully, "It's not a game. It's making a friend and being curious about their work." ➡️ And on knowing when to leave, I personally shared, "Sometimes leaving is an act of self-care. If you're not potted in the right soil, you can't blossom." This is part of an ongoing series Heather and I host for women in higher education from all across the country (and now international!) co-sponsored by Womxn in Student Affairs Knowledge Community - NASPA and the California College Personnel Association. It's a space for the conversations we don't always get in our day-to-day. If you want to be on the email list for future sessions, drop a comment here or send me a message. To Lori, Katya, and Nicole: Thank you for showing up so fully. Higher ed is better because of you. 💛 NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education ACPA–College Student Educators International #HigherEducation #WomenInLeadership #StudentAffairs #HigherEd #WomenInHigherEd #NASPA #ACPA

Every so often instead of delivering a keynote or leading a workshop, I get the opportunity to be on a panel! I love panels because I love the organic nature of the conversation. I also love sharing wisdom with the next generation of powerful leaders. It never gets old and I love it when they take the time to connect with me individually. It means so much to know that I’ve made an impact even if for a brief moment. And I appreciate every word they share. THANK YOU!! Amazing event! How to Be Memorable on Any Panel 1. Stand Out with Authentic Authority Don’t just aim to be different—be genuinely valuable. Come prepared with unique insights, personal anecdotes, or contrarian viewpoints backed by experience. Dress professionally but let your personality show through your communication style. Avoid generic industry jargon and speak in your natural voice. The goal isn’t to shock but to offer perspectives that only you can provide based on your specific background and expertise. 2. Master the Art of Generous Participation Great panelists elevate everyone around them. Build on others’ points rather than simply waiting for your turn to speak. Use phrases like “Building on what Sarah just said…” or “That reminds me of a different angle…” When you disagree, do so respectfully and constructively. Ask thoughtful questions of fellow panelists that showcase their expertise. The audience will remember you as someone who made the entire discussion richer. 3. Be Strategically Concise Every word should earn its place. Prepare 2-3 key messages you want to convey and find natural ways to weave them throughout your responses. Use the “headline first” approach—state your main point upfront, then provide supporting details. Practice the 90-second rule: most panel responses should be under 90 seconds to maintain audience engagement. When you do speak longer, signal it: “Let me share three quick examples of this…” 4. Connect Beyond the Content Make eye contact with the audience, not just the moderator. Use inclusive language that brings the audience into the conversation. Reference specific moments from earlier in the event or acknowledge the unique context of the gathering. These touches show you’re fully present and engaged, not just delivering rehearsed talking points. 5. Leave Them with Something Actionable End strong by giving the audience something concrete they can implement immediately. This could be a specific question to ask themselves, a simple framework to try, or a resource to explore. Memorable panelists don’t just inform—they equip people to take their next step. The best panelists understand that their role isn’t to be the star of the show, but to make the entire experience more valuable for everyone in the room.