The UKTGA Conference is a flagship gathering for the town and gown sector, bringing together leaders, practitioners, academics, policymakers, professional partners and community voices from across the UK and internationally. 

The conference provides a platform to: 

• Share innovative practice, applied research and real-world case studies 
• Explore emerging policy, legislative and sector challenges 
• Strengthen partnerships between universities, local authorities, communities and sector partners 
• Showcase impactful work that enhances student experience, housing, civic engagement and community cohesion 
• Create practical learning that delegates can adapt and apply in their own local contexts 

We are particularly keen to include global and cross-sector perspectives, including contributions from UKTGA members and partners, the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA), the Canadian Town and Gown Association (CTGA), and colleagues working in comparable university-community contexts internationally.

We welcome proposals from individuals, teams and partnerships working in or alongside town-gown practice, including: 

• Academic researchers and scholars 
• University leaders, professional services teams and students’ unions 
• Local authority representatives, elected members and policy officers 
• Police, fire, community safety and emergency service partners 
• Private sector practitioners, including housing, planning, development and PBSA providers 
• Community leaders, residents’ groups, charities and third-sector organisations 
• Directors, senior managers, policymakers and sector influencers 
• International contributors, particularly those connected to ITGA and CTGA 

We strongly encourage submissions that demonstrate collaborative partnership working across organisations and include more than one stakeholder perspective — for example university and local authority, institution and community, student and resident, or practitioner and researcher. 

This track explores how universities, local authorities, landlords, PBSA providers and community partners are responding to the changing private rented sector, including the operational, cultural and strategic implications of housing reform. Sessions may consider student housing supply, affordability, compliance, accreditation, tenancy management, landlord engagement, data-informed planning and the role of universities as civic housing actors. 

• Sector readiness and response to housing reform, including Renters’ Rights and wider regulatory change 
• Building proactive compliance and accreditation cultures 
• Affordability, supply and demand pressures in student housing markets 
• Supporting students through market disruption, tenancy change and housing insecurity 
• Digital platforms and data-led approaches to housing intelligence 
• Partnerships between universities, councils, landlords, PBSA providers and communities 

This track focuses on how universities, councils, residents, students, police and community partners can build trust, safety, belonging and stronger relationships at neighbourhood level. It will consider hyperlocal engagement, positive community relations, shared decision-making and the role of digital tools in improving communication, reporting and confidence. 

• Neighbourhood engagement, community relationship-building and place-making 
• Community mediation, antisocial behaviour, enforcement and community safety 
• Student/resident relations and building shared belonging 
• Civic partnership models involving universities, councils, police and community organisations 
• Responding to community tensions, hostility or polarisation 
• Digital platforms, AI-enabled service design, ethical data use and inclusive engagement 

This track considers how shifting demographics, wellbeing pressures, cost-of-living challenges and changing patterns of study, work and daily life are reshaping local communities. Sessions may explore the shared and differing experiences of students and long-term residents, and how institutions and partners can design responsive services that support wellbeing, inclusion and thriving places. 

• Cost-of-living pressures and their impact on students, residents and neighbourhoods 
• Changing student behaviour, working patterns, mobility and engagement 
• Wellbeing and mental health pressures across communities 
• International students, commuter students and changing neighbourhood dynamics 
• The role of universities as anchor institutions supporting local growth and social mobility 
• Data, digital tools and early intervention approaches to student and community support 

In addition to the three core tracks, proposals may also address cross-cutting themes such as: 

• Sustainability and climate impact in university communities 
• Economic impact and institutional civic contribution 
• Planning, policy and regulatory change 
• International approaches to town and gown collaboration 
• Innovation, digital transformation, AI and data in the sector 
• Student behaviour, wellbeing and community relations 
• Lessons learned from initiatives that succeeded, evolved or encountered challenge 

While traditional presentations will be considered, the programme committee is especially keen to receive proposals that move beyond standard conference formats. Submissions that are creative, practical, participatory and skills-based will be strongly favoured. 

We particularly welcome proposals for: 

• Interactive workshops 
• Training sessions or professional development activities 
• Roundtables and facilitated discussions 
• Problem-solving labs or scenario-based sessions 
• Case study clinics and practice showcases 
• Poster sessions 
• Student- or community-led sessions 
• Panel discussions with diverse stakeholder voices 
• Practical demonstrations of tools, frameworks or partnership models 
• Sessions that share learning from both success and challenge 

Proposal submissions should include 

• Session title 
• Lead presenter/contact name, role and organisation 
• Co-presenters, where applicable 
• Relevant conference track or tracks 
• Preferred session format 
• Session overview of no more than 300 words 
• Intended audience 
• Key learning outcomes 
• Relevance to the town and gown sector 
• How the session will engage delegates 
• Any technical or room requirements 
• Previous speaking or facilitation experience, where relevant (optional) 

Proposals should be submitted via the UKTGA Conference proposal form. 

For further information about the conference, please visit our main conference page.

For informal discussions or questions about suitability, please contact the UKTGA Conference Planning Group via the conference contact details provided by UKTGA. 

Submissions will be reviewed by the UKTGA Conference Planning Group. Selection will be based on: 

• Clear alignment with the conference theme and one or more tracks 
• Relevance to current or emerging town-gown challenges 
• Clarity, quality and focus of the proposal 
• Practical value and transferable learning for delegates 
• Evidence of partnership, collaboration or cross-sector learning 
• Creativity and interactivity of the proposed format 
• Diversity of perspectives, speakers, sectors and regions 
• Potential to generate discussion, reflection and professional learning 
• Balance across the overall conference programme, including UK and international contributions 

Priority will be given to sessions that actively involve delegates and provide practical tools, insights or approaches that can be taken back into professional practice.