Join the UK Town and Gown Association (UKTGA) webinar programme: explore, connect, and shape the future of town-gown partnerships. 

The UKTGA is excited to present a webinar programme designed to bring together professionals working at the intersection of universities and their local communities. Covering a diverse range of topics—from effective student-community engagement and sustainable move-out strategies to leadership transitions and housing policy changes—each session is packed with insights, best practice, and expert-led discussions.  

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, learn from real-world case studies, or explore new ways to strengthen town-gown relationships, this series is for you. Open to all, these webinars are a great way to engage with the UKTGA network—if you’re not already a member, now is the perfect time to join and become part of a growing community dedicated to making a meaningful impact. 

Each webinar is free for members or £50 each for non-members.  

Becoming a member is easy and only costs your organisation from between £160-£365 dependant on the size and type of membership you choose. By your organisation joining the UKTGA, unlimited employees can join under a single membership. 

March

University partnerships and their implications for town–gown relationships

Dr. Simon Merrywest, Executive Director for the Student Experience, The University of Manchester

12.30-1.30pm 11 March 2026

This session explores the evolving landscape of university partnerships and their impact on town–gown relationships. Focusing on ongoing work around shared services, the webinar will examine how collaborative initiatives between institutions and local communities can reshape governance, resource allocation, and mutual trust. Attendees will gain insights into the practical implications of these partnerships and strategies for fostering sustainable, equitable relationships between campuses and their surrounding towns.

April

How can universities work ethically and collaboratively with local communities to address pressing social and environmental challenges?

Dr Rebecca Brunk, Sustainability Project Officer (Social Impact), University of Leeds

12.30-1.30pm 15 April 2026

In this UKTGA webinar, the University of Leeds will share their approach to community–university partnerships, illustrating how principles of reciprocity, transparency, and shared benefit co-create solutions for sustainability challenges. The session will highlight insights from community partners on the value of developing these partnerships,  and showcase the tangible positive impact in communities these projects have generated.

May

State of the Town & Gown Profession: First Findings from UKTGA’s 2025–26 Study

Amanda Jackson, Sustainability Manager (Social Impact)
Claire Walker, Sustainability Projects Coordinator

12.30-1.30pm 13 May 2026

What does the town–gown profession look like today  and where is it heading? This UKTGA webinar will share the first results from our State of the Profession research, the first study of its kind in the UK and internationally. We’ll discuss emerging patterns in roles, structures, resourcing, and skills, and consider what they mean for the future of town–gown practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment on the findings and help shape the final report.

June

Changing ‘landscapes’ of student housing: reality or myths in the 21^st century?

Professor Darren Smith, Senior lecturer in Geography, Loughborough University

12-1.30pm Wednesday 10 June 2026

With the passing of the first quarter of the twenty-first century, it is timely to question: How has the geographic distribution of students in UK towns and cities changed in the 21^st century? Using national census data from 2001, 2011 and 2021, this presentation focuses on several tailored case studies to explore how findings from the decadal snapshots of the census compare with ‘on-the-ground’ understandings of studentification. This session seeks to encourage and facilitate an open discussion to explore the salience of the findings, and to more fully illuminate where, why and how students now reside in emerging areas of UK towns and cities, as well as ‘staying-put’ or ‘depopulating’ established student areas.