CIT Teaching & Learning Unit

Hope Summit: (Re)Imagining Higher Education

Friday, 13th June 2025, 09:30 to 15:30

Aula Maxima, UCC, Cork

Hosted by University College Cork in collaboration with Munster Technological University

Description:

University College Cork and Munster Technological University were pleased to present “Hope Summit: (Re)Imagining Higher Education”. This event was an opportunity for those working in Higher Education to collaboratively explore their future landscapes in the context of emerging challenges and opportunities. With a keynote address from Jessica Riddell, author of Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities and other Systems for Human Flourishing, the event included a range of powerful voices from across the HE sector. 

Focusing on discussions centred on emerging leadership challenges for future-ready institutions, the role of arts and culture in strategic visioning and systems transformation, and emancipatory integration of all key players in the ‘flourishing’ mission of universities, this event was designed to be both provocative and inclusive. Through panels sessions, lightning talks, and hands-on workshops the day afforded hope-informed, facilitated quality time to network across the sector while hearing from a range of voices and perspectives. 

Co-Hosted by:

• Pio Fenton, University Leadership Development, Munster Technological University
• Anna Santucci, Teaching & Learning Enhancement, University College Cork

Contributors:

• Marese Bermingham, Head of AnSEO - The Student Engagement Office, Arts Office and Teaching & Learning Unit, Munster Technological University
• Catherine Cronin, Co-Editor of Higher Education for Good: Teaching and Learning Futures
• Christine Cross, Vice President Academic Affairs & Registrar, Munster Technological University
• Nuala Finnegan, Dean of Undergraduate & Postgraduate Studies, University College Cork
• Paul McSweeney, Vice President Learning & Teaching, University College Cork
• Damien Page, Vice Chancellor, Buckinghamshire New University (UK)
• Jessica Riddell, Bishop's University (Canada), Author & Founder of Hope Circuits Institute
• Rebecca Roper, Teaching, Learning & Student Success, Higher Education Authority

Keynote Speaker: Jessica Riddell

Founder of Hope Circuits Institute and Author of Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities and other Systems for Human Flourishing. Full Professor of Early Modern Literature in the English Department at Bishop’s University (Quebec, Canada). Jessica holds the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence; in this capacity, she focuses on systems-change in higher education that fosters human flourishing; in her research, teaching, leadership, and administration, she participates in a wide range of conversations at the national and international levels about how universities fulfil the social contract to a broader society. https://www.jessicariddell.com

You can view the full list of contributors, including all Lightning Talk presenters, in the Event Schedule:

• Hope Summit Event Schedule

Resources:

• View Slide Deck
• Hope Summit Sketchwow