Skip to main content
Harper Adams University logo

      

    Community
    Week
    2025

    We will make the difference

    3-7 February

    Welcome

    Community Week is open to all staff and students.

    This will run during the Reading Week starting on February 3.

    Our aim is to give you opportunities to Engage, Learn and Collaborate - with every session aligned to one of the three themes. Community Week activities are not just extra lectures or tutorials. These will be fun, engaging sessions, encouraging you to take new views and seek inspiration.

    We are offering a range of sessions, that you can book on to. Some sessions have limited capacity so secure your spot quickly! The first session each day is a plenary with capacity for all. Explore the programme over the following pages. More details of each session are provided further down.

    Register Now

    Day 1

    Monday 3 February

    From 09.00

    Refreshments

    09.30

    Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor
    Opening Keynote:

    Notes From Beyond The Horizon: A Toolkit For An Uncertain Future
    Monty Halls:
    Weston Lecture Theatre
    (Engage)

    11.00

    Refreshments

    11.30

    Presenting with Confidence

    From coursework to conferences, and all points in between, presenting is a core skill for academic and professional development. This session will provide practical tips to improve the visual impact and communicative clarity of your presentations.

    WG3
    (Learn)

    AI for Academic and Career Success

    This workshop focuses on developing AI literacy to enhance academic achievement and future employability. Participants will learn how to craft effective prompts, use AI tools to streamline revision, research and writing, and to critically apply these skills in academic and professional contexts for greater efficiency and impact. Attendees will need to bring a laptop or device that allows them to access the internet, and ideally will have already downloaded an assignment brief that they need to work on along with a current or recent piece of work.

    WG4
    (Learn)

    12.30

    Lunch Break

    13.30

    The Creative Toolkit: An Intro to Graphic Design, Video and Social Media

    Explore the essentials of graphic design, video creation, and social media in this engaging session. Learn key design principles, discover tools for creating impactful visuals, before understanding video storytelling and creation techniques, and tips on how to use social media effectively. Build your creative toolkit!

    WG4
    (Learn)

    14.30

    Break

    15.00

    Master the Art of Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo 

    Dive into the digital age with NVivo. Join our workshop to learn how to efficiently analyse your data and identify key themes. Essential for those conducting interviews or focus groups, or for analysing ideas presented across a range of articles for a thematic literature review, this approach will help you spot patterns and insights you may have previously missed.

    WG4
    (Learn)

    Write it Right: Mastering Academic Writing Skills

    Designed to demystify the academic writing process, this workshop helps students turn their ideas into polished academic prose. Through interactive exercises, participants will learn effective writing techniques, actively refine their work, and engage in constructive peer review to strengthen their critical thinking, writing, and editing skills. Attendees should bring a laptop, an assignment brief that they are currently working on, and any completed research and information that they can use to support and develop their writing.

    FF15
    (Learn)

    Unlocking Subtle and Surprising Secrets of Leadership Part 1

    Everyone has  an innate capability to lead. Leadership skills need unlocking, nurturing and practising. Experience of leadership, good and bad, affects the way we function. In charge, mindset is critical. You’ll learn to get in touch with your skills, explore, reflect and develop your unique ability to lead effectively.

    Please sign up for both Part 1 (Monday) and Part 2 (Tuesday)

    WF1
    (Collaborate)

    17.00

    Finish

     
     

    Opening Plenary

    Notes From Beyond The Horizon: A Toolkit For An Uncertain Future
    Monty Halls
    Weston Lecture Theatre

    Monty Halls

    Monty Halls is a storyteller, innovator, and leader whose career spans continents, industries, and decades. A former Royal Marines officer turned award-winning broadcaster, writer, and leadership specialist, Monty is celebrated for his ability to inspire audiences with captivating tales and actionable insights. His extraordinary journey has seen him thrive in extreme environments, from leading multinational expeditions to presenting iconic documentaries such as Great Escapes (BBC) and The Great Barrier Reef (BBC).

    With more than 30 years of experience, Monty’s focus includes leadership development, conservation advocacy, and storytelling. His keynote will inspire you to navigate uncertainty, foster collaboration, and leave a legacy that matters - providing actionable strategies to create meaningful change.

    Day 2

    Tuesday 4 February

    09.00

    Opening Keynote:

    The Career Revolution: Leading From Day One
    Amanda Owen-Meehan
    Weston Lecture Theatre
    (Engage)

    10.00

    Building a Valuable Network

    You will leave this workshop with a good understanding of networking, with an “elevator pitch” to help you make connections and ready to use an effective LinkedIn profile. Whether you are clear on your career or just finding your way, this workshop will help you build a valuable network that can support your future career.

    WG3
    (Learn)

    The Game - Birmingham Food Council

    This is an all-day session. If you have been selected for The Game, please do not book on to any sessions from 10am onwards.

    A highly immersive scenarios workshop designed to prepare you for the challenges of tomorrow’s world. You will:

    • Explore strategies to navigate a future marked by increasing global shortages and scarcities
    • Gain crucial insights into the complexity of multi-organisational operations in food supply chains
    • Develop skills to ensure safe and nutritious food distribution in both stable and crisis situations

    Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to tackle the pressing issues of food security in an ever-changing global landscape. This workshop offers an unparalleled opportunity to understand and prepare for the magnitude of challenges that lie ahead.

    Limited places - students who are eligible to participate will be contacted separately. This session cannot be booked via the main system.

    Session ends at 16.00.
    Main Building
    (Collaborate)

    11.30

    How Science Works

    This is an engaging, hands-on activity that will help you to discuss and understand how science works.

    Labs
    (Learn)

    12.30

    Lunch Break

    13.30

    The Leadership Journey of Harper Adams Alumnus Sarah-Jane Barton

    As a Digital Product Owner at Genus ABS, Sarah-Jayne Barton has over three years of experience in delivering digital work-stream outcomes for the global leader in animal genetics. With a strong background in agriculture, Sarah-Jayne graduated from Harper Adams University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 2019.

    WF1
    (Engage)

    Are you a Teacher?

    Have you considered teaching? What skills does it take to help others to learn? Perhaps you already teach. In this fun session our own university educators will help you discover your inner teacher and consider activity, balance and communication; is this the ABC of teaching?

    WG3
    (Learn)

    15.30

    Unlocking Subtle and Surprising Secrets of Leadership: Part 2

    Everyone has innate capability to lead. Leadership skills need unlocking, nurturing and practising. Experience of leadership, good and bad, affects the way we function. In charge, mindset is critical. You’ll learn to get in touch with your skills, explore, reflect and develop your unique ability to lead effectively.

    Please sign up for both Part 1 (Monday) and Part 2 (Tuesday).

    WF1
    (Collaborate)

    Marshmallow Madness: Food Security and the Importance of a Connected Supply Chain

    Using marshmallows and an assortment of other raw materials, we will explore how all parts of the food supply chain are responsible for sustainability, and how collaboration is key to successful initiatives.

    WG3
    (Engage)

    Embracing Neurodiversity: Working Effectively Together

    This workshop is designed to help students understand and embrace neurodiversity and neurodivergence both in academic settings and in the workplace. We will explore the unique strengths and challenges that individuals can face, and how to work effectively together to create an inclusive and supportive environment.

    WG4
    (Collaborate)

    17.00

    Finish

    Opening Plenary

    The Career Revolution: Leading from day one
    Amanda Owen-Meehan, Harper Adams University
    Weston Lecture Theatre

    Want to know the secret to standing out in today’s workplace? The Career Revolution - leading from day one, invites you to discover the power of taking charge of your professional journey from the start. Learn to think like a CEO, create opportunities and become your own career coach. Join the revolution and become the leader of your own career story.

    Day 3

    Wednesday 5 February

    From 09.00

    Refreshments

    09.30

    Opening Keynote:

    Land Smart: How to Give People and Nature the Space to Thrive
    Tom Heap
    Weston Lecture Theatre
    (Engage)

    10.30

    Presenting with Confidence

    Repeat of Day 1 session

    From coursework to conferences, and all points in between, presenting is a core skill for academic and professional development. This session will provide practical tips to improve the visual impact and communicative clarity of your presentations.

    WF1
    (Learn)

    AI for Academic and Career Success

    Repeat of Day 1 session

    This workshop focuses on developing AI literacy to enhance academic achievement and future employability. Participants will learn how to craft effective prompts, use AI tools to streamline revision, research and writing, and to critically apply these skills in academic and professional contexts for greater efficiency and impact. Attendees will need to bring a laptop or device that allows them to access the internet, and ideally will have already downloaded an assignment brief that they need to work on along with a current or recent piece of work.

    WG4
    (Learn)

    11.30

    Enriching the lives of small animals

    We will begin with a brief tour of CAH and look at the environments a range of species are housed in. We will consider how or if these environments can be enriched to the benefit of the occupants, and will then get ‘hands on’ and create some simple enrichment.

    Companion Animal House
    (Collaborate)

    Study Smart, Live Well: Tips for study and wellbeing

    Always scrambling to finish assignments at the last minute? Struggling to organise your studies? If this sounds like you then join our workshop designed to kick-start the new semester with practical study tips and a focus on wellbeing. Explore useful software, planning tips & resources and get expert advice on staying balanced and productive this semester.

    WG3
    (Learn)

    12.30

    Lunch Break

    13.00

    Balancing Act: Smashing Uni Life Without Burnout

    University life is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming at times. Are you struggling to juggle assignments, deadlines, and social activities? It’s time to take control! Join us for a workshop designed to help you find the balance between academic success and personal wellbeing. Learn practical tips for managing stress, staying focused, and avoiding burnout so you can enjoy the full university experience. Equip yourself with the tools to stay motivated, energised, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

    WG3
    (Collaborate)

    14.00

    CLOSING and Prize Giving
    Weston Mezzanine

    Please all attend the conference closing at 2pm on Wednesday to celebrate all you have learned, congratulate prize winners and provide feedback.

    Opening Plenary

    Land Smart: How to Give People and Nature the Space to Thrive
    Tom Heap
    Weston Lecture Theatre

    Journalist and TV presenter Tom Heap has been reporting on science and the environment for 25 years. He presents investigations on BBC’s Countryfile and weekend editions of The Daily Climate Show on Sky News.

    Tom is the principal voice of ‘Costing the Earth’ on Radio 4, the nation’s only dedicated environment series, and is also a regular Panorama reporter covering food, farming, energy and wildlife.

    His new book, Landsmart, is an investigation into how we can use the land of the UK well, given all the pressures from food, nature, development, energy, materials, beauty, shelter and the rest - how we can win the race for space on earth.

    Cookies on the Harper Adams University website

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time.