5 May 2026

Senior university leaders, policymakers, and sector experts from around the world gathered in Glasgow on 20–23 April for the Universitas 21 Annual Network Meeting and inaugural Leadership Summit, hosted by the University of Glasgow as part of its 575th anniversary celebrations.

Across the four days, a clear consensus emerged: universities must move beyond traditional roles to become active stewards of their communities. Balancing global ambition with local responsibility, rethinking success in the age of artificial intelligence, and strengthening collaboration across borders were central to this shift. At its core was a focus on inclusive, values-driven leadership and greater societal impact.

A central highlight of the Annual Network Meeting was the keynote session, “Navigating a new world order: universities, geopolitics and global influence”, featuring Catriona Laing CB (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and Simon Marginson (Universities of Oxford and Bristol). Both emphasised the need for universities to articulate a clearer and more compelling vision to governments and society.

Catriona Laing CB commented: “In a more fragmented and unpredictable world universities are not just centres of learning – they are strategic institutions that build trust, sustain partnerships, and bring people, ideas and countries together.”

Leadership Summit: Expanding the Global Conversation

The Leadership Summit, held for the first time as an expanded global forum, brought together university leaders alongside policymakers, civic leaders, and international experts to broaden the conversation on higher education’s role in society.

Speakers included Nobel Laureate David MacMillan, Professor Robbert Dijkgraaf, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Founder of Biocon Limited, Matt Foster, Chief Executive, Cara (Council for At Risk Academics) and Dame Katherine Grainger, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, who contributed to discussions on leadership, innovation, and global collaboration.

The programme also featured a Presidential Briefing, chaired by Professor David Garza, Chair of Universitas 21, with contributions from Professor Camille Galap (Université Paris-Saclay), Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi (University of Johannesburg), Professor Adam Tickell (University of Birmingham), and Professor Xiang Zhang (University of Hong Kong).

Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, panellists called for a shift in what universities value. In an AI-driven era, prioritising quality over quantity in research, deepening societal engagement, and building stronger partnerships.

Despite geopolitical uncertainty and rapid global change, there was also strong optimism about the future of universities. Professor Mpedi commented: “We don’t want to be the best university in the world. We say we want to be the best university for the world… everything that we’re doing as a university must have a positive impact on society.”

Professor Adam Tickell echoed this sentiment, describing “a future of possibility, not a future of despair.”

Student and Emerging Leader Voices

U21 Leaders of the Future Award winners joined the U21 Summit, ensuring that student and early-career perspectives were embedded in strategic conversations.

Emma Etim (University of Nottingham) spoke powerfully about student marginalisation and his work with The Brilliant Club, to support underrepresented young people. He highlighted the importance of widening participation and embedding student voice in institutional decision-making.

Deborah Adeniran (University of Glasgow), speaking in the session ‘Social Licence: Universities as Civic Powerhouses in a Distrustful Age’, emphasised the importance of trust, public value, and strong civic connections.

Deborah commented: “Universities earn trust the same way communities build it: through consistency, honesty, and shared power. Speaking alongside such distinguished leaders while bringing a perspective rooted in community health delivery in Africa reinforced for me that bridging the gap between research excellence and lived community impact is not inevitable. It is a choice. And we can choose differently.”

Reflecting on the U21 Annual Network Meeting and Leadership Summit, Professor David Garza, Chair of Universitas 21, said: “Powerful ideas emerged that redefine the role of universities in the world as institutions that not only belong to their communities but act as agents of change within them; spaces of hope, innovation, and learning in a constantly evolving society. This gathering serves as a reminder that the challenges of higher education cannot be solved in isolation.”

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, we look forward to continuing the conversation at the 2027 U21 Annual Network Meeting, hosted by the University of Auckland, under the theme ‘Civic Mission and Global Ambition’.

Find out more

• Find out more about the U21 ANM & Leadership Summit
• Read more from U21 Senior Leaders on the importance of knowledge diplomacy, a key theme of discussion at the ANM & Leadership Summit