M25 Annual Conference 2025 – Shaping the future
Welcome to the Consortium’s Annual Conference 2025. For the first time in five years, we are meeting in person. Join us for a day of presentations, discussions and networking in the lovely setting of Greenwich, London.
Our packed programme is being finalised. Expect to find inspiring presentations, sessions full of ideas and opportunities for learning, supporting new speakers and sharing best practice. A sandwich lunch and refreshments are provided.
6 May: We’re pleased to announce our third parallel session speaker in the afternoon: Karen Jackson, from the University of Warwick.
Speaker and facilitator biographies
Outlines of Conference Presentations
Programme:
9am Registration & Networking
9.50am Welcome from David Archer, Chair, M25 Consortium
10.00-10.40 Keynote Presentation: The Wolves are at the Door: An argument for a trophic cascade in libraries, from Lawrie Phipps, Senior Research Lead at Jisc and Dr Donna Lanclos, Researcher and Speaker, Anthropologist and Folklorist
Much has been written about how technology needs to disrupt and transform libraries and library work, mostly by vendors or those who are writing or working with vendors. But what if it already happened, and it happened incrementally and over a period of 30 years so that we didn’t notice it? What if, in fact, most of us advocated for it?
10.40-11.10 Shaping the future and making an impact: EDI strategic action planning Presentation from Banji Adewumi, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Greenwich
11.15-11.35 Refreshment Break Plus Networking, Sponsors, Vox Pops & Posters
11.40-12.10 Building a Digital Sustainability Action Plan Presentation from Jon Ray, Environmental Sustainability Lead for Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM), University of Oxford
12.15-13.00 Three Parallel sessions to choose from on collaboration, what sustainability will look like and diversity
- Collaboration in times of constrained budgets – further details coming soon
- Discover the key findings of the Diversity Group survey 2024 and contribute to the discussion on what we need to do next to amplify marginalised voices and foster EDI within libraries
A session led by M25 Consortium’s Diversity Group and facilitated by Davina Omar and Cliff Van Dort. - The future is sustainable: exploring the role of library and information services
Led by M25 Consortium’s Sustainability Group and facilitated by Chris Foreman and Eloise Carpenter, this presentation and discussion session will invite thoughts and contributions on the environmental and sustainability challenges
13.00-14.00 Lunch Plus Networking, Sponsors, Vox Pops & Posters
14.00-14.45 First Set of Lightning Talk Presentations plus Panel questions to the Presenters
14.50-15.30 Three Parallel sessions to choose from:
4. Wellbeing in Libraries: Steps to Creating Kind, safe workplaces
Helen Rimmer, Kindness and Wellbeing Coach
5. Your Space or Mine? Working collaboratively with Estates & Facilities on future space development
Regina Everett, Assistant Chief Operating Officer & Director of Library, Archives and Learning Services at the University of East London and Tim Wales, University Librarian, Cranfield University
6.The Library as a Catalyst for AI Literacy: Strengthening Communities of Practice in Higher Education
Karen Jackson, Research and Academic Support Manager (Teaching and Learning) at the University of Warwick
15.30-15.50 Refreshment Break Plus Networking, Sponsors, Vox Pops & Posters
15.55-16.20 Second Set of Lightning Talk Presentations plus questions to the Presenters
16.20 Closing remarks and thanks
16.25 Ends
16.45-17.30 EXTRA! Optional visit to University of Greenwich Library, Stockwell Street Campus – please complete a separate booking form for this visit if you would like to attend:
Visit to the University of Greenwich Library booking
(Programme is subject to alteration, full details to be announced soon)
Lightning Talk Speakers and Posters call now closed
Thank you for all your lightning talks and poster submissions. We will announce the successful submissions soon. Those chosen will be given a free place at Conference, with reasonable public travel costs reimbursed (if required). Find out more.
Venue accessibility: The venue is in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Please note that access to some of the areas for the conference (including the break out rooms and refreshment area) can only be accessed via a small number of steps. There is more information on accessibility here: https://www.accessable.co.uk/university-of-greenwich/access-guides/queen-anne-building. Please contact the M25 Consortium team with any queries: cpd25@london.ac.uk, M25libadmin@london.ac.uk
Please note that Cutty Sark (for Maritime Greenwich DLR) station will be closed from 31st May until Spring 2026. Greenwich Station and Greenwich DLR station will be open as usual.
Find us on Social Media
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Inclusion and values statement
Registration and Booking
All member institutions are entitled to one free delegate place (registration essential) and can book additional places. Complete the booking form by 5pm on the 12 May to receive the discounted additional place rate.
Fees:
| DELEGATE TYPE | FEE | DATES |
| First place members | £0 | – |
| Additional member rate Early Bird Booking | £125 | 6 March-12 May |
| Additional standard member rate (outside Early Bird booking dates) | £175 | 13 May-20 June |
| Non member Early Bird rate | £250 | 6 March-12 May |
| Non member standard rate (outside Early Bird booking dates) | £350 | 13 May-20 June |
| Group bookings of 3 and above | £25 discount per person, whether early bird or full (not applicable to student tickets) | |
| Students | £25 |
Invoicing: Please note that early bird bookings will be sent their invoice from 13 May. Standard bookings will be invoiced after the Conference from 25 June.
Group bookings: 3 or more paying delegates will receive a £25 discount per person if they book as a group. Please fill out one form per person and add a note to the form in the PO number box to state ‘group booking’. Please also email cpd25@london.ac.uk with the names of the group members so we can identify you when we receive your booking forms. Any queries about group booking should be sent to cpd25@london.ac.uk. Group discount does not apply to students or member representatives using their free place.
Student rate: If you’re studying and working at an M25 library please use the member registration form and write ‘student’, as well as your job title, in the designated box. If you’re a student and not employed by an M25 member library please use the non-member form and write ‘student’ in the designated job title box. Proof of student status may be required.
Conference Bursaries: The deadline for bursaries supporting free attendance at the conference has passed. Read more about the Staff Development Award Scheme.
Cancellation policy: Cancellation is free until 23:59 on 12th June 2025. Cancellations after this date will be charged 50%. No-shows on the day will be charged 100%.
Electronic CPD attendance certificates can be provided on request. Please request via cpd25@london.ac.uk
To book a place please use our online booking forms. Please remember to include a PO number if required.