M25 Annual Conference 2025 – Shaping the future. *Event registration now closed*
*Registration for this event has now closed. Please contact cpd25@london.ac.uk with any queries*
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 includes inspiring presentations, sessions full of ideas and best practice, opportunities for learning and short talks from staff at our member libraries. A sandwich lunch and refreshments are provided. There will be exhibitor stands from our Silver Sponsors, four posters to peruse and the chance to air your views with our Vox Pops.
Speaker, facilitator & contributor biographies
Outlines of Conference Presentations
Meet our June M25 SpeedMeet Profile: Helen Curtis
Director of Learning Resources and University Librarian at Oxford Brookes University. and part of the Conference Planning Group
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, Jisc & Visiting Professor of Digital Leadership, University of Chester, and Dr Donna Lanclos, Researcher and Speaker, Anthropologist and Folklorist and Munster Technological University, Ireland
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
- A truly collaborative venture: developing the Digital Transformation Library Lens
This session, presented by Paola Marchionni and Peter Findlay, Jisc, will discuss how Jisc has worked in close collaboration with university libraries to create a Digital Transformation Library Lens (DTLL) and invite contributions from the audience on their understanding and experience of digital transformation. - 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 Eloise Carpenter and others, 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 (5-8 mins each) plus Panel questions to the Presenters
- Developing an Academic Library Excellence Framework: A Strategic Model for Continuous Improvement
Carly Ramirez-Herelle and Steve Briggs, University of Bedfordshire - Building an e-only library at Northeastern University London. Implementing a Digital First policy: the journey so far
Rosalind Francis and Alice Fodor, Northeastern University, London - Brave + librarians AND (a) Prompt AI Adventure
Janice Fernandes and Mary Blomley, University of West London - Unsafe in Safe Spaces? An exploration of the workplace experiences of female library workers employed and volunteering in academic and research libraries in the United Kingdom
Louise Savage, Collections Coordinator, King’s College London
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 Everitt, 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
- Royal Horticultural Society Library – Growing the Past to Shape the Future
Alison Mackenzie, Research Support Librarian, Royal Horticultural Society - Moving Towards Post-Digital Libraries in Higher Education
Michael Day, Associate Professor and Institutional Lead for TEL, University of Greenwich
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)
Posters
- Developing the LAORS Sustainability Policy at LSHTM: shaping a green future
Eloise Carpenter, Collection Services Manager, Library, Archive & Open Research Services, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine - Teaching students to utilise AI tools to improve their literature searching skills
Tim Spring, Academic Services Librarian, Birkbeck College, University of London - Enhancing Library Accessibility through Sensory Mapping
Arun Gummer, Library Operations Coordinator, and Lorna Rosbottom, Library Operations Manager, University of Westminster - Shaping the future of Surrey: supporting the student experience through collaboration, colleagues, creativity, communication & care
Prepared by Susan Hill and Emily Klimova, Library & Learning Advisers, University of Surrey
Vox Pops Lead
Camilla Churchill, Library & Archive Lead, British Medical Association
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.
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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. Please note that we will be closing Conference delegate bookings on Tuesday 10 June.
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
Thank you to our Sponsors
*Registration for this event has now closed. Please contact cpd25@london.ac.uk with any queries*