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Accommodation Matters brings sector experts together to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. Join hosts Jenny Shaw and Jen Steadman each month for a lively round table chat with university student accommodation leaders from across the UK, national policy experts and subject specialists. Focusing in on topical issues, we’ll explore student accommodation and the student living experience within its broad context, talk about what’s happening right now and look at what might be coming over the horizon.
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
They’ve made headlines and opened up a whole new opportunity for the future of student accommodation… so, in this very special episode of Accommodation Matters, we’re exploring joint venture (JV) partnerships.
This half-hour episode will tell you everything you need to know about JVs – why universities are choosing JVs, the benefits to universities, students and the local community, and the challenges of implementation.
Join host Jenny Shaw and this month’s expert panel:
- Joe Lister, Chief Executive at Unite Students
- Jane Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University
- Dr Stephen Bloye, Director of Campus Services at Manchester Metropolitan University
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector's key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 17th and 19th June 2025 and produced by Ed Palmer.
If you’d like to discuss joint venture opportunities with Unite Students, please get in touch with Moray Notman (moray.notman@unitestudents.com).
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Every building needs a refresh at some point. Whether it’s adapting amenity spaces to meet changing student needs or refreshing the look of bedrooms, a refurbishment can unlock significant improvements in student and employee satisfaction. But balancing budgets against quality and student expectations is easier said than done.
So, this month’s episode is a deep dive into refurbishments – how to do them right, and their hidden benefits. The conversation covers:
- When to refurbish a property
- How to deliver in-occupancy refurbishments
- How refurbishments drive value for money
- Making your refurbished buildings more sustainable
- How to future-proof a refurbishment
Hosted as ever by the inimitable Jenny Shaw, this month’s expert panel includes:
- Nikki Todd, Managing Director at Fortis Vision
- Karan Khanna, Chief Operating Officer at Unite Students
- Roscoe Chubb, Head of Asset & Fund Management at Unite Students
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 13th and 14th May 2025 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
Want to see what the refurbished properties mentioned in the episode look like? Check them out on our student website:
Follow Unite Students on LinkedIn to hear about all the latest refurbishment and development updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unite-group-plc/
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025
In an increasingly competitive student market, understanding the drivers of student satisfaction has never been more important. This month, we’re getting into what student satisfaction looks like in 2025.
Hosted by Jenny Shaw, our panel covers what satisfaction surveys tell us about student needs, the role of quality, wellbeing and value for money, and what might drive satisfaction for Generation Alpha when they arrive at university in a few years.
This month’s expert panel includes:
- Sarah Ead, Head of Insight at Global Student Living
- James Greenwood, Head of Residential Life at London School of Economics and Political Science
- Paul Watson, Group Operations Director at Unite Students
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 10th April 2024 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
Wednesday Mar 05, 2025
‘Compassion’ is the word of the moment in the HE sector. But why, and what does that look like in practice?
Join host Jenny Shaw and an expert panel for a deep dive into how compassion is shaping new approaches across UK Higher Education, in student support and beyond.
This lively discussion covers how compassionate communications can enhance the student experience, how to integrate compassion into your organisation’s policies and procedures, and examples of this in practice across accommodation and university functions.
Our expert panel includes:
- Dr Kathryn Waddington, Emeritus Fellow in Psychology at University of Westminster
- Julia Hunt, Mental Health Clinical Lead at University of Central Lancashire
- Katy Lemmon, Accommodation Manager at University of Liverpool
- Becca Hayhurst, Head of Resident Experience at Unite Students
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on Monday 24th February 2024 and was produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
The Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce (HEMHIT)’s Compassionate Communication Statement is available to download from Nottingham Trent University’s website: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/2526771/Compassionate-Communication-Statement.pdf
Read more about Unite Students’ CARE service philosophy on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-resident-experience
Find out more about Unite Students’ Support to Stay framework on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-to-stay-unite-students
Learn more about the Nurture-U and Compassionate Campus initiatives at the Nurture-U website: www.nurtureuniversity.co.uk
Dr Kathryn Waddington is currently writing a book called 'How to be a Compassionate Academic' and would love to hear stories from listeners where compassion has been brought to life through small acts of kindness. These will be used with permission and anonymised in the book, for more details please email Kathryn at: k.waddington@westminster.ac.uk with 'BOOK' in the subject line.
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Season 9 launches with something a little bit different. To celebrate four years of Accommodation Matters, we took the show on the road to GSL Live and recorded a live episode!
Join host Jenny Shaw for a lively panel discussion about designing community within student accommodation – including how the physical design can support community-building, the role of accommodation teams, whether themed accommodation works, and how to measure the success of community-building events.
Our panel includes:
- Jo Blair, Head of Specification at Unite Students
- Paul Mercer, Director at Kaplan Living
- Vanya Campbell, Engagement Manager at the University of Essex
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on Thursday 17th October 2024 at GSL Live and was produced by Ed Palmer.
Thanks to Hannah Colbran and Sarah Ead at Global Student Living for helping to organise the session, to James King for providing technical assistance on the day, and to our GSL Live audience.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
Read more about the support that Unite Students offers on our website: https://www.unitegroup.com/articles/student-support-resident-experience
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
In July, Unite Students launched the 2024 Applicant Index: an in-depth look at the needs and concerns of this year’s university applicants.
We recorded an episode about the findings at the time – now, as these applicants take up their places at university, we’re sharing our full interview with Nick Hillman, Director at the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) to give you even more insights into your first-year students.
Host Jenny Shaw and Nick get into topics including:
- Trends we’re seeing across three years of Applicant Index data
- How this year’s applicants feel about finance
- The impact of socioeconomic disparity on applicant confidence
- The future of Higher Education
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 19th July 2024 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
You can download the reports mentioned in this episode from Unite Students’ website, including:
- Applicant Index 2024 [July 2024]
- Living Black at University [February 2022]
You can download the latest HEPI/Advance HE Student Academic Experience Survey from HEPI’s website. [June 2024]
You can watch the HEPI/Unite Students launch day webinar on the Applicant Index on YouTube. [July 2024]
On 17th October, we’re recording our first ever live episode of Accommodation Matters at the GSL Live conference! If you’d like to join us, you can get tickets from the GSL Live website – we’d love to see you there.
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
Wednesday Aug 28, 2024
The Higher Education sector is full of ideas for improving student life. Last year, we asked our listeners to get in touch with what ideas and initiatives they’d launched in their accommodation – and our listeners loved it. So we’re doing it all over again.
Join host Jen Steadman for this month’s episode of Accommodation Matters, where you’ll hear about initiatives to promote inclusion, safety and sustainability. Among other ideas, we look at a new app that's helping to build student communities, a student safety campaign that's brought together nine universities, and a podcast by and for students to support with belonging.
Our contributors include:
- Pete Collins, Partnership and Engagement Manager at University of Birmingham
- Ellie Drave, Product Manager at Unite Students
- James Greenwood, Head of Residential Life at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Laura Burge, Senior Manager for Gender Equity, Respect and Inclusion at Deakin University
- Milana, Social Media Co-ordinator at the Unite Foundation
- Helen Strachan, Sustainability Manager at Unite Students
- Chloe Lloyd, Environment Manager at Unite Students
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded throughout August 2024 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
Download the Unite Students Applicant Index from the Unite Students website.
Learn more about LSE’s consent education campaign from their Consent video on YouTube.
Read more about the Respect at Uni campaign from Deakin University’s website.
Find out about the Unite Foundation’s scholarship, and download their podcast, from their website This Is Us At Uni – and the All Of Us community for estranged and care-experienced students at www.allofus.uk.
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
🎧 The special Student Accommodation Podcast Summit Episode is out now!
Accommodation Matters host Jenny Shaw recently collaborated with experts Sarah Canning and Deenie Lee (The Property Marketing Strategists), Dan Smith (Student Housing Consultancy), Laura Bosworth (REAL), Richard Stott (Kexgill Group) and Rebecca O'Hare (University of Leeds) to record a special episode discussing crucial issues in student accommodation.
This top team of professionals share expert views on key topics, including:
⚪ PBSA vs. HMOs: Is affordability in student accommodation a self-perpetuating issue created by PBSA?
⚪ The evolution of PBSA rooms: Have they truly evolved to meet student needs?
⚪ Mental health challenges: Is the sector prepared for upcoming issues?
⚪ Understanding changing demographics and adapting services and products accordingly
⚪ Staffing costs and rent: Should increasing staff costs impact rent?
⚪ Undervaluing PBSA: Why are we still focused on rooms rather than the whole package?
⚪ Data, research, and market gaps: How data can reveal opportunities
⚪ Technology's influence on the future of accommodation
⚪ Future demand for flexibility from students
⚪ Intersectionality and inclusion: Implications for future accommodation options
It's a conversation you definitely don't want to miss.
If you enjoyed the episode, do check out our collaborators’ podcasts – Housed: The Shared Living Podcast (Sarah, Deenie and Dan), Get Real About Marketing (Laura) and Free Food, Free Drinks (Rebecca), available from all good podcast platforms.
*****
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on Friday 12th July 2024.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Tuesday Jul 30, 2024
Every year, Unite Students surveys university applicants for our Applicant Index. And every year, we’re surprised by the differences between applicant cohorts. If you want to be prepared for the first year students who will arrive into your city in the autumn, you won’t want to miss this episode – or the report that spawned it.
Hosted by Jenny Shaw (Higher Education External Engagement Director at Unite Students), our expert panel looks at the ever-shifting impact of the pandemic on this year’s incoming student cohort, how they’re feeling about their finances ahead of coming to university, the specific needs of working class and disabled applicants, and what this will all mean in practical terms for universities and student accommodation providers.
Our panel includes:
- Dr Michelle Morgan, Dean of Students at University of East London
- Professor Tony Moss, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience at London South Bank University
- Will White, Higher Education Engagement Director at Unite Students
We’re also joined by special guest Nick Hillman, Director of HEPI, who shares his reflections on this year’s findings and some of the stand-out stats that caught his attention.
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 19th and 22nd July 2024 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
The following reports referenced in the episode can all be downloaded from the Unite Students website:
- The Unite Students 2024 Applicant Index [July 2024]
- Improving the transition into Higher Education [May 2024]
- Living Black at University [February 2022]
You can also learn more about our Resident Ambassadors initiative from the Unite Students website. [April 2024]
Jim Dickinson’s piece about duty of candour within Higher Education can be found on Wonkhe’s website. [July 2024]
HEPI / Advance HE’s Student Academic Experience Survey 2024 report can be downloaded from HEPI’s website. [June 2024]
The Unite Students / HEPI webinar on the Applicant Index 2024 can also be viewed on HEPI’s website. [July 2024]
Paul Bolton and Joe Lewis’s ‘Degree apprenticeships’ briefing can be downloaded from the House of Commons library. [May 2024]
Thursday Jun 27, 2024
Thursday Jun 27, 2024
Political decisions can reshape the whole Higher Education landscape – so no doubt you’re keeping an eye on the 2024 General Election campaign. But what does it mean for Higher Education and student accommodation? In this episode, we’ve enlisted an expert panel and host Jenny Shaw to tell us just that.
Our guests look at party manifestos, how universities should respond to these commitments (or lack of), what we might expect from further devolution and HE’s relationship with Further Education, and – most importantly – what students, Higher Education and the property sector need from an incoming administration.
If you want to be prepared for what’s in store over the next five years, you won’t want to miss this episode. Our panellists include:
- George Blake, Policy and Networks Officer at London Higher
- Dani Payne, Senior Researcher at Social Market Foundation
- Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Foundation
- Megan Haskins, Policy and Research Manager at University College London Students’ Union
Accommodation Matters brings together sector experts to discuss the Higher Education sector’s key issues through the lens of student accommodation. This episode was recorded on 19th June 2024 and produced by Ed Palmer.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of individual guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unite Students and/or Unite Group plc.
Resources
Manifestos by the Labour Party, Conservative and Unionist Party and Liberal Democrats are available to download from their respective party websites. [June 2024]
The National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 will be published on Wednesday 10th July 2024 on the Office for Students (OfS) website. 2023’s NSS data is available on the OfS website.
The Student Academic Experience Survey 2024 report can be downloaded from HEPI’s website.
‘Four futures: Shaping the future of higher education in England’ by Professor Sir Chris Husbands can also be downloaded from the HEPI website. [June 2024]
The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan can be downloaded from the NHS England website. [June 2023]
The Centre for Cities’ ‘Climbing the Summit: Big cities in the UK and the G7’ report can be downloaded from the Centre for Cities website. [June 2024]
Information about the Australia Universities Accord can be found on the Australian Government Department of Education website. [Last updated June 2024]
The Russell Group Students’ Unions ‘Student Cost of Living Report’ can be downloaded from their website. [March 2023]