That's a wrap for #TASOCon25! A huge thank you to everyone for making it such an invigorating two days, full of provocation, conversation, shared learning and practical tips. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest news and events. taso.org.uk/newsletter
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background. At the top, the TASO logo appears in a blue-green gradient, followed by white text reading “Annual Conference.” Below, the session title “The role of contextualised admissions” is displayed in large white font. Along the bottom are five circular headshots of the panel speakers, each with their name and title beneath. From left to right: Lee Elliot Major (Professor of Social Mobility, Exeter University), Professor Vikki Boliver (Sociology Professor, Durham University), Jonathan T. Schulteise (Evaluation Lead, London School of Economics), Jon Datta (Head of University Access & Digital, Sutton Trust), and Dr Omar Khan (CEO, TASO).
Now on at #TASOCon25 > Are contextualised admissions effective in supporting more students from underserved backgrounds to attend higher education, or do they represent a lowering of academic standards?
Great to see such a strong turnout of 100+ guests at this year's #TASOCon25, from across the higher education sector!
Dr Rob Summers on stage at TASO conference 2025. He is standing in front of a slide with the text: "Live RCT: Retrieve your chart but don’t look at it yet. When the timer starts view the chart (you have 30 seconds). Once the 30 seconds are over, turn the paper over. Do not look at the chart again. Answer the questions: Please use the QR code or weblink to access the questions"
@robsummers0.bsky.social runs a live randomised controlled trial as part of #TASOCon25. Groups are randomly assigned chart A or chart B to look at and review. Does a better designed chart aid understanding?
Dr Eliza Kozman on stage at TASO conference 2025, explaining the slide behind her, which shows a diagram about randomising at individual or group level
Eliza Kozman gives an overview of randomised controlled trials, including ethics, selection bias, confounders and randomising at individual and group levels. #TASOCon25
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue gradient background with a subtle overlay of a seated audience. At the top, the TASO logo is shown in a blue-green gradient, followed by the white text “Annual Conference.” Below that, the session title reads “Breakout session: Tackling the common challenges in evaluation,” with the main session title in white and the subtitle in teal. On the right side is a circular headshot of Hannah Thomson, who is smiling with shoulder-length light brown hair and wearing a floral top. Beneath her image, white text reads: “Hannah Thomson, Evaluation Manager, TASO.”
Now on at #TASOCon25 > Delegates are taking part in themed discussion groups with colleagues, talking about how to overcome the biggest challenges in evaluation, including breadth v depth, senior leadership priorities and lack of resource.
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a subtle overlay of a seated audience. At the top, the TASO logo appears in a green-blue gradient, followed by white text reading “Annual Conference.” Below that, the session title reads “Breakout session: Guide to RCTs,” with “Guide to RCTs” highlighted in teal. The bottom half of the graphic features two circular headshots: on the left, Dr Eliza Kozman (smiling, with long brown hair), labeled “Deputy CEO, TASO,” and on the right, Dr Rob Summers (smiling, wearing glasses and a patterned shirt), labeled “Research Manager, TASO.”
Now on at #TASOCon25 > We explore the practical considerations of how to conduct a randomised controlled trial. Delegates are taking part in a live RCT simulation, learning about key concepts of ethical considerations, randomisation methods, sample size determinations, and resource allocation.
Photo of a speaker on a stage preparing to present work on Theory of Change. Two protection screens behind them with audience in foreground.
Screenshot of a draft webpage of a ToC builder demonstrating how the tool will make connections between different elements of a ToC
Some great practical ideas in a whizz through of evaluation practices at #TASOCon25. Now hearing from Pete Crowson about a browser-based Theory of Change to help reduce workload as colleagues grapple with developing ToCs.
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a faint overlay of an audience. The top displays the TASO logo and the title “Annual Conference,” followed by the session title “TASO live work mini-tours” in white. Below are four circular headshots of session facilitators: Dr Rob Summers (Research Manager), Pete Crowson (Evaluation Manager), Hannah Thomson (Evaluation Manager), and Tatjana Damjanovic (Senior Research Officer), each labelled with their name and role. At the bottom, the event date and location are listed: “29–30 April 2025, University of Warwick.”
Now on at #TASOCon25 – TASO live work mini-tours. We take you on a mini-tour of some of our key projects and resources to help you provide high-quality evaluation. Refresh your understanding of what TASO has to offer.
Graphic with text: TASO Annual Conference. Pathways into and through higher education for young people with experience of children's social care. Panelists: Leon Feinstein: Director of the Rees Centre and Professor of Education and Children’s Social Care; Rebecca Jones: Senior Advice and Support Officer, Further and Higher Education, Become; Denise Rawls Executive Director, National Network for the Education of Care Leavers; Helen Arber: Head of Operations, Unite Foundation; Eliza Kozman Deputy CEO, TASO; Amir Arian: Medical student at Swansea University.
Now on at #TASOCon25: How can we better understand and support the journeys of care-experienced students in #highereducation? Speakers from the Rees Centre, Become, NNECL, Unite Foundation and TASO discuss findings from a recent TASO-Rees Centre report based on newly linked datasets.
Our CEO @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social welcomes delegates to day 2 of #TASOCon25 and introduces a day of evaluation best-practice sessions, including a session on higher education for care-experienced children, live work mini-tours, a guide to RCTs and a session on contextualised admissions.
The image features a promotional graphic for the "TASO Annual Conference," scheduled for April 29-30, 2025. The text highlights the conference theme, "How to evaluate," with a modern, professional design incorporating bold typography, a dark blue background, and abstract wave-like patterns.
Are you ready for day 2 of #TASOCon25? If you're joining us today, welcome! We'll see you soon at The Slate, University of Warwick. Check-in is now open and the first session starts at 09:30.
That's a wrap for day 1 of #TASOCon25. Thanks to all our delegates for a great day, and looking forward to more tomorrow!
taso.org.uk/event/annual...
people at the TASO conference 2025, looking at posters and chatting
Delegates at #TASOCon25 poster room and networking
room, chatting to colleagues about their interventions and methodologies.
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a subtle overlay of an audience seated in a lecture hall. On the left side, the TASO logo appears in a blue-green gradient, followed by white text reading “Annual Conference.” Below that, the event date and location are shown: “29–30 April 2025, University of Warwick.” On the right side of the image, inside a rounded teal-outlined box, large white text reads: “Poster and networking session.”
Come along to this #TASOCon25 knowledge exchange and networking session (16:40, poster room) where you’ll be able to speak to other higher education providers about interventions they are delivering and considering.
Promotional banner for the TASO Annual Conference 2025. The left side features a dark blue background overlaid with an image of a seated audience. Text reads: “TASO Annual Conference – How to evaluate,” with “How to evaluate” in bold teal. Below, the event details are listed: “29–30 April, University of Warwick.” On the right, a circular photo of Dr Eliza Kozman shows her smiling in a light blazer with long brown hair, set against a neutral background. Above her image, white and teal text reads: “Transforming tomorrow: TASO and the global evidence revolution.” Below the photo, her name and title are displayed: “Dr Eliza Kozman, Deputy CEO, TASO.”
TASO is part of a global movement to drive better use of evidence. Hear about how TASO came into being, what we’ve achieved so far, and what needs to happen next for #highereducation evaluation to drive meaningful change #TASOCon25
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a faint overlay of a seated audience. At the top, the TASO logo appears in a green-blue gradient, followed by the title “Annual Conference” in white and “Higher Education Evaluation Library” in teal. Below are circular headshots of two speakers: Anna Anthony (smiling, with short blonde hair) and Dr Eliza Kozman (smiling, with long brown hair). Each speaker’s name and title are listed beneath their photo, representing the HEAT Service and TASO.
The HEEL will support sharing evidence and evaluation about equality interventions in #highereducation. The library will be hosted and developed by the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT). Find out about the development of the HEEL, including how to get involved. #TASOCon25
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a faint overlay of a seated audience. At the top, the TASO logo appears in a green-blue gradient, followed by white text reading “Annual Conference” and “Breakout session: Engaging students meaningfully,” with the session title highlighted in teal. Below are three circular headshots of the speakers. From left to right: Alex Stanley (smiling, with short brown hair and a beard, standing in front of greenery), identified as Vice President of Higher Education, National Union of Students (NUS); Dr Sammi Li (wearing glasses and a suit, in front of a building), listed as AMOSSHE Executive Member and Assistant Director of Student Affairs, University of Birmingham; and Rosie Jones (smiling, with shoulder-length blonde hair and a floral top), identified as Student Engagement and Enhancement Senior Manager, University of Sussex.
How can we ensure we are reaching students in our outreach? Join us to discuss approaches to promote student participation in projects and initiatives. #TASOCon25
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference featuring the breakout session titled "Achieving impact through evaluation." The background is dark blue with a subtle audience silhouette, and the TASO logo appears at the top. Below the session title are headshots and names of the four speakers, each in a circular frame: Dr Matt Horton (Evaluation Manager, University of Wolverhampton), Liz Moores (Deputy PVC, Aston University), Fiona Cottrell (EDI Business Partner, University of the West of England), and Dr Omar Khan (CEO, TASO).
Practitioners often face barriers in uncovering the evidence that leads to direct change in policy and practice. Join Dr Matt Horton, Liz Moores, Fiona Cottrell, and @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social as they explore the challenges in securing buy-in and advocating for change. #TASOCon25
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Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference titled "How to evaluate." The keynote is "Higher education in 2025" by Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Oxford. A circular portrait of Professor Soutphommasane is shown on the right, where he is wearing a blue suit and smiling in front of a carved wooden door. The background features a dark blue gradient with a faint image of an audience. The event takes place on 29–30 April 2025 at the University of Warwick.
Hear from our keynote speaker, @timsout.bsky.social (Chief Diversity Officer at @ox.ac.uk), about the current situation for higher education and the direction we can expect to see over the next year, including key economic and policy drivers. #TASOCon25
We've kicked off #TASOCon25 'How to Evaluate' with a welcome address from our CEO @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social. We have a packed 2-day programme to guide you through best-practice approaches to evaluation in higher education. Stay tuned for more...
Registration for #TASOCon25 is now open!
The image features a promotional graphic for the "TASO Annual Conference," scheduled for April 29-30, 2025. The text highlights the conference theme, "How to evaluate," with a modern, professional design incorporating bold typography, a dark blue background, and abstract wave-like patterns.
Are you ready for #TASOCon25? If you're joining us today, welcome! We'll see you at the University of Warwick soon.
taso.org.uk/event/annual...
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a faint overlay of a seated audience. At the top, the TASO logo appears in a green-blue gradient, followed by white text reading “Annual Conference” and “Breakout session: Engaging students meaningfully,” with the session title highlighted in teal. Below are three circular headshots of the speakers. From left to right: Alex Stanley (smiling, with short brown hair and a beard, standing in front of greenery), identified as Vice President of Higher Education, National Union of Students (NUS); Dr Sammi Li (wearing glasses and a suit, in front of a building), listed as AMOSSHE Executive Member and Assistant Director of Student Affairs, University of Birmingham; and Rosie Jones (smiling, with shoulder-length blonde hair and a floral top), identified as Student Engagement and Enhancement Senior Manager, University of Sussex.
Breakout spotlight: Engaging students meaningfully
How can we embed student voice in outreach & evaluation? Find out in this #TASOCon25 session.
Agenda: taso.org.uk/event/annual...
Register: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference 2025 features a dark blue background with a faint overlay of an audience. The top displays the TASO logo and the title “Annual Conference,” followed by the session title “TASO live work mini-tours” in white. Below are four circular headshots of session facilitators: Dr Rob Summers (Research Manager), Pete Crowson (Evaluation Manager), Hannah Thomson (Evaluation Manager), and Tatjana Damjanovic (Senior Research Officer), each labelled with their name and role.
TASO live work mini-tours
On day two of #TASOCon25, join the TASO research & evaluation team for a tour of key projects, tools & resources to boost your evaluation practice.
Agenda: taso.org.uk/event/annual...
Register: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference highlighting a breakout session titled “Addressing challenges in practice (peer-to-peer learning).” The background features a dark blue gradient with a subtle overlay of people seated and engaged in discussion. At the top, the TASO logo appears in teal and green gradient beside the white text “Annual Conference.” Below, the session title is presented with “Breakout session:” in white and the session name in bright teal. On the right side is a circular headshot of Katherine Drew, a woman with curly light brown hair, smiling and wearing a red top with white polka dots, standing in front of bookshelves. Her name and title “Evaluation Officer, TASO” appear beneath the photo in white text.
Session spotlight: Addressing challenges in practice
How do you measure light-touch impact? Incentivise feedback?
Join Katherine Drew (TASO) at #TASOCon25 for a peer-to-peer session tackling real-world APP challenges using a collaborative world-café format.
app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference featuring the breakout session titled "Achieving impact through evaluation." The background is dark blue with a subtle audience silhouette, and the TASO logo appears at the top. Below the session title are headshots and names of the four speakers, each in a circular frame: Dr Matt Horton (Evaluation Manager, University of Wolverhampton), Liz Moores (Deputy PVC, Aston University), Fiona Cottrell (EDI Business Partner, University of the West of England), and Dr Omar Khan (CEO, TASO).
Session spotlight: Achieving impact through evaluation
Join Dr Matt Horton, Liz Moores, Fiona Cottrell, and @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social at #TASOCon25 as they explore challenges in making evaluation findings count.
Agenda: taso.org.uk/event/annual...
Register: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...
Graphic for the TASO Annual Conference themed “How to evaluate.” The background features a blue gradient overlaying a semi-transparent image of an audience. On the left, the TASO logo appears in a gradient of teal and purple-blue, followed by large white and teal text reading “Annual Conference – How to evaluate.” On the right, a rounded teal-outlined box contains the message: “Last chance – invoice payment” in white text. At the bottom right corner, the date and location are shown: “29–30 April, University of Warwick.”
Last chance to pay by invoice for #TASOCon25 – deadline: Tuesday 15 April (23:59)
Access the full agenda and explore speakers: taso.org.uk/event/annual...
Secure your spot before it’s too late: app.tickettailor.com/events/taso/...
