ACED Annual Conference 2024

Summary Programme

Day 1 – Thursday 5^th September 2024

09:00   Registration

09:45   Welcome and introduction (Professor Colin Turner – Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment – Previous Chair of EPC)

10:00   SESSION 1

Chair – Robert Eadie, Ulster University (20 minutes each + Questions)

10:05 – 10:25

JBM Update – Dr Mike Bather, JBM Chair

10:25 – 10:45

Update from ICE – John Laverty, Head of Qualifications, ICE

10:45-11:00

Update from IStructE –  David Fletcher, Chair IStructE NI

11:15   COFFEE

11:30   SESSION 2  – Artificial Intelligence and its impact on Teaching (20 minutes each + Questions)

Chair Dr Denise Lee

11:35 -11:55

Opportunities and challenges for Generative AI in Education – Michael Callaghan (Reader Ulster University)

Generative AI is disrupting education, a process that will accelerate as it becomes ubiquitous, more powerful and increasingly accessible.

This talk will introduce the state of the art in generative AI, explore its current capabilities and limitations and practical use in education. It will discuss how we can adapt and use it in new ways to support teaching, learning and assessment.

11:55 -12:15

Project Based Learning and the impact of AI – Dr Alan Bloodworth (TEDI-London)

12:15-12:35

AI in Engineering – Prof Phil Hanna, Dean of Education, QUB

12:45   LUNCH

13:45   SESSION 3 – Teaching Impact of the AHEP4 Learning Outcomes

Chair Dr. Aled Davies (Cardiff University)

Two New Outcomes Security and Equality This session covers the first one, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

13:50-14:10

Update on Diversity – Karen McShane, President CIHT (Past ILP Chair Ulster University)

14:10 – 14:30

Inclusive Assessments for Neurodivergence: Enabling all students to demonstrate what they know and can do – Dr Ceri Morris, Cardiff University (Online talk)

In this interactive presentation, Dr Ceri Morris will firstly highlight the learning needs and lived experience of neurodivergent students and explore the challenges of traditional assessments. She will then identify inclusive and anticipatory approaches to creating flexible, authentic, and alternative assessments without increasing staff and student assessment burden. The session will include a quick interactive masterclass: bring a summary of your assessment and receive instant feedback on strategies for increased inclusivity!

14:30-14:50

Closing the Assessment Disadvantage Gap – Dr Esther Norton, Anglia Ruskin University

15:00   TEA

15:30   SESSION 4 – EDI Impact and Upcoming Student Intakes          

Chair Dr Esther Norton – Anglia Ruskin University

15:35-15:55

Inclusion Really Does Matter: Understanding and Improving attitudes towards gender equality initiatives in STEM – Dr Ioana Latu, Queens University Belfast

15:55-16:15

Creation of inclusive engineering and technology organisations by increasing the diversity of the workforce and improving stakeholder health and wellbeing. What industry needs – Dr Stewart Eyres, Equal Engineers

16:15-16:35

Statistics from the JBM on overall Civil Engineering Student Numbers – Neil Tsang, Coventry University

17:00   AGM

17:30   Close

19:00   Dinner

Day 2 – Friday 6^th September 2024

09:00   SESSION 5 – Update on Security, Assessments and Exam Boards

Chair Professor Fiona Bradley – University of Glasgow

09:00-9:30

Security in Civil Engineering courses and Guidance to Academics – UK Government Security Advisor (via video link)

The session will show the range of malicious threats to civil engineering projects and professionals and the Physical and Personnel security measures that can be embedded in to curricula to help students understand the subject area and later embed in to their ways of working, project design and execution.

9:30-10:00

Reasonable Adjustments and the Design of Alternative Assessments – Dr Denise Lee, Liverpool John Moores University

10:00-10:30

Useful reflections on the student response and their performance to Inclusive Assessment – Dr Aled Davies, Cardiff University

10:30-11:00

Supporting the ethical and equitable use of Generative AI for formative and summative assessment: A transnational perspective – Dr Christine O’Dea, Kings College London

11:00   COFFEE

11:30   SESSION 6

11:30-13:30

Separate Workshop.

The future of exam boards – Dr Charlotte Verney, Bristol University

13:30   LUNCH

14:30   SESSION 7 – Debate ‘Do we need Face to Face examinations to ensure quality in a world of ChatGTP’

Chair Dr Alan Bloodworth, TEDI-London

For Dr Binh Le – Anglia Ruskin University

Against Dr Esther Norton – Anglia Ruskin University

Break out groups and feedback

15:30   Conference Close

16:00   New Campus Tour

Free evening to allow delegates explore Belfast City Centre

Day 3 – Saturday  7^th September 2024

Saturday – Optional Trip around Belfast (Europa, John Boyd Dunlop Blue plaque, Lord Kelvin Statue, Methody (Splitting of the Atom), City Hall and Stormont)

Return by bus to Airport

ACED Annual Conference

Thursday 5^th September and Friday 6^th September 2024

Ulster University, Belfast

Hotel Details

Hotels within walking distance of the campus:

Europa Hotel – Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AP Telephone 028 9027 1066 – They have enough rooms for all delegates. Mention that you are at the conference to see if they can provide a reduction nearer the time. Conference dinner booked – 21/03/2024

Merchant Hotel Belfast   I can offer a promo code for the 4^th & 5^th September however wouldn’t be able to offer this on Friday or Saturday. We only have two rooms available. If it would suit to have the promo code on the first two days, I can arrange this. 5% off per night, this will expire 8 weeks prior to arrival. See email 7/03/2024

ibis Belfast City Centre – 100 Castle St, Belfast BT1 1HF Telephone 028 9023 8888 – They have currently 18 rooms free as of 26/3/2024

Quarter by the Warren Collection – 70-74 Donegall Street Belfast, Antrim BT1 2GU Telephone 028 9099 5121– They have currently 4 rooms free as of 26/3/2024

Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre – 20 Talbot St, Belfast BT1 2LD Telephone 028 9026 1800 – Closest to the campus but only 4 rooms free as of 26/3/2024 See email 13/03 to check.

Malmaison Belfast – 34-38 Victoria St, Belfast BT1 3GH Telephone 028 9600 1405 – Only 2 rooms free on those dates as of 26/3/2024

Leonardo Hotel Belfast – Formerly Jurys Inn – Great Victoria St, Belfast BT1 6DY Telephone 028 9053 3500 – Could take about half the delegates presently as of 26/3/2024

The Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast – 1-3 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BQ Telephone 028 9044 2080 – Lots of rooms free on those dates currently as of 3/4/2024

Maldron Hotel Belfast City – 20 Brunswick St, Belfast BT2 7GE Telephone 028 9600 1680 – currently no issue book early to ensure your room so you will not be disappointed – email confirmation of discount 26/03/2024 – Discount 12% terms below

Discount: 12% of Bed and Breakfast Rates

Booking procedure:  Once agreed we will provide a promotional code, valid for the requested dates.  This promo code can be shared with your delegates. 

Visit each website and enter the promo code in the promotional code box at the enquiry stage.

Validity:   Promo code will only be valid up to six weeks prior to the arrival date

Payment: Each delegate will need to provide a credit card at the time of booking to guarantee the reservation.  Full payment will be made on the day of arrival

Cancellation:  Bookings can be cancelled by the guest up to 2 pm the day prior to arrival.

Grand Central Hotel Belfast – 9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF Telephone 028 9023 1066 – more than enough rooms to take all your delegates.

Ten Square Hotel – 10 Donegall Square S, Belfast BT1 5JD Telephone 028 9024 1001 – currently only one or two rooms free for those dates

Bullitt Hotel – 40a Church Ln, Belfast BT1 4QN Telephone 028 9590 0600 – just get everyone to phone up and book we operate a first come first served basis on the rooms.

Hilton Belfast – 4 Lanyon Pl, Belfast BT1 3LP Telephone 028 9027 7000 – Have some bookings for another conference on those dates but should be able to accommodate the majority of your delegates

Clayton Hotel Belfast – 22-26 Ormeau Ave, Belfast BT2 8HS Telephone 028 9032 8511 – You will need a taxi for this one, however they are offering a Discount. – Discount 12% terms below – Email confirmation of discount 26/03/2024

Discount: 12% of Bed and Breakfast Rates

Booking procedure:  Once agreed we will provide a promotional code, valid for the requested dates.  This promo code can be shared with your delegates. 

Visit each website and enter the promo code in the promotional code box at the enquiry stage.

Validity:   Promo code will only be valid up to six weeks prior to the arrival date

Payment: Each delegate will need to provide a credit card at the time of booking to guarantee the reservation.  Full payment will be made on the day of arrival

Cancellation:  Bookings can be cancelled by the guest up to 2 pm the day prior to arrival.

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Getting Here https://visitbelfast.com/plan/getting-to-belfast-travel-options/

Delegate Offers https://businesseventsbelfastandni.com/exclusive-delegate-offers/

Brochures and Downloads (including City Guide and city Map) https://businesseventsbelfastandni.com/bochures-downloads/

Visit Belfast Summer 2024 City Guide – VB-City-Guide-Summer-2024.pdf (visitbelfast.com)

Things To See & Do https://visitbelfast.com/see-do/

Places To Eat & Drink  https://visitbelfast.com/eat-drink/

Ideas and Inspiration https://visitbelfast.com/ideas/

Sustainable Belfast https://visitbelfast.com/plan/sustainable-belfast/

What’s On: https://visitbelfast.com/whats-on (this is continually updated by our digital team)

Essential Information: https://visitbelfast.com/plan/essential-information/