Christian Harrison is a Professor of Leadership and Enterprise at the University of Greater Manchester UK and the Director of the Centre for Leadership and Empowerment. He leads the Research and Doctoral Programmes of the Off Campus Division. He is a well-known scholar in leadership, contributing to media outlets like STV, Scotland Tonight, Arise TV and the Guardian Nigeria. He has authored numerous research papers and books, including the bestselling Leadership Theory and Research: A Critical Approach to New and Existing Paradigms.Christian chairs the Academy for African Studies and a vice chair of the British Academy of Management. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Certified Management and Business Educator, and a Fellow of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management. He serves on several editorial boards and panels, and as an external examiner for many UK universities.An expert consultant and speaker, he has delivered leadership training to the Scottish Government Directors, NHS, SMEs, and a host of others. Professor Harrison’s accolades include an Honorary Doctor of Innovation in Leadership, 2024 Distinguished Leadership Award and multiple Excellence Awards. He is also the founder of The Leadership Mould Initiative International, championing leadership development globally. 

 

Keynote: Courageous Conversations: Leadership Skills for Addressing Inequalities

In this keynote, Professor Christian Harrison will move beyond rhetoric to provide a practical and intellectually rigorous exploration of what it means to lead courageous conversations in higher education. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how inequalities are sustained not only by structures and policies, but also by silence, avoidance, and unexamined leadership practices.Participants will leave with a clearer grasp of the core leadership skills required to address inequality effectively. The keynote will offer actionable insights into how leaders can facilitate difficult conversations across difference while maintaining institutional trust and cohesion.Ultimately, the keynote will equip leaders at all levels with both the mindset and the practical tools to move from awareness to action, designing institutions where belonging is not aspirational, but intentional and embedded.