Sector Insights v02: Highlighting innovation in our sector

Published: 28 May 2025

Innovation isn't optional. It's essential.

Strive Higher’s latest sector insights report, Highlighting innovation in our sector, reveals how UK universities are creatively tackling today’s biggest challenges – from transforming services and reimagining experiences to reshaping culture and developing future talent.

Featuring insights from 14 sector leaders and higher education professionals, our report explores how universities are fostering innovation across four critical areas:

• Improving services,

• Improving experiences,

• Enhancing culture, and

• Developing talent

Featuring insights from 14 sector leaders and real-world examples to help inspire innovation elsewhere, we've identified that successful innovation is characterised by:

• User-centred approaches

• Breaking down traditional silos

• Starting with real problems (not technology)

• Iterative development processes

• Strong, collaborative leadership

The most compelling insight? Innovation doesn't always require substantial financial investment - often the most impactful changes stem from questioning established practices and creating environments where experimentation is encouraged.

Discover what’s working – and why.

Download the full report here.

An accessible version of this report is also available here.