As the Chair of the upcoming 11th Innovative Learning Spaces Summit, Trevor Payne, HE Strategic Advisor, shares his thoughts on the biggest challenges facing higher education spaces today—from student experience and SmartCampus development to AI, neuroinclusive design, and why Barcelona is the perfect place for inspiration.
1. What drew you to chairing the 11th Innovative Learning Spaces Summit, and what makes this edition particularly timely?
The Innovative Learning Spaces Summit is for me one of the annual “must attend” events. Having presented at and attended five previous events, I jumped at the chance to chair the event this year. The sessions and speakers are always focused on a broad range of practical and interesting solutions and applications that embrace technology and innovation.
2. Higher education campuses are under enormous pressure right now — financial, environmental, technological. What do you see as the single biggest spatial challenge institutions face today?
For me it’s all about the experience:
- Understanding exactly what space you have
- Knowing what condition it is in
- The technology that is in use
- Ensuring that it delivers an outstanding student experience
- Supporting academic staff
- Ensuring that it is timetabled efficiently
3. You have spent years navigating everything from heritage buildings to cutting-edge SmartCampus development. What's the hardest tension to manage in that work?
Changing and upgrading existing spaces whilst limiting the impact of the works — embracing innovation and adapting spaces to provide the best possible learning spaces.
4. AI and neuroinclusive design are both on the agenda this year. How do you see those two threads connecting in practice?
We need to develop and make available spaces that create and deliver a range of individual preferences:
- noisier/quieter
- lighter/darker
- cooler/warmer
One size does not fit or suit all.
5. What do you hope attendees will walk away with that they couldn't get from reading a report or watching a webinar?
The attendees are motivated, energised, and full of ideas that they’re very willing to share and discuss. You just don’t get that level of interaction from a webinar.
6. What's one thing about Barcelona as a host city that you think will genuinely inspire delegates beyond the conference room?
Architecture — look to the city. It’s such a diverse location with beautiful, iconic architecture and design that will inspire you.
Join us at the summit
The 11th Innovative Learning Spaces Summit takes place on 16–18 September 2026 in Barcelona.
Join higher education leaders as they explore the future of learning environments, campus innovation, and student experience.
