We See You: The Learning Journeys Behind Service Life

We See You: The Learning Journeys Behind Service Life runs at the University of Portsmouth on Wednesday 23 September, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. It's part of the university's 'We See You' initiative, which works with the Armed Forces, veteran and Blue Light communities through awareness, dialogue and collaboration. The morning is a civic conversation rather than a formal lecture, and it's open to serving personnel, veterans, families, blue-light professionals, university staff and students, and public-sector workers.

Instead of focusing on operations and deployments, the conversation looks at the learning journeys behind service life: how learning, identity, recognition and belonging develop across a person's life, drawing on lived experience, research and dialogue. It opens with a keynote from Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, who served almost four decades in the Royal Navy, including as Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and has been a strong advocate for service personnel, veterans and military families.

Joining him are several other speakers: Debbie Sutton, a pastoral worker with Aggie Weston's; veteran writer Roger Morrad; Kate Mizon, founder of the Left, Write writing group; and Dr Liam Satchell, Director of the Impact Centre at the Service Children's Progression Alliance. The session also makes room for the families, educators, practitioners and communities whose lives are shaped by service, and it closes with facilitated small-group discussions and informal networking. David Mather and Sue Oatley facilitate the morning.

It runs from 9:30am to 12:30pm at the University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 3HE, and entry is free.