Dr David Gilani

David works at Middlesex University as a staff governor and their Head of Access and Participation, leading on their interventions, research and reporting to ensure equitable student success. Having started his career as a students’ union officer, he is a strongproponent of the student voice and in 2012 he founded the Student Publication Association, whichsupports student journalists across the UK and Ireland. He believes strongly in universities working together to support student experience efforts, and so is a former co-chair of the CASE Student Communications conference and lead for AHEP’s Student Experience and Engagement Network. He holds an MBA in Higher Education Management from UCL’s Institute of Education, and in 2024 he received his PhD from the University of York on the topic of student belonging. He regularly speaks and publishes on topics related to student engagement, belonging, wellbeing and success. He is the co-editor of the 2025 book Student Belonging in Action: Practical Case Studies to Foster a Sense of Belonging Across the Higher Education Student Journey.