Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Creative Synergies in Education
Joan Concannon, Sanam Arora, Heather Niven and Sanjoy K. Roy in conversation with Rajini Vaidyanathan
Presented by University of York
As UK-India relations deepen through trade, diplomacy, and education, a distinguished panel explores the transformative role of collaborative research and integrated teaching within a value-driven educational framework. Joan Concannon, Sanam Arora, Heather Niven and Sanjoy K. Roy in conversation with Rajini Vaidyanathan examine how cross-cultural educational models foster mutual growth, align with national and international priorities, and prepare students to thrive in a globally connected future.
Joan Concannon is the University of York’s Director of External Relations, and a member of the University's Executive Board. She is responsible for a portfolio of responsibilities, spanning regional, national, and global reputation, as well as UK based and global student recruitment, philanthropy, alumni relations, communications, marketing, stakeholder relations, public affairs, and income generation. She is also the co-founding Director of York Festival of Ideas, a proud partner of Jaipur Literature Festival. She is a founding Director of the city's Management Destination Organisation, Make it York. She is an elected member of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and is a co-opted Non Fellow member of the Royal Academy of Engineering's External Affairs Committee.
Sanam Arora is the Founder & Chair of NISAU UK, a UK International Higher Education Commissioner and Governor at London Metropolitan University. Named one of the 50 most influential figures in global education, she drives impact across education, UK-India relations, and investment management—shaping policy, empowering students, and advising global investment houses.
Heather Niven is a lecturer in Management of the Creative Industries, specialising in entrepreneurialism. In addition, she is Associate Dean for Partnerships, Engagement and International for Arts and Humanities, at the University of York. Previously, she was Head of Science City York, a position which included running industry networks, strategic work across the region, and regional development. She has also previously worked as a self employed consultant and mentor for creative industries, specifically screen based industries, and has worked with Creative UK, the Screen Industries Growth Network, XR Stories and Digital Creativity Labs at the University of York. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Commerce and a member of the BAFTA Connect programme. She is also an artist and sculptor.
Sanjoy K. Roy, an entrepreneur of the arts, is Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which produces over 33 festivals in 42 cities and 17 countries, including the world’s largest literary gathering at the Jaipur Literature Festival and international editions of JLF. He is a founder-trustee of Salaam Baalak Trust, working to provide support services for street and working children in the inner city of Delhi where over 1,30,000 children have benefited from education, training and residential services. Roy is the Co-chair of the Art and Culture Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and former President of Event and Entertainment Management Association. He lectures at and works in collaboration with leading universities across the world and has been conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa by University of York, UK, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts and society.
Rajini Vaidyanathan is an award-winning broadcaster with 20 years experience, across TV, Radio and online platforms. She is a BBC broadcaster and presenter. As a foreign correspondent she has reported from across the world - most recently across the South Asia region. She was named Indian TV journalist of the year for an exclusive investigation into sexual harassment in Bollywood, and has also presented two investigative documentaries in 2020 - “Panorama”, which is centered on call centre scams, and BBCs “Our World”, which focuses on India’s missing children.
Follow us on –
Website - jlflitfest.org
Facebook - facebook.com/JLFInternational
YouTube - youtube.com/c/jlflitfest
Instagram - instagram.com/jlfinternational
Twitter - twitter.com/JLFLitfest
#education #diplomacy #jlflondon
Creative Synergies in Education
Joan Concannon, Sanam Arora, Heather Niven and Sanjoy K. Roy in conversation with Rajini Vaidyanathan
Presented by University of York
As UK-India relations deepen through trade, diplomacy, and education, a distinguished panel explores the transformative role of collaborative research and integrated teaching within a value-driven educational framework. Joan Concannon, Sanam Arora, Heather Niven and Sanjoy K. Roy in conversation with Rajini Vaidyanathan examine how cross-cultural educational models foster mutual growth, align with national and international priorities, and prepare students to thrive in a globally connected future.
Joan Concannon is the University of York’s Director of External Relations, and a member of the University's Executive Board. She is responsible for a portfolio of responsibilities, spanning regional, national, and global reputation, as well as UK based and global student recruitment, philanthropy, alumni relations, communications, marketing, stakeholder relations, public affairs, and income generation. She is also the co-founding Director of York Festival of Ideas, a proud partner of Jaipur Literature Festival. She is a founding Director of the city's Management Destination Organisation, Make it York. She is an elected member of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and is a co-opted Non Fellow member of the Royal Academy of Engineering's External Affairs Committee.
Sanam Arora is the Founder & Chair of NISAU UK, a UK International Higher Education Commissioner and Governor at London Metropolitan University. Named one of the 50 most influential figures in global education, she drives impact across education, UK-India relations, and investment management—shaping policy, empowering students, and advising global investment houses.
Heather Niven is a lecturer in Management of the Creative Industries, specialising in entrepreneurialism. In addition, she is Associate Dean for Partnerships, Engagement and International for Arts and Humanities, at the University of York. Previously, she was Head of Science City York, a position which included running industry networks, strategic work across the region, and regional development. She has also previously worked as a self employed consultant and mentor for creative industries, specifically screen based industries, and has worked with Creative UK, the Screen Industries Growth Network, XR Stories and Digital Creativity Labs at the University of York. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Commerce and a member of the BAFTA Connect programme. She is also an artist and sculptor.
Sanjoy K. Roy, an entrepreneur of the arts, is Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which produces over 33 festivals in 42 cities and 17 countries, including the world’s largest literary gathering at the Jaipur Literature Festival and international editions of JLF. He is a founder-trustee of Salaam Baalak Trust, working to provide support services for street and working children in the inner city of Delhi where over 1,30,000 children have benefited from education, training and residential services. Roy is the Co-chair of the Art and Culture Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and former President of Event and Entertainment Management Association. He lectures at and works in collaboration with leading universities across the world and has been conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of the University honoris causa by University of York, UK, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts and society.
Rajini Vaidyanathan is an award-winning broadcaster with 20 years experience, across TV, Radio and online platforms. She is a BBC broadcaster and presenter. As a foreign correspondent she has reported from across the world - most recently across the South Asia region. She was named Indian TV journalist of the year for an exclusive investigation into sexual harassment in Bollywood, and has also presented two investigative documentaries in 2020 - “Panorama”, which is centered on call centre scams, and BBCs “Our World”, which focuses on India’s missing children.
Follow us on –
Website - jlflitfest.org
Facebook - facebook.com/JLFInternational
YouTube - youtube.com/c/jlflitfest
Instagram - instagram.com/jlfinternational
Twitter - twitter.com/JLFLitfest
#education #diplomacy #jlflondon
