Crossword Genius

Figures leading American university conference … (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

summit

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'conference' is the definition.
(as in a political summit)

'figures leading american university' is the wordplay.
'figures leading' becomes 'sum' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'american university' becomes 'MIT' (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
'sum'+'mit'='SUMMIT'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for summit that I've seen before include "international diplomacy" , "conference?" , "Pinnacle or crest" , "Peak or crest" , "Apex" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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