Reimagining HigherEd

Prof Deborah Terry AO, VC and President, University of Queensland

A truly joyful episode. Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Queensland and lifelong scholar of human behaviour, Professor Deborah Terry chats with Professor Judyth Sachs about the joy of discovery at university as a student and teacher; then re-finding that same joy as a leader - discovering how to create an environment for others to be successful.
Also in this episode: university DNA, credentialism, and building baseline skills for lifelong learning. The two reimagine the student experience in an online world, by returning to the three-point purpose of higher education: to teach, to research, to enrich.

Prof Petra Wend, fmr Principal and VC, Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University

Professor Petra Wend - a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2015, Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2021 New Year Honours, and former Vice-Convener of Universities Scotland - says her roles and contributions have been driven by trying to make things better for students.
In half an hour, Judyth and Petra discuss starting from a place of disadvantage, family pressure, a 'sink or swim' university culture, and what universities should be working on now - from digital gaps, flexibility and support, inclusivity and fundamentally changing the public's definition of a university.

Dr Tim Renick, Founding Executive Director, The National Institute for Student Success, GSU

In this special episode, Dr Tim Renick - Founding Executive Director of The National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University and preeminent national adviser on student equity - meets with our guest host, leading student equity researcher and advocate for change, President of the Australian Learning and Teaching Fellows (ALTF), and Studiosity Academic Advisory Board Member - Prof Sally Kift. Dr Renick shares his personal experience as both a student and leader, and shares evidence-led approaches to student satisfaction and completion. The two advocates discuss outcomes and what’s still needed - a critical conversation in light of growing impetus for universities to personally and ethically support every enrolled student.

Prof Braden Hill, DVC (Students, Equity and Indigenous), Edith Cowan University

Professor Braden Hill, DVC Students, Equity and Indigenous at Edith Cowan University, spoke candidly with Professor Judyth Sachs about the shifting dialogue around reconciliation, ECU's unique culture and success with educational equity, and the Voice referendum.

Prof Peter Radoll, DVC Indigenous, Equity and Inclusion, Victoria University

Professor Peter Radoll, DVC Indigenous, Equity and Inclusion at Victoria University, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs to discuss reconciliation in a higher education context and why "we're better together"; a new focus on First Nations engagement, research, and outcomes; and the upcoming Voice referendum.
 
 

Prof Michelle Trudgett, DVC Indigenous Leadership, WSU

Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership at Western Sydney University, joins Professor Judyth Sachs to share her inspiring career journey, what it means to be an Indigenous female leader, representation in Australian boardrooms, her thoughts around reconciliation in higher education, and the Voice. Tune in to hear Professor Trudgett's thought-provoking insights.

Prof Jane den Hollander AO, fmr Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University

We're bringing back a great episode from last year featuring Prof Jane den Hollander AO - former VC Deakin University - who worked to transform the student and digital experiences in her time as leader. In this episode, Jane and Judyth discuss - is higher education being truly exceptional right now in its thinking? Are students getting a degree and innovating somewhere else? What's stopping students from thinking wider, higher, deeper, for success and immersion in university life? Jane reflects on privilege, history, politics, why she pivoted from research to teaching and learning, international student experience and skills, why education and a university degree are not the same, and her advice to Education MP Jason Clare.

Prof Merlin Crossley, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), UNSW

For anyone who missed this conversation last year, Prof Merlin Crossley speaks to Jack about the octopus, and how the natural world shaped his career, plus the 'balloon' effect of growth in Australian Higher Education, the importance of local communities and belonging, scorecards for teaching and learning, the reality of the '40 40 20' model, what to do with QILT data, and more in this sprawling conversation of an episode.

Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University

One year on, Professor Iain Martin’s conversation with Prof Judyth Sachs is still a great listen.
From surgeon to academic, from the UK, to New Zealand, to Australia. Professor Iain Martin brings along a de Havilland DH98 Mosquito to his conversation with Judyth... as well as reflections on his own undergraduate experience, being unfazed as a leader, on transient care of a university, return to campus, and advice to students and future HE leaders.
 

LIVE Recording: Advancing Student Wellbeing in 2024 - a Students First Symposium

On 26 July 2023, this panel came together to discuss how technological, economic, and political disruption has impacted students’ engagement, motivation, and resilience - and how Australian and New Zealand universities are responding.
The panel:Professor Kylie Readman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education and Students), UTSScott Pearsall, University Registrar, Division of Student Administration & Academic Services, The Australian National UniversitySamantha Urquhart, final year Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Law student, UTS and President of ActivateUTSKirsten Wachter, Bachelor of Speech & Language Therapy with Honours fourth year student, Massey University NZand Chaired by Prof Judyth Sachs, Chief Academic Officer at Studiosity and former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Provost Macquarie University, former Pro Vice Chancellor learning and teaching at Sydney University.
Visit studiosity.com/studentsfirst for video recordings and previous sessions.