Reimagining HigherEd

Prof Stephen Chapman, VC and President, Edith Cowan University

Chemist at heart, Professor Stephen Chapman - VC and President at Edith Cowan University - sat down with Professor Sachs about integrity in a world of AI, the world’s largest Periodic Table of Elements, university culture and the evolution of universities' ethos. Plus, with ECU one of the top ranked for student satisfaction, the two professors also dive into ‘sparking awe’ in students. This episode is now live, listen in.

Prof Steven West, Vice Chancellor UWE Bristol, President of Universities UK

"The pace of technology, the pace of expectations from students in particular who are looking for more personalised education, for more just in time education. They're looking for a different relationship between work, life and-and their education." - Prof Steven West, VC at University of the West of England Bristol and President of Universities UK - joins Sir Eric Thomas for an insightful deep dive into the headwinds faced by higher education; deglobalisation and the current university model; designing learning with purpose and value in mind; and the Via Zamboni experience.

Professor Patricia Davidson, Vice Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong

In this week’s episode hear from Professor Patricia Davidson - Vice Chancellor and President at University of Wollongong, and former Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. As a global advocate in health, it is perhaps no surprise Professor Davidson takes a human-centric approach - discussing with host Professor Judyth Sachs: student-centred dialogue, negotiated learning contracts, peer assessment, and the need for reciprocity and trust with the rise of large language models. So much in one short discussion, don’t miss this episode.

Professor Karen Cox, Vice Chancellor, University of Kent

“We’ve taken opportunities to think about the approach we take to learning and teaching, which is very much a digital first approach, so we've been quite innovative in the way that we've been delivering the curriculum.” - Karen Cox, Vice Chancellor at University of Kent - talks to Sir Eric Thomas about leading institutions of different sizes; engaging and preparing students via interdisciplinary curriculum; and setting up a medical school to change health outcomes in coastal and rural communities.

Prof Jan Thomas, Vice Chancellor, Massey University

"And I really essentially kind of fell in love with the power of a university, in terms of its capacity to build a nation.” Prof Jan Thomas - Vice Chancellor at Massey University and Chair of Universities New Zealand - talks to Prof Judyth Sachs about the pull to academia from vet science; resurfacing curiosity in undergraduates; shifts in the value of universities in the Global North; and how Māori culture and te reo (language) have shaped Jan's journey.

Arthur Levine, President Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University

Arthur Levine, President Emeritus at Teachers College, Columbia University, chats to Prof Judyth Sachs, about reimagining the student experience for the 21st century. They discuss formative assessment in practice; why universities need to regain traction, look outward, and bind with community; and Arthur shares what he would change if he could reinvent universities.
 

Prof Anthony Smith, Vice Provost Faculties, University College London

On the Reimagining HE podcast this week, Prof Anthony Smith, Vice Provost Faculties at University College London, chats to Sir Eric about partnering with students, hybrid learning, online exams, and long-term change for teaching and learning - including hope for a more agile and accessible student experience.

Dr. David Barnard, President Emeritus, University of Manitoba

Join Dr. David Barnard, President Emeritus and former VC and President at University of Manitoba, in discussion with Dr. Noreen Golfman, as they dive into David's rich experience in higher education - from being first in family to go to university, to never quite leaving.
Dr. Barnard shares what it was like to be among the first Computer Science Graduates; his love for poetry and the poem he introduced to many colleagues while in leadership; the journey to connecting and learning from Indigenous leaders, friends, and communities; and observations on a subtle shift in why students choose to study.

Dr. Ainsley Carry, Vice President, Students, The University of British Columbia

Dr. Ainsley Carry, Vice President of Students at The University of British Columbia joins Dr. Noreen Golfman, to discuss equity, diversity, and inclusion on campus; the consequences of higher education returning to where it was pre-pandemic; and why centring students in strategic planning is more important than ever.
Ainsley shares the passion project he has been working on in recent years, and why he would tell his eighteen year old self to be wary of conventional wisdom. Tune in for this refreshing, insightful look into higher ed administration, from Ainsley's 20+ years working with students across the US and Canada.

LIVE recording - UK Higher Education’s Thoughtful Response to Robot Writing - ’Students First’ Symposium

With over 145 registrants, the first UK Symposium of 2023 held 28 February was an engaging discussion on the impact of AI tools on teaching, learning, and assessment. The general consensus being these tools aren’t new - indeed we can look as far back as the arrival of the calculator. It’s all about clarity; reframing assessment and making assessment purposeful; and it’s about accepting that this technology will continue to develop.