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:

Visit studiosity.com/studentsfirst for video recordings and previous sessions.

This week Professor Renée Leon, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, and Professor Judyth Sachs explore the parallels between universities and public service, and where higher education can learn from government. Renée shares insights from her first six months in role, why multidisciplinarity is the answer to complex problems, shared direction as key to a journey of change, and the one thing she would change for students to give them an experience reminiscent of her own.

Professor Pascale Quester, VC and President of Swinburne University of Technology, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs, to discuss her alternative education at the Grand école; what she learnt teaching French to Americans in the Department of Romance Languages; authentic assessment to build resilient students; and the new role of educators as coaches of learning and curators of experiences.

For NAIDOC Week, this episode brings together three perspectives on Indigenous leadership, Reconciliation and the Voice to parliament referendum. Professor Judyth Sachs spoke with each participant individually: 

• Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership - Western Sydney University

All have generously given their time and thoughtful response to these conversations. Studiosity extends our thanks to each of these guests. 

We hope their voices and ideas encourage conversations that reach far beyond the scope of this podcast. 

NB - Prof Cindy Shannon's inclusions were taken from a previous episode of this podcast.

‘Can higher education learn to love its students again?’ In this week’s episode, Dr Paul LeBlanc - President of Southern New Hampshire University and regarded as one of most influential people in higher education - joins our CAO Professor Judyth Sachs for a captivating conversation about supported, personalised education at scale; why students need to matter not just belong, and AI-first models driving wellbeing, relationships, and connection.

In this week’s episode - Don Kilburn, CEO of University of Massachusetts Online and online learning expert, brings 30 years experience with him to this conversation with Studiosity’s Chief Academic Officer, Prof Judyth Sachs. They discuss grit and college basketball; underserved learners; and shifting focus from faculty and revenue, to mission and outcomes. Listen in as Don and Judyth discuss new educational systems and what it really means to serve students.

Episode 50: In this special 'roundtable' episode, senior leaders and student representatives share their lived and professional experiences. Listen to the group discuss peer connection, authentic learning, international student experiences, AI, and much more. Joining student reps Tinuola and Lisa are Professor Helen Scott, Pro Vice Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, and Professor Stephanie Marshall, Vice Principal Education at Queen Mary University of London. This episode is expertly hosted by Professor Cliff Allan, Studiosity Academic Advisory Board and former Vice-Chancellor Birmingham University.

This week, join Professor Margaret Sheil AO, Vice Chancellor and President at Queensland University of Technology, in conversation with Professor Judyth Sachs, about curiosity and courage to take unexpected paths; mass spectrometry and early influencers in Prof Sheil’s academic life; the recent ARC review; and the challenge of delivering value to students today.

Last week, on National Sorry Day, Prof Cindy Shannon spoke with Prof Judyth Sachs about Reconciliation in an Australian Higher Education context - the unique journey she is helping facilitate at Griffith University as well as her own personal experiences. In this special edition podcast episode, Prof Shannon generously shares her time and thoughts, and advice for university leadership.

Listen in to this conversation with Professor Cheryl de la Rey, Vice Chancellor at University of Canterbury, and Professor Judyth Sachs. They discuss Prof de la Rey's doctoral thesis and how it relates to her own lived experience; personal connection and cohort development for first years; a system-wide commitment to changing educational outcomes; and the driving force behind Cheryl’s longstanding career in higher education.