Reimagining HigherEd

Tune in for this conversation between Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice Chancellor at University of Melbourne, and Professor Judyth Sachs as they discuss science as a creative art; rigour, honesty, and respect in learning and leadership; and what concerns Professor Maskell about the student experience today.

Don’t miss this candid chat between the two professors, who even come to learn they have a few unexpected things in common.

Join Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University of Glasgow, together with Professor Petra Wend for this topical discussion on breadth vs specialisation in education; the art and value of multilingualism, with both professors sharing their experience; and a look at the key moments that have kept Sir Anton in higher education.

Sir Anton shares what it was like to grow up in The Netherlands, Italy, and the UK, and reflects on where it all began by sharing the set of books that sparked his interest in economics.

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.

"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.

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.

“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.

"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 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.