Reimagining HigherEd Studiosity

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.

This week, Professor Scott reflects on learning and leading. Hear what he would change to support student success (equitable accomodation and financial pressure, and helping students master AI for their own learning.) Diving into his own undergraduate journey, Judyth and Mark discuss the ingredients of a critical “transformational experience”, namely, students must become "more interested in their studies, make friends, have broadening experiences, and find mentors and guides and coaches who can chat to them along the way.”
As a leader, Prof Scott first asks us to consider the immense power of a blank page every morning. Anything but a linear career, Professor Mark Scott has held senior roles in Government, has been Managing Director of the ABC, senior editorial and journalist for major media, and alongside his current role as Vice-Chancellor and President at The University of Sydney, he is Chair of the Group of Eight universities.

"Higher education is life transformative, and in the world that we've got now it is vital that transformative opportunity is available to as many people as possible”
Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Tasmania, chats with Professor Judyth Sachs for a thought-provoking dialogue that explores the role of leaders in shaping a more conscious and inclusive society. They discuss UTAS' approach to embracing Indigenous knowledge systems and why this is critical to a sustainable future; the purpose of higher education beyond getting a job; making education accessible as a matter of social justice; and the importance of universities nurturing active citizens in society. Rufus gives his advice to students of today and why he has confidence this is the generation that could remake the world as we know it. Listen now.

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.

Chemist at heart, Professor Steve Chapman - Vice-Chancellor and President at Edith Cowan University - sat down with Professor Judyth 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.

In this popular episode from 2023, 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.