What now? What next? Insights into Australia's tertiary education sector
Episodes
148 episodes
Assuring learning and encouraging aspiration in the AI era - Prof. Kevin Ashford-Rowe and Erin Jancauskas
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Prof. Kevin Ashford-Rowe, Pro Vice Chancellor Learning and Teaching at QUT and Dr Erin Jancauskas, Chief Academic and Partnerships Officer at Online Education Services (OES) to discuss how we c...
Building a legacy in the private tertiary sector - insights from Analytics Institute of Australia
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by three senior leaders at the Analytics Institute of Australia (Pankaj Goel, Sarthak Goel and Rolf Baum) to learn about what it's like leading an international private higher education provider a...
CIT's Dr Margot McNeill on the changes happening in VET
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by the CEO of Canberra Institute of Technology, Dr Margot McNeill, to discuss some of the key reforms in VET including:TAFE Centres of ExcellenceNational Qualifications Reform...
Prof. Michael Wesley's reflections on Australian higher education
In this episode Claire is joined by Prof. Michael Wesley, Deputy Vice Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement at the University of Melbourne to hear his views on what's happening in Australian higher education from both a domestic and interna...
Claire unpacks the tertiary education sector's response to the ATEC Bill
In this episode of the podcast Claire unpacks all of the submissions to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee's inquiry into the "Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and a related bill".<...
AI is changing everything - Claire shares lessons from global leaders
In this episode of the podcast Claire shares insights from three recent events she's attended:GITEX Global where she learned about:
"Representation is highly important but not sufficient" - new views on university governance from ANU academics
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Distinguished Prof. Keith Dowding and Dr Marija Taflaga from the Australian National University - with some answers to the problems of university governance.In the episode you'll here re...
A new "AI team teacher" at TAFE NSW - Bala Subra explains
In this episode, Claire is joined by by Bala Subra, TAFE NSW IT Program Development and Management to discuss their use of a new AI tool, Maya, as a team teacher supporting student learning.In the episode Claire refers to the following r...
Shae McGregor and TAFE Gippsland "creating opportunities... for education to change lives"
In this episode Claire is joined by Shae McGregor, Pathways Course Transitions Manager at TAFE Gippsland to discuss some phenomenal work they are doing to help learners experiencing intersectional disadvantage to make profound changes to their ...
Prof. Chris Moran - all the ways UNE makes a difference to students (incl. with a new AI tool)
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by the Vice Chancellor of the University of New England, Prof. Chris Moran to discuss the work UNE is doing to engage and support students from less privileged backgrounds to consider university s...
Encouraging great VET educators - and is it "make or break for the TAE"?
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Dr Tabatha Griffin from the NCVER and Tamie Cousins and Elcin Gul from Melbourne Polytechnic to discuss the next generation of VET educators and the support they need to be great educators....
Dr Julia Anaf explains the impact on staff health of the way universities operate (and so much more)
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Dr Julia Anaf from Stretton Health Equity, at the University of Adelaide to discuss the Stretton Health Equity submission to the Senate inquiry into university governance and why university lea...
Assoc Prof Mark Bassett on GenAI in education
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Assoc. Prof. Mark Bassett, Director Academic Quality, Standards and Integrity at Charles Sturt University to discuss generative AI, AI detection tools and how institutions can help their ...
Corporate governance challenges in Australia's universities - Prof. Gavin Nicholson
In this episode Claire is joined by QUT's Prof. Gavin Nicholson to discuss his submission to the Senate Committee's inquiry into university governance.If you want to read a copy of Prof. Nicholson's submission (Submission 21) - you can f...
Dr Natasha Arthars - why 11,000 Queensland VET in Schools fitness students are relevant to the Universities Accord
In this episode Claire is joined by QUT's Dr Natasha Arthars to discuss her recent research on VET in Schools enrolments and the questions that arise for students labour market prospects and future study pathways. Dr Arthar's resear...
Exciting times ahead on AI for VET and higher education...
In this episode Claire unpacks some of the changes happening in the tertiary sector as both regulators (ASQA and TEQSA) start thinking about how AI is changing the world of work and what that means for what providers teach.Claire referen...
Charles Sturt University's Prof Renée Leon on university governance, funding and "making equality real"
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by the Vice Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, Prof. Renée Leon to discuss why funding for universities, and not institutional governance, is the biggest issue facing the sector. Prof. Leon a...
Prof. Erica Smith - "Nothing for the girls" in apprenticeship reforms
In this episode of the podcast Claire speaks with Emeritus Prof. Erica Smith on the state of apprenticeships in Australia and how a raft of recent reforms are privileging traditional male trades over apprenticeships/traineeships in feminised in...
Claire's summary of submissions to the University Governance inquiry - who argued for what?
In this episode Claire gives a summary of the submissions to the Senate Committee's inquiry into the Quality of governance at Australian higher education providers.During the episode Claire references her interview in episode 12...
Do governments "overlook" the English language sector? NEAS Australia's Adam Kilburn shares his thoughts
In this episode Claire speaks with Adam Kilburn, CEO of NEAS Australia.They discuss:NEAS' 2025 conference: https://neas.org.au/conference-25/The ASEAN Australia E...
"Lifting the bonnet on jobs and skills" - insights from Megan Lilly and Trevor Gauld
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by Jobs and Skills Australia's Deputy Commissioners, Trevor Gauld and Megan Lilly.There are references throughout their conversation to a number of JSA reports and data available on the JSA...
RMIT's Mish Eastman - cross-sector innovation that delivers
In this episode of the podcast, Claire is joined by RMIT University's Deputy Vice Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice President, Mish Eastman. Mish explains how the university's College of Vocational Education is partnering with Australian...
Prof. George Williams - universities "are public sector bodies for the public good"
In this episode Claire is joined by the Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Prof. George Williams.Prof. Williams' Meanjin article is available at: https://...
GenAI and tertiary education: The Kiwis have got it sorted - what can we learn from them?
In this episode of the podcast Claire is joined by researcher and educational designer Dr Selena Chan from Ara Institute of Technology. She explains the incredible work being done in New Zealand to help their VET (and higher education) sectors ...
Rocco Guarnaccia: Understanding the private VET sector
In this episode of the podcast Dr Rocco Guarnaccia joins Claire to discuss his research on commercial, for-profit, providers. He shares his insights into which RTOs are likely to thrive and which will struggle as the sector continues to change....