HEDx

Students with disabilities are the fastest growing equity cohort in Australian tertiary education yet they continue to experience lower satisfaction, access, success, attainment, completion and employment outcomes than their higher education peers.In this episode of the HEDx Student Experience Podcast, Student Leader Jennifer Lowe and Student Voice Australasia’s Belinda Brear sit down with Professor Sally Kift to explore one of the sector’s quiet success stories: the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET). Together, they unpack why national, quality assured, co-designed resources are essential as the demand for and complexity of disability, belonging and inclusion grow; why universal design is fast becoming a regulatory expectation, not a “nice to have”; and why cross-institutional collaboration is critical if we’re serious about equity, accessibility and student success.A hopeful, practical conversation about doing accessibility, affirmation, accommodation and inclusion better for students, staff and the sector.

Jason Clare launches a new 2050 Alliance grouping of universities focused on students, communities and the future, HEDx joins them to define AI coalitions in Australia. George Williams ,Chair of the Alliance and its CEO Paul Harris reflect on the launches from Canberra. And ACU Provost Julie Cogin reflects on how AI presents opportunity to dramatically improve retention. This event progresses global universities joining forces to recreate the transformed university model to serve future learners.

Four weeks from the June event saw us visit Melbourne to plan our first AI innovation coalition in Australia. Catching up with partners of 5 years OES and their CEO Jon Davey was followed by visits to Sam Jacob at Collarts and Laura-Anne Bull and Llew Mann at Swinburne. Day 2 saw feedback from Gail Bray of VU and Marcia Devlin on the importance of keeping the human dimension in these innovations and of partnering. And good feedback from Catherine and Cherie at OUA, PK at FSO and Theo and colleagues at LTU on pitfalls and the need for a clear value proposition in ventures like this. All concluded with our first VET coalition partner in Laura Macpherson CEO of BKI.

For those looking for some joy and inspiration about the mission of Australian universities, it is right here.In 20 minutes, this conversation between 2026 Australian University Teacher of the Year Associate Professor Roma Forbes, UQ undergraduate student Madi Piper, and Professor Kelly Matthews offers a grounded reminder of what higher education can be at its best: relational, human, intellectually stretching, and deeply committed to student success.This is a conversation about teaching that values people, learning that makes room for uncertainty, and why student experience is shaped every day by the cultures teachers create. It will leave you feeling better about the state of the sector.

This week's podbite follows 3 major milestones of Annabel Murphy becoming the first HEDx FT employee, the launch of the Sydney June event program, and the kick off of new AI sandbox projects with collaborators in the UK, US and Australia. Get a summary with this 3 minute overview from the new HEDx offices in Brisbane.

CEO Margot McNeill and Chief Industry and Innovation Officer Georgia von Guttner host HEDx at the Canberra Institute of Technology to share insights into the new Woden campus at the heart of the tertiary harmonisation agenda. They outline its history, philosophy and strategy allowing a radical approach to skills development, AI mastery and giving voice to students as human capital is developed to be future-fit for a changing world of work. And Michelle Lincoln as Deputy Vice-Chancellor joins us in the foyer of the UA summit to comment on CIT and its success and outline the nature of its partnership with UC in the second episode in a HEDx tertiary harmonisation series.

This episode reflects on what members in UTS and USyd are bringing to the next HEDx event. It follows meetings making plans for workshops on collective intelligence, AI agents for HEDx content, and the further development of the Castlereagh Statement. And it gives updates on what partners notably MCDS, AWS, Salesforce and many others are collaborating on for shared standards and human capability records to increase equity of access for lifelong learners. This is set in the context of great charitable work to support recovery for victims of domestic violence and sufferers of eating disorders on the Sunshine Coast as we all reflect of what we all do this for. For many of us, it's not for the money .

Professor Kelly Matthews steps in to host a special Teaching and Education Focused Academics (TEFA) Network conversation. Academics from across Australia come together to speak with Professor Barney Glover, Acting Chief Commissioner of the new national body shaping the future of higher education.This episode explores the evolving landscape of the sector, offering insights, questions, and perspectives from those at the forefront of teaching and learning.

A Podbite live from London where HEDx joins Rose Luckin of EVR and her colleagues in exploring AI innovation sandboxes. We visit Antony Finkelstein of City St Georges University, Paul Kett of London South Bank University, and Shan Wareing of Middlesex. Off the back of engagement with Duke University's Future Universities Alliance, HEDx builds further global links in AI innovation best practice. We need this sharing to inform global HE investments in AI. These have to respond to lost social licence and demonstrate public value with a focus on improved student experiences.

This question is posed in the light of overwhelming student debt and non-completion in the US, the call for an employer levy by Bill Shorten in Australia, and the debate about student loans schemes punishing students in the UK. It has insights drawn from Lev Gonick at ASU, Helen Bartlett and her innovative colleagues and partners in Australia, and from a visit to Antony Finkelstein at City University St Georges,. This podbite brought to you from London, outlines the bold innovation that we must replicate if this avenue to sustainable funding for HE is to become real.

This second short and snappy podbite describes changes in the program of HEDx activities made in response to feedback. New new member of the HEDx team, engagement strategist Annabel Murphy joins the podbite. She brings experience of industry university engagement and content strategy from Europe and Australia. She using AI to align HEDx activities and content to members and partners needs. She discusses the recent survey completed of 20 members and partners. This led to a tweaking of podcasts, events and new projects being developed with members of the eco-system. These will give impact, continuity and reach for us in a mission to facilitate disruption to change higher education for good.

The first Student Experience episode features a lively panel of students and sector leaders from the launch event, exploring the exciting future of the podcast and the role of student voice in shaping higher education.Hosted by Kelly Matthews, with contributions from Martin Betts, the episode also features insights from David Turvey PSM (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) and Jonathan Davey (CEO, Online Education Services).The panel brings together diverse perspectives from across the sector all united by a shared belief in the power of asking better questions and truly listening to students. Together, they explore why student voice matters and how meaningful dialogue can shape the future of higher education.Featuring panelists:Sarah Bendall (National Student Ombudsman)Richard Lee (Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations)Sam Jacob (CEO, Collarts)Jasmine Johnston (Deakin University; University Chancellors Council)Professor Kerri-Lee Krause (TEQSA)Weihong Liang (Council of International Students Australia)Jennifer Lowe (University of Newcastle)Professor George Williams (Western Sydney University).