Impact Evaluation Provider Directory: EOIs Now Open

Dear colleagues

We are pleased to announce the launch of the ACSES Impact Evaluation Provider Directory, a new initiative to strengthen capacity across the higher education sector in undertaking high-quality, independent evaluations of equity-focused initiatives.

This curated Directory will help universities and other sector partners identify skilled and experienced impact evaluators who meet defined quality criteria. By improving access to the right expertise, the Directory is intended to support the sector in generating high-quality, evidence-based insights into what works to improve equity in higher education.

We are now calling for expressions of interest from individuals or organisations with demonstrated capability in designing and conducting impact evaluations in post-secondary settings.

While inclusion in the Directory does not constitute endorsement by ACSES or guarantee future work, it does signal that the evaluator has met established criteria aligned with sector best practice.

We invite qualified evaluators to submit an expression of interest via the ACSES website.

Sincerely
Dr Patricia Vermillion Peirce
Trials Lead
Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES)

Other news from our Trials and Evaluation Team

Equity Frontiers Trials Program

Our Equity Frontiers Trials Program funds trials to test the effectiveness of programs, activities, or other initiatives designed to improve higher education access and success for students. We fund both small and large-scale trials that are either sector-led or T&E-led. Applications for funding can be made at any time. 

Find out more on the ACSES website.

Practitioner Resource Grants Program

Our Practitioner Resource Grants Program offers a unique opportunity for equity practitioners to blend their on-the-ground experience with the research already conducted by ACSES. Together, this collaboration will lead to the creation of practical, impactful resources tailored for universities. These may include manuals, training materials, digital learning tools, and more – covering every stage of the higher education journey.

Applications are due by 4pm (AWST) on Friday, 25 July 2025.

The Program guidelines and an application pack are available on the ACSES website.

Equity Frontiers Program: Quasi-Experimental Design Projects

One of ACSES’s key missions is to facilitate randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate programs aimed at improving access to and success in higher education for under-represented students. However, we recognise that RCTs aren’t always feasible or appropriate. In such cases, we turn to quasi-experimental designs (QEDs)—a set of robust evaluation methods that compare real-world outcomes to what would likely have occurred without the intervention. Through our Equity Frontiers Program: Quasi-Experimental Design Projects, we’re expanding the way we evaluate equity initiatives. This approach allows us to explore new data, apply diverse methods, and build a broader evidence base to better understand what truly works to promote equity in Australian higher education.

Submissions of Proposals are being received until Thursday, 31 July 2025.

The Program guidelines and an application pack are available on the ACSES website.

Visit the ACSES Trials Registry

The ACSES Trials Registry is a free resource showcasing innovative, evidence-based initiatives to improve equity outcomes in Australian universities. The Registry provides universities and education professionals with open access to detailed trial methodologies and outcomes. 

Visit the site now.

The Experiences of First-in-Family Academics in Australian Higher Education

Are you an academic at an Australian university who was the first in your family to attend university and obtain a degree? A research team at The University of Newcastle would love to hear from you!

The team is looking for academics who identify as first-in-family to share their experiences working in higher education. They are particularly interested in finding out how being first-in-family might influence different aspects of academic work, including teaching, supporting students, and taking on leadership roles.

If this sounds like you, you can find out more and sign up for an interview here. 

Upcoming events

Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025: The Australian Student Equity Symposium

Date: 9-10 September 2025
Location: University of Technology Sydney and online

Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural symposium, ACSES will be hosting “Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025”—a crucial gathering to advance equity in higher education. With insights from international experts, government representatives, and diverse student voices, this two-day event will explore transformative practices and policies aimed at creating accessible and inclusive educational pathways. More information about registration options will be made available soon.

ACSES in the news

• "Designing for diversity: a scoping review of equity in higher education's blended learning practices", Springer
• "At-risk Student Management Trial Got Students to Withdraw Before They Failed But Not Engage", Higher Education Whisperer
• "Beyond saving: some students 'too disengaged' to avoid debt", Times Higher Education
• "A 'wake-up' call on student equity support", The Educator
• "Widening Participation: Are we backing the right strategies?", Needed Now in Learning and Teaching
• "Carrots and sticks: Levers for positive change in universities", Needed Now in Learning and Teaching 
• "New body to address uni barriers", Business News
• "Sector backs new commission to address inequality in HE", University World News
• "Segal report 'overlooks the context' of surge in antisemitism", Campus Review