Equity leaders coming together to make education more inclusive

Dear colleagues

National tertiary education leaders will gather in Sydney next month to discuss how to make higher learning more attainable for all Australians, at ACSES's national Policy Symposium. The event will also be accessible via livestream nationwide. 

Hosted at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) from September 9–10, the "Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025" event will convene higher education executives, policymakers, international experts, and student representatives to explore new strategies to make Australian universities more inclusive, accessible, and successful for students from all backgrounds.

The Symposium will spotlight evidence-informed solutions to support students with disability, expand alternative entry pathways, and advance sector-wide progress on the recommendations of the Australian Universities Accord.

With the Accord laying the foundation for long-term reform, this year’s Policy Symposium is a vital opportunity for universities to engage with practical, workable equity solutions—and to hear directly from students whose voices must be central to this change.

Delegates will hear from some of the sector’s most influential voices, including:

• The Hon. Jason Clare MP, Commonwealth Minister for Education
• Senator the Hon. Jonathon Duniam, Shadow Minister for Education
• The Hon. Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner
• Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Commissioner
• Professor the Hon. Verity Firth AM, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, UNSW
• Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University
• Dr Tim Renick, Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success, Georgia State University (USA)
• Student leaders from across Australia, representing diverse equity groups and perspectives.

The event will also feature two major highlights:

• the official launch of Equity Insights 2025 — ACSES’s flagship annual publication, featuring contributions from Vice-Chancellors, student leaders, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates about fairer higher education outcomes
• the ACSES Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice 2025 — celebrating outstanding individuals and initiatives making a transformative difference for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"The event will bring together the people who shape policy with those who experience its impacts firsthand. It’s about listening, learning, and leading together.” — ACSES Research and Policy Program Director, Professor Ian Li

ACSES would like to acknowledge the generous support of the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney, for providing the venue and event support.

To join the event online, register for the free livestream. We look forward to having you join the important discussions on the day.

Sincerely
Professor Shamit Saggar
Executive Director
Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES)  

More from ACSES...

ACSES Equity Hub: A Community of Practice for Student Equity Evaluation

Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 1.00–3.00pm AEST | 11.00am – 1.00pm AWST
Location: University of New South Wales (UNSW) and online

The next ACSES Equity Hub: A Community of Practice for Student Equity Evaluation (CoP) is taking place on 8 September, 1.00–3.00pm AEST, in person at UNSW in Sydney and live online.

The CoP brings together equity managers and staff to explore lessons learned and best practices in student equity program evaluation. We warmly invite you to join us for this insightful session on student equity evaluation.

Featured speakers:

• Dr Katie Osborne-Crowley (Head of Strategic Programs and Impact Evaluation, Student Equity – UNSW)
• Dr Mick Warren (Strategic Insights Lead, Student Equity – UNSW)
• Hiedi Wilkinson (Equity Impact Evaluation Analyst – University of the Sunshine Coast)
• Lauren Spencer (Research Director, QILT Program – Social Research Centre)

Please ensure that you select the correct ticket type when registering as in-person attendance will be limited. In-person registrations close on Monday, 1 September.

Apply to be listed in the Impact Evaluation Provider Directory

Are you an evaluator, with experience in delivering either quantitative impact evaluation or theory-based impact evaluation?
 
The ACSES Impact Evaluation Provider Directory will make it easier for university teams to find the right skills and perspectives for equity evaluations.
 
Be part of it by submitting your application by 29 September 2025.

Our Interactive Data Tool just got an upgrade

With the latest update to our Interactive Data Tool, you can now explore QILT Student Experience Survey results by institution and equity group, making it easier to compare, analyse, and act.

We've also added an "Explore examples" button to help you get started.

Please send any feedback on the data tool to ACSES Data Program Director, Gemma Cadby, at gemma.cadby@curtin.edu.au.

ACSES in the news

• "Without better debt information, Australia risks a mis-selling scandal", Times Higher Education
• "Putting part-time students on the map", Needed Now in Teaching and Learning
• "UK social mobility leader brings global lens to ACSES mission", Curtin University
• "Prosperity summit’s sidelining of Australia’s universities is baffling", Times Higher Education