Leader in higher education equity joins ACSES Advisory Board

Dear colleagues,

The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) is pleased to welcome equity in higher education expert Dr Nicola Cull as the newest member of its Advisory Board.

Dr Cull is the newly appointed President of Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia (EPHEA) and will bring this important stakeholder perspective as well as her expertise to the board.

She is the Australian Catholic University’s Associate Director of Equity and Inclusion and has extensive experience in equity strategy, program design, evaluation and research, including cross-institutional projects. 

Dr Cull is a recipient of the Elizabeth Mary Dodd Prize in Education for her Master’s research on inclusive education and recently completed her PhD at ACU’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, investigating the impact of geography on higher education aspiration.

Her leadership in promoting and advancing inclusivity in higher education will be a remarkable asset. ACSES is honoured to welcome Dr Cull to the Centre as we strive to facilitate equity and inclusion throughout all areas of higher education.

We also thank outgoing EPHEA president Dr Kylie Austin for her invaluable contributions to our Advisory Board, her commitment to widening participation in Australian higher education, and strengthening the links between EPHEA and ACSES. Dr Austin reflects on her time working with ACSES below.

Regards
Professor Shamit Saggar CBE FAcSS
Executive Director
Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success

"I'm excited to join the ACSES Advisory Board and work with passionate colleagues committed to making higher education more equitable and inclusive and further strengthen the connection between ACSES and EPHEA to help drive lasting change across the sector.” - Dr Nicola Cull

Reflections on the EPHEA–ACSES relationship

by Dr Kylie Austin
Director Student Life, Edith Cowan University

As I step down from my role as President of Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia (EPHEA), and subsequently as a board member of the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES), I do so with immense pride in the strengthened partnership between our two organisations.

This relationship was first cultivated through the former National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), with the launch of initiatives such as Champions for Change, World Access to Higher Education Day, and practitioner grants—each designed to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of equity practitioners across the Australian higher education landscape.

In more recent years, the collaboration between EPHEA and ACSES has been a strategic alliance that has amplified our collective voice, enabled resource-sharing, and aligned our efforts to deliver meaningful impact. I am particularly proud of our early work on communities of practice supporting the implementation of the Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework (SEHEEF), our coordinated advocacy during the development and release of the Australian Universities Accord, and our role in disseminating federal policy changes to support frontline practitioners. Expanding research and grant opportunities to those working directly with students has also been a highlight of this partnership.

One of the most profound benefits of this relationship has been its ability to bridge operational and strategic perspectives—connecting those shaping policy with those enacting it. This synergy has fostered a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared purpose that will continue to serve both organisations well into the future.

As I transition from these roles, I remain confident that EPHEA and ACSES will continue to lead with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to equity in higher education. This synergy has cultivated a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that has laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue, innovation, and shared leadership in the equity space.