Reimagining HigherEd

Join Professor Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology (AUT) in conversation with Professor Judyth Sachs about the importance of curiosity and humility in learning, the role of history in understanding the present, and the challenges facing higher education today. In this episode: As the first Pasifika Vice-Chancellor in New Zealand, Damon shares his perspective on the r...

Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, President of Wilfrid Laurier University, joins Dr. Noreen Golfman this week to reflect on the student experience, noting increased engagement and advocacy by today’s students, alongside greater challenges with financial pressures and uncertainty about the future. Also in this episode: A biologist at heart, Deborah shares how her desire to enact change drove the decision to m...

This week we’re bringing you a fascinating journey through academia and leadership, spanning continents, institutions, and roles. Prof. Dr. Maurits van Rooijen, CAO of Global University Systems and Rector of University of Europe joins Dr. Ashraf Mahate in this captivating conversation. Discussed in this episode:  Balancing theoretical and practical education, with a focus on developing students' r...

Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah (AUS), joins guest host Dr. Ashraf Mahate in this week’s conversation. They explore Tod’s career in and around academia, from faculty at Duke University, to founding president of Khalifa University, and chief academic officer of SUNY. Also discussed: Evolving expectations of students in the UAE, particularly their desire for entrepreneu...

Dr. Chuck Welch, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) joins Prof. Judyth Sachs this week. Chuck and Judyth reflect on the changes in higher education over the past 30 years, and discuss perceived public value, using data and evidence, and being more transparent and accountable as institutions. Furthermore - they dive into the impact of generative AI on e...

Listen in as we learn more about Singapore Institute of Technology’s President, Prof Chua Kee Chaing, and his vision to guide SIT to find its own space among leading research-intensive universities, to be Singapore's university for industry. Prof Judyth Sachs discusses with Prof Chua the opportunities with AI technology and why education and ethics are critical to students using it in their learni...

Prof Tan Tai Yong, the second President of Singapore University of Social Sciences, sits down with Prof Judyth Sachs, to uncover his journey from historian to higher ed leadership.   They reflect on: Leading complex organisations, emphasising the importance of long-term perspectives and engaging with students and staff Adaptability and an open mindset, Prof Yong shares his advice to today’s studen...

Prof Freddy Boey, President of City University of Hong Kong joins Prof Judyth Sachs for this week’s conversation. Freddy shares his experience as an international student, where he learned the importance of adaptability and building relationships, which shaped his personal philosophy on the critical role universities play in students' lives, beyond lectures and exams. Listen in to hear the two pro...

President of Utah State University, Betsy Cantwell, joins Professor Judyth Sachs this week. From her work on national security, NASA missions, and to higher education leadership, Betsy shares her insights on: The vital role of higher education in cultivating civic engagement, Students' moral reasoning and critical thinking in this social, political, and technological landscape, The changing nature...

This week Prof Nic Smith, Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University of Wellington discusses the role of universities to foster respect and evidence-based understanding between people, especially as the world becomes more polarised - with Prof Judyth Sachs. Their conversation explores the importance of developing students' higher-order skills like critical thinking, synthesis, and communication; and w...

From developing award-winning programs, pioneering initiatives and a vision of equitable support for every student - Prof Mohamed Kerkeb, the President of Ibn Tofail University in Morocco shares his passion for academia, his inspirations and desire to share knowledge. Interviewed by Dr Ashraf Mahate, the two educators discuss the university's initiatives to support students with disabilities, incl...

Prof Grant Robertson, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Otago, joins Prof Judyth Sachs this week to delve into Grant’s remarkable career from student union president, to now leading the institution. They discuss: Working alongside remarkable women leaders, Jacinda Ardern and Helen Clark, and lessons learned on intellect, compassion, and leadership The importance of universities in addressing gl...

Dr. Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) at Hong Kong Baptist University sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs for this invigorating conversation to kick off 2025. They discuss: Studying as an international student, cultural immersion, and self discipline Shifting to transdisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry, and the community in an effort to address global challeng...

"The future of the world depends on us actually bringing the university into the community; into all of its aspects; and into our workplaces." Prof Duncan Bentley, Vice-Chancellor and President at Federation University and Prof Judyth Sachs reflect on the accidental events that have shaped Duncan's ‘unorthodox’ career path. They discuss the purpose of regional universities and responding to local...

Another popular episode from the archives. Join Prof Scott Bowman AO, Vice-Chancellor at Charles Darwin University, in conversation with Prof Judyth Sachs, as they explore Scott’s enterprising journey to higher education leadership, and the people who have shaped it along the way. They discuss Scott’s early years and why university was never on his radar; how Scott came to keep a Jiminy Cricket in...

In one of the most listened to episodes of all time, Dr Tim Renick - Founding Executive Director of The National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University and preeminent national adviser on student equity - meets with our guest host, leading student equity researcher and advocate for change, President of the Australian Learning and Teaching Fellows (ALTF), and Studiosity Academic A...

Dr Arthur Levine, President Emeritus at Teachers College - Columbia University, chats to Prof Judyth Sachs, about reinventing universities. They discuss formative assessment in practice; why universities need to regain traction, look outward, and bind with community; and Arthur shares what he would change if he could redesign universities.

This week, Professor Judyth Sachs is joined by Professor Diana Laurillard, Professor of Learning with Digital Technologies at UCL Knowledge Lab, who early in her career made it her mission to understand the intricacies of exactly how learning works, and how teachers can help students to learn. They discuss: Designing learning to empower educators and students to be active participants Advocating f...

Professor Dame Heather McGregor DBE FRSE, Provost and Vice Principal at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, joins Professor Judyth Sachs to reimagine higher education through Heather’s global perspective, passion for education, and commitment to making a positive impact. Listen in as they discuss: Journalism, financial markets, and entering academia later in life - how education has been Heather’s passp...

This week’s episode: Prof Rose Luckin, Founding Director of EDUCATE Ventures Research at University College London (UCL) and Professor at UCL Knowledge Lab, joins Prof Judyth Sachs to explore a human-centric approach to AI in education - including transparency, accountability, and human dignity - and the readiness of the sector to adapt.

This week Dr. Bridget Burns, Founding CEO of the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), joins guest host Prof. Sally Kift, a leader and researcher in student success and equity, to reimagine higher education. This trans-national conversation between two trailblazing leaders offers valuable perspectives on enhancing student success and advancing equity in higher education. They discuss: Systemic cha...

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone DBE, FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at University of St Andrews, and President of Universities UK, joins host Professor Petra Wend in this episode. They discuss the hallmarks of a great student experience, notably research-informed teaching and small classes; the impact of sisterhood and formative experiences that shaped Sally’s career; rebalancing the relationsh...

Join Professor Pal Ahluwalia, VC and President of The University of the South Pacific, in conversation with Professor Judyth Sachs all about the unique challenges and quirks of leading a university spanning 12 Pacific countries. The two professors discuss: Pal’s experiences - culturally, politically, practically - living, learning, and working across Africa, Canada, UK, Australia, and the Pacific...

Panel session recorded on 21 October 2024, at 1PM ET, with over 150 registrations and over 100 participants, hosted by Dr. Noreen Golfman, Former Provost and Vice President Academic at Memorial University, and Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member. Student wellbeing is top-of-mind going into the new school year, accelerated by the rise of AI and the increased isolation of students due to techn...

A must-listen episode, as Dr. Noreen Golfman sits down with Gabriel Miller, President and CEO of Universities Canada. Together, they dive into the role of higher education in shaping not just individuals, but society as a whole. What’s in this episode? The power of philosophy: Discover the life-changing skills Gabriel gained from his studies and how they apply to today’s educational landscape. The...