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

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

Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural symposium, the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (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.

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.

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 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

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

View and download the Event Program HERE.

Register HERE for the free livestream.