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The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success acknowledges Indigenous peoples across Australia as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the nation’s campuses are situated. With a history spanning more than 60,000 years as the original educators, Indigenous peoples hold a unique place in our nation. We recognise the importance of their knowledge and culture, and reflect the principles of participation, equity, and cultural respect in our work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and consider it an honour to learn from our Indigenous colleagues, partners, and friends.

You are reading: Equity and Wellbeing: Keys to Sustainable Universities

Overview

Equity and wellbeing are critical to the future of sustainable universities.

Join leading experts for the Equity and Wellbeing: Keys to Sustainable Universities panel, a satellite event of the Universities Australia 2025 Solutions Summit and hosted by HEDx.

Event information

This event is part of the Universities Australia Solutions Summit 2025 and is presented by HEDx, Welcoming Universities and Universities Enable. This is a free event.

This panel will address the urgent challenges facing Australian universities—financial strain, high attrition, and inequitable campus culture. By prioritising equity and wellbeing, the discussion will explore practical solutions vital to universities’ financial viability, cultural relevance, and social licence.

Sarah Bendall, National Student Ombudsman

Sarah Bendall will address critical campus safety issues, including the rise in sexual assaults and racial discrimination, emphasising the importance of effective institutional responses to safeguard student welfare.

Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor, Western Sydney University

George Williams will explore how universities can serve as transformative institutions by embedding themselves in their communities and fostering holistic development for students and staff.

Professor Paul Harpur OAM, The University of Queensland

Paul Harpur will uncover the systemic and physical barriers that exclude people with disabilities from fully participating in university life, highlighting the urgent need for greater accessibility in higher education.

Facilitators: 

Dr Martin Betts, CEO, HEDx  and Cate Gilpin, Coordinator, Welcoming Universities

Facilitators Martin Betts and Cate Gilpin will steer the conversation toward practical, actionable solutions, ensuring the discussion moves beyond identifying challenges to outlining how universities can achieve lasting, positive transformation.