This year, the New South Wales Higher Education Summit hosted by our Scientia Education Academy is being held in conjunction with UNSW’s inaugural Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Symposium. The events aim to bring together higher education leaders, policymakers, academics and practitioners to discuss important current themes of student experience, voice, wellbeing and belonging.
UNSW Sydney, in partnership with Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), are delighted to host the inaugural QILT Symposium on the morning of Thursday, 3 July. The event will explore the effective utilisation of the QILT framework and data-driven approaches to enhancing the student experience and learning across Australia.
| Time | Agenda Item & Speakers |
|---|---|
8.30am | Registration and welcome refreshments ☕ |
| 9.00am | Welcome Address UNSW DVC Academic Quality, Professor Merlin Crossley |
| 9.10am | Keynote - Celebration of importance of QILT in Australia Ben Rimmer, Deputy Secretary, Higher Education, Research and International Group, Department of Education |
| 9.25am | Keynote Lisa Bolton, Director of QILT Research and Strategy, Social Research Centre |
| 10.00am | Keynote - Harnessing data on student evaluation Professor Richard O’Donovan (Monash University) |
| 10.35am | Morning Break ☕🥐 |
| 11.00am | Panel Discussion - Student Voices Facilitated by Natalie Nickson (UNSW Sydney) |
| 11.35am | Keynote Professor Kris Ryan, DVC Academic (University of Queensland) |
| 12.15pm | Lunch Break 🥪🥗 |
For UNSW colleagues - Day 2 of the symposium, on Friday 4 July, will focus on UNSW-centred QILT datasets, as well as the use of benchmarked, longitudinal data from national QILT datasets to support strategically important, data informed decision making that enhances learning and teaching outcomes. QILT will participate as a consultant presenter, offering tailored insights into UNSW’s QILT outcomes. More info coming soon!
The UNSW Scientia Education Academy is delighted to host the New South Wales Higher Education Summit once again on Thursday afternoon, 3 July.
The event will bring together thought leaders and practitioners from across the country and beyond, to explore key issues impacting and shaping the HE sector, with a focus on wellbeing and belonging.
In addition to two keynotes and a panel discussion, the program features two dedicated networking sessions, that enable participants from across institutions to meet in person and get together in a relaxed setting.
| Time | Agenda Item & Speakers |
|---|---|
| 2.00pm | Welcome from UNSW Scientia Education Academy Academy Director, Professor Patsie Polly (UNSW) DVC Education & Student Experience, Professor Sarah Maddison (UNSW) |
| 2.15pm | Keynote Sarah Bendall, First Assistant Ombudsman at National Student Ombudsman |
| 2.45pm | Keynote Professor Chi Baik (University of Melbourne) |
| 3.10pm | Keynotes Q&A |
| 3.20pm | Networking, Drinks and Canapes 🥂🧀🧁 |
| 4.00pm | Panel Discussion - Fostering our students’ sense of belonging and wellbeing Professor Julie Hulme (Nottingham Trent University, UK) Professor Gary Velan (UNSW) Professor Sarah O’Shea (Charles Sturt University) Dr Belle Lim (Future Forte & Mind Tribes) Aidan Tharmarajah (UNSW student) Facilitated by DVC Education & Student Experience, Professor Sarah Maddison (UNSW) |
| 5.00pm | Formal Closing Remarks |
| 5.15pm | Networking, Drinks and Canapes 🥂🧀🧁 |
Sarah Bendall is the First Assistant Ombudsman at National Student Ombudsman (NSO).
I loved my time at university and want to ensure that all students can realise the amazingly transformative potential of higher education, for themselves and for our community.
I’m a lawyer by trade, but alongside practicing as a lawyer I have always worked in roles involving dispute resolution. I’ve led dispute resolution teams, large and small, in areas ranging from sexual harassment, discrimination, consumer law, telecommunications, domestic building, child protection, public housing and health services.
Over the last 25 years, I’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be for people to participate in processes to resolve their conflict. I think we sometimes don’t realise the impact that unresolved conflict can have on our health and wellbeing.
The NSO is a dispute resolution service set up specifically for students and Australian higher education providers. We are committed to facilitating trauma informed dispute resolution services and amplifying students voices to encourage continual improvement in the student experience across the higher education sector.
Dispute resolution is a powerful way to change systems and processes for the better. When one person has the courage to complain about something, it can result in improvements that prevent others from experiencing the same issue.
Through the NSO, I want to see tangible improvements in student experience for all students across the higher education sector.
Chi Baik is a Professor of Higher Education in the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Her research explores factors influencing the educational experiences and outcomes of students from diverse backgrounds in higher education. She has led major funded studies that have contributed to informing institutional policies and practices including national projects on the first year experience, international student engagement and student mental wellbeing. She is currently leading an interdisciplinary Australian Research Council Discovery project investigating alterable factors that impact student mental health and wellbeing in Australia's universities.
In addition to leading the Student Experience in Higher Education Research Group and supervising doctoral candidates, much of Chi's work at the CSHE focuses on the development of programs and resources to promote and recognise effective university teaching and to improve student engagement. She runs professional development programs in teaching and learning for academic staff, and currently coordinates the CSHE's flagship award course, the Graduate Certificate in University Teaching. Learn more about Chi.
Julie Hulme is Professor of Psychology Education in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), UK.
Julie’s scholarship draws on psychological theory and research methods to enhance higher education to create transformative opportunities for students and colleagues. Committed to enhancing inclusion in universities, Julie's work has led to impactful work to empower disabled students, to promote student wellbeing and good mental health, and to influence policy and practice to better support education-focused academic staff across the higher education sector. Julie is a member of the governance group for Student Space, a web resource designed to ensure that no student is held back by poor mental health, run by the charity Student Minds.
Julie’s love of teaching and her commitment to creating inclusive educational and developmental opportunities for students and colleagues have led to recognition through a National Teaching Fellowship (2016), Principal Fellowship of the HEA (2013), and Chartered Psychologist status with the British Psychological Society. She is currently the Deputy Chair of the UK Association of National Teaching Fellows. Learn more about Julie.
Sarah O’Shea is a Professor and a nationally awarded educator, and a globally respected authority on higher education equity. Currently serving as Distinguished Professor and Dean at Charles Sturt University, Sarah brings over three decades of leadership in advancing equity, access, and student success across the sector. Sarah also leads the Higher Education Equity Research Unit (HEERU) at Charles Sturt University and current research projects relate to inclusive teaching practices, student belonging and also, the experiences of first-in-family learners from rural backgrounds.
With a career defined by high-impact research and strategic vision, Sarah has led national initiatives focused on supporting under-represented students through transition and achievement in tertiary education. She has secured more than $4 million in competitive research funding and managed over $10 million in federal grants, delivering scalable, evidence-based programs that have reshaped policy and practice.
Driven by a commitment to systemic change, Professor O’Shea continues to influence the future of education—bridging research, leadership, and practice to ensure opportunity for all. As a member of the ARC, College of Experts, a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), an Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow (ALTF), and a Churchill Fellow, Sarah’s contributions have earned recognition at the highest levels. Learn more about Sarah.
Gary Velan is a nationally award-winning medical educator. He is the Associate Dean (Education) at UNSW Medicine & Health and was formerly the Co-Director of the UNSW Scientia Education Academy. Gary pioneered online formative assessments at UNSW and partners with students to establish and lead Student Wellbeing Action Groups (SWAGs). His research focuses on educational innovations, including Web-based assessments, virtual microscopy adaptive tutorials, concept and knowledge maps, and their impact on learning outcomes in medical education. Learn more about Gary.
Belle Lim is a diversity and inclusion consultant, advocate, and speaker. She is an Associate Director at MindTribes, a DEI consulting firm specialising in intersectionality (race, culture and gender), particularly in the Higher Education and Health sectors. Belle is a member of the Victorian Gender Equality Strategy 'Our Equal State' Reference group, Welcoming Universities Advisory Committee, Scanlon Foundation Grants Committee, and Museum Victoria Inclusion Working Group.
In 2018, Belle founded Future Forte, a charity non-profit for international students on gender equity and inclusion, where she now serves as the Board Chair. Future Forte has welcomed more than 3,000 women from around the globe, promoting diverse women and youth leadership particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Belle also served as the National President ‘20/21 at the Council of International Students Australia after serving two years as the National Women's Officer. In the role she represented over 550,000 international students in committees, conferences, board meetings, advisory groups and in the media.
Belle obtained a PhD degree at Monash University and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on the topic of breast cancer genetics in 2022, following receiving a University Medal in 2017. She was a 2023 Fellow with the Schmidt Futures’ International Strategy Forum representing Asia Pacific. She has been recognised as Global Citizen Youth Leader 2024, IEAA Tony Adams Rising Star Award 2024, Asia Society's Asia Game Changer Finalist 2023, and Victorian International Student of the Year in 2019. Belle was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2024.
Aidan Tharmarajah
Bio coming soon!
Sarah Maddison is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) at UNSW. Sarah has worked in Higher Education for 25 years, with 10 years of senior leadership experience, including Department Chair, School Dean, Faculty Executive Dean, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and most recently Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education, Experience & Employability) at Swinburne University of Technology. A champion of innovation in learning and teaching and research-informed practice, Sarah has led her team to win a prestigious Australian government Office of Learning & Teaching Citation and an Open Universities Australia NOVA award for innovation in online learning to build student agency and digital communities. She has been invited to numerous national and international panels on topics including the use of learning analytics to support student retention, learning ecosystems to support borderless education, and pedagogy and learning spaces. Learn more about Sarah.
Patsie Polly (SFHEA) is the Director and Fellow of the UNSW Scientia Education Academy, who is an Education Focussed Academic in the Department of Pathology within the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS), Faculty of Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney. Patsie is recognised nationally as a medical scientist, leading teacher and innovative education researcher. Patsie is a Scientia Education Fellow, Education Focussed Champion and Professor in Pathology, within the School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health. Patsie has infused her extensive medical research experience into the classroom by applying the latest laboratory research practice. Patsie strategically integrates adaptive lessons, ePortfolio pedagogy and collaborative communities of practice to allow her students to learn these career-relevant skills. Her unique method blends virtual and real laboratory experiences to break new ground in engaging her students as researchers. Patsie has led reflective ePortfolio implementation to develop deep learning of teamwork and communication competencies in students, contextualising acquiring these skills for their future as medical researchers and health professionals. Learn more about Patsie.
UNSW is delighted to have partnered with Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) - an initiative of the Social Research Centre - to deliver this inaugural symposium.
The NSW Higher Education Summit is hosted by the UNSW Scientia Education Academy, a forum for UNSW’s outstanding educators to cultivate thought leadership, stimulate discussion and inspire educational excellence at UNSW and beyond.
