Launched by Professor Mary O'Kane AC, Australian Universities: A conversation about public good delves into a diverse set of challenges universities are faced with and provides recommendations to ensure universities create a culture of inclusion for all.
The book, co-edited by University of Sydney academics, compiles the thoughts of over 20 higher education experts who contribute to debate on Australian public universities. The debate focuses on what universities are for; what their mission is (or should be); what strong higher education policy entails; and how to cultivate a robust and constructive relationship between government and Australian universities.
The issues explored remain highly relevant to current higher education discussions and include an essay by Director of Higher Education Policy and Projects and Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Mr Tim Payne, which critiques the 2021 'Job-ready Graduates' changes to higher education funding; Professor Susan Goodwin whose co-authored essay is on ideas around universal student incomes as ways to progress social access; Professor of Policy and Society Gaby Ramia writes on policy issues surrounding international students; Dr Gareth Bryant's essay explores rethinking ways universities are funded to address social and public good; and Fellow of Senate, Alan Pettigrew, critiques how research is funded in Australian universities.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Mark Scott AO said the publication of the book was timely with the upcoming Australian Universities Accord which is committed to driving reform in Australia's higher education system.
"It is more important than ever that universities focus on equitable access to education, academic integrity and strongly advocating for students. The book is an important piece of work that acknowledges this as well as the challenges that still need to be addressed to maintain and build-on our achievements."
The idea for the book evolved following a series of webinars organised by University of Sydney historian Professor Julia Horne and educationist Associate Professor Matthew Thomas, who are the editors of the collection. The webinars, held in 2020, aimed to critique the higher education policies of the then Coalition Commonwealth government.
Professor Horne said: "It's wonderful the book is being launched at the same time the government's Universities Accord committee is seeking imaginative ideas to build a long-term plan for Australia's higher education system.
"The book has boldness at its heart. We very much hope it helps reinvigorate the conversation."
Philip Kent, Professor Susan Goodwin and Professor Julia Horne.
The authors of essays in the collection include the University of Sydney's Professor Jennifer Barrett, Dr Gareth Bryant, Professor Susan Goodwin, Professor Julia Horne, Professor Lisa Jackson-Pulver, Mr Michael Goodman, Mr Tim Payne, Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew, Professor Gaby Ramia, and Associate Professor Matthew Thomas; from University of Melbourne Dr Gwilym Croucher and Professor Glyn Davis; Professor Tim Soutphommasane from University of Oxford; Associate Professor Tamson Pietsch from University of Technology Sydney; and Professor Ariadne Vromen from Australian National University.
