Reimagining Australia’s universities

Former Labor leader and current University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten has called for a “fundamental re-imagining” of Australia’s universities as a “core instrument of our national power”.

Rescuing the ANU

The Australian National University is one of the most prestigious universities in Australia but recent controversies and the resignation of its vice-chancellor mean it must seize an opportunity for renewal.

Where have all the teachers gone?

Australia isn’t unique in facing teacher shortages which increase strain on school resources and reduce the quality of education delivery, but research suggests a number of strategies to encourage more people to teach.

Safe spaces and trigger warnings

A new study involving more than 700 US university students found that trigger warnings do not make students feel more supported or positive toward instructors, despite being widely endorsed. Students who received trigger warnings before trauma-related lectures did not rate instructors as more trustworthy, caring, or open to controversial discussions. In contrast, ‘in a safe space’ messages had a clear positive impact.

A brighter NDIS

The NDIS was designed as a nation-building reform and to preserve that vision, it must evolve to improve outcomes and control ballooning costs.

How students use – and abuse – AI

A survey of the ways students are using AI offers clues for how universities can integrate it into their teaching regimes without undermining academic credibility.

Where have all the students gone?

After decades of growth, an increase in fees, the influx of foreign students and the growing threat of AI to knowledge jobs have seen a fall in domestic students enrolling in university courses.

Universities have lost their way

If there is any way out of the present University crisis, it it unlikely to come from current university leaders, who have shown little capacity to manage complex change.

Cognitive economics

A world-first economics Institute at UNSW Sydney will investigate how human reasoning influences financial and other decision making, helping people to make better economic choices.

Teaching the teachers

Collaborative mentoring helps educators keep learning and reminds them why they chose to teach in the first place.

Assessing communication skills in the age of AI

In the age of AI, communication is changing, but effective human communication skills are more important than ever.

Playaway

Children learn about the world through play, helping them to build creativity and independence, but once children start school, it tends to be forgotten as the emphasis shifts to formal learning.