24 – 25 September | Sydney
Leading Education
in an age of global disruption
Our 2025 annual conference brings together leaders in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences to explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching and research in an era of rapid global change. This conference will examine the evolving role of our disciplines in addressing pressing societal issues, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and shaping the future of higher education. With expert speakers, interactive discussions and networking opportunities, this is a must-attend event for those driving innovation and leadership across Australasia and beyond.
Our conference is meeting on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We do so respectfully of their long culture of education, and acknowledging the critical role of their past, present and emerging elders in knowledge sharing.
Managing Up, Down, Sideways and Out
Professional Development workshop day
University leaders navigate complex challenges, balancing strategic leadership with the intricacies of staff management and professional relationships. From handling difficult conversations to fostering a positive workplace culture, these responsibilities require both skill and sensitivity.
This professional development day will equip participants with practical strategies to enhance their leadership capabilities, improve communication, and manage conflict effectively. Through expert-led workshops, case studies, and peer discussions, attendees will develop confidence in addressing challenging situations and strengthening staff engagement. This session is essential for leaders seeking to cultivate resilience, collaboration, and excellence within their teams.
Group ticket discounts & complimentary tickets
Australian member universities are entitled to a group discount. For every three tickets purchased the fourth is free. Please contact the DASSH team via email when three tickets have been purchased and the fourth guest will be registered for a complimentary ticket. Aotearoa member universities are entitled to two complimentary tickets per institution. Discount codes have been sent to Council Members directly. If you have any questions please email the DASSH office.
Numbers for this event are limited so please register for complimentary tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
Keynote Speakers
On day one of the program we will gather at The Mint in Sydney to hear from our keynote speakers.
Professor Kerri-Lee Krause
Chief Commissioner, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
Professor Andrew Norton
Professor of Higher Education Policy, Monash Business School, Monash University
Professor Cynthia White
Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Te Kura Pūkenga Tangata, Massey University
Massey University
Executive Coaching
Our day two program is a direct investment by DASSH in the current and future leaders of our disciplines. Providing critical skills and insights into the challenges we confront most frequently, we will work with expert coaches and strategists in a series of valuable discussions to enhance your leadership impact and enable positive outcomes in higher-education roles.
Associate Professor Renae Desai
Dean, School of Media and Communication, Murdoch University
What members said last year
Community & Belonging
“It’s welcoming, informative, and you will feel at home amongst your people.”
Professional Growth & Learning
“Come! You won’t regret it because it will enhance how you do your role and connect you to an incredible community of like-minded leaders from across Australia and Aotearoa.”
Networking & Support
“It provides a brilliant network and support, effective advocacy, and great professional development opportunities.”
Sector-Wide Insights
“DASSH will introduce you to people facing similar challenges and invite you to think in new ways.”
Practical Value
“Well worth the effort, time, and cost!”
Convenors
Program
| WEDNESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER The Mint (NSW Museums), 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney | The Mint (Museums of History NSW), 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney |
| 8.30am | Registrations Tea and coffee on arrival |
| 9am | Conference Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country Professor Heather Zwicker, Executive Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, University of Queensland, and DASSH President Professor Cynthia White, Pro Vice Chancellor of College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University, and DASSH Vice-President |
| 9:30am | Keynote Address Poison Ideas: Universities and other Antidotes to Authoritarianism Professor Simon Adams, CEO and President of the Centre for Victims of Torture In his keynote address “Poison Ideas: Universities and other Antidotes to Authoritarianism” , Dr. Simon Adams will issue a passionate call to defend the role of universities – and especially the arts, humanities, and social sciences – in the global struggle against rising authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. Drawing on examples from present-day Hungary and the United States, as well as from history, Adams shows how authoritarian rulers consistently target academic freedom and critical thought as threats to their power. He argues that in times of growing political darkness, it is essential that universities foster imagination, debate, creativity, and intellectual courage. Adams urges educators to be “upstanders,” not bystanders, in the ongoing battle of ideas, and contends that in a global political environment that is increasingly hostile to scientific truth and humanitarianism, critical thinking is among the most subversive acts of all. Chair Professor Deborah Gare, Pro Vice Chancellor of College of Law, Arts and Social Sciences, Murdoch University, and DASSH Treasurer |
| 10:30am | Morning Tea |
| 11am | Making Sense of the World We’re Operating In: What we face, and what we might expect to come Expert Panel Prof Kerri-Lee Krause, Chief Commissioner, TEQSA John Ross, APAC editor, Times Higher Education (THE) This expert panel brings together leading voices in higher education policy, journalism, and academic leadership to examine the shifting landscape confronting the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. Featuring Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Chief Commissioner of TEQSA, and John Ross, APAC Editor of Times Higher Education, and chaired by Professor Nick Bisley, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University, the panel will explore critical issues that we face now, and those emerging on the horizon. Together, the panel and audience will consider such issues as the complexities of current and future higher education policy, particularly in light of regulatory and political expectations; the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities posed by generative AI in teaching, learning, and research; sustainable and equitable approaches to transnational and international education; and the leadership capabilities, mindsets, and institutional conditions required to navigate a time of rapid change and disruption. Chair Professor Nick Bisley, Dean of School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, and Immediate-Past-President, DASSH |
| 12:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30pm | Critical understandings of policy and opportunity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Policy Briefing Professor Andrew Norton, Monash Business School In this session, Professor Andrew Norton, one of Australia’s leading experts in higher education policy, will examine critical policy challenges shaping the future of higher education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. With a focus on the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS), Andrew will analyse the structural and policy settings that face university leaders, including funding mechanisms, enrolment trends, the regulatory environment, and evolving government expectations. He will consider how these forces are reshaping institutional priorities and disciplinary positioning, and what HASS leaders must understand—and anticipate—to navigate an increasingly complex and contested policy environment with strategic clarity and purpose. Chair Professor Martin Drum, Executive Dean, College of Arts, Sciences, Law and Business, The University of Notre Dame Australia |
| 2:30pm | Trends and opportunities for international education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Market Analysis and Policy Briefing Hon Phil Honeywood, CEO, International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) The Hon Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), will present a strategic overview of the international education landscape in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on emerging trends, market opportunities, and shifting policy settings. Drawing on the latest data and sector insights, he will explore the challenges and prospects for HASS disciplines in attracting and retaining international students amid increasing global competition, visa policy changes, and geopolitical pressures. This session will equip Deans and Associate Deans with a clearer understanding of current market dynamics and practical considerations for sustaining growth in international HASS education. |
| 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 4:00pm | Insiders Inspired by the ABC’s Insiders program, this dynamic closing session brings together a panel of sector experts for a lively, fast-paced discussion of the major themes and stories shaping higher education today. Panellists will reflect on key insights emerging from the DASSH conference program, analyse leading policy and institutional developments, and offer sharp commentary on the challenges and opportunities facing HASS disciplines. With a focus on strategy, leadership, and the national agenda, the session will provide thought-provoking takeaways for Deans and Associate Deans as they prepare for tomorrow’s sessions on leadership development. Professor Heather Zwicker, Executive Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Queensland, and DASSH President Professor Cynthia White, Pro Vice Chancellor of College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University |
| 5:00pm | Conclusion of day program |
| CONFERENCE DINNER Quayside Room, Museum of Contemporary Art 140 George Street, The Rocks | |
| 6:00pm | Welcome drinks | Sydney Harbour terrace |
| 6:15pm | Plated dinner | Quayside Dining Room |
| 8:00pm | Roaming dessert canapés | Sydney Harbour Terrace |
| 9:00pm | Conference dinner concludes |
| THURSDAY 25 SEPTEMBER | Managing Up, Down Sideways and Out Black Friars’ Building, The University of Notre Dame Australia 140 Broadway, Chippendale | |
| 8:30am | Leadership coaching and planning Today’s program is a direct investment by DASSH in the current and future leaders of our disciplines. Providing critical skills and insights into the challenges we confront most frequently, we will work with expert coaches and strategists in a series of valuable discussions to enhance your leadership impact and enable positive outcomes in higher-education roles. Registrations open 8am |
8:30am
| Deans Annual General Meeting (AGM) and network discussion Chair: Heather Zwicker This session will bring together DASSH deans for important network discussions. It will provide a vital forum to assess strategic challenges and opportunities facing HASS disciplines within the broader higher education landscape. Deans will engage in critical dialogue on sector-wide policy developments, institutional priorities, and shared advocacy goals. The session will also support collaboration across institutions and regions, helping to strengthen the collective voice of HASS leadership. Our early morning session will include the Annual General Meeting, including election of new Board members. | Associate Deans Building influence and leading with impact: effective strategies to manage up, out and across Coach: Rosslyn Cox, Professional Executive Coach This session coaches Associate Deans with practical strategies to lead up to senior executives, out to the university, and across their teams. Through reflective discussion and scenario-based learning, current and emerging leaders will explore how to build influence and lead with impact, navigating the complex demands and relationships of academic leadership roles with greater clarity, confidence, and effectiveness. |
| 10:00am | Morning Tea |
| 10:30am | Confronting ‘Elephants in the Room’: Safe approaches to difficult problems Rosslyn Cox, Professional Executive Coach In our first, joint session Professional Executive Coach Rosslyn Cox will explore strategies to help leaders address “elephants in the room” — those unspoken, complex, or uncomfortable issues that often hinder team performance and trust. Engaging in reflective dialogue, scenario-based exercises, and peer learning, leaders will learn to examine a problem critically and reflectively—‘interviewing’ perceived challenges to assess the real scale of a problem, manage anxiety and approach constructive conversations. |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 12:45pm | Resilient Leaders: Building safe, high-performing teams Rosslyn Cox, Professional Executive Coach This session explores how to build and sustain high-performing, resilient teams that prioritise psychological safety and inclusive, respectful working environments. Through practical tools and group discussions, we will examine how to create cultures of trust, accountability, and care—ensuring not only team success, but also the wellbeing of leaders themselves. We will workshop strategies to support leaders in managing complexity, fostering resilience, and sustaining their own wellbeing while leading others. Emphasis will be placed on how leadership practices can both inspire performance and model healthy, sustainable behaviours that promote safety, cohesion, and long-term team success in challenging environments. |
| 2:15pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 2:45pm | Crisis Communications: How to manage risks, prevent a crisis, and what to do when it can’t be avoided Assoc Prof Renae Desai, Dean of Media and Communication, Murdoch University This session equips leaders to effectively identify risks and manage crisis communication – vital skills in today’s fast-moving, high-stakes environment. Using real scenarios, we’ll learn how to identify early warning signs, respond decisively, and prevent difficult challenges from escalating into full-blown crises. When crises are unavoidable, the session will guide leaders on how to communicate with clarity, credibility, and confidence to maintain trust and shape the narrative. Through discussion, case studies and practical frameworks, you’ll learn of strategies to lead under pressure, align messages with values, and respond with empathy, transparency, and authority when it matters the most. |
| 3:45pm | Closing Remarks |
| 4:00pm | Conference Ends |
| FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER | Network meetings and working groups Black Friars’ Building, The University of Notre Dame Australia (TBC) 140 Broadway, Chippendale | |
| 9:30am | DASSH Board meeting |
| 9:30am | Meeting rooms available on request for members, networks and working groups |
Venues
| Day One | The Mint |
| While you’re with us, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the beautiful heritage venue that is The Mint—the oldest public building in Sydney’s CBD. First built in 1816, The Mint was originally designed by Governor Macquarie as a hospital for convicts. It was built at a cost of 45,000 gallons of rum, earning it the name, the ‘Rum Hospital’. In the 1850s, the site was converted to a branch of the Royal Mint, the first outside of London, during which time a coining factory was added to the rear of the property. Today, The Mint is headquarters of Museums of History NSW, and includes impressive conference facilities for our event. It is conveniently located close to accommodation opportunities in the city, and is a short walk to this evening’s dinner venue at the Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks. |
| Conference Dinner | Museum of Contemporary Art |
| While you’re with us, you’ll enjoy our venue at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The Stripped Classical, Art Deco building was first built by the Maritime Services Board on the shores of Circular Quay in the 1930s, replacing early colonial taxation and commissariat buildings. It was first acquired by the MCA in the 1990s and is now the only public gallery in Australia dedicated to contemporary arts and ideas. The MCA is located on the site where the First Fleet landed in 1788, where the first contact was made between Aboriginal and European peoples at the beginning of Australia’s colonial history. Today, it features the works of nearly 5000 living artists, of whom nearly a third are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. |
| Day Two | The University of Notre Dame Blackfriars |
| While you’re with us, take a few moments to explore the unique heritage environment of today’s venue: a nineteenth-century Victorian Gothic school building, Blackfriars, which was built for public education in 1884. Controversially at the time, the colonial government acquired lands owned by St Benedict’s Catholic Church to do so, seemingly pitting secular and church education against each other (a conflict somewhat underscored by the remarkable wall that still divides the two sites). Blackfiars has remained an educational hub ever since. In the opening decades of the twentieth century, it was an early adopter of Montessori teaching methods; it then became the Sydney Teachers’ College; and, from the 1960s, was part of the University of Technology Sydney. Blackfriars was acquired by The University of Notre Dame Australia in 2024, returning the site to co-ownership with St Benedict’s for the first time since the 1880s. |
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOSTS
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA
