DASSH 2026 Conference: The Future-Facing University
More than 100 DASSH members from 34 universities came together in Melbourne between 15-18 September for the 2026 Annual Conference, The Future-Facing University: Leadership from the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
Bringing together senior leaders from universities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, alongside government, policy and sector voices, the conference explored some of the major questions shaping the future of higher education.
Across the program
Across two days, discussions considered the future role and purpose of universities, the changing policy and research landscape, workforce needs and graduate capabilities, access and participation, social impact, and the role of universities in strengthening relationships across the Asia-Pacific.
Artificial intelligence was a strong thread throughout the conference, with discussions examining its implications for assessment, research, knowledge production, institutional strategy and the capabilities universities will need to develop in students and staff.
Across the program, a common theme was the importance of universities being active in shaping change, rather than simply responding to it, and the critical contribution of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities to understanding and responding to technological, social, economic and geopolitical change.
Thank you to our speakers and contributors
DASSH sincerely thanks the speakers, chairs and facilitators who generously shared their expertise and perspectives across the conference program.
The program brought together leaders from universities, government and across the sector, creating opportunities for members to engage with different perspectives, share experiences across institutions and explore the challenges and opportunities ahead for higher education.
Celebrating 25 years of DASSH
The 2026 conference also marked an important milestone: 25 years of DASSH.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the people and institutions that have shaped DASSH over the past quarter-century, while looking ahead to how the network can continue to provide a strong collective voice for the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.
With thanks to our hosts
The DASSH Annual Conference is made possible through collaboration. Our sincere thanks to Swinburne University of Technology for hosting us in Melbourne this year, and to our partner universities, RMIT University and Deakin University, for their generous support and contribution to the conference.
A special thank you to our conference conveners Professors James Verdon, Katherine Johnson and Simon Tormey, and to the many colleagues across our host universities who helped bring the conference to life.
We also thank Bezi Publishing Services for supporting the conference.
See you in Canberra in 2027
We are delighted that the 2027 DASSH Annual Conference will be held in Canberra, with the University of Canberra as our host.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Melbourne and contributed to such a collegial and engaging conference. We look forward to continuing these conversations across the DASSH network over the year ahead and sharing more about Canberra 2027 in the coming months.
