'Chair of the Upper House inquiry, Sarah Kane, said the university was at risk of "sacrificing fundamental social benefits in the pursuit of corporate outcomes".'

I do think this captures the main issue in Australian universities. Neoliberalisation means they can no longer prioritise public good. This is all fixable if we had a government who understood the value of having a well educated populace, and the value of creating new knowledge.

#AcademicChatter #AusAcademia #AusPol

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-10/nsw-regionals-uni-transparency-report/106548032

University's overseas operations set to come under the microscope

The University of Wollongong operates five overseas campuses, but a parliamentary inquiry has noted concerns it may be be neglecting its responsibilities closer to home.

"Australia's universities are paying external consultants and contractors an estimated $1.8 billion a year without disclosing which firms they are hiring and what the money is being spent on."

Call me crazy, but I feel like there are better uses for that money... 4 Corners tonight sounds like mandatory viewing for folks in the higher ed sector.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-30/university-consultants-fees-uts-kpmg-four-corners/106499192

#AcademicChatter #AusAcademia #Auspol

As universities cut courses, spending on consultants and contractors nears $2b

Consultancies have been accused of infiltrating universities and wasting scarce public funds on questionable advice about cutting courses and jobs. 

Associate Lecturer/Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer in Natural Sciences (Indigenous Identified)

Position Details Full Time (Part-Time Negotiable) | Continuing position Academic Level A | AU$88,842 - $107,666 pa | 17% super I View Position Description Academic Level B I AU$113,211- $133,974 pa | 17% Super I View Position Description Academic Level C | AU$138,124 - $146,432 pa | 17% Super I View Position Description Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country / Australia View Candidate Brochure SA Identified Positions: The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. The successful candidate will be required to provide Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. To learn more, please visit, Information for Indigenous Applicants. Supporting Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Staff in STEM: Flinders University has been recognised as a national leader in supporting Indigenous talent, receiving a prestigious SAGE Cygnet Award – the first university in South Australia to achieve this accolade – for fostering an inclusive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members. At the heart of this accomplishment are a number of targeted initiatives designed to attract, retain, and develop Indigenous talent, including the implementation of two Reconciliation Action Plans, an Indigenous Workforce Strategy, and a robust governance dedicated to overseeing Indigenous strategies. Ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders? Flexible working arrangements + generous leave entitlements + five days’ annual cultural leave. 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options Stand out career development and training opportunities and funds to accelerate your academic career. Access to state-of-the-art advanced facilities to uplift teaching. Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies. About the Position: Flinders University is seeking motivated and innovative Associate Lecturer, Lecturer or Senior Lecturer to join our Natural Sciences team in the College. This position provides an outstanding opportunity to contribute to high-quality teaching and impactful research while supporting career-ready graduates in areas aligned with our strengths in Ecology, Evolution and Environment. The successful candidate will contribute across: High-quality, ethical and impactful research aligned to College strengths Student-centred teaching using flexible and multi-mode delivery including lectures, tutorials, laboratories and placement learning Supervision and mentoring of Honours and Research Higher Degree students (commensurate with level) About You: You are an emerging or established academic with a passion for Natural Sciences, committed to teaching excellence, impactful research, and the development of students. You are collaborative, student-focused, and able to contribute to both education and scholarship. Your expertise may align with areas including, but not limited to, ecology, evolution, environmental science, biodiversity, conservation biology, or related disciplines that align with Flinders University research strengths. As Associate Lecturer / Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Natural Sciences, you will bring: A completed (Level B/C) or near completed (Level A) PhD or equivalent qualification in Natural Sciences or a closely related discipline. Part-time appointments may be considered, including to support candidates completing their PhD. Evidence of, or capacity for, high-quality tertiary teaching, including curriculum design, topic/course coordination, and delivery across face-to-face, online, and blended modes A research track record appropriate to career stage, including high-quality publications and engagement with competitive research funding Experience supervising Honours and Higher Degree Research students (commensurate with level) Why Flinders University? At Flinders University, we embrace and celebrate diversity and are committed to achieving gender equality in employment by identifying and removing any discriminatory employment barriers and taking action to promote gender equality in the workplace. We have been awarded Institutional Bronze Accreditation in the SAGE Athena SWAN program, recognising the University’s ongoing efforts towards achieving gender equity. Ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders? Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide. Ninety per cent of Flinders research has been ranked at ‘world standard or above’ by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options Flexible working arrangements Wide range of professional development activities, funds and services, such as Flinders University’s Researcher Development and Leadership Programs. Prescribed Conditions for Employment A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role. SA Identified Positions: The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. The successful candidate will be required to provide Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. To learn more, please visit, Information for Indigenous Applicants. How to Apply and Information You are required to submit a CV and a three-page Suitability Statement addressing the key position capabilities of the relevant position description: Academic Level A | View Position Description Academic Level B I View Position Description Academic Level C I View Position Description For more information regarding this position, we strongly encourage you to please contact Professor Vera Weisbecker. Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Sunday, 12 April 2026. Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted. At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Certification Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm: 12 Apr 2026 At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Flinders. Fearless. Flinders University is a globally focused, locally engaged institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research. Students are at the heart of Flinders – we’re focused on supporting their exceptional learning experience and equipping them with the skills to succeed in life beyond study. Our touchstone is that university life is enjoyable and enriching for all students, and our campuses are energising places for our staff.

It's really cool how we get to watch Australian higher ed crumble in real time. It's not like having a highly-educated populace benefits the nation, or anything 🙃

#AusAcademia #HigherEd #AcademicChatter #AusPol

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/24/australian-university-course-cuts-jobs

Courses within teaching, languages and media among hundreds to be slashed across Australian universities

Vice-chancellors say they’ve been forced to restructure but critics point finger at ‘unaccountable’ university management

The Guardian

ARC Future Fellowships announced today. Grim picture for Quaternary science, with 2 funded projects (by my count, I guess this depends on how you define Quaternary science!).

This graph on gender disparity is quite eye-opening. Women were under-represented in all fields except the humanities, but had higher success rates than men in all fields.

Probably the last round of FFs under the current scheme, it will be interesting to see how this changes under the revised scheme.

#ARC #ARCFF #FutureFellow #AusAcademia

Forest Research Foundation postdoctoral fellowships are open for th 2026 round. 3-yr research positions with housing and research support, can be held at any Western Australian Uni. Open to international applicants.

https://external.jobs.uwa.edu.au/cw/en/job/520197/forrest-research-foundation-postdoctoral-fellowships-2026

#Postdoc #AcademicChatter #AusAcademia

Prospective staff : Jobs at UWA : IN DEVELOPMENT

AINSE PGRA scholarship applications are now open. I was lucky enough to get a PGRA during my PhD (and, later, an ECRG during my last postdoc), and the support was invaluable. Highly recommend applying!

https://www.ainse.edu.au/postgraduate/

#AcademicChatter #AusAcademia

https://soilinsights.com/resources/f/breaking-point-%E2%80%93-the-crisis-in-australian-universities

Good blog on the state of the Australian university system from a former insider. I really like this figure, and its clear suggestions for individuals. (1/2)

#AcademicChatter #HigherEd #AusAcademia

Breaking Point – The Crisis in Australian Universities

Prepared by: Prof John McLean Bennett, CPSS

Soil Insights
Australia’s chief scientist takes on the journal publishers gatekeeping knowledge

Under Dr Cathy Foley’s world-first open access model, all Australians would have access to research papers for free

The Guardian

This is bonkers. Monash threw a party to the tune of $127k to farewell their VC. You'd have thought her $1.37 MILLION dollar salary would be thanks enough.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/05/monash-university-farewell-party-vice-chancellor-margaret-gardner-ngv-cost

#AusAcademia

Monash University criticised over $127,000 farewell party for vice-chancellor while students ‘sit on the floor’

The university held the lavish event at the NGV for Margaret Gardner, now the governor of Victoria

The Guardian