Higher Education Women in Leadership Summit 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact 

- Explore emerging technologies for education

- AI concepts and terminology

- Identify personal and AI system bias  

Critically evaluate information 

- Understand data collection methods used by AI systems

- Question effectively to filter information

- Recognise potential privacy and ethical concerns 

Practical application of AI in Higher Education 

- Identify suitable tasks to utilise the power of AI

- Implement a more efficient way of working 

- Measure effectiveness of adapted AI tools 

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep dives, and unmissable panel discussions.

Recent years have highlighted the constant evolution in the higher education landscape. As leaders, faculty and staff look to you for guidance, stability, and direction during times of transition. Join Nicole as she discusses effective strategies for steering through substantial change, sharing insights on how she led with vision, maintained clarity, and achieved institutional goals.

- Embracing change as an opportunity for growth

- Understand the process of organisational change

- Understand how people respond to change

Strong stakeholder engagement is pivotal in the academic sector, where successful outcomes rely on transparent communication and collaboration across diverse groups. Dominique has over 35 years of leadership experience in educational innovation and program delivery, and in this session she explores the essential skill of stakeholder communication, and offers insights into building trust and navigating the complexities of academic relationships.

- Foster engagement with faculty, students, and external partners

- Identify and prioritise key stakeholder groups

- Develop comprehensive communication strategies for academic initiatives

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

We live in a world of information overload, where constant competing demands on our attention have made work overload, and decision fatigue an increasingly widespread issue. Recognising the sources of work overload is crucial, but it's also important to learn strategies to reduce the cognitive load that accompanies it, so you can make great decisions while performing under pressure. Join Karen as she shares practical tips for identifying and managing your work overload stressors.

- Explore the neuroscience of working memory and attention.

- Understand the importance of monitoring your mental energy level

- Practice a relaxation technique to reduce stress and get your cognitive energy back

Your passion plays a crucial role in shaping your identity, serving as a compass to keep you sailing true on your leadership journey. By aligning our actions with our passion, we create a path towards our purpose, paving the way for us to make a positive impact on society. In this session, Michelle shares insights from her remarkable career, connecting her passion for regional education with possibility, and the power of creating meaningful moments for people. 

- Define your vision

- Build your career around your passion, strengths, and personal goals

- Smashing though barriers and achieving success

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

People don't work for organisations, they work for leaders. High turnover rates can be costly and disruptive, and negatively impact culture, so the ability to attract, develop and retain top talent is vital for success. This panel brings together top leaders from across the sector to uncover the impact you can have as a leader, and how to create a culture where people want to stay and thrive.

- Local strategies for creating an environment that promotes longevity

- Align your values and culture

- Tackling the pressures of doing more with less 

In a demanding sector like higher education, it's easy to overlook personal interests, which can ultimately impact our overall well-being. Join Claire as she shares insights and actionable steps for balancing personal passions, raising her family and tackling a leadership role.

- Connect with diverse social circles to enrich your perspective

- Gain valuable skills that enhance your professional capabilities outside of work

- Dedicate time to personal interests

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

76% of people cite the importance of mentorship, but only 37% currently have a mentor. Mentorship is often celebrated as a pathway to growth, but is it always as impactful as it seems? Jenny will give a thought-provoking talk exploring the benefits, challenges, and realities of mentorship, sponsorship and other forms of support for leadership growth. Explore some practical insights on how to navigate and improve these relationships for meaningful personal and professional development.

- Gain personalised feedback to refine your skills

- Learn from someone who has already walked the path

- Build confidence by seeing your progress from a new perspective

Join us for our end of day one networking. Enjoy canapés and drinks whilst getting to know your peers further, build ongoing relationships, and share your highlights of the day.

Welcome back for Day Two - there's a lot to digest from our amazing speakers and action modules so far!

Recap the key learnings and takeaways from Day One, and prep an action plan to maximise your event experience over our jam-packed second day!

How can universities better support their staff in a rapidly evolving environment? What steps can be taken to improve supervision, reduce casualisation, and offer meaningful career support? And how can flexibility be redefined to benefit all? Pip draws on her experience championing the implementation of the People Strategy 2023-2030 at the University of Melbourne to explore practical strategies to tackle these key areas, ensuring university staff are empowered, supported, and equipped to thrive.

- Supervision that enables growth and engagement

- Decasualisation to build stability and career progression

- Diversity, equity and inclusion and building social cohesion

Throughout her career Sarah has always seized the opportunities that have been presented to her. As an innovative industry leader, she encourages others to seek out and step through doors that have been opened for them. At Monash, Sarah's passion lies in creating these opportunities for others, empowering them to reach their full potential.

- Empower individuals to take ownership of their career paths and ambitions

- Build strong professional networks that open doors for growth

- Create an environment where opportunities are accessible to all

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

As leaders we are continuously looking for ways to improve, better understand our teams, and increase engagement. By understanding the principles of behavioural science, leaders can create environments that foster employee success, productivity, and satisfaction. In this expert session, Leanne Elich unpacks the key biases of behavioural science that you can use to enhance your leadership skills. 

- Uncover tools and strategies to overcome barriers through the lens of behavioural science

- Explore employee motivations and help your team reach self-actualization

- Develop habits that put trust and psychological safety at the core of leading

In the evolving landscape of higher education, leadership approaches that foster collaboration and advance equity are essential, something Julie Cogin knows all too well. As a distinguished industry leader, Provost and DVC at ACU, and an AFR/Westpac “Woman of Influence,” Julie focuses on creating inclusive environments where every voice is valued. In this session she explores how collaboration and shared success are at the heart of driving positive organisational outcomes.

- Build a culture of equity through collaboration

- Empower teams by valuing diverse contributions

- Lead with a focus on inclusive, purpose-driven outcomes

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Technology is transforming the world all around us, from paying for coffee with a watch and online banking on our phones, to students accessing course materials on tablets and virtual classrooms becoming standard. The integration of technology in education is undeniable, with tools like ChatGPT frequently entering the conversation. But what does this mean for the future of higher education? How can you, as a leader, stay current and embrace our ever-changing technological landscape?

- Recognise the importance of data-driven decisions

- Understand the benefits and considerations of technological advances

- Embrace emerging technology trends in education

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

Flinders University has opened the doors to its new city campus, marking a significant milestone in its continued growth. The successful launch of this campus required strong leadership, clear vision, and the ability to navigate the complexities of expansion and relocation. In this session, Romy, who played a role in this achievement, shares insights, highlighting the power of trusting and empowering your team. As a leader, you never succeed alone, and Romy emphasises the importance of lifting up those around you.

- Empower your team to navigate transitions confidently

- Build trust and create a culture of support

- Lead with collaboration to drive meaningful outcomes

We wrap up our inspirational and jam packed two days with this interactive closing round table. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Reflecting on the inspiring stories that have been shared, discussing your key learnings with your peers, and creating your action plan for moving forward.

- Reflect on your key learnings from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Leadership foundations for women in Higher Education

- Defining your strengths and key development areas

- Understand where you are in your career journey

- Establish your goals for leadership progression

Change management in a hybrid environment

- The VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous)

- Tertiary Education challenges in a VUCA world

- Responding to pressure in positions of management

Managing people's performance

- Performance conversations in an academic context

- Explore four primary principles for managing performance 

- Provide feedback that drives engagement and collaboration

- Utilise coaching models for goal setting and performance management

High level communication, influence and negotiation

- Develop your communication strategy - style, structure and substance

- Stakeholder engagement 

- Know your audience’s expectations 

- Effectively managing up and how important it is to do it differently in academia

Conversations that build trust to communicate your vision 

- Communication skills to maximise influence

- Understand other people's motivations and emotions

- Manage emotions for positive and assertive communication and relationships

- Trusting yourself and your decisions as a professional 

Strategic thinking and career progression

- Unpack practical takeaways and build a personalised action plan 

- Workshop key skills and strategies to implement back in the office

- Share approaches to move your career forward