Engagement Australia Conference 2023

When: 20 -22 November 2023
Where: Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus
Time:

• Monday 20 November 8.30am to 4.30pm
• Tuesday 21 November 8am to 4pm
• Wednesday 22 November 9am to 3.30pm

Full Conference Registration
Early Bird Rate: Members $560  |  Non-Members: $760 – Get in quick… Early Bird ends 13 October 2023!
Standard Rate: Members $760 |  Non-Members: $960
Day Rate: Members $320 | Non-Members $400 | Students $160

Social Events
Welcome Reception: Whitlam Institute, Parramatta South Campus Western Sydney University
When: Monday 20 November from 5pm
Individual Ticket: $75

Excellence Awards Dinner: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
When: Tuesday 21 November from 6.30pm
Individual Ticket: $200
Table of 10: $1800

Engaged Universities – The Next 20 Years

As Engagement Australia (EA) proudly celebrates its twenty-year history in 2023, this year’s flagship EA international conference considers what will be the function of universities shaped by a new Accord?

During a time when our society is facing challenges that demand the questioning of dominant values and established ways of being, a reinvigoration of the purpose and function of Australian universities is happening.

Supported through the Accord process, Australia is collectively re-imagining the purpose of higher education where community engagement and work for the public good is front and centre.

The 2023 flagship Engagement Australia international Conference and Awards event will explore this rethinking of purpose for our cherished sector with University leaders and engagement practitioners as well as architects of the Accord process facilitating future scenario planning, plenaries and workshop sessions.

Please join us at Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus 20-22 November 2023.

Keynote Speaker

Johnathan Grant

In search of a social purpose: (re)discovering the role universities in 21^st century society

In a changing world, what is the social purpose of higher education? In this keynote talk Jonathan Grant will draw from his book, The New Power University, to illustrate why a different (or rediscovered) purpose for universities is necessary in the 21st century, through the application of a new set of values that puts social responsibility and impact at the core of the university mission. He will set out his thinking about new power and how the concept is of its time, especially for institutions like universities, and then relate that to education, research and social responsibility. In doing so he will examine the need for universities to contribute to their many communities through equality of access, citizen science and community organising. He will also explore why such agendas are currently adopted in a piecemeal and, at times ‘tokenistic’, fashion including the detrimental role of academic incentives and cultures, government funding, and populist and polarising politics. The talk will conclude by arguing that in embracing new power universities can help reinvigorate their social contract and rediscover their role for the 21st century.

Confirmed Speakers Include:

• Cindy Carpenter – Managing Director, Bread and Butter Project
• Professor Christy Collis – Provost at the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (HERDSA)
• Professor Mark Evans – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Charles Sturt University
• The Hon. Verity Firth – Pro Vice Chancellor Social Justice and Inclusion, University of Technology Sydney and Deputy Chair of Engagement Australia
• Dr Vafa Ghazavi – Executive Director Research and Policy, James Martin Institute
• Paul Harris – Executive Director, Innovative Research Universities
• Professor Leanne Holt – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous UNSW
• Professor Barney Glover, AO, Vice-Chancellor, Western Sydney University
• Jonathan Grant – Director of Different Angles Ltd
• Professor Danielle Logue – Director, Centre for Social Impact, UNSW
• Dolla Merrillees – Director, Western Sydney Creative, Western Sydney University
• Dr Marisol Morales – Executive Director of the Carnegie Elective Classifications
• Tom Nance – Manager, Strategy and Delivery at Western Sydney University
• The Hon. Fiona Nash – Regional Education Commissioner
• Professor Jim Nyland – Dean Students, University of Southern Queensland and Chair, Engagement Australia
• Professor Phil Parker – Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Australian Catholic University
• Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy – Pro Vice Chancellor Engagement and Advancement, Western Sydney University and Director of Engagement Australia
• Chris Ronan – CEO, Country Universities Centre
• Professor Shamit Saggar – Executive Director, National Centre for Student Equity in HE
• Professor Peter Shergold AC – Chief Executive, Centre for Social Impact
• Assoc. Prof. Amanda Tattersall – Associate Professor of Practice with the Sydney Policy Lab and School of Geosciences
• Professor Jessica Vanderlelie – Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, La Trobe University and Director of Engagement Australia

Conference Registration

Sponsorship Opportunities

Become a partner. Build your organisation’s profile with academic and professional staff from Australian and international universities, not-for-profit organisations, and community groups, as well as business and industry associations.
We have a range of partnership and/or sponsorship opportunities available, so that you can choose the opportunity that best suits your marketing strategy and budget. We want to work with you to make your partnership with Engagement Australia a valuable one and welcome tailoring a proposal to your needs.

Accommodation Partners

SKYE Suites Parramatta

3.7km from WSU, Parramatta South Campus
Guest Booking Link: https://reservations.travelclick.com/102176?RatePlanId=7956022
Stay Period Validity: 18-24 Nov 2023
Discount: 20% off best flexible rate

Mercure Sydney Parramatta

2.5km from WSU, Parramatta South Campus
Click Here to make the booking (Client Code: SCP4288599 /  Access Code: EN631AU512)
If you have any issues please contact hotel direct and quote “Engagement Australia Conference” for special rates
Reservation email: h2123@accor.com
Reservation phone: 02 8863 1002 /02 8836 1003

Note: These special rates only apply to Mercure Sydney Parramatta