Claire Field

@clairefield

Writes about: higher education, vocational education and training, international education and GenAI/EdTech

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Claire Field@clairefield· 27d

🙏 @osmanfaruqi.bsky.social for your interview with Yasmine Johnson after her evidence to the Royal Commission: "There is something deeply sick and harmful happening in this world, and it’s not opposition to genocide. It’s the genocide itself." www.lamestream.com.au/an-inside-ac...

Image of Yasmine Johnson giving evidence to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

Claire Field@clairefield· Jul 5

And the second was when he acknowledged he should have been more familiar with NSW’s ICAC and its powers/the responsibility of public agencies to report corruption

“ Were you aware as at that stage who the principal officer of the University of Wollongong was whose job it would have been to report potential corruption to this body, do you know?---Probably not, no, no. It’s, it’s not a framework that I’m familiar with, to be honest.
I understand.---Yeah. I should have been, but, yeah.”

Claire Field@clairefield· Jul 5

It was truly astonishing - including on these 2 exchanges. The first is Prof Dewar being shown evidence he’d used a personal email account to forward a UoW document to his KordaMentha email address (& then on to his KM boss)

“ If we could just please go down to page 18 you'll see there in this draft that Ms White sent you the panel and the vendor was TBC.---Yep.
If we could then please go to page 27 in the same volume. You’ll see here somehow this document has got to your personal account and you've forwarded it to your KordaMentha account.---Oh, okay.

And if we just go over the page to page 28 the attachment is the same
document I just took you to.---Yep.

Do you recall why you did that?---No.

If we go then to page 33. You will see that you forwarded again the same
document, this time from your KordaMentha email account to Ms
Rothschild.---Yeah.

You’ve said to her, “Attached is a proposed scope of a review for the UOW HR function. They’re thinking of extending the KM engagement to include this piece of work. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on the draft scope,” et cetera. Do you see that?---Yes.”

Claire Field@clairefield· Jun 25

The latest episode of What now? What next? is out & my guest is Prof. Michelle Trudgett, DVC, Indigenous Leadership at @westernsydneyu.bsky.social explaining what is & isn't working for Indigenous students & staff. Out now in your podcast feed or listen online: whatnowwhatnext.buzzsprout.com

What now? What next? podcast cover image

Claire Field@clairefield· Jun 17

Just seen this piece now and it's a very forceful argument - especially this conclusion:

"Parties like One Nation, MAGA, Reform in the UK and AfD in Germany acknowledge the reality of economic failure, but they present economic inequality as a cultural not economic problem. The far-right says the fundamental cause of economic misery is cultural elites, immigrants, welfare recipients and other marginalised groups, and construct an “in-group identity” centred on whiteness and maleness. They promise to restore pride, status, and dignity to the in-group voters who feel humiliated by the system and alienated by the rhetoric of progressive, inner-city elites."

Claire Field@clairefield· Jun 4

And here's one of the leaders behind it - UQ's Prof. @jasonmlodge.bsky.social surrounded by educators at the EDUtechAU conference this morning eager to get their hands on a hard copy of the statement (& yes I think we all appreciate the irony of a hard copy of a statement on AI!)

Claire Field@clairefield· May 14

If you missed today's hearing of the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into university governance then you missed the powerful, courageous evidence of Felix Hughes, President of the NUS 💪 University leaders appear tomorrow - livestreamed at: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/events/heari...

Screenshot of Hughes giving evidence to the inquiry

Claire Field@clairefield· May 11

And 2 Australian National University council members have resigned claiming TEQSA has taken “complete control” of the council through “coercive, unlawful threats” (ie while TEQSA’s investigating the council’s conduct it’s bringing in an independent ex-VC to lead the Chancellor recruitment process)

“
Two members of the Australian National University’s governing council have quit in the aftermath of outgoing chancellor Julie Bishop’s shock resignation, adding to accusations of a power grab by the higher education regulator.
Former chief justice of Western Australia Wayne Martin, KC, and Indigenous leader Tanya Hosch resigned from the 15-person council at the weekend amid rising criticism that the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency overreached by intervening in the recruitment process for the next chancellor.
ANU chancellor Julie Bishop resigned last week, citing regulatory overreach. Alex Ellinghausen
Former foreign minister Bishop stepped down last week over a dispute about the regulator’s intervention, following a tumultuous period at the helm of the troubled institution.
In his resignation letter, Martin accused TEQSA of taking “complete control” of the governing body through “coercive, unlawful threats”.
“It follows from the council’s continuing abdication of the fundamental governance responsibilities expressly imposed upon the council by the ANU Act, at the behest of demands made by TEQSA … that I can no longer serve on the council,” it read.
“I sincerely hope that you and the council are able to mitigate the damage which has been done to the reputation and standing of a great university by unidentified malicious actors within either the council or staff of the university or quite possibly both.
“However, achievement of that worthy objective will be much harder now that the council has allowed TEQSA to unlawfully usurp council’s role in the governance of the university.”
Martin joined the council during Bishop’s tenure as one of seven ministerially appointed members. The council is responsible for appointing the chancellor and pro-chancellor, as well as ensuring the effective management of the institution.
TEQSA intervened following months of turmoil at the university, marked by concerns over governance, internal culture and leadership.
A vol…

Claire Field@clairefield· May 11

Governance issues continue to plague the Australian tertiary education sector with ICAC continuing its investigation into the University of Wollongong

“The NSW anti-corruption watchdog has launched an investigation into alleged corrupt conduct at the University of Wollongong, attending its campus and issuing a summons to its former interim vice chancellor.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has been probing allegations for months against current and former senior officials at the university.
The University of Wollongong is under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
A letter from the ICAC seen by the Herald confirms it is “currently investigating” allegations of corrupt conduct at the university. The document, which sets out details of a complaint made by a university whistleblower, refers to the watchdog’s “ongoing investigatory work” relating to the university.
While the letter was sent in 2025, the Heraldcan reveal that last month the ICAC successfully applied to the NSW Supreme Court to issue a summons to appear before an examination into the university’s former interim vice chancellor and the former chairman of Universities Australia, John Dewar.
The summons was necessary because Dewar lives in Victoria. The Herald does not suggest Dewar is accused of any wrongdoing in the ICAC’s investigation, only that he is being called as a witness.
However, confirmation that the watchdog is investigating one of NSW’s largest universities outside Sydney comes at a time of extreme turmoil for the tertiary sector. It follows evidence heard at a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the university sector of allegations of conflicts of interest in its use of consultants.
In December, the committee heard evidence that a long-serving university employee, Lisa Simmons, had been granted whistleblower protection after she flagged suspected corrupt conduct with the ICAC. Those allegations, which included alleged conflicts of interest at senior levels, were made alongside a claim that “accountability structures” had been “purposefully weakened” and internal criticism silenced.
The inquiry also heard al…

Claire Field@clairefield· May 8

The Canberra Times is reporting that Julie Bishop has resigned as the Chancellor of the ANU www.canberratimes.com.au/story/924227...

Claire Field@clairefield· May 7

🙏 TAFE Directors Australia for the opportunity to be a part of an important discussion on student equity & AI Thanks also to panellists: - Alice Wong (TAFE SA) - Marjan Ghowm Ali (TasTAFE & University of Tasmania) - Conor Mullan (Chisholm Institute) - Saxon Rice (ASQA)

Image of panellists on the conference stage

Claire Field@clairefield· May 5

The latest episode of the podcast is out & it was a privilege to speak with @ieaa.bsky.social board member Rishen Shekhar on what’s happening in international education and where the sector should head next whatnowwhatnext.buzzsprout.com

Claire Field@clairefield· May 4

I think TEQSA's decision to accept a voluntary undertaking from the ANU to establish an independent panel to recruit the university's new Chancellor was the right one (and that was before new governance issues emerged over the weekend) clairefield.com.au/balancing-un...

Claire Field@clairefield· Apr 21

The latest episode of the podcast is out - a fascinating conversation with QUT's @kevinashfordrowe.bsky.social & OES' Erin Jancauskas about assuring learning & fulfilling student aspiration in the era of AI Find it in your favourite podcast app or listen online: whatnowwhatnext.buzzsprout.com

Cover image for the 'What now? What next? Insights into Australia's tertiary education sector' podcast

Claire Field@clairefield· Mar 26

Three recent re-registration decisions by the Australian Skills Quality Authority have me concerned their new audit model is failing. The providers are a dual-sector university & 2 private providers, all in different states, so it‘s not one auditor making errors clairefield.com.au/is-asqas-sel...

Screenshot of the webpage the post is on (because I can’t get the link to display properly on Bluesky)

Claire Field@clairefield· Mar 13

Some thoughts on Minister Clare’s announcement of a National Credit Recognition Framework (& the need for changes to the Job-ready Graduates funding): clairefield.com.au/some-thought...

Table showing revenues universities earn from domestic & international undergraduate business students granted credit for VET study vs direct entry:
Domestic student direct entry (3 years tuition fees) $56,145
Domestic student with 1 year credit (2 years fees) $37,430 (less some extra admin costs for credit determination)
International student direct entry (3 years fees) $145,200 (less student recruitment costs)
International student with 1 year credit (2 years fees) $96,800 (no recruitment fees, some extra admin costs for credit determination)

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 23

If you missed Friday’s free international education webinar with Dirk Mulder and Tracy Harris - you can watch the replay here: clairefield.com.au/internationa...

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 17

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism@Uni study has been released and its findings are incredibly confronting… “racism is deeply embedded across Australian universities and has profound impacts on students and staff.” humanrights.gov.au/about-us/med...

Summary

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released findings from the Racism@Uni Study.
More than 76,000 students and staff from 42 universities across the country participated in the Study.
The Study findings reveal particularly high rates of racism are experienced by students and staff from First Nations, African, Asian, Jewish, Māori, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Palestinian and Pasifika backgrounds.
The findings also show high rates of racism experienced by international students.
The report titled Respect at Uni: Study into Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and the experience of First Nations people makes 47 recommendations to Government and universities.

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 15

Such a pleasure to be joined on the podcast by one of Australia's leaders in higher education - Melbourne Uni's Prof. Michael Wesley on what's happening in domestic and international higher education. Out now in your favourite podcast app or listen online: whatnowwhatnext.buzzsprout.com

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 12

Really concerning data in the latest survey of the psychological health/safety of Australian university staff: 82% of 11,477 respondents ranked high or very high on levels of emotional exhaustion & 71% report working more than their contracted/paid hours. Full details at: stresscafe.net/census/

Survey results for individual universities ranked from best (ie lowest levels of psychosocial risk) to worst. Percentage of respondents reporting low psychosocial risk:
Charles Darwin Uni 36%
UQ 30%
UNSW 28%
Federation Uni 28%
University of Sydney 24%
Deakin 24%
UniSA 23%
Curtin 23%
RMIT 22%
Monash 21%
Canberra 21%
UWA 19%
Murdoch 19%
Melbourne 18%
VU 17%
UNE 17%
ACU 16%
UTas 16%
Swinburne 16%
CSU 16%
Griffith 16%
Uni of Adelaide 15%
ECU 15%
WSU 14%
Uni Sunshine Coast 14%
La Trobe 13%
James Cook 13%
QUT 13%
Macquarie 13%
Flinders 12%
Wollongong 9%
ANU 8%
UTS 8%
Notre Dame Australia 7%
USQ 5%
Newcastle 5%

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 10

There’s been such a lot happening in Australian international education - I’m really looking forward to this upcoming webinar with Tracy Harris and Dirk Mulder to work through it all - Friday 20 February 12.30pm AEDT. Register for free at: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Image promoting the upcoming international education webinar

Claire Field@clairefield· Feb 2

The power of an image (from the NYT) - the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Palestine opens - and all you can see are all the ambulances queuing up to get through…

Claire Field@clairefield· Jan 29

The podcast has been on an extended summer break (sorry!) but it’s back - with details on what the sector thinks of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission legislation - mostly supportive but lots of changes recommended Listen online or in your fav podcast app: whatnowwhatnext.buzzsprout.com

Claire Field@clairefield· Jan 20

I’ve taken a look at providers delivering training for the care sector. What I found was deeply worrying - here’s some of the key findings: www.linkedin.com/posts/claire...?

The analysis of providers the regulator has recently expressed confidence in and those currently seeking to have their registration renewed (and therefore should be wanting to look their best) examined all 60 providers fitting these criteria. It found:
- 16 have incorrect website details on the national training register and/or don’t currently have working websites
- 8 do not have details of the Certificate III qualification on their website
- there are enormous differences in the specified duration of training for this Certificate (which contains 15 units of competency and includes 3 weeks mandatory workplacement) - from 8 weeks to 102 weeks, and
- 3 providers had no details of course duration on their websites despite this being mandatory for compliance with the 2025 Standards for RTOs.

If a sizeable number of providers that the regulator is currently checking or has recently checked are getting these basic things wrong - how well are they preparing people to work with sensitivity and professionalism in this critical sector?

Claire Field@clairefield· Dec 20

Deeply thoughtful, balanced, and honest reflections from former @canberratimes.bsky.social editor Jack Waterford

This one's on Netanyahu, not Albanese
Jack Waterford

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/9137835/jack-waterford-tensions-rise-bondi-terrorism-jewish-safety/

Claire Field@clairefield· Dec 15

Today the Financial Review has a different story on a student making a compliant of harassment against a lecturer. Both stories reinforce the need for universities, university colleges and other providers to have strong complaints handling & investigation processes: www.afr.com/work-and-car...

This is a screenshot of the article - there is a gift link in the post and on the AFR website an audio version of the article is available (and it’s actually longer than the printed version I screenshotted from the paper)

Claire Field@clairefield· Dec 14

The work of the @jewishcouncilau.bsky.social over the last 2 years has been incredible - exemplifying decency, kindness, courage and compassion. The shooting this evening at Bondi is almost incomprehensible - and again the Council responds with love

“In moments like this, we hold each other close

We are horrified and shaken in the wake of the mass shooting at a Chanukah event in Bondi this evening, which has left at least ten people dead and injured many more.

This is the first night of Chanukah when we gather with loved ones and friends to light the Chanukiah. Many within our community have just received the worst news of their lives. Others are caring for injured loved ones, and some are still waiting to hear that their families are safe.

To be confronted with this horrific act of antisemitic violence during the Jewish festival of light and hope is shattering. In moments like this, we hold each other close.

We should all be able to gather with our communities, practice our culture, and worship in safety.

Our hearts are with our friends, family, fellow community members and everyone impacted by this terrifying event.

In love and solidarity,
Jewish Council of Australia“

Claire Field@clairefield· Dec 14

The pdf of all the correspondence (which can be read out loud is available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Senate_estimates/ee/2025-26_Supplementary_Budget_estimates Search for SQ25-000637

Claire Field@clairefield· Dec 14