CONSTELLATION
Student Partnership
Resilient Partnership: Strategy and Impact in Uncertain Times
Monday 29 June 2026 · 10:30am – 12:00pm AEST · Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort · Included in full registration
In an era marked by disruption and volatility, the imperative for sustainable, strategic, and impactful student-staff partnerships has never been greater. This session explores how universities can move beyond tokenistic engagement to foster genuine, values-based partnerships with students—partnerships that are resilient, future-focused, and capable of driving meaningful change.
Drawing on recent sector insights, we’ll examine how student voice, when authentically embedded, becomes a catalyst for innovation and institutional agility. We’ll discuss the importance of co-design and co-creation, where students are not just consulted but are active partners in shaping strategy, culture, and outcomes. The session will highlight practical frameworks for ensuring student representation is both broad and deep, reaching beyond governance committees into classrooms, services, and the everyday student experience.
We’ll also address the challenges of sustaining partnership in times of uncertainty: building trust, supporting student leaders, and ensuring continuity and corporate memory. Join us to share best practice, identify gaps, and reimagine student-staff partnership as a strategic asset—one that strengthens our institutions and empowers all students to contribute to a thriving, adaptive university community.
Co-convenors
Dr Alison Jaquet
Director (Support for Learning), University of Southern Queensland
Dr Alison Jaquet is Director, Support for Learning, at the University of Southern Queensland and has over 20 years of tertiary sector experience across academic and professional roles. She is a champion of student partnership and has experience in student engagement, widening participation, and staff development.
Megan Pozzi
Director (Student Life), University of Southern Queensland
Megan is the Director (Student Life) at the University of Southern Queensland. She leads a diverse portfolio of student facing functions and supports the governance and co-ordination of Student Voice Australasia. She has 15 years’ experience working across the secondary and tertiary education sector and is an award winning speaker, educator and researcher focussed on creating engaging, accessible and equitable learning experiences with and for students.
Kate Walsh
Senior Coordinator, Student Representation and Partnerships, Flinders University
Kate Walsh is the Senior Coordinator, Student Representation and Partnerships at Flinders University. She has extensive experience in student engagement nationally, including as the inaugural Project Manager for Student Voice Australia and currently as the Staff Co-Convenor of the Student Voice Australasia Operational Committee. Her focus is on harnessing the power of student partnership and representation to transform higher education and the student experience.