We are excited to announce the following Keynote Sessions as part of the 2026 Conference
Student success in ruptured times: Where to now?
Professor Kerri-Lee Krause
Chief Commissioner,
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
Professor Krause (PhD, GAICD PFHEA, FSRHE) is an experienced higher education leader having held senior executive roles across several Australian universities, including Provost – Victoria University, DVC Academic – La Trobe University, DVC Student Life – The University of Melbourne, and Vice-Chancellor – Avondale University. Combining regulatory and governance expertise with strategic executive leadership, Kerri-Lee has a track record as an experienced non-executive board director with a deep commitment to governance quality and transparency.
Commencing as Chief Commissioner, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency in 2025, she previously served as Chair of the Higher Education Standards Panel, advising respective Education Ministers on quality and standards for almost a decade. Professor Krause specialises in leading agile organisational reform with learners and cultural transformation at the heart. Author of ‘Learner-centred leadership in higher education: A practical guide’, she is internationally recognised for her higher education policy research, bringing a practical lens to contemporary leadership and curriculum challenges while championing quality, integrity, innovation and accountability.
Student Success Panel
In 2026, the Student Success Panel is about exploring the value of a university degree and the importance of embedding career development learning – not just in terms of strengthening employment outcomes, but in how university study shapes who you are, the opportunities and connections you build, the capabilities, skills, and mindsets you develop, and the pathways and directions you begin to navigate for your future as a result of the experience.
We often talk about university as a direct pathway to a job, but the reality is far more complex. Careers today are rarely linear – they’re dynamic and evolving. Gen Z students are projected to have up to 16 to 18 jobs across 4 to 7 different career pathways. By 2030, around 39% of tasks in the average job are expected to change or be displaced, and ongoing learning and re-learning will be a central feature of working life.
At the same time, the way people think about careers is shifting. Today’s professionals are placing greater emphasis on mastery, flexibility, and pursuing work that offers purpose and meaning – not just stability or status.
So, in the context of these changes – shifting career patterns, evolving skill demands, and changing expectations – how can university study better prepare graduates to navigate their careers across the lifespan? Not just to secure a job at graduation, but to build and sustain careers that are adaptable, meaningful, and fulfilling over time.
Host
William Wragg
Senior Manager
Career Education & Inala University Study Hub (IUSH) | Support for Learning
UniSQ
William Wragg is a career development and equity practitioner and educational leader, motivated by a commitment to supporting individuals and communities to craft and sustain meaningful lives. His practice centres on purpose, meaning, wellbeing, and equity. He prides himself on designing holistic, integrated learning solutions, as well as counselling and coaching approaches informed by his broad curiosities. William also has a strong interest in leadership, with a passion for leading teams through vulnerability, and with health, happiness, and empathy as central tenets.
Native Tea Making Workshop
Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Cost: $40 (book as part of your registration)
Join with the traditional owners of the beautiful Gubbi Gubbi Country for a hands-on tea-making workshop where we explore the art and culture of tea blending using native Australian ingredients. This immersive experience invites participants to connect with traditional knowledge and the healing properties of bush plants.
During the session, you’ll:
- Learn about native herbs like lemon myrtle, anise myrtle, and peppermint gum
- Discover the cultural significance and health benefits of bush teas
- Blend your own unique tea using locally sourced native botanicals
- Take home your personalised tea blend and recipe card
This workshop is a wonderful way to slow down, connect with Country, and enjoy a sensory journey through taste, aroma, and storytelling.