Advertise on podcast: Reimagining HigherEd

Whose problem are you solving, and what serves student learning? Studiosity founder Jack Goodman records a special solo episode after a week in California: a conversation with cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf at UCLA, then a conference on AI convened by the Association of Marshall Scholars at Stanford Law School, where he moderated a panel on AI in education. Borrowing a question Stanford’s Rob Reich puts to founders, Jack turns it toward universities. Who is deciding which tools reach students, on what evidence, and in whose interest? He sets out what deep reading builds in the brain and why it sits beneath critical thinking, what the research says about cognitive offloading and “cognitive surrender”, why there is no AI literacy without literacy, and what students themselves are saying. He closes with a pathway for leaders: choose technology on evidence from cognitive science, teach responsible use, and validate learning without surveillance that assumes guilt. Referenced: Maryanne Wolf, Reader, Come Home; Rob Reich, Mehran Sahami and Jeremy Weinstein, System Error; Jill Lepore; Anastasia Berg; Kevin Kruse; Sal Khan; E.H. Carr, What is History; the 2026 PISA results. Reimagining the Future of Higher Education is Studiosity’s podcast with leaders across universities and colleges in Australia, the UK, North America, the Middle East and South East Asia.

Brent White, President of Golden Gate University (GGU) joins your host and Studiosity Senior Strategic Advisor, Dr. Nicholas Dirks to share how GGU went from only six months of liquidity and 7,000 students, to being on track to becoming the world's first AI native multilingual global university and supporting over 36,000 students. Brent outlines two bold steps to get there: partnering with institutions abroad to deliver degrees in students' native languages, and equipping every student with hands-on AI readiness for their chosen career. For senior administrators today, Brent's key takeaway is clear: when everyone else is pulling back, that is the moment to lean in, experiment, and build something new.

In this special episode of Reimagining Higher Education, host Prof Judyth Sachs is joined by Professor Tristan Kennedy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Senior Vice President at Monash University. Celebrating the launch of his new book, Nothing About Us Without Us, Prof Kennedy takes us through his remarkable journey from an unengaged undergraduate to one of the leading Indigenous voices in global academia. This episode explores why Monash University choose to move away from its traditional Reconciliation Action Plan in favour of a bespoke Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander framework. Together they also ask what exactly is "colonial load," and how does it manifest in university libraries and boardrooms? And what fundamental shifts are required to finally see an Indigenous Vice-Chancellor at the helm of an Australian university within the next five years? Whether you are a university leader, a student, or an advocate for institutional change, Prof Kennedy's insights on structural representation, as highlighted by his creation of the Monash Indigenous Congress, offer a powerful roadmap for normalising diverse perspectives at the highest levels of university leadership. Nothing About Us, Without Us by Tristan Kennedy is published by Monash University Publishing as part of their In the National Interest essay series.

Ted Mitchell, President of the American Council on Education (ACE) joins host and Studiosity Senior Fellow, Goldie Blumenstyk for a deep dive into the current state of higher education in the U.S., which Goldie refers to as “different than anything I've ever seen in my 36 years of reporting.” They discuss the urgent need to evaluate universities and colleges by civic impact and social mobility rather than post-graduation earnings alone, while identifying policy unpredictability as today's top senior leadership challenge. Warning against the "deceptive easiness" of AI and consequential “watering down” of degree value, Ted explains why faculty must bring the intellectual struggle back into learning by pushing students to interrogate what is wrong with their own arguments.

How can higher education prepare graduates for an era defined by AI, rapid workplace changes, and technological uncertainty? In this Live recording, Studiosity Chief Academic Officer Prof Judyth Sachs hosts a panel of higher education leaders and a student perspective to examine the intersection of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), enduring human capabilities, and responsible AI integration. Discover why institutions are moving away from transient 'skills' lists to focus on adaptive expertise, critical thinking, agentic sense-making, and citizenship. Key Topics Covered: Scaling Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Lessons from Swinburne's universal WIL model and Newcastle's compulsory career-ready placements. Enduring capabilities vs. transient skills: Why adaptive expertise, creativity, curiosity, and good citizenship matter more than short-term technical tool mastery. AI in curriculum & pedagogy: How technology can transform WIL, and why educator capability is the critical first step. The student voice on AI: Why teaching critical thinking, reasoning, and human connection is essential when integrating AI tools into study and practice. Your panel: Prof Judyth Sachs – Chief Academic Officer, Studiosity (Chair) Prof Steven Warburton – Pro Vice-Chancellor Education Innovation, University of Newcastle Prof Ruth Bridgstock – Professor of Education Transformation - Capabilities, Swinburne University of Technology Prof Sherman Young – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, RMIT University Sophia Bell, 5th year law student, University of Newcastle

Former Director of Harvard College Writing Center, Jane Rosenzweig, sits down with Professor Judyth Sachs to explore why writing is far more than just an assignment to grade; rather it is a tool for critical thinking and intellectual discovery, that empowers students to develop their own voice and appreciate the value of thinking for themselves. Drawing on decades of teaching experience, Jane speaks about the role of human connection in learning, whereby teachers and peers go on the journey with a student, something that AI cannot replicate. Jane speaks directly to today’s leaders, urging the sector to slow down to reflect on the core capabilities of future graduates and to ensure technology supports independent thinking and the transformative cognitive struggle, rather than replaces it.

Dr. Jun Salipsip, President of Enderun Colleges in the Philippines, sits down with Prof. Judyth Sachs to reflect on what it means to prepare students for an unpredictable future. Moving beyond traditional lectures, Dr. Salipsip breaks down Enderun’s hands-on approach - from building an "experience bank" of real-world challenges to using inquiry-driven curriculum that teaches students how to think, evaluate bias, and prioritise community over individualism. Reflecting on his journey which he likens to a ‘skipping stone’, and recent American Chamber of Commerce “Icon of Excellence” Award, Jun shares grounded leadership advice for navigating radical disruption: do away with perfectionism, stay curious, and learn continuously.

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, former ACE Board Chair and President Emeritus of Southern New Hampshire University, joins Troy Burnett, SVP and GM of Studiosity, to explore AI impact on trust and public perception within the higher education space, unpacking the policy frameworks necessary to safeguard the inherent value of a degree in an AI-driven landscape.

Can higher education look beyond bureaucracy and rankings to achieve transformative scale? Join Professor Colin Stirling, President and Vice-Chancellor of Flinders University in conversation with your host, Professor Judyth Sachs as they explore purpose-driven leadership and the strategy behind Flinders' bold mission to transform 10 million lives over the next decade. Drawing on his lived experience as a first-in-family student, Prof. Stirling outlines how the university is dismantling barriers for underrepresented communities and prioritising modern assessment models that show genuine learning and adaptability in a digital-first era.

Professor Hany El Kadi, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Liwa University joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate, sharing insights on how senior leaders can navigate assessment, ethics, and student trust in the age of AI. Encouraging a shift toward evaluation that considers the students learning process, Prof El Kadi says "We can no longer assess students the way we have been" and highlights early ethics education over punitive surveillance, reminding leaders "We are educators, we are not policemen". In a time when information is available instantly, this conversation serves as a reminder for universities to come back to their core mission: guiding student learning while nurturing irreplaceable interpersonal skills and human connections.

Dr. Nicholas Dirks, former Chancellor of UC Berkeley, President and CEO of New York Academy of Sciences, and Studiosity Academic Advisory Board member joins Prof. Judyth Sachs for a thought-provoking conversation exploring the role of leaders and educators in adapting pedagogy to spark curiosity in students and stay relevant amid rapid change. Drawing on decades of leadership, Dr. Dirks discusses key pressures reshaping the sector: rising tuition that has outpaced demonstrated value; the squeeze on humanities and liberal arts, even as Nick argues AI makes critical thinking and ethical reasoning more essential; and a culture of credentialism that discourages curiosity well before students reach university. As he reflects, institutions never set out to build "a Maserati or a Bentley" and yet that’s what has happened. A valuable listen for leaders rethinking their university's future.

His Excellency Dr. Mansoor Alawar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) joins host, Dr. Ashraf Mahate to discuss the transformation of higher education in the UAE, emphasising the shift from knowledge transmission to fostering critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and lifelong learning. Seeing AI as a transformation engine, H.E. Dr. Alawar shares his forward-thinking vision, urging senior leaders to rethink their institution’s value proposition, assessment methods, and operational structures in an era where knowledge is abundant, accessible, and rapidly changing. Hear how HBMSU puts this into practice with continuous assessment that evaluates the students' learning process - through early drafts, reasoning, and decision-making - not just the final product.

"What are we building the future of our students on? Is it on a solid foundation or is it on a deck of cards that can fall at any change in the wind?" In this latest episode, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Polytechnic, joins host Dr. Ashraf Mahate to explore how universities can uphold academic integrity and degree value through critical thinking, responsible AI integration, and strong industry partnerships. Highlighting his "3 Cs" framework, Prof. Ó Catháin details a practical model for linking education with industry, giving graduates both the immediate job-ready skills and long-term career adaptability to thrive.

Host Dr Ashraf Mahate recently sat down with Abu Dhabi University's Vice Chancellor for AI and Operational Excellence, Dr Hamad Odhabi, for a chat about how he sees the current and future state of Higher Education. They discussed: Strategies for maintaining academic credibility by evaluating the incremental process of learning rather than relying solely on final assignment submissions. The evolution of higher education from traditional lecture models toward interactive, evidence-based learning journeys in the age of generative AI. Abu Dhabi University’s structured AI initiatives, including faculty AI certification, graduate attribute tracking, and personalized support for at-risk students. Why physical campuses, human mentorship, and real-world industry collaboration remain irreplaceable in developing human capability.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of Austin Community College (ACC) joins host Prof. Judyth Sachs for an insightful, practical conversation on overcoming bureaucracy to put students back at the center of higher education. They discuss: Building systems for students: Dr. Lowery-Hart assumed student dropouts were driven by pedagogical gaps. Listening to students revealed the real hurdles occurred outside the classroom. Frontline empowerment: In a complex system that defaults to telling stakeholders “no”, ACC intentionally redesigned its operations to enable frontline staff to fix broken processes without needing multi-layered approvals. Scaling human interaction, not automation: ACC is embracing AI to provide a more responsive, personalized learning environment that enhances proactive outreach and human connection the moment a student begins to struggle.