Theme - BRAVE

While we want to preserve the deep values of universities – well-rounded graduates, collegiality, discovery and creation of new knowledge – this is a moment when educational institutions need to be brave. Emerging from the pandemic, the comfort of the familiar pulls us strongly to rebuild what previously existed. The true opportunity, though, is in creating a new future. The avalanche has happened: it's time to be brave. Brave is about acknowledging the risks – and moving forward anyway. Stepping up, taking a leadership role, asking the awkward questions. Brave is about the lessons learned and the fresh opportunities: what would you do differently if you were brave? The ATEM 2023 conference challenges you to be brave in thought and deed: to explore insightful concepts; to undertake rigorous research and reflection in your professional field; to generate innovative solutions to bold issues. Want to know more about Brave...

Keynote and invited speakers

Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa

Keynote speaker – Wednesday morning

Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa is the Vice-Chancellor of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

Damon is a prize-winning scholar, specialising in history, society, and politics in New Zealand and the other Pacific Islands. After obtaining his MA with First Class Honours at the University of Auckland, he completed his doctoral studies at University of Oxford, UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and serves on their council.

Damon is the author and editor of many academic articles and books including Island Time: New Zealand’s Pacific Futures and Racial Crossings: Race, Intermarriage and the Victorian British Empire, which won the international Ernest Scott Prize in 2012.

He has been Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland, where he was also Co- Head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies). He worked at the University of Michigan for 10 years, including in roles as Director of the Asian Pacific Islander American Studies Program and as an Associate Professor in the History Department and Program in American Culture.

Damon retains strong connections to many of Auckland’s communities, especially in South Auckland. A passionate teacher and educator, he has been an innovator at the interface between schools and universities. Hehas been an important leader and supporter of the work of schools through pedagogy, curriculum and governance leadership roles in education, research, and community.

Craig Foster AM

Keynote speaker – Thursday morning

Former Socceroos captain, award-winning sports broadcaster, and outspoken advocate for social justice and human rights: Craig Foster knows all about BRAVE. Craig will help us explore what bravery looks like in modern times, how can we build systems that move bravely towards positive change, and how individuals can make a difference.

Craig is the NSW Australian of the Year 2023. He holds honorary and advisory positions with several non-profits, charities, sporting bodies and government agencies. He works across a vast range of social programs touching on Indigenous rights and self-determination, homelessness, domestic violence, climate action, gender equality and multiculturalism. He is particularly well known for his refugee advocacy.

Craig holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Central Queensland University, and a master’s degree in international sports management and a postgraduate degree in football management from the Johan Cruyff Institute. He is an Adjunct Professor of Sport and Social Responsibility with Torrens University.

Arrangements for Craig Foster’s appearance at ATEM 2023 were made through Celebrity Speakers www.celebrityspeakers.com.au

Dr Amantha Imber

Keynote speaker – Friday afternoon

Dr Amantha Imber is an organisational psychologist and founder of behavioural science consultancy Inventium. She co-created the Australian Financial Review’s Most Innovative Companies list and the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work list, and has worked with companies such as Google, Apple, Disney, LEGO, and Atlassian.

In 2019 Amantha was named as one of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. In 2021, she won the Thinkers50 Innovation Award, described by the Financial Times as the ‘Oscars for Management Thinking’.

Amantha hosts the number one ranking business podcast How I Work, where she interviews some of the world’s most successful people about their habits, strategies, and rituals. Her thoughts have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Entrepreneur and Fast Company. She has written best-selling books on creativity, innovation and productivity.

Jacyl Shaw

Conference Catalyst

With 20+ years’ experience across industry, government and higher education, Jacyl Shaw is head of strategy and business development at Menzies Foundation.

Prior roles include global director of innovation, higher education strategic adviser, corporate lawyer and Supreme Court Judges’ Associate. Jacyl holds a BA, LLB, LLM and a Masters (Enterprise). She is recipient of numerous scholarships and awards including Universitas 21 Scholarship (2016) to study innovation precincts and Microsoft Executive of the Year (2019) in the Women in Digital Awards.

An accomplished MC, speaker and facilitator, Jacyl is passionate about making complexity accessible through creative storytelling.

Social events

Welcome Reception

To round out your first day at ATEM 2023, join the organisers and VIPs for a welcome reception in the Science Gallery on the ground floor of Melbourne Connect.

5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday 11 October 2023
Science Gallery, Ground Floor, Melbourne Connect