Higher Education Women in Leadership Summit 2024

Raising Artificial Intelligence (AI) awareness

- The importance of emerging technology education

- AI fundamentals - common terminologies explained

- Checking facts and busting myths 

Identifying challenges and opportunities

- Understand AI bias and its implication

- Privacy and ethical concerns 

- Exploring real-world examples and future trends

Cultivating critical thinking skills

- Effectively questioning and filtering information

- Intellectual curiosity and creative problem solving

- Empower your team to make informed decisions

Action plan for future-ready leadership

- How to identify a project suitable for AI

- Road-map to measure student and research success

- Embrace the potential of AI in personalised learning

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep dives, and unmissable panel discussions.

The evolution of the higher ed landscape calls for all educators, managers and leaders to explore new strategies and insights, ensuring that our educational systems remain at the forefront of progress and relevance in the years to come. Hear from Prof Venville, an accomplished leader whose central belief is that high quality education serves not only for human development but also for a healthy and peaceful society.

- Strategising talent acquisition and retention

- Mastering the virtuous cycle of transparent leadership

- Foreseeing new roles in an ever-evolving environment

As architects of educational pathways, you share a commitment to shaping an inclusive and empowering space for all current and future Indigenous professionals. Join Prof Shannon in this impactful session as we explore strategies that honor cultural diversity and provide equitable opportunities. The journey that we embark on today will resonate with generations of leaders to come.

- The importance of representation as an empowerment tool

- Attracting and retaining talent

- Uncover the power that lies in diversity and inclusion

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

Today, we embark on a journey that explores possibilities beyond our 9-5, aiming to find a work-life balance, but most importantly, to encourage a mindful integration of personal passions with our professional development. Hear from Suneeti as she shares her own experiences and reflects on the importance of nurturing your passions beyond professional boundaries.

- Maximising opportunities to connect with different people

- Recognising the positive impact it has in your wellbeing

- Developing new skills and fostering a sense of fulfilment 

The power to shape the future lies in the ability to adapt, innovate and influence. In this session we will navigate the dynamic compass of transformation, illuminating the pathways that spark innovative initiatives. Join Jennie as she shares insights from her leadership journey and discusses key learnings to influence with purpose.

- Explore the challenges and the opportunities of change

- Cultivate adaptability within your team

- Leading transformational change with positive influence

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Today, we confront a central challenge - how to effectively navigate the unforeseen. Through a candid exploration of real-life experiences we will aim not only to inspire you but to provide strategic insights to overcome unanticipated hurdles. Our distinguished panel will share their lessons learned from the pandemic, to the floods, to the emerging technologies and everything in between.

- Share about the unforeseen challenges of pandemic

- Delve into examples of resilience, recovery and adaptability

- Reflect on the role that digital solutions and technology played

This is the moment to go beyond what’s expected and embrace all the “what ifs” as leaders, organisations and society. This is the time to reframe your mindset and align your actions with purpose to truly unleash your potential as an impactful leader. Hear from the wave-maker and awarded Professor, Debbie Haski-Leventhal, an expert on CSR and best-selling author, as she shares her life lessons on how to lead with purpose and impact. 

- Challenge the “way it has been done” with purposeful questioning

- Expand your focus for a greater impact

- Reflect on the echo of your actions as a leader

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

This session aims to explore the transformative power of emerging technologies like AI and data analytics, in shaping the landscape of higher education. Hear from Rabia, who uses data as a storytelling device - to help people make impactful decisions to optimise organisational experiences and drive innovation. 

- Enhance your data driven decision making

- Delve into innovative solutions and technologies

- Explore the future trends and potential disruptions 

Join us for our end of day one networking. Enjoy canapés and drinks whilst getting to know your peers further, build ongoing relationships, and share your highlights of the day.

Welcome back for Day Two - there's a lot to digest from our amazing speakers and action modules so far!

Recap the key learnings and takeaways from Day One, and prep an action plan to maximise your event experience over our jam-packed second day!

In the realm of purposeful leadership, we find the drive that propels us toward a future defined by positive impact and influence. This session invites you to explore the depths of your personal purpose and how it connects with the lasting impression we leave in those we lead. Join Susan, as she shares her own experiences as a transformative leader, recognised with multiple awards for her teaching and contributions in the higher education sector.

- Personal purpose and its connection to effective leadership

- Discuss strategies to overcome resistance and challenges

- Inspire through actions to drive impact

Failure is something most people don't talk about as openly or as honestly as maybe we should. In this session, Linda shares her ups and downs and how setbacks are a natural part of progression. She lives by the belief that "the more successful you are the better you are at failing". This mindset encourages you to embrace failure as a necessary step on the path to success.

- Promote a healthier and more realistic perspective on achievements

- Reflecting on failure can promote personal growth

- Develop the resilience needed to persevere through challenges

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

In a world inundated with information, the ability to craft a captivating story is a powerful tool. Join this dynamic session and learn from Dr Karen as she shares the best practices to turn stories into strategies that will get you closer to your goals as an influential leader.

- From stories to strategies

- Enhance your communication skills

- Cultivate genuine alliances and powerful relationships

Working in a demanding sector such as higher education can result in the neglection of nurturing personal interests that then negatively impact our overall well-being. Hear from Fiona as she shares her best practices to incorporate her personal passions while being an impactful leader in the sector.

- Develop new skills and the transferability of these into the workplace.

- Share the positive impact it has in your mental wellbeing

- Discover the professional benefits of networking in different social circles.

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

Join us for an engaging panel session where we'll dig into the ins and outs of mentorship. Uncover the perspectives and dimensions that mentorship weaves throughout your professional development and learn how to strategically find the right mentor based on your set goals. Embrace the transition from mentee to mentor and the realm of opportunities that comes with it. Hear firsthand from top leaders in the sector as they share their experiences and key learnings.

- Learn to choose mentors strategically based on your goals

- Explore the transition between being a mentor and mentee

- Understand the natural evolution of your professional needs during your career

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

Delve into the interconnected nature of leadership, reflecting how a leader's behaviour, decisions, and communication creates a ripple effect that shapes the work environment and the people within it. Join Vanessa, an outstanding leader with background in defence and the higher education sector, as she shares her key learnings in fostering a positive and empowering influence on those we lead.

- Explore how your actions resonates in your communities

- Define your purpose as a leader

- Reflect on the positive impact of having allies and supporters

We wrap up our inspirational and jam packed two days with this interactive closing round table. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Reflecting on the inspiring stories that have been shared, discussing your key learnings with your peers, and creating your action plan for moving forward.

- Reflect on your key learnings from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Leadership foundations for women in Higher Education

- Defining your strengths and key development areas

- Understand where you are in your career journey

- Establish your goals for leadership progression

Change management in a hybrid environment

- The VUCA environment (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous)

- Tertiary Education challenges in a VUCA world

- Responding to pressure in positions of management

Managing people's performance

- Performance conversations in an academic context

- Explore four primary principles for managing performance 

- Provide feedback that drives engagement and collaboration

- Utilise coaching models for goal setting and performance management

High level communication, influence and negotiation

- Develop your communication strategy - style, structure and substance

- Stakeholder engagement 

- Know your audience’s expectations 

- Effectively managing up and how important it is to do it differently in academia

Conversations that build trust to communicate your vision 

- Communication skills to maximise influence

- Understand other people's motivations and emotions

- Manage emotions for positive and assertive communication and relationships

- Trusting yourself and your decisions as a professional 

Strategic thinking and career progression

- Unpack practical takeaways and build a personalised action plan 

- Workshop key skills and strategies to implement back in the office

- Share approaches to move your career forward