Wow, how do I even begin to wrap up the last 3 days at the Association for Tertiary Education Management conference?

5 Oct

I LOVED having the role of Conference Catalyst (so good!) and wanted to shine the light on some learning moments.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list (I don't have 30,000 words to play with on LinkedIn!).

🟡 Kate Gorman reminded us all that “happy staff = happy students,” and how reducing friction in the customer experience makes students feel comfortable enough to engage. Her point about answering the unasked questions really struck a chord.

✂️ Fiona Margetts GAICD, MPM had us getting creative, crafting collages to tackle complex challenges. Can’t wait to dive into her research on "Absurd policy", so good! (I know a few absurd policies...)

🖥️ Al Briggs blew my mind with a 10-minute Adobe Express tutorial—downloaded the app, built a purpose-driven website, and it actually looks great. Quick, intuitive, and powerful!

🚀 Mark Hatwell got me thinking about building Communities of Practice and different methodologies (even just building an email list with a member database). I’m inspired to create a quick Loom video for onboarding new members in The Flipchart (a global community of 2700+ people working to stamp out boring workshops for good!).

🦸 Yue Lin S. took us on a journey through the multiverse of risk, with Marvel references woven in! She unpacked the upstream/downstream approach to risk management and who’s accountable (vs. who has to deal with the risk).

🌍 Dr. Lok Boon Thian shared an inspiring example from Taylor’s University with their motto, “The best university FOR the world,” and how they’re embedding social innovation into their curriculum. Such a powerful approach.

⚡ Martin McCarron emphasised the importance of moving quickly when creating a student experience vision—momentum is key!

💡 Debbie Haski-Leventhal l had us all reflecting on our "I will..." statements, challenging us to define our commitments and aspirations.

🎓 Dr. Timothy M. Renick blew us away with the transformative change they've created at Georgia State—an incredible case study in what’s possible with the right vision and action.

❓ Dr Josie McLean shared the power of turning your purpose into a question, not a statement. A question invites dialogue and co-creation—such a simple, yet profound shift.

Behind the scenes, the ATEM organising committee were simply incredible. They thought of everything, from great walks around Brisbane to a bingo sheet and welcome drinks for first-timers.

Truly a class act in curating a fantastic experience for all. I can't wait to chat with Mary-Louise (ML) Huppatz on the podcast, and capture some of the reflections from the last three days. Great to work with you behind the scenes too, Dr Timothy Smith!

#ATEM24