Miriam Fisher

Strategic Communications Leader | Former Senior Journalist | International Relations | Views mine

[Miriam Fisher @MiriamFisher_]

A strong community is built on care—for each other’s safety, wellbeing and dignity. This should be the rule, not the exception, as without it we risk descent into chaos.

If someone is struggling, reach out. It can be the lifeline that helps bring them back into the light. #RUOK

[ACSES @acsesedu]

On reimagining equity in Australian higher education:
"We need a less fundamentalist approach to higher education. We need one where the beliefs of many people are accounted for, rather than minimised"
"A major urgent change should be to improve pathways and participation and incorporate indigenous perspective."
– Dr Tracy Woodroffe, Senior Lecturer, Humanities, Charles Darwin University (ACSES 2024 First Nations Fellow) #studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

On the potential lack of intersectionality in data: "I think part of it comes down to the fact that we have to be sensitive to the personal information that we hold about individuals. You start to create cohorts of people where you can identify. You have to think quite carefully and pragmatically about the privacy and data of the people we are collecting" - Angela Baker, Director, Head of Education Sector, Social Research Centre @SRCentreAUS #studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

“Continuing the work that ACSES is doing, that evaluation aspect [is vital]. How do we really leverage the data and properly evaluate the different things we’re doing as a sector?” – Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Success, Western Sydney University #studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

✨2025 ACSES Awards✨

Last night we recognised trailblazers whose work is reshaping equity in higher education across Australia.

🏆 Impact and Effectiveness
Shannon Lin and Grace Ward accepted their award on behalf of their team at @utsengage for their Indigenous-led Redesign of Diabetes Education program, transforming Indigenous health workforce pathways.

🏆 Evidence and Research-Based Approaches
Mark Robinson accepted the award on behalf of the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) team at @UQ_News for their groundbreaking research shaping national equity policy and frameworks.

🏆 Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Chris Ronan and Erin Wrafter accepted their award on behalf of the Eastern Australian Regional University Centre Partnership (EARUCP), for their work in building access through partnerships with 23 universities and 14 Regional University Study Hubs.

#studentequity2025 @RUSHNetworkAUS @CurtinUni

https://t.co/PxoF53qn1H

[ACSES @acsesedu]

"Student equity should not be a side project…equity is an operative principle, full stop. for opportunities – Sonal Singh, Head of Equity Pathways, Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, UTS @SonalSingh2 #studentequity25

[Miriam Fisher @MiriamFisher_]

Shadow Education Minister @DuniamJonathon is kicking off day two of the @acsesedu Symposium.

It's a full program once again today, so tune in to the free livestream to listen in and join the conversation.

#studentequity2025

[ACSES @acsesedu]

"People from all backgrounds will have a far more formative life if we genuinely enhance and strengthen the pipeline in early education to school" - Senator the Hon. Jonathon Duniam, Shadow Minister for Education @DuniamJonathon #studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

Higher education is sort of in a "Hunger games" scenario right now where "some universities are scooping up students, whilst others are under enrolled" - Professor Andrew Norton, Professor of Higher Education Policy at Monash Business School @andrewjnorton

#studentequity25

[Jason Clare MP @JasonClareMP]

SPEECH: Australian Student Equity Symposium hosted by ⁦@acsesedu⁩

https://t.co/r56bY5VuTy

[ACSES @acsesedu]

"I would say the key thing that needs to happen [for regional student outcomes] is data. We need a complete reform to the national data collection system so that we can say that the evidence is here.” - Alec Webb, CEO of Regional Universities Network @RegUniNet

#studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

"Delivering outcomes for regional students is what the RUSH centres are all about." "We are all working at a community level to support local students to be able to study in their region and succeed in doing that." RUSH centres, such as GUC, "ease that burden of isolation." - Natalie Nelmes, Director of Geraldton Universities Centre.

#studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

Regarding all Australian public schools on the path to full and fair funding, "we’ve got to reform the entire education system. If we want more people to get university degrees, we need more young people to finish high school." - @JasonClareMP, Minister for Education.

#studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

"What does success in higher education mean to you?"

"There's not much successful Indigenous representation in higher education, a lot of it is in sports and media, but I think to me, success is when you can do what you can. When you have been put into a ball field, and you’re going to kick the ball, and all of a sudden the game changes but you still kick the ball, you still had a go.” - Kayla Barker-Peris, student at UTS.

"Success in higher education for many regional students is leaving home to become trained or educated so they can go back and serve their community. It's moving and staying at university and finding community, security and purpose” - Samuel North, student at UNSW

“I usually gauge my success with how others see me, if they see me as successful and in a good light, then I can sort of see that I'm succeeding. But I’m still trying to find exactly what success looks like to me, as it is always changing” - Lachlan Sibir, student at University of Sydney

“Success for many is simply getting through the day, and I think that that’s true for a lot of students. It is also the ability to take advantage of your opportunities” - Em Bagg, PhD student at Deakin University

“There are many more indicators than just academic success, it is feeling represented in the university and feeling like I belong in the community. It involves seeing diverse voices being represented at all levels of decision making. Very rarely you see decision makers being neurodivergent, having disabilities, or coming from low SES background” - Eunice Cheng, student at UNSW

#studentequity25

[ACSES @acsesedu]

🚀Just launched | Equity Insights 2025🚀

Equity Insights 2025: Policy, Power, and Practice for a Fairer Australian Tertiary Education System is now live.

Feat. contributions from 22 leaders, researchers, policymakers, and students, the report explores what has changed for student equity—and what still must change.

The report highlights issues including Indigenous leadership, disability inclusion, AI in higher education, student voice, and pathways across VET and universities. @curtinuniversity

Read the full report here 👇
https://t.co/R10X54KsP4

[ACSES @acsesedu]

🎉 Today officially marks Day One of "Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025: The Australian Student Equity Symposium".

We have lots of insightful panels and keynotes on the radar today starting with our highly anticipated student panel, "Success from the Perspective of Students", and swiftly followed by a keynote address from Education Minister himself, Jason Clare MP.

Day One will also feature panels "What Works for Regional Student Outcomes?" and "Financing the Future – Innovation and Equity in Higher Education Funding", where you will find meaningful discussions on the current and future shape of student equity.

#studentequity25

Registrations for the livestream are FREE and open to the general public. Online attendees will be able to participate in the live Q&A sessions.

💻 To register, visit: https://t.co/7GPT5srNfV

💡 For more details about the full program, visit: https://t.co/SdciYjYZ7Q

[Miriam Fisher @MiriamFisher_]

Looking forward to the Student Equity in an Era of Change Symposium at @UTSEngage and hosted by @acsesedu.

With Minister @JasonClareMP, Shadow Minister @DuniamJonathon, colleagues, and student leaders from Australia and beyond, we’ll unpack barriers to a fair go at uni.

👇

[ACSES @acsesedu]

🎉Livestream registrations are now OPEN for "Student Equity in an Era of Change: The Australian Student Equity Symposium 2025", to be held in Sydney on 9-10 September 2025🎉

All sessions will be streamed live via Zoom and recordings of the event will be made available on ACSES's YouTube channel after the event concludes.

"Student Equity in an Era of Change" will feature insights from international experts, government representatives, and diverse student voices, this two-day event will explore transformative practices and policies aimed at creating accessible and inclusive educational pathways.

Hear from some of the sectors most influential voices, including:

• The Hon Jason Clare MP, Commonwealth Minister for Education
• Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam, Shadow Minister for Education
• The Hon Fiona Nash, Regional Education Commissioner
• Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Commissioner
• Professor Verity Firth AM, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, UNSW
• Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University
• Dr Tim Renick, Executive Director, National Institute for Student Success, Georgia State University (USA)
• Student leaders from across Australia, representing diverse equity groups and perspectives.
Registrations for the livestream are FREE and open to the general public. Online attendees will be able to participate in the live Q&A sessions.

💻 To register visit: https://t.co/7GPT5srNfV

💡 For more details about the full program visit: https://t.co/SdciYjYZ7Q

[Women in Media @WIM_Aus]

"Women are ambitious. They are capable. But too often they are feeling stuck, and they are tired of waiting."

-Petra Buchanan, WIM Strategic Advisor, speaking to the 2025 Industry Insight Report at #WIMConference2025.

[ACSES @acsesedu]

📢 Last call for Expressions of Interest – Equity Frontiers Funding

We've had a fantastic response to our redesigned Equity Frontiers scheme — but to help manage the volume of interest, we’re making a final call for Expressions of Interest.

If you're an equity practitioner with a program or activity you'd like to trial, now is the time to apply.
🗓️ Submit your EoI by 11 August
📄 Program guidelines and EoI template available here: https://t.co/FzFPZYFnlM

[ACSES @acsesedu]

📣 EOIs now open | Impact Evaluation Provider Directory📣

ACSES is calling for expressions of interest from those with specialist skills in impact evaluation to join our Impact Evaluation Provider Directory.

This new Directory is designed to help the higher education sector find the specialist skills and independent perspectives needed to undertake impact evaluations. Making the right expertise accessible will support universities to conduct high quality impact evaluations—crucial for understanding what works to improve equity in higher education.

Please note: Being listed in the Directory does not constitute endorsement by ACSES or guarantee future work. However, it does indicate that the individual has met defined quality criteria for conducting impact evaluations.

Want to be listed in the Directory?

🔍Visit: https://t.co/Xr2CW5DXu5 and download our Guidelines and Application Pack to begin your application.

📅 Applications close on the 29 September 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified no later than the 31 October 2025.

@timothypitman

[ACSES @acsesedu]

📚 World Access to Higher Education Day Conference 2025 📚

On October 28 2025, ACSES Executive Director @prof_saggar will be speaking at the World Access to Higher Education Day (WAHED) Conference 2025 in South Africa.

Themed ‘Opportunity, Innovation and Lifelong Learning’, the WAHED Conference 2025 will focus on how universities, governments and others can provide opportunities for those from all backgrounds to enter and succeed in higher education in new, innovative ways across their lives.

📅 Date: Tuesday 28 October

⏰ Time: 9:30am - 5:00pm (SAST)

📍 Location: University of the Western Cape, South Africa + Online

Visit here for more information: https://t.co/3ASJqpG5uk

@WorldAccessHE #WAHED25