In this episode, we catch up with Deakin’s Vice-Chancellor, Iain Martin to explore the evolving role of universities. From his beginnings as a medical student in 1980s UK to leading one of Australia's major universities, he explores the delicate balance between education and research, the concept of social licence, and why "ceaseless curiosity" matters more than ever.

Read Iain’s white paper on social licence here.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:26) - University Experience
• (03:52) - Trust in Universities
• (05:21) - Social Licence and University Purpose
• (07:36) - The Role of Curiosity
• (08:19) - Evolution of Higher Education
• (11:50) - Rankings and Research vs Education
• (14:10) - Balanced Excellence at Deakin
• (18:04) - White Paper on Social Licence
• (23:45) - Universities and Difficult Debates
• (27:48) - Creating Safe Debate Spaces
• (29:27) - Personal Experience with Change
• (34:57) - The Evolution of University Research
• (40:24) - Making Research Accessible
• (44:05) - Deakin Research Highlights
• (46:06) - Why Study at University
• (48:45) - Student Experience and Support
• (50:16) - Advice for New Students
• (51:50) - Improvements in Higher Education
• (55:37) - Quick Fire Questions

From ballet to a career in research and disability advocacy, Tim Harte’s journey is an awe-inspiring one. Tim sits down with us to share his story.

Read the article.

Content Warning
This podcast includes discussion of lived experience with disability and discrimination.

We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing. You can pause, skip chapters and stop the episode at any time. A list of support services is available here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/student-life-and-services/health-wellbeing-and-safety/safety-security/emergency-and-crisis. For support outside of Australia, please visit http://spotify.com/resources.

Editorial note

Click here to view the episode transcript.

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:11) - Ballet Journey
• (05:11) - Onset of Disability
• (16:00) - Leaving Ballet
• (18:33) - University Life
• (21:15) - Academic Achievements
• (26:00) - PhD Beginnings
• (27:29) - Research Challenges
• (33:01) - Structural Energy Storage
• (37:00) - Life Reset & Advocacy
• (43:00) - Disability Advocacy Work
• (46:41) - Speaking at the UN
• (54:31) - Behind the Scenes
• (58:00) - Leadership
• (01:00:02) - Disability & STEM
• (01:01:14) - Inclusion Matters
• (01:03:13) - ChemAbility Network
• (01:06:43) - Power of Community
• (01:08:55) - Representation
• (01:10:00) - Barriers in STEM
• (01:22:55) - Scholarships & Stipends
• (01:23:13) - Young Australian of the Year Victorian Nomination
• (01:24:26) - Representation in Awards
• (01:26:43) - Impact Vision
• (01:27:19) - Challenging Assumptions
• (01:31:17) - Desired Change
• (01:32:14) - Resourcing, power & systemic barriers
• (01:34:46) - Quickfire Round
• (01:36:17) - Final Reflections

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture. Information provided is as known at time of publishing.

In this episode, Jo Weston takes us through her netball journey and unpacks how she balances a thriving sports career with study.

Read more about Jo's story.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:57 – The Vixens’ Fairytale Run
03:34 – Handling Setbacks
05:15 – Sending Off Coach Simone McKinnis
07:05 – Jo’s Country Upbringing
09:11 – Starting Netball
11:54 – Netball as a Career
14:52 – Becoming a Professional Athlete
18:00 – Working While Playing for Australia
20:55 – Growing with the Sport
22:52 – Managing the Pressures
24:52 – Advice for Younger Athletes
25:53 – Studying a Master of Communication
29:00 – Study Shaping Leadership
31:41 – Storytelling and the Power of Sport
34:10 – Netball Besties
37:01 – Podcasting
39:34 – Turbulence and Transformation in Netball
40:00 – Negotiating Player Pay & Conditions
44:50 – Leadership Under Pressure
47:04 – The Rise of Women’s Sport
49:50 – Advice for Girls in Sport
50:55 – Looking Ahead to Brisbane 2032
52:00 – Life Beyond Netball
53:57 – Quickfire Round
57:01 – Closing

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.

In this episode, Cassandra Iannucci and Alex Green explore how student support programs are paving the way for more inclusive and equitable university systems.

Read more about Cassandra and Alex's work here: https://this.deakin.edu.au/career/how-student-support-programs-can-transform-universities/
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:36 – What is Students as Partners?
01:33 – Cassandra’s Journey
02:57 – Alex’s Story
04:18 – Authentic Partnership in Action
07:01 – Matching Students and Staff
09:32 – Impact Moments
11:00 – Shifting Attitudes in Higher Education
11:34 – How Projects Begin
13:07 – Voices from the Classroom Podcast
14:46 – Students Mentoring Staff
17:15 – Why Equity Matters
18:25 – Avoiding Tokenism
21:06 – Removing Barriers for Students
24:01 – Lived Experience as a Catalyst
25:43 – Career Impact
26:14 – Tangible Changes Across Deakin
33:36 – Normalising Partnership
35:59 – Why Belonging Matters
39:02 – Skills and Confidence
42:00 –Proud Moments
45:36 – What Staff Should Know About Students
47:00 – Closing Reflections

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.

Al Fricker talks about the power of a great education, why we need to decolonise Australia’s education system, and the importance of Indigenous Australian representation in academia.

Read more here.
Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Content Warning
This podcast includes discussion of colonisation, systemic racism, genocide and intergenerational trauma.

People who have experienced these may find some of this content difficult. People who have not been exposed to this content before, may find the information confronting and challenging.

We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing. You can pause, skip chapters and stop the episode at any time. A list of support services is available here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/student-life-and-services/health-wellbeing-and-safety/safety-security/emergency-and-crisis. For support outside of Australia, please visit http://spotify.com/resources.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:54 – Al’s Journey into Education
04:45 – Teaching Prep to Year 12
07:00 – Schooling vs Education
07:49 – Colonial Systems in Classrooms
10:22 – Rethinking ‘Learning Needs’
12:54 – What Does Decolonising Education Mean?
14:30 – Productivity, Compliance, and Capitalism
16:00 – Flipping the Model of Education
18:34 – Indigenous Knowledges as an Alternative
21:16 – Learning at the Right Time
23:05 – Asking Better Questions of Young People
24:52 – Curriculum Reform and Textbook Publishing
27:12 – Five Ways to Decolonise Classrooms
29:35 – Changing the System from Inside
33:03 – Why Mandating Change Matters
36:44 – Discomfort as Part of the Process
39:08 – Intersectionality and Decolonisation
42:58 – Moving Beyond Guilt to Action
45:02 – Work, Identity, and Colonial Mindsets
48:51 – Teaching with Integrity
49:31 – Being an Indigenous Educator in Colonised Spaces
53:45 – Authenticity and Resilience
57:27 – The Long-Term Mission
01:00:01 – Quick Fire Questions
01:04:59 – Closing Reflections

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.

As a successful film and TV producer, Anna Charalambous knows what it takes to succeed in the industry. From student films to SXSW premieres, Anna’s journey is our latest Story of Wonder.

Watch Spreadsheet Champions now: https://www.spreadsheetchampions.com/

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 – Why Film?

02:00 – First Year Challenges

06:15 – Discovering Producing

09:00 – What Does a Producer Do?

16:00 – Problem-Solving on Set

20:00 – Breaking Into the Industry

27:00 – The Documentary Path

33:00 – Making Spreadsheet Champions

40:00 – Filming Around the World

46:00 – Challenges & Restrictions

52:00 – Funding & Festival Journey

58:00 – What Makes a Great Story?

01:03:00 – Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

01:06:40 – What’s Next for Anna
01:07:50 – Trailer: Spreadsheet Champions

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.

Legendary children’s writer and alumnus Andy Griffiths talks about his life and career journey from teacher and punk rocker to one of the most recognised children’s authors in the world.

Read more about Andy's story at: https://this.deakin.edu.au/career-and-study/andy-griffiths-answers-what-does-it-take-to-be-an-author
Learn more about Andy and his most recent work at: https://andygriffiths.com.au/

Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome

00:55 – Early Love for Books

02:00 – Discovering Humour & Shock Value

03:50 – Punk Rock & Performance

06:15 – Becoming a Teacher

09:30 – From Classroom to First Books

13:40 – Finding His Voice

18:00 – Persistence

22:00 – The Treehouse Series

29:00 – Child-Centred Fiction

41:00 – Literacy & Imagination

55:00 – Audio Books & Adaptations

01:03:00 – Advice for Parents & Educators

01:08:00 – What’s Next

Please note: The individual views and opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect those of Deakin as an organisation. Deakin is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where both freedom of speech and academic freedom are vigorously upheld. Our community thrives on diverse opinions and perspectives, with open-minded inquiry and respectful disagreement essential to our university culture.

Jaleesa Basnight’s journey to become a nurse is dotted with its fair share of challenges and triumphs. From raising a family at a young age, to flying thousands of kilometres to study, Jaleesa’s story is one of resilience, growth, and determination. She’s now back in the Torres Strait working as a nurse, with a mission to improve the health outcomes of her community and inspire the next generation.

Content Warning

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this podcast includes conversations about deceased persons. It does not include names, voices or images.

This episode contains themes of family violence, First-Nations child removal, mental health challenges, traditional adoption, and grief. People who have experienced themes discussed may find some of this content difficult. Similarly, those who have not been exposed to this content before, may find the information confronting and challenging.

We encourage you to prioritise your wellbeing. You can pause, skip chapters and stop the episode at any time.

If you or someone you know needs support, we encourage you to seek support through:

• Deakin Safer Community(Deakin Students and Staff)
• Deakin's Employee Wellbeing Support (Deakin Staff)
• 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7 support for domestic and family violence)
• 13YARN (13 92 76) – Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Line
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (mental health support)
• For support outside of Australia, please visit spotify.com/resources.

Learn more about NIKERI at deakin.edu.au/indigenous-students/study/nikeri-institute
Learn more about studying nursing at deakin.edu.au/international-students/choosing-your-degree/nursing

Chapters
00:00 Content warning

00:24 Introducing Jaleesa

03:01 Early life

05:33 Growing up

15:05 Pursuing a nursing degree

22:48 Navigating studies and family

27:47 Support and challenges

30:10 Building a support system

31:18 Balancing motherhood and education

35:03 Finding motivation

36:13 The final push to graduation

46:33 Graduation day

53:57 Life after graduation

55:33 Future aspirations