Professor Jennifer Barrett, Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous (Academic), University of Sydney on Reconciliation in Higher Education

Around National Reconciliation Week 2025, Prof Judyth Sachs interviews Indigenous leaders about reconciliation in a higher education context, what it means for them, and how they see their contribution to the institutions in which they work. In this third interview of the series, Prof Sachs speaks with her former colleague and current friend, Prof Jennifer Barrett, discussing her role as the interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services, as well as the PVC Indigenous (Academic) at the University of Sydney. Prof Barrett shares her thoughts on the importance of education, research, and student inclusion in the university's reconciliation efforts, as well as the need for strong Indigenous leadership. She outlines the university's plans to celebrate NAIDOC Week, including a new NAIDOC Ball organised by students. Prof Barrett also emphasises the interdisciplinary and cross-cutting nature of 'reconciliation' as it occurs within higher education, and the challenges of driving change within the university's structures, silos, and disciplines.