Professor Stephen Parker AO, VC and President, University of Canberra

Prof Stephen Parker AO, recently appointed interim VC and President at University of Canberra, sits down with Prof Judyth Sachs to reflect on the sector, including whether the ‘golden age’ has passed for universities. The two professors discuss the adaptability of universities and whether they can ever really be relevant to industry; domains of knowledge vs disciplines and why young people are specialising too early; the challenges for research due to AI and technology; and Prof Parker gives his advice to non-academic leaders coming in to the sector. Note: at the time of recording Prof Parker had not yet announced his interim role at UC.