Whose future? Or why we need to think more expansively about the future of Australian higher education

Abstract

Future gazing has become something of a hobby among higher education boffins. It’s more head-scratching than staring into the tea leaves and crystal balls, but the thinking caps are definitely on – well; sort of. While there’s certainly no shortage of venues to indulge this stuff – conferences, seminars and roundtables – most tend to dwell on dreary questions like: What sorts of skills and training will graduates need for the jobs of the future? Are universities equipped to deliver job-ready graduates? Where will the necessary funds come from? What role will academics play, and what sort of workplace conditions will they face?