Higher education disrupts the future of work and society

Students collaborating

The Western Sydney University Future of Work and Curriculum Disruption Forums explore key ideas on the future of work and society that might usefully inform the development of new future-facing curricula. They bring together staff, industry and community leaders, researchers, curriculum innovators and students to examine the capabilities, learning experiences and partnerships that will underpin this curriculum development.

The forums galvanize thinking and action on the purpose of higher education, by openly discussing the essential role of the University in the development of knowledge and its contribution to the development of a productive and just society aligned to key career success outcomes for our students.

If you missed our first two forums you can catch-up with the video coverage from these events and download the resources (opens in a new window)here.

These include, from Forum 1, Patterns of Change in the Future of Work for Greater Western Sydney contextualised the idea of a disrupted workforce and society for Greater Western Sydney. It discussed the continued importance of the University’s core mission in terms of both promoting discipline based critical thinking and its tripartite commitment to education, research and community engagement.

Keynotes:

  • Future of Work: National Trends and Megatrends - Dr Andrew Reeson Principal Research Scientist, Data61, CSIRO
  • Regional realities: Where to for Western Sydney, Industrial Rust Belt or Surging New Economy? – Professor Phillip O’Neill, Centre for Western Sydney

Forum 2, Professional Learning in Changing Contexts examined the future challenges and imperatives for the development of disciplinary knowledge and professional work. It discussed the importance of partnerships in education and the centrality of reciprocity, dialogue and the constructive challenging of practices and structures in developing productive partnerships.

Keynote:

  • Digital Futures of Professional Work -  Professor Tara Fenwick and Professor Richard Edwards, University of Stirling.

For enquiries about the Future of Work forums contact Dr Jenny Pizzica, Learning Transformations team.

These forums are being developed as part of University’s 21st Century Curriculum (21C) Project. Find out more about the 21C Project(opens in a new window).

Learning Futures.NOW. Issue 3.

-November 2017-