ABDC 2026 Conference
RMIT University | 23 and 24 November 2026
Navigating Uncertain Horizons
In an increasingly dynamic and uncertain higher education landscape, it is more important than ever to position business schools as a key player in addressing productivity and resilience challenges.
Across two days, this conference promises connection with senior leaders in Australian and New Zealand business schools, and impactful conversations with sector and industry experts.
Registrations are now open, with early bird rates until 31 August.
Conference Program
Day 1: RMIT University, Storey Hall
10am Opening Addresses
Speakers:
- Professor Maryam Omari, Executive Dean, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University + ABDC President
- Professor Colin Picker, Deputy Vice Chancellor, College of Business and Law and Vice President, RMIT University
11am VC and Provost Panel
Speakers:
- Professor Alec Cameron, Vice-Chancellor and President, RMIT University
- Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast
- Professor Giselle Byrnes, Provost, Massey University
- Professor Colm Harmon, Provost and Vice President, Edith Cowan University
Facilitator: Professor Maryam Omari, Executive Dean, School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University + ABDC President
12pm Lunch
1pm Policy Change in the Education Sector: Impacts and implications
Keynote speaker:
- Professor Andrew Norton, Monash University
Facilitator: Professor Douglas Creighton, Deputy Chair of Academic Board, Deakin University
2pm Future of Work in the Higher Education Sector
Guest speaker:
- Dr Ben Hamer, Sociologist and Futurist
Facilitator: Professor Mark Loon, Dean, School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the Sunshine Coast + ABDC Vice President
3pm Afternoon tea
3.30pm Resilience and Wellbeing in the Higher Education Sector in Australia
Guest speaker:
- Dr Lynda Folan, Founder and Managing Director, Inspired Development Solutions
Facilitator: Professor Amanda Pyman, Dean, Deakin Business School
4.30pm New Products for New Markets in Business Education
Guest speaker:
- Andrew Crisp, Founder, Carrington Crisp
Facilitator: Professor Noel Lindsay, Adelaide University + ABDC Past President
5.30pm Day 1 close
5.30pm Conference dinner and Network Awards announcement
Day 2: RMIT University, Storey Hall
8.50am Conference Day 2 open
9am Australia’s Productivity Challenge
Keynote speaker:
- Danielle Wood, Chair, Productivity Commission
Facilitator: Professor Robin Gauld, Executive Dean, Bond Business Dean
10am Concurrent sessions 1
Session 1A: If You Can’t See the Learning, Did It Happen? Designing assessment for assurance of learning
Guest speakers:
- Herk Kailis, CEO and Founder, Cadmus
- Dr Trudy Bates, Lecturer, Edith Cowan School of Business and Law
- Dr Shahab Pourfakhimi, Associate Dean Teaching & Learning, University of the Sunshine Coast
Facilitator: Professor Marcus Randall, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Bond Business School
Session 1B: AACSB Global Standards
Guest speaker:
- Geoff Perry, Executive Vice President and Chief Membership Officer and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, at AACSB International
Facilitator: Professor Carla Wilkin, Deputy Dean Accreditation and International, Monash Business School + Chair of ANZQAN
Session 1C: The Role of Business Research in Addressing Productivity Challenges
Guest speakers:
- Professor Stephen King, Monash University, Commissioner, Productivity Commission
- Professor Leisa Sargent, Dean, University of Sydney Business School
Facilitator: Professor Tracy Taylor, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor R&I, RMIT University College of Business and Law + BARDsNet Chair
11am Morning tea
11.30am Concurrent sessions 2
Session 2A: Leading Together through Uncertain Horizons — The evolving role of Professional Leadership in Business Schools
Guest speakers:
- Professor Vanessa Chang, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University
- Professor Colin Picker, Deputy Vice Chancellor, College of Business and Law and Vice President, RMIT University
- Jonathan Pheasant, Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Operating Officer, Flinders University
Facilitator: Madelaine Sandall, General Manager, College Operations, RMIT University College of Business and Law + ABDC Professional Managers Network Chair
Session 2B: International Education
Guest speakers:
- Jon Chew, Chief Insights Officer, Navitas
- Professor Mark Loon, Dean of the School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the Sunshine Coast
Facilitator: Professor Leona Tam, Associate Dean (International), UTS Business School + ABDC International Network Chair
Session 2C: To be announced
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Industry Panel
Guest speakers:
- Adam Davids, CEO and Managing Director, CareerTrackers
- Andrew Maxwell, Founder, Chatsworth Associates
- Louise McGrath, Head of Industry Development and Policy, Australian Industry Group
Facilitator: Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business), Griffith University
3pm Conference close
Who should attend:
- Academic and professional leaders in Australian and New Zealand university business schools — Deans, Associate Deans, and senior leaders.
- Advisory board members and industry professionals connected with the higher education sector.
- Members of key accreditation associations in business education and business disciplines.
Why you should attend:
- From AI and academic integrity to international education, productivity, accreditation and the future of university leadership, the ABDC 2026 Conference tackles the issues that matter most to business schools right now.
- Gain practical knowledge to strengthen your institutions and support student success.
- Connect with peers from across Australia and New Zealand, exchange ideas, build meaningful professional networks, and learn from the collective experience of leaders across the business education sector.
Register before 31 August to secure early bird pricing
ABDC members*
- Early bird registration: $250 + GST per person
- Standard registration (after 31 August): $350 + GST per person
*Includes academic and professional staff from the ABDC’s 36-member business schools.
Non-members
- Early bird registration: $550 + GST per person
- Standard registration (after 31 August): $650 + GST per person
Invoicing for group purchases
If you wish to be invoiced for your tickets, rather than pay by credit card, please contact office@abdc.edu.au with subject line ‘Conference group purchase’ to arrange.
Invoices must be paid in full by the due date, or no later than 10 days prior to the event date (whichever is sooner). If payment is not received before the event, your registration will be cancelled.
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne
Novotel Melbourne Central
Melbourne Marriott Hotel
Cancelling a registration
Cancellation requests should be made to office@abdc.edu.au with the subject line ‘Cancel ABDC 2026 Conference registration’.
Cancellation requests made with more than 30 days’ notice
- The ABDC will issue a full refund, less TryBooking’s service fee, which is non-refundable.
- Refunds typically are processed in 5–10 business days.
- You may transfer your registration to another member of your faculty or school, subject to confirmation from the ABDC. Please email office@abdc.edu.au to arrange.
Cancellation requests made with less than 30 days’ notice
- The ABDC will not issue refunds during this period
- You may transfer your registration to another member of your faculty or school, subject to confirmation from the ABDC. Please email office@abdc.edu.au to arrange.
Cancellation requests made on the day/s of the event
- Cancellations and registration transfers are not permitted once the event has started.
- The ABDC will not grant refunds or credits for partial attendance, missed sessions, or no-shows.
If the ABDC cancels the event
- If the event is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, a full refund, less TryBooking’s service fee, will be issued to all registered attendees.
- Refunds typically are processed in 5–10 business days.
- The ABDC is not liable for any costs incurred by attendees related to ABDC 2026 Conference registration and/or travel.
On 25 November, there is an optional, half-day meeting for select ABDC Networks:
- Deans
- BARDsNet
- Education & Employability
- International
If you are an ABDC network member, please factor this extra time into your travel plans. Agendas for these meetings will be circulated by your network chairs.
The half-day network meetings will conclude at 1.30pm.
Conference venue: Storey Hall, RMIT University
Conference dinner venue: State Library Victoria
Conference sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze supporters
