Chair
Amanda is Academic Director (EmpowerED University Preparation) at Griffith University. Over the last 20 years, Amanda has worked within the education industry as an administrator, university business educator and researcher, with a specific focus on international students and student mobility. She also has a wealth of experience as an academic and curriculum developer driving the internationalisation of the curriculum and enhancing the student experience. Amanda is the inaugural Chair of IEAA’s Emerging Researchers Group, which is a sub-committee of the Research Committee.
Varsha is the Head of Student Insights and Strategy at The Lygon Group where she focuses on bringing the student voice to the forefront of our community to inform, influence and action an international education focused agenda. Varsha is the innovator behind #TheSocialSource, an AI-supported dynamic insights platform that has revolutionized how the sector monitors international student sentiment. This platform informs governments, peak industry bodies, institutions and key stakeholders and has gained significant global media attention, influencing public discourse on key issues affecting international students.
As Associate Director, Global Mobility Cara oversees Sydney Global Mobility - the teams that manage inbound and outbound student mobility and international agreements at The University of Sydney. Cara works collaboratively with faculties and schools to grow and develop opportunities for student mobility in line with the University's strategic 50% outbound student mobility target. She has a Master's degree in Intercultural Communication from the University of Pennsylvania and is a current PhD candidate in the Centre for Higher Education Internationalisation at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Jonathan is an interdisciplinary social scientist and program manager with a passion for storytelling. He has qualifications in media, anthropology and geography and has conducted research with factory managers, transnational families and organisations. He has over ten years' experience in operational and project roles in international education with a focus on transnational engagements in China and Southeast Asia.
Anna has a PhD from Deakin University. Her thesis was awarded the 2022 IEAA Outstanding Thesis Award. Her research interests include international education, international development and foreign policies, and where they intersect. Anna was the inaugural convener of IEAA's Scholarships and Fellowships Network and is a member of the Centre for Contemporary Histories. Her first book will soon be published by ANU Press.
Elena is an international education and development researcher-practitioner with 15+ years' experience in Indonesia. She has recently completed doctoral research at The Australian National University examining the impact of learning abroad programs and DFAT's New Colombo Plan (NCP) on Australia-Indonesia relations. Elena has previously served as Indonesian Resident Director with Acicis, is a board member with DFAT's Australia-Indonesia Institute and a selection panel member for the NCP and Australia Awards Indonesia. She currently works as an adviser with the Australia Awards Indonesia program.
An engaging three-day event you won't want to miss.