UTS Governance Project

The UTS Governance Project

The UTS Governance Project is an independent, community-led initiative involving contributions from staff, students, alumni, and other stakeholders, that is focused on experiences and perceptions of, as well as ideas for reform of governance that will ensure a thriving future for our university and its staff, students, and public stakeholders.

Read the Final Report
Read Our Recommendations
University Governance National Forum

What is the UTS Governance Project?

Australia’s universities play a vital role in advancing knowledge, research, education and public purpose. At the University of Technology Sydney, many members of the university community have expressed concern about governance, transparency, accountability and participation in institutional decision-making.

The UTS Governance Project was established in October 2025 as an independent, community-led initiative involving academic staff, professional staff, students, alumni and broader stakeholders who believe there is an opportunity to work constructively toward better governance at UTS and across the higher education sector.

The project is informed by a belief that strong governance supports institutional resilience, academic excellence, public trust and long-term sustainability. The UTS Governance Project seeks to contribute constructively to public discussion about governance reform through evidence-based dialogue, community engagement and practical recommendations.

The project is inspired by broader national conversations about university governance reform and informed by the values of transparency, accountability, collegiality, academic freedom and public purpose.

Our Approach

As a group of staff, students, alumni and stakeholders committed to the future of UTS as an important public institution, we have established a collaborative process to develop evidence-based governance reform proposals.

This initiative is:

Community-led: Designed and developed through contributions from members of the UTS community.

Evidence-based: Grounded in surveys, Kitchen Table Conversations, governance workshops, comparative governance models and analysis of governance practices in the higher education sector.

Consultative: Incorporating perspectives from academic staff, professional staff, students, alumni and broader stakeholders.

Constructive: Focused on constructive, implementable reforms that strengthen governance, transparency and accountability.

Impact-oriented: Seeking to contribute positively to institutional improvement and broader discussions about university governance reform in Australia.

How Our Process Works

Phase 1: Community Engagement

Public Survey: The UTS Governance Project launched a public survey in October 2025, gathering 442 responses from staff, students, alumni and stakeholders.

Kitchen Table Conversations: Staff and students participated in small-group discussions exploring experiences of governance, institutional change and ideas for reform.

Community Feedback: Additional perspectives and submissions were received through ongoing community engagement.

Governance Workshop: A governance workshop involving staff, students and alumni further refined and developed governance reform proposals.

Phase 2: Governance Reform Proposals

Final Report: The UTS Governance Project Final Report draws on the participation of over 500 community members across the following activities:

  • 442 survey responses
  • Kitchen Table Conversations involving 45 staff and students
  • Community written submissions and feedback
  • A governance workshop to advance community-generated reform recommendations

Community Engagement: The project continues to engage constructively with members of the UTS community and broader stakeholders.

Policy and Sector Engagement: The project contributes to broader public discussions concerning governance reform in Australian higher education, working in close collaboration with the ANU Governance Project and engaging with sector stakeholders.

Why This Matters

Effective governance is essential to institutional trust, academic excellence and the long-term sustainability of universities as public institutions.

The UTS Governance Project survey and consultation process identified strong community support for:

  • Greater transparency in institutional decision-making
  • Stronger accountability frameworks
  • Participatory and collegial governance
  • Better information sharing and consultation
  • Governance structures aligned with the public mission of universities
  • Improved engagement between leadership and the university community

The project identified a strong appetite for governance reform at UTS and a desire for solutions that strengthen institutional trust, academic integrity and community participation.

Community Findings & Reform Priorities

  • 96.15% of survey respondents said governance reform at UTS is needed.
  • 98.87% said transparency and accountability are important principles for university governance.
  • The Project developed 16 community-generated governance reform recommendations focused on transparency, accountability and participatory governance.

University Governance National Forum

The UTS Governance Project supports broader cross-institutional conversations about governance reform in Australian higher education.

Information about the University Governance National Forum to be held on Friday 5th June 2026 at the ANU in Canberra, including on how to register and participate, can be found here.

How to Participate

  • Read the UTS Governance Project Final Report
  • Explore the Governance Recommendations
  • Contact the Project if you wish to contribute to activities
  • Share feedback and perspectives
  • Participant in the University Governance National Forum
  • Stay informed about project updates and future initiatives