Nathan Towney - Deputy Vice Chancellor Equity and Engagement, University of Newcastle - on Reconciliation in Higher Education

In the lead-up to National Reconciliation Week 2025, Prof Judyth Sachs interviews Indigenous leaders about reconciliation in a higher education context, what it means for them, and how they see their contribution to the institutions in which they work.

First up: Nathan Towney, Deputy Vice Chancellor Equity and Engagement at the University of Newcastle, discusses his career journey, and his four-pillar approach to driving an Indigenous strategy across the university:

• Building cultural knowledge and understanding through curriculum, staff development, and community engagement
• Increasing participation and retention of Indigenous students and staff
• Ensuring Indigenous-led research and community involvement
• Aligning the university's Reconciliation Action Plan across all areas

Nathan emphasises the importance of building strong relationships and modelling the desired behaviours to achieve collective impact, rather than focusing solely on the term "reconciliation".