The Accord is announced and the Department of Education states that on behalf of chair Mary O’Kane and colleagues, it will be “seeking views from all stakeholders on priorities for the review of Australia’s higher education system”

All stakeholders?

“A priority for the panel will be to ensure equal representation of views from across all sectors and groups affected by higher education policy. This will include but is not limited to universities, educators and researchers, equity groups, students, parents, unions and employers – everyone will get a say regarding the future of Australia’s higher education system,” DoE announces.

Uncharacteristically encompassing words for officials – what with the certainty there will complaints from people who protest they were not heard when their ideas are not adopted,

As to what form consultation will take, DoE will let us know when information and consultation “opportunities” become available.

The Sheil Review of the Australian Research Council has asked for advice. The NTUE is on to it

The National Tertiary Education Union has an open to all survey in the on-line field, on the “lived experience of researchers.”

And a useful source it might well be, with questions about how researchers’ fields are considered by the ARC and NHMRC and whether grant processes are unbiased or not.

The survey also asks what factors make application success less likely, ranging from sex/gender to the reputation of their research field. And it asks about where any extra funding should go, with options including more for block grants and for individuals.

With the review barely announced this is fast work – which is wise. Consultation closes in three weeks.