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Strategic Plan 2026-2028
Guided by our values, context and mission the EPHEA (Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Association) Strategic Plan aims to be bold, in advocating for a tertiary education system that is equitable and meets the needs of student and staff populations. It also aims to position equity practitioners as experts in their institutions and as change agents to guide their institutions in shifting their structures in ways that are more inclusive and celebrates our diverse student and staff cohorts.
EPHEA pursues four goals from 2026 to 2028:
Goal One
Continue to build the capacity and wellbeing of equity practitioners as experts within their institutions.
In order to achieve this goal, EPHEA will:
1.1 - Develop an Introduction to Equity qualification to onboard new Equity Practitioners to the sector.
1.2 - Convene an annual calendar of online and face-to-face professional development activities that are supported through state-based and country based networking opportunities.
1.3 - Convene a bi-annual conference to contribute to the knowledge, research and practice of student and staff equity in higher education.
1.4 - Develop initiatives to support the wellbeing of equity practitioners, including opportunities for peer support and strategies to manage workload and resilience in equity roles.
1.5 - Continue with professional grants for EPHEA members to attend conferences and contribute to national conversations on staff and student equity.
1.6 - Create and share practical resources on key equity topics (such as guidelines, toolkits and case studies) to strengthen practitioner knowledge and support consistent practice across the sector.
Goal One
Goal Two
Goal Two
To champion systemic change through advocacy and our collective resources, ensuring that equity is positioned at the forefront of institutional practice and national tertiary education policy.
In order to achieve this goal, EPHEA will:
2.1 - Be positioned as the ‘voice’ and thought leader in national conversations around staff and student equity and provide opportunities for equity practitioners across the sector to contribute to the conversation.
2.2 - Develop a Public Advocacy Framework to guide EPHEA’s external voice.
2.3 - Make regular submissions and recommendations on policy and best practice, drawing on key research, practitioner experience and institutional data sets.
2.4 - Produce a bi-annual State of Equity in Higher Education report to benchmark progress and influence public debate.
2.5 - Undertake advisory roles on relevant boards, national grants and key research projects that impact equity in higher education.
Goal Three
Goal Three
To work collaboratively and develop partnerships that empower action and change across the tertiary education sector.
In order to achieve this goal, EPHEA will:
3.1 - Increase the connectedness between relevant organisations to influence public policy. These will include but are not limited to; Universities Australia; Workplace Gender Equity Agency (WGEA); Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES); SAGE (Science in Australia Gender Equity); World Access to Higher Education Network (WAHEN); ATEND (Australian Tertiary Network on Disability) and ADCET (Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training).
3.2 - Commit to authentic partnerships with Indigenous and underrepresented communities and representative peak bodies.
3.3 - Launch an EPHEA online member portal with resources, recordings, and case studies that empower change.
3.4 - Develop an Aotearoa New Zealand action plan or EPHEA that reflects New Zealand’s distinct identity within a trans-Tasman framework, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Goal Four
Goal Four
To elevate the visibility and impact of equity practitioner work across the sector.
In order to achieve this goal, EPHEA will:
4.1 - Continue to undertake peer-based recognition initiatives, including the continuation of the Champions of Change, Lifetime Members Award and Early Career Practitioner Award.
4.2 - Work collaboratively with Engagement Australia to sponsor an Equity Award to recognise best practice across the sector and provide pathways and support to international award programs.
4.3 - Showcase outstanding practice of equity practitioners through our communications channels.
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