Ant Bagshaw to head Australian Technology Network of Universities

The Australian Technology Network of Universities has chosen Ant Bagshaw to be its next executive director.

Ant Bagshaw is the new executive director of the Australian Technology Network of Universities.

The six-strong Australian Technology Network of Universities has chosen higher education consultant, author and university lecturer Ant Bagshaw as its next executive director.

Dr Bagshaw, who starts the role next Monday, said he was delighted to take the reins at the ATN group, a 25-year-old “trusted voice bringing significant political clout”.

“ATN universities are truly distinctive in their excellence across education and student experience, research and innovation, and in their broader social impact,” Dr Bagshaw said.

“I look forward to continue to work closely with governments and enthusiastically with partners where we can have a collective positive impact,” he said.

Members of the ATN are Deakin University, Curtin University, RMIT University, the University of Newcastle, the University of South Australia and UTS.

Most recently Dr Bagshaw was a senior advisor in L.E.K. Consulting’s global education practice. He teaches are course on policy influence in higher education at the University of

Pennsylvania and is a member of council at the Dyson Institute of Engineering and

Technology in the UK.

Last year he published a book, Higher Imagination: A Future for Universities, and he is co-editor of the book Influencing Higher Education Policy.

Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne, who chairs the ATN, said Dr Bagshaw’s “significant policy experience will position ATN uni­versities well as the Accord report’s recommendations are implemented over the coming months and years”.

Professor Hayne thanked ATN’s director of public affairs, Frank Coletta, who has stood in as interim executive director since former executive director Luke Sheehy left to become CEO of Universities Australia.

Dr Bagshaw will commence his new role on June 3.