Speakers
Presentation
In 2016, Australian universities were prompted to critically assess student safety on campus following the national release of The Hunting Ground documentary. The film sparked a vital conversation on sexual misconduct, with senior university leadership and Universities Australia considering strategic responses. This led to the 2017 collaboration between Universities Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission to launch the National Student Safety Survey, aimed at gathering data on the prevalence of sexual misconduct.
Andrea Strachan (University of Glasgow) presents a case study focused on the University of Queensland (UQ) and broader efforts across Australia to address sexual misconduct. It will cover key areas, including:
This session provides actionable insights into the prevention and response to sexual misconduct in the university context, with a focus on leadership, policy development, and community collaboration.
Andrea Strachan is an accomplished leader and collaborator known for driving organisational transformation and achieving ambitious objectives in complex and rapidly changing environments. With a career spanning the private, public, and non-profit sectors, Andrea has consistently delivered impactful results across various roles, from CEO of a charity to Programme Integration Lead on a £1.6 billion government initiative. Her experience is especially deep within the higher education sector, where she currently serves as the Director of Student Life and Deputy Director of Student and Academic Services at the University of Glasgow.
In her current role, Andrea oversees a comprehensive portfolio of student services, including leadership development, careers and employability, advising, and wellbeing initiatives. She is responsible for guiding a multi-disciplinary team to create an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment that empowers students to succeed academically, socially, and personally. Her efforts are instrumental in aligning these services with the university’s strategic goals, enhancing student satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
Andrea is also a Director (Membership) of the International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS), a global network dedicated to fostering excellence in university Student Services. In previous roles, including as Director of Student Services at the University of Queensland, Andrea led a department serving over 57,000 students, where she introduced innovative strategies, such as service automation, social media integration for student outreach, sexual misconduct support and prevention and 24/7 crisis support services. Her visionary approach has reshaped student services, improved operational efficiency, and established strong networks across government, educational, and private sectors.
A champion for diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement, Andrea is passionate about creating environments where both students and staff thrive. Her dedication to student-centred service, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration continues to leave a lasting impact on higher education.