Executive Dean’s Message | Spring 2026

Dear colleagues,

As we approach the final quarter of the year, I find myself wondering where the year has gone. It seems timely to pause and reflect on what we have achieved over the past eight months, while recognising that there is still a good deal of work ahead of us.

There has been an enormous amount of work across the Faculty this year. That effort has come from our professional staff teams, academic colleagues in our schools, school leadership teams, senior managers, and our Associate and Sub Deans. I want to begin by acknowledging that collective effort and thanking everyone for their contribution.

Growing our international partnerships

We have continued to grow and develop our transnational education partnerships. It has been particularly pleasing to see new initiatives getting off the ground in Sri Lanka, and we are looking forward to welcoming the first cohort into our applied business program in November.

We have also worked to reinforce our relationships with our Chinese partners through our Joint Cooperation Program. In June, I had the opportunity to attend graduations with each of our Chinese partners and to chair our Annual Academic Management Committee meeting. It was a valuable opportunity to celebrate our graduates, meet with colleagues and continue planning the next stage of these important partnerships.

Professor Jac Birt and Professor Lewis Bizo with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) attending the graduation ceremony at Yangzhou University, China. Source: Professor Lewis Bizo, copyright 2026.

Professor Jenny Kent and Professor Lewis Bizo with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) attending the graduation ceremony at The Jilin University of Finance and Economics, China. Source: Professor Lewis Bizo, copyright 2026.

Next week, I will return to China with the Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). We will first visit Jilin University of Finance and Economics in Changchun to help celebrate its 80th anniversary. This will be followed by a short visit to Beijing, where the Vice-Chancellor will chair the Presidents’ Meeting with our Chinese partners. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) and I will also host an alumni event before returning to Australia.

Later in the year, I am looking forward to visiting Cambodia with Professor Jac Birt. We remain committed to strengthening our relationship with the Economics and Finance Institute and identifying opportunities to grow our work together.

Developing our courses

One of the things I have been particularly proud of this year is the considerable work that has gone into developing new courses and renewing our existing offerings.

This includes the new Bachelor of Behavioural Studies, the redevelopment of the Bachelor of Business,  the extensive work being undertaken on the Bachelor of Information Technology, and new Master programs in Leadership and in Artificial Intelligence and Smart Systems.

Course development is detailed and demanding work. It requires academic expertise, careful planning and considerable collaboration across schools, the Faculty and the wider University. These courses are central to the Faculty’s future, and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to their development.

Sharing our knowledge and good practice

I have also been pleased to see the continued growth of the BJBS News Blog and its associated initiatives, including the Ergo Cogito podcast, the Executive Dean’s Seminar Series, Research Bites, and From the Edge. Colleagues from across the Faculty have generously shared their knowledge, expertise and experiences with one another and with the broader community. We saw Dr Charles Vandepeer celebrating his new book launch, Dr Tanmoy Debnath’s award-winning study of a critical challenge in neuro-oncology being recognised in the BIOKDD 2026 conference, and Prof Seumas Miller representing the university at the Hiroshima University’s Presidents’ Peace Conference, to name just a few. In doing so, they have brought to life Charles Sturt University’s purpose of sharing knowledge, transforming lives, and applying our expertise to practical problems that matter to the communities we serve.

It has been particularly encouraging to see colleagues sharing good practice in teaching and research, while creating new opportunities for professional learning across the Faculty. These initiatives help us learn from one another, build capability, strengthen collaboration, and showcase excellence across the University and beyond.

Building on this commitment to knowledge sharing, the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences 2026 Masterclass Series is now live. This complimentary video series features four leading scholars, Professor Larissa Bamberry, Professor Jac Birt, Dr Leo Lin and Dr Jamie Ferrill, sharing research-informed insights on contemporary challenges and opportunities across the Faculty’s areas of expertise. Designed to support lifelong learning, professional development and community engagement, the series connects academic research with real-world issues and practical applications. Register now to access all masterclasses: https://bjbs.csu.edu.au/courses/registration

Thank you to everyone who has presented at an event, organised a seminar, contributed to a podcast, shared their work, or supported colleagues to participate. Your willingness to engage, collaborate and contribute strengthens our academic community and enriches the work we do. I would also like to acknowledge Dr Kath Herbert, whose efforts as Sub-Dean (Learning and Teaching) have helped foster many of these opportunities for colleagues across the Faculty.

The final quarter

As we approach the final quarter of 2026, we have an opportunity to take stock of our strategic priorities at faculty and school level, and to consider how our work contributes to the University’s broader priorities.

The new course development and other changes underway in our course and subject offerings reflect the Faculty’s plan to ensure contemporary course offerings and build a profile that will help us to grow student demand and build offshore enrolments. This is consistent with the University strategic objective of empowering students to thrive in their careers and communities, by delivering flexible, inclusive and industry-informed education that meets learners where they are. The Faculty contribution to the University objective of leading regionally focused research with global impact, by partnering with industry and communities to solve real-world problems and nurture the next generation of scholars, is evident in the research stories showcased in the blog.

Although the end of the year is coming into view, there is still plenty of time and a good deal of work ahead of us. We need to maintain our focus on supporting our students, strengthening the quality of our teaching and research, developing our people and positioning the Faculty for sustainable growth.

Thank you again for everything you have contributed so far this year. The progress we have made reflects the commitment and collective effort of colleagues across the Faculty, and it is greatly appreciated.