University students are set to benefit from a new Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) publication bringing together recommendations from some of the most impactful student equity studies of the past 12 months.
From Evidence to Impact 2026 will provide tertiary practitioners, policymakers and institutional leaders with one concise resource containing a broad range of ACSES-funded research – and how they can put the findings into practice.
ACSES Executive Director Professor Shamit Saggar said the report distils high-quality research and evidence into policy and practice summaries aimed at driving meaningful change.
“We wanted to inform Australian universities on how they can improve outcomes for their underserved students,” Professor Saggar said.
“Australia has made significant commitments to equity in higher education, but commitment without evidence to act upon is insufficient.
“This publication shows what rigorous, practice-connected research looks like.”
The first edition presents the work of researchers at universities across Australia on subjects ranging from increasing the number of Aboriginal school teachers, to addressing student placement inequities and financial hardship.
It looks at key equity groups including students from low socio-economic backgrounds, First Nations communities, regional and remote areas, and students with disability.
“Several projects also address students who are the first in their family to attend university, as well as students experiencing compounding disadvantage,” Professor Saggar said.
“This reflects a growing recognition that formal equity group categories, as recognised in the Australian higher education equity framework, do not always capture the full complexity of students’ circumstances.”
ACSES Research and Policy Program Director Professor Ian Li said the report comes as institutions work towards achieving new participation and equity targets set by the Australian Universities Accord.
“This timely collection of research directly provides the evidence base universities and governments will need in order to meet the Accord’s ambitious equity targets,” Professor Li said.
“From students and practitioners to senior leaders and governments, I hope all readers will consider how they can play their part in making Australian higher education fairer and more equitable for all.”
From Evidence to Impact 2026 is now available in full on the ACSES website.
