About Us

The universities in the 2050 Alliance are building a better future for students and communities across Australia.

We are expanding opportunity – increasing participation and productivity to benefit all Australians.

Our universities have more than 65 campuses in inner city, suburban, regional and remote areas, serving diverse communities and teaching over 285,000 students.

UNIVERSITIES FOR STUDENTS, COMMUNITIES, AND THE FUTURE

Australia's future depends on more Australians succeeding in higher education, and on the new knowledge those universities create reaching the communities, industries and nations that need it. Our universities are central to this national effort.

This Alliance exists to help build the higher education system that students, communities and Australia will need by 2050. A system where research spans from fundamental curiosity to applied impact. Where student success and new knowledge reinforce each other. And where the 2050 target is not just a number but a reality for every Australian community, and every generation that follows.

History

The 2050 Alliance was formed in 2026 when the seven members of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) joined with two additional universities to create a new group focused on building the higher education system that students, communities and Australia will need by 2050.

Following the release of the Universities Accord in 2024, our founding members recognised the need for a new group of universities that is focused on delivering the Accord’s goal to increase tertiary attainment to at least 80% of working-age Australians by 2050.

TIMELINE

2026

The IRU evolved into the 2050 Alliance with Australian Catholic University and Victoria University joining

2021

University of Canberra joined

2017

Western Sydney University joined

2009

Charles Darwin University joined and remained a member until 2022

2007

James Cook University joined

2003

The IRU was founded by six universities: Flinders University, Griffith University, La Trobe University, Macquarie University, Murdoch University and the University of Newcastle.

MEET THE SECRETARIAT

Paul Harris

Executive Director

Since 2003, Paul has worked to connect education, research and innovation with government and public policy, including diplomatic postings in the Australian Embassies in Tokyo and Washington DC.

Dr Peter Bentley

Policy Advisor

Peter has experience in higher education research and policy in Australia and Europe, with a PhD from the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies at the University of Twente. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management.

Bethany Keats

Communications & International Advisor

Bethany has spent more than fifteen years working in international media, research communication and education marketing. She is also a PhD student in the humanities and creative arts.

Rachel Van Rooyen

Senior Coordinator

Bethany has spent more than fifteen years working in international media, research communication and education marketing. She is also a PhD student in the humanities and creative arts.

The 2050 Alliance recognises Indigenous peoples across Australia as the traditional owners of the unceded lands upon which our campuses sit today. Indigenous peoples are our first educators and innovators, with long-held philosophies of Country. As institutions of knowledge, our universities are proud to play a role in continuing this tradition.

We believe that education and research play an important role in reconciliation, recognition, justice and Indigenous advancement. Through our strategy, we will prioritise work to advance participation, equity and cultural respect, and we will reflect this in our contributions to public policy.