Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC, former Vice‐Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia from 1997 to 2007 was the third woman ever selected as a president of an Australian university. She has made a significant contribution to national education policy over decades. She was a member of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission (CTEC) from 1986 to 1988, a member of the Higher Education Council of the National Board of Employment, Education and Training (NBEET) from 1988 and its Deputy Chair from 1991 to 1994. In 2002 she was a member of the Australian Government’s Higher Education Review Reference group.
In 2008 she chaired the Expert Panel which reviewed Higher Education in Australia and recommended a new framework for Higher Education. The key recommendations of the Bradley Review have been adopted and are bringing about wide reforms.
Her other significant roles have included the following:
- • Foundation Director of the Australian Universities Quality Agency
- • President and Chair of IDP Education Australia Limited
- • Treasurer of the International Association of University Presidents
- • Member of the Board of the Australian Vice‐Chancellors’ Committee
- • Member of the Board of the Australian ‐ American Fulbright Commission
- • Chair of the South Australian Training and Skills Commission
- • Member of the Board of the Business/Higher Education Round Table
Emeritus Professor Bradley is currently Interim Chair of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA); Chair of the Australian Health Workforce Advisory Council (AHWAC); a member of the Education Infrastructure Fund Advisory Board; a member of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO; a member of the NSW Partnerships Evaluation Committee; and Chair of VERNet.
Throughout her career, Denise Bradley has been an outspoken advocate for the entitlement of all Australians to a quality education from their earliest years. As a feminist, she has fought against the conditions that prevent girls and women from realising their potential and participating actively in all spheres of society. She has been prominent in the struggle to broaden access to and participation in education for all; and, in particular, to removing barriers to participation in higher education by those from less advantaged groups in society.
In 1995 she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to education and to educational policy in schools and universities, particularly in relation to access and equity for women and girls.
She was awarded a Centenary Medal, the award created by the Australian Government to commemorate the Centenary of Federation and to honour those who have made a contribution to Australian society or government. In 2005 she was named the South Australian of the Year for her significant contributions to that State. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorates by Australian and overseas universities.
Emeritus Professor Bradley has been a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators since 1982 and was its President in 2008 and 2009. At that time she oversaw significant structural changes in the governance arrangements that enable the College to respond rapidly and effectively as a national body representing all sectors of education.
On Australia Day 2008 Professor Bradley was made a Companion of the Order of Australia, Australia’s highest honour, in recognition of her service to higher education through leadership and sector-wide governance, to the promotion of information-based distance learning and to the advancement of educational facilities internationally.