University of South Australia's Denise Bradley stresses equity in key ideas for national tertiary education
University of South Australia vice chancellor (1997-2007), professor Denise Bradley's review of higher education for the Australian government in 2008 set vital national benchmarks.
Image courtesy University of South Australia
Professor Denise Bradley, instrumental in guiding the founding of the University of South Australia and the direction of national higher education, dedicated her career to making changes for more women, Aboriginal people and people from low socio-economic backgrounds had the opportunity for a good education.
A 1970s single mother who credited the women's movement with stiffening her resolve to succeed, Bradley gained a bachelor of arts from Sydney University, a diploma of education from Adelaide University, diploma of librarianship from the University of New South Wales and a masters degree in social administration from Flinders University.
She began her career as a teacher in secondary schools and colleges and became women’s adviser to the South Australian education department from 1977 to 1980. She was instrumental in amalgamating South Australian Institute of Technology and the South Australian College of Advanced Education that became the University of South Australia. She later served as vice chancellor and president of the new University of South Australia from 1997 to 2007 where connecting with industry and social inclusion were part of its foundation.
Bradley was a member of the TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Council of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission, a foundation director of the Australian Universities Quality Agency (2000‐2003) and a member of the board of directors of the business/higher education round table (1999‐2007).
She was chair of the South Australian training and skills commission 2008-10 and the Bradley Review of Higher Education for the Australian government in 2008 set vital benchmarks for higher education, designed to ensure Australia could justify its claim as “the clever country”.
Bradley was credited with dedicating her career to making changes that would see more women, more Aboriginal people and more people from low socio-economic backgrounds, have the transformational opportunity of a good education.
Among her accolades, Bradley was an officer of the Order of Australia in 1995; received a Centenary Medal in 2003; was South Australian of the Year 2005; made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2008; and was conferred with the prestigious College Medal by the Australian College of Educators in 2011. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from University of South Australia in 2007.
