AAF at THETA 2025

AAF will be attending THETA 2025, from the 25th – 28th May, in Perth, Western Australia.

The Higher Education Technology Agenda (THETA) is Australasia's leading biennial IT conference for professionals working in higher education and research and eResearch. THETA serves as a forum to showcase ideas, research and best practice, gain new ways of thinking, and collaborate with like-minded colleagues. Learn more >

THETA is curated under a joint partnership between CAUDIT (Council of Australasian University Directors of Information Technology), CAUL (Council of Australasian University Librarians) and ACODE (Australasian Council on Open and Digital Education).

AAF's CEO Heath Marks will be speaking on the 'Addressing the growing cybersecurity concerns with Digital Research Infrastructure' panel.

May 28 2025, 11:15 – 11:45 (AWST)

The academic research sector, the cornerstone of innovation and knowledge for Australia, faces significant challenges in maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. This session aims to identify and discuss the critical gaps in cybersecurity within the infrastructure that underpins the sector. Despite the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks, is the Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) sector lifting its game to meet the challenges or is there more that we can do?

Key representatives from the sector will frame the concerns and challenges for DRI providers and explore the unique vulnerabilities inherent to the academic research environment, including decentralised infrastructures, open-access policies, and the collaborative nature of research projects.

Find out more >

THETA Key speakers include:

• Professor Barney Glover – Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, former Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University.
• Gry Stene
• Marek Kowalkiewicz – Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School
• Dr Craig Challen SC OAM
• Jill Benn
• Sisonke Msimang
• Professor Simon Ellingsen – Executive Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research

Explore the full program on THETA's website here >