The Recent Warning from Deakin's Vice-Chancellor

Professor Iain Martin, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, has issued a bold caution to Australia's higher education sector, asserting that universities are increasingly viewed as a 'plaything of the left' and risk losing their social licence entirely. Speaking at recent events including the 2025 AFR Higher Education Summit, Martin highlighted how public perceptions of politicization, declining teaching standards, and misplaced priorities are eroding the trust that underpins university operations. This comes amid broader discussions sparked by Deakin's comprehensive white paper on the social licence challenge, which paints a picture of a sector at a crossroads.

Martin's comments underscore a growing sentiment that Australian universities, heavily reliant on public funding and taxpayer support, must realign with community expectations to maintain legitimacy. He argues that inaction could lead to a complete dissolution of this implicit permission to operate, affecting everything from government funding to student enrollments.

What Exactly is a University's Social Licence?

In the context of higher education, social licence refers to the ongoing approval and trust granted by the public, allowing universities to function, receive funding, and influence society. It rests on four pillars: legitimacy (serving the public good), accountability (transparent operations), credibility (as trusted knowledge producers), and overall trust in the institution's motives and outputs. Unlike a legal licence, it's intangible and fragile, bestowed by stakeholders including taxpayers, students, employers, and policymakers.

Historically, Australian universities have enjoyed strong social support, expanding from under 10% school leaver participation in 1987 to nearly 50% today, thanks to reforms by Education Minister John Dawkins. However, recent shifts in public mood—fueled by cost-of-living pressures, generational inequities, and high-profile controversies—threaten this foundation.

For professionals navigating higher ed careers, understanding this concept is crucial; institutions with robust social licences attract top talent and funding. Explore opportunities at higher ed jobs to contribute to resilient universities.

Revealing Data: Deakin's Poll on Public Trust

A pivotal Deakin University survey conducted in June-July 2025 lays bare the extent of the trust deficit. Key findings include: 31% of Australians reporting little trust in public universities, with another 12% unsure—totaling nearly 43% harboring doubts; almost 40% believing universities prioritize revenue and global rankings over teaching quality and student outcomes; and 27% viewing the sector as focused on narrow interests rather than national priorities.

• One-third cite concerns over quality and relevance as barriers to pursuing university education.
• 38% see universities as strong promoters of free speech, though over half remain unconvinced or unsure.
• Perceptions of executive pay secrecy, workforce casualization, and wasteful spending further fuel cynicism.

These statistics, drawn from a representative sample, signal that the crisis is not mere anecdote but a measurable reality demanding urgent reform.

Perceptions of Political Bias and 'Plaything of the Left'

The phrase 'plaything of the left' encapsulates widespread accusations that universities serve as platforms for inner-urban, left-wing cultural elites, advancing ideological agendas over objective inquiry. This view has persisted through parliamentary inquiries into academic freedom, where concerns about left-leaning dominance in humanities and social sciences were raised as far back as 2008, though recent data remains qualitative.

Critics point to campus activism, where protests on issues like Gaza have led to grant suspensions—such as Macquarie University's handling of Randa Abdel-Fattah's $890,000 Australian Research Council grant, paused for 10 months before restoration. While universities have tightened protest rules—Group of Eight institutions imposing new restrictions in 2025—the public remains skeptical of neutrality.

Martin urges intolerance for researchers refusing to cite opposing views, calling it the 'antithesis' of university values. To counter this, campuses must become safe spaces for rigorous debate, preparing students for challenging ideas rather than shielding them.

Photo by Deakin University on Unsplash

Challenges in Teaching Quality and Student Experience

Public frustration extends to perceived declines in teaching standards, exacerbated by reliance on international student revenue—now under strain with new enrollment caps. Issues like outdated materials, contract cheating, AI misuse, and ballooning student debt deter domestic participation. Western Sydney University has labeled this a 'crisis of community confidence,' advocating student-centered reforms.

Casualized workforces and a 'publish or perish' culture prioritize quantity over impactful research, alienating communities. Rate your experiences with professors via Rate My Professor to highlight what's working and what needs change.

• Reduce casual labor for stable, high-quality teaching.
• Align curricula with employer needs and national priorities.
• Enhance student safety, both physical and intellectual.

Broader Sector Responses and Stakeholder Views

Beyond Deakin, peak bodies like Universities Australia and the Group of Eight are pushing for Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) independence to bolster credibility. The University Chancellors Council launched a Social Licence Initiative in 2025, fostering governance aligned with community expectations.

Stakeholders diverge: conservatives decry bias, progressives defend activism as free speech, while employers seek practical graduates. Students, facing debt and job markets, demand value—for career advice, visit higher ed career advice.

Read the full Deakin Social Licence White Paper for in-depth analysis.

Impacts of Eroding Social Licence

Losing social licence threatens funding cuts, enrollment drops, and policy backlash. Regional universities face viability risks, research pipelines weaken, and international prestige suffers. With social cohesion fracturing amid economic woes, universities risk becoming political targets rather than unifiers.

Explore university jobs in Australia as sector leaders seek reform-minded talent.

Pathways to Renewal: Recommendations from Experts

Deakin's white paper outlines actionable steps:

• Prioritize teaching visibility and quality, measuring by outcomes not metrics.
• Foster open debate and intellectual courage on campuses.
• Uphold research integrity as 'honest brokers,' focusing on national impact.
• Enhance transparency: publish salaries, cut waste, communicate plainly.
• Collaborate via ATEC compacts embedding social licence requirements.

Martin emphasizes: 'We must look Australians in the eye and prove we exist to serve them.' For aspiring lecturers, see how to become a university lecturer.

Additional insights in Deakin's social licence challenge page.

Photo by Deakin University on Unsplash

Case Studies: Real-World Examples

The Randa Abdel-Fattah case exemplifies tensions: her refusal to cite Gaza-silent scholars led to grant scrutiny, spotlighting research impartiality debates. Similarly, Group of Eight protest curbs reflect balancing free expression with order amid 2025 encampments.

Positive cases include Deakin's community innovation hubs, demonstrating value through local partnerships.

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

By 2026, with ATEC operational, universities embedding social licence in strategies could reverse trends. Policymakers must support sustainable funding; institutions, cultural shifts. Individuals can advocate via feedback or careers in reform.

Prospective academics, leverage university jobs and academic CV tips. In conclusion, reclaiming social licence demands collective will—prioritizing public good over prestige secures Australia's higher education future. Engage further at Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and higher ed career advice.