Beginning in January 2024, we invited more than 1,500 students, staff, alumni and partners to help shape the future of our university. Together, we imagined the world we want to help build by 2035, and the unique contributions Flinders can make to get us there.

We listened with intent. We sought cultural guidance from our Elders on Campus: Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien, Arrernte Elder Auntie Pat Miller AO, and Larrakia Elder Uncle Richie Fejo. We held workshops across our campuses in Bedford Park, Adelaide, Tonsley and Casuarina, and gathered more than 50,000 words of ideas and aspirations.

This collaborative approach reflects how we’ll deliver the strategy itself – openly, with purpose, and in partnership. It’s about working together to create impact where it matters most.

Even the structure of our strategy reflects the spirit in which it was created. The decision to centre our strategy around strategic drivers and core enablers came directly from the themes and insights shared through consultation.

Our Strategic Drivers set out what we will focus on. They will drive our decision-making and serve as the stars by which we navigate. The Core Enablers describe how we will deliver our vision, shaping a strong, resilient and agile organisation that responds to the needs of our students and community. Our Values are the immutable foundation that defines who we are and upon which our future success will be built.

Together these will lead us towards our purpose and vision, to change 10 million lives for the better by 2035.

Students first

We put students at the heart of everything we do. Our flexible, future-focused education is purposefully designed to empower students and accelerate careers.

Our courses are co-designed with industry partners to ensure that our graduates are future-ready, with the skills and attributes that society needs.

Anchored in a deep student-centred ethos, we achieve this within a diverse and supportive environment that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and enables every student to succeed.

The university for industry and enterprise

We build close partnerships with business, industry, and the professions to deliver shared value and meaningful impact.

Our approach drives innovation and enterprise by providing students with hands-on professional experience, delivering capability and workforce benefits for our partners, and by translating research expertise into practical solutions.

Through partnerships, we prepare our graduates for career success and position the University as a hub that delivers mutual benefit where knowledge and industry combine to fuel progress and economic growth.

Research that matters

We value innovative research, focused in key areas of strength, tackling questions that matter and delivering solutions that work.

By pushing the boundaries of creativity, discovery, and invention, we advance knowledge for the benefit of society and the natural environment.

Through bold, collaborative research, we work across disciplinary boundaries to tackle complex problems and pioneer new frontiers.

By partnering with industry, government, and community, we translate research excellence into outcomes that deliver community value and drive sustainable economic growth.

This ambition reflects our deep commitment to creating knowledge, opportunity, and innovation that improves lives, strengthens communities, and contributes to a fairer, more sustainable world.

As a public institution entrusted with public and stakeholder funding, we are accountable for delivering on our purpose.

We measure our success not by size or status, but by the real difference we make – through education that transforms lives, research that delivers solutions and solves problems, and partnerships that deliver enduring social and economic benefit.

Our three strategic drivers will guide our strategic decision-making and development of organisational strategy and business planning at Flinders University for the next decade.

Academic colleges and operational portfolios will develop their own aligned plans, ensuring that contributions from across the University collectively drive the outcomes set out in this strategy.

We will track progress through a focused set of measures that monitors our impact in line with the University’s purpose, vision, strategic drivers and core enablers.

Senior leadership will undertake an annual performance and review cycle to assess progress and adjust priorities as required. Council will receive an annual overview of performance to ensure accountability for the impact we aim to achieve.

Through delivery of this strategy, we will realise outcomes that reflect our purpose and ambition, including: