Podcast: In conversation with Professor Dawn Freshwater

From leaving school at 15 in Nottingham, to becoming a nurse, to earning a PhD in nursing and public health, to now leading New Zealand’s premier university, Professor Freshwater’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and conviction.

You’ll hear her insights on:

• Overcoming personal adversity and shaping a career in mental health and leadership

• Gender equity and mentorship

• Facing discrimination and cultural differences; the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education

• Universities under siege—and why they must reassert their role in knowledge, social cohesion, and global impact

• The fourth-generation university model and rethinking higher education’s purpose

• Climate change, sustainability, and what true progress requires

• The values and moral compass that guide leadership in turbulent times

Listen now

Don’t want to miss any episodes? Follow our channel on your preferred podcast platform, and stay tuned for fresh content!