Australia’s universities are failing academics like me – and they’re failing the country

‘Australia’s university sector looks set on the path to mediocrity. There does not seem to be a solution.’ Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Higher education has a problem. Academics are increasingly burned-out and demotivated. Attempts to foster interactions between universities and industry is underpinned by unpaid overtime and wage theft. Junior academics and prospective academics face uncertain career prospects.

The result is a descent into mediocrity that is bad for everyone.