Vice-Chancellor is back in the classroom this year
Campus Review (opens in a new window) published an interview between Erin Morley and Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO, on Wednesday, 19 March 2025.
Western Sydney University vice-chancellor George Williams’s love for teaching didn't disappear when he became vice-chancellor of his university.
Just eight months into his appointment, the constitutional law scholar and former NSW barrister has said he will teach at least two law classes this year.
Professor Williams was Dean of Law for 20 years, and deputy vice-chancellor for four, at the University of NSW, before taking up his role at Western Sydney University in July last year.
In an interview with Campus Review he confirmed he will definitely teach one class per week at WSU’s Justice Clinic, where older students get experience handling real-world law cases.
“That clinic is for later-year students to learn about how to be a lawyer, advocacy, dealing with social justice issues and the like,” he said.
“I’ll talk about my own background as a barrister, as a human rights lawyer and as an academic. It’s a class that connects them to the real world.”
Next semester, Professor Williams said he will take on part of the uni’s government public law course, which he said is his “bread and butter as a constitutional lawyer.”
Specifically, he will teach constitutional change, which includes topics such as referendums.
“It’s not a whole course, that that would be too difficult [timewise]. I can come in and take a class or two here or there, and that for me is about right,” he said.
Professor Williams said the main motivation for returning to the classroom, which is uncommon for vice-chancellors, is his passion for teaching.
“If there’s a chance to teach, why wouldn’t you? I wrote the textbook for the [government public law] course. So, I’ve got a strong, long-term connection to that area,” he said.
He has told all staff this is the “year of the student” at Western Sydney University and is trying to take his own advice.
“I’ve asked everyone to look for ways they can support our students. In my case, teaching is something I can do,” he said.
The VC told the audience at the Universities Australia Solutions Summit of his plans to teach again in response to a question about the “changing face of the student” in an era of online study and accessible learning.
“For students that are often out of sight, out of mind, how do we make sure that they’re on the radar and we are really considering their needs?” the questioner asked.
“Universities often assume things about their students, so making opportunities to connect directly and often with students is important. That’s a real challenge for me as a vice-chancellor,” Professor Williams responded.
“I'm actually going to do some teaching this year, I’ll be in the classroom. I’m going to spend time in our student hub, on the phone, and at our food pantry.
"Things like that are a part of understanding student’s lived experience without assuming we know it, because in my experience, we often don’t know, and we get it wrong.”
ENDS
20 March 2025
Latest News
ABC RN transcript: Vice-Chancellor Professor George Williams discusses higher education sector, student support, and the impact of AI
The following is a transcript of an interview that aired on ABC Radio National Saturday Extra between presenter, Nick Bryant and Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.
Western Sydney University are the number one Australian solar car team at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge
Western Sydney Solar Car team has crossed the finish line placing preliminarily sixth in the world overall, and the number one Australian team in the world’s most prestigious solar car challenge.
Western Sydney University Statement on Cyber Incidents
Western Sydney University has issued an update to its community following confirmation that previously stolen personal information was published online, including on the dark web.
Mobile options:
