Alex Usher

The Year the Money Ran Out: Global Higher Ed Review

S3E35 · June 12, 2025 · 24:34

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, co-producer, Tiffany MacLennan is our host and Alex Usher takes a turn in the question seat. Together, they review the most ...

Cut, Coerce, Control: What Trump Is Doing to U.S. Universities

S3E34 · June 5, 2025 · 28:44

In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, Alex Usher discusses the Trump administration's unprecedented actions against science and universities. Billions of dollars ...

Opening January 2026: Inside One of the Biggest University Mergers in Australia

S3E33 · May 29, 2025 · 31:27

In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher discusses the historic merger of two major Australian universities—the University of Adelaide and the Univer...

Incremental Change or System Overhaul? An Update on Higher Ed Reform in NZ with Roger Smyth

S3E32 · May 22, 2025 · 26:06

Join Alex Usher in the latest episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast as he discusses the hyperactive state of New Zealand's higher education policy with Roger Smyth, a form...

Between Excellence and Relevance: The Regional University Dilemma

S3E31 · May 15, 2025 · 27:17

In this episode of The World of Higher Education Podcast, Alex Usher is joined by Dr. Romulo Pinheiro, a professor at the University of Agder, Norway. They discuss the evolving role ...

Banking on Human Capital: How RBC Sees the Future of Talent, Innovation, and the Role of Post-Secondary Institutions

S3E30 · May 8, 2025 · 26:49

Join Alex Usher on the World of Higher Education Podcast as he delves into the future of Canadian higher education amidst economic shifts with guest John Stackhouse, Senior Vice Pres...

Lean, Global, and Tuition-Free: The University of the People Model

S3E29 · May 1, 2025 · 25:48

Join host Alex Usher in the World of Higher Education Podcast as he interviews Shai Reshef, Founder and President of University of the People. Discover how this online institution se...

Overskilled and Underused? What PIAAC Reveals About the Canadian Workforce

S3E28 · April 24, 2025 · 24:41

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher delves into a discussion about the Program for International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) with g...

Innovation Without Borders: Galileo’s Networked Approach to Better Higher Education System

S3E27 · April 17, 2025 · 25:49

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher talks with Nicolas Badré, Chief Operating Officer of Galileo Global Education, about the rise of private hig...

“Anything Can Be Done With Anything”: Innovative Universities with Dara Melnyk

S3E26 · April 3, 2025 · 23:08

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher delves into the nuances of innovation in universities with guest Dara Melnyk. They discuss the catalysts for...

The Learning Centred University with Steven Mintz

S3E25 · March 27, 2025 · 22:53

In this interview, Alex speaks with Steven Mintz, a renowned scholar and postdoctoral researcher, and author of the book, "The Learning-Centered University: Making College a More Dev...

From Soviet Influence to Market Economy: Mongolia’s Higher Education Journey

S3E24 · March 20, 2025 · 21:01

In this episode of the World of Higher Education Podcast, host Alex Usher interviews Dendev Badarch, a professor at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology, about the evol...

Connecting Universities in a Divided World: International Association of Universities’ Mission

S3E23 · March 13, 2025 · 26:08

Join Alex Usher in this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast where he chats with Hilligje van 't Land, Secretary General of the International Association of Universities ...

Why Boycott? Maya Wind on the Case Against Israeli Universities

S3E22 · March 6, 2025 · 29:01

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher engages with Maya Wind, postdoctoral scholar at UC Riverside, to discuss her book 'Towers of Ivory and Steel...

Students on the Frontlines: The Ongoing Protests in Serbia with Jim Dickinson

S3E21 · February 20, 2025 · 25:03

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe, to discuss the significant role of student movements...

Data, Decisions, and Disruptions: Inside the World of University Rankings

S3E20 · February 13, 2025 · 26:08

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Duncan Ross, former Chief Data Officer of Times Higher Education Rankings. Duncan shares his jo...

The Great Brain Race, 15 years later with Ben Wildavsky

S3E19 · February 6, 2025 · 28:37

Join Alex Usher on the World of Higher Education podcast as he revisits 'The Great Brain Race' with author Ben Wildavsky. They explore the book's thesis on globalization in higher ed...

Colombia's Higher Ed Utopia or Illusion? Insights with Javier Botero

S3E18 · January 30, 2025 · 21:42

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher is joined by Javier Botero, a lead consultant at the World Bank and former Vice Minister of Higher Education...

The Governance of European Higher Education: Convergence or Divergence? with Michael Shattock

S3E17 · January 23, 2025 · 24:59

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher sits down with Michael Shattock to discuss the complexities of university governance across Europe. The disc...

Beyond the Rhetoric: Mexico’s Higher Education Reality with Alma Maldonado Maldonado

S3E16 · January 16, 2025 · 23:28

In this episode of the World of Higher Education podcast, host Alex Usher welcomes back Alma Maldonado, an education researcher at CINVESTAV, to discuss the state of higher education...