At the 2024 HERDSA Conference in Adelaide, Assoc. Prof. Linda Ng, Dr Dongmei Li, and I had the privilege of presenting our poster, International Academics: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know. We were honoured to be named runners-up for the Onsite Poster Presentation award—an encouraging recognition of our work and its relevance within the higher education landscape.

During the same conference, Dr Jason Wong was presenting on active pedagogies and happened to come across our poster. We struck up a conversation, during which he shared that he and Dr Wade Naylor were conducting research on a related topic: International Academics in Australian Higher Education: Navigating Identity and Belonging. Their work delves into the nuanced experiences of international academics, especially regarding professional identity and institutional integration. The thematic resonance between our projects led to an immediate connection.

From that chance meeting at HERDSA 2024, a rich and collaborative research journey began. The five of us—Linda, Dongmei, Jason, Wade, and I—committed to exploring the identity, career pathways, and teaching and learning experiences of international academics. Our work is framed by the B.O.S.S. model (Barriers, Opportunities, Strategies, and Successes), developed by Singh (2022).

Inaugural AGM: From left: Wade Naylor, Lind Ng, Jasvir Singh, Dongmei, Jason Wong

This collaboration has since led to the establishment of the International Academics Special Interest Group (IASiG) under HERDSA. At HERDSA Perth 2025, we held our first face-to-face SIG meeting. IASiG has grown rapidly, now with close to 100 members and an active LinkedIn presence. Prior to Perth, we hosted a series of virtual meetups featuring high-profile international academics and fostering valuable networking and learning opportunities.

The in-person gathering in Perth brought together around 10 international academics for a deeply enriching discussion centred on collaboration, professional development, and solidarity—particularly for those working beyond Australasia. One sentiment emerged strongly: “It’s about time we had a space like this.” The IASiG offers a long-overdue platform for connection, not criticism—a space for international academics often referred to as “invisible” to find community and voice.

Inaugural AGM: The International Academic SiG

Importantly, IASiG is not just for seasoned or well-established academics. We welcome early, mid, and changed-career international academics navigating unique challenges and contributions.

At HERDSA 2025, we were also thrilled to have two abstracts accepted: one as an oral presentation, and the other as a roundtable. Our roundtable, Navigating Academic Careers Across Borders, provided an open, heartfelt space for international academics to share personal experiences. Stories of resilience, adaptation, and triumph emerged, highlighting not only the challenges of unfamiliar systems but also the strength, creativity, and solidarity within our community.

Round table discussion: Navigating academic careers across borders

In our oral presentation, we shared findings from a systematic quantitative literature review examining how migration influences the professional identity of international academic staff (IAS) working long-term in higher education outside their birth countries. Drawing on 30 studies published between 2000–2024, we identified four key themes:

1. Professional Identity & Agency – how IAS reconstruct academic identity within new cultural and institutional settings;
2. Cultural Challenges – including language barriers, marginalisation, and racism;
3. Mobility Transitions – underscoring the role of institutional support in shaping identity trajectories; and
4. Storytelling & Narrative – used by IAS as tools for navigating identity tensions and asserting legitimacy.

Our presentation highlighted the gap in current research and the need for institutions to provide structured induction, mentoring, and inclusive policies. We concluded by urging universities to support IAS not just to survive, but to thrive.

Reflecting on HERDSA 2025 and our broader work, several key insights have emerged:

1. Our mission is rooted in generosity
   We aim to support one another across teaching, research, and career development. We proudly foster a non-racial, inclusive space where all international academics are welcomed, respected, and valued.
2. Being “othered” is a persistent reality
   Many academics shared experiences of xenophobia, bullying, harassment, and racism—often stemming from perceived cultural or linguistic differences. These issues align with findings from our upcoming publications and highlight the need for institutional accountability.
3. Our work matters
   Even when the impact is simply amplifying unheard voices, it holds deep meaning.
4. Our community is diverse and enriching
   We met international academics from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Norway, and beyond, contributing across disciplines, including academic development. Their cultural and educational insights enrich curriculum and pedagogy in host institutions.
5. Our connections are invaluable
   HERDSA nurtured a spirit of curiosity, collaboration, and mutual support. These relationships are the foundation of a thriving academic ecology that prioritises collegiality over competition.
6. Some international academics hesitate to self-identify
   This reluctance may stem from a desire to fit in, avoid discrimination, or express gratitude for employment. However, naming our experiences is an essential step toward equity and inclusion.
7. We must spotlight both barriers and strategies
   While the challenges are real, we must also acknowledge what works—strategies, resources, and stories of success. Our diverse backgrounds are not just sources of difference, but of strength.

HERDSA 2025 reaffirmed what our research—currently under review—continues to show: international academics navigate complex and shifting terrain with resilience and resolve. Though our journeys differ, our need for recognition, community, and institutional support is shared.

We are energised by this momentum. Beyond academic outputs, we are now developing a practical toolkit and a series of workshops to support international academics to thrive—not just survive. Stay tuned!