Research

George Brown, Director of HigherEd Consulting (Australasia) conducts a variety of research in the area of accreditation and policy initiatives affecting the Australian higher education system.  The following are some relevant interviews, research papers and publications:

Publications, Seminars & Conference Papers ( * Denotes double blind, peer reviewed paper as per DEST guidelines)

• Brown, George M. (2007). Academic qualification acceptability and authenticity: a comparative risk assessment of approaches employed by the recruitment and higher education sectors of Australia. Adelaide. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Education, The University of Adelaide.
• Brown, George M. (2007). The risk surrounding academic qualification acceptability and authenticity. ACPET National Higher Education Providers Seminar, Grand Hyatt Melbourne, 30th January 2007.
• Brown, George M. (2006). "Degrees of doubt: legitimate, real and fake qualifications in a global market." Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management 28(1)*
• Brown, George M. (2005). Recognition and authentication of higher education qualifications in a transnational market: sorting the cyber wheat from the digital chaff. Internationalisation - Practical Solutions: A Trans Tasman work-out. ISANA International Education Association 16th International Conference, 29th November to 2nd December 2005, The Hotel Grand Chancellor, Christchurch, New Zealand.*
• Brown, George M. (2005). Credentialism and the sheepskin effect forty years on: fraud and the new era of the qualifications spiral. Educational Research Conference, 24th November 2005, Flinders University Institute of International Education, The Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, South Australia.
• Brown, George M. (2005). Degrees and Qualifications of Doubt. ACPET South Australia Members Seminar, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide Australia. 5th November 2005. Review available here.
• Brown, George M. (2005). "Fighting Credential Fraud. A Brief Critique of Australian and American Approaches to Qualification Verification and Authentication." World Education News & Reviews 18(5): 2.
• Brown, George M. (2005). Recognition and authentication of overseas students qualifications: towards a best practice model for Australia. Opportunities in a Challenging Environment. 19th IDP Australia International Education Conference, Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Queensland, Australia, IDP Education Australia.*
• Brown, George M. (2005). "Degrees of Doubt". ACPET Victoria Members Seminar, Hotel Metropole, Melbourne Australia, 19th September 2005. Review available here.
• Brown, George M. (2005). Three 'Controversial' Virtual Universities: Lessons from the Australian Experience. Issue 33, August, 2005 The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education. Association of Commonwealth Universities and Universities UK.
• Brown, George M. (2005). "Degrees of Doubt: Best practice in verifying the legitimacy and authenticity of prospective staff and student's qualifications". Australian Council for Private Education and Training. National Conference; Private Education and Training in Australia - a Fundamental Shift. 25-27 August, 2005, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, South Australia. Review available here.
• Brown, George M. (2005). Recognition, regulation and governance of internet based higher education providers: beyond the Bologna Declaration. Shifting Boundaries of Sovereignty: Governance and Legitimacy in the European Union and Australasia, The Australian National University, Shine Dome, Canberra, Australia.
• Brown, George M (2005). Degrees of doubt: legitimate, real and fake qualifications in a global market. Paper presented at the Australian Tertiary Education Management Association 2005 Higher Education Update: 15th Queensland Branch Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
• Brown, George M (2005). Credential Fraud...or is it? Paper presented at The HR Summit 2005, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre; Sydney, Australia.
• Brown, George M. (2004). Protecting Australia's Higher Education System: A Proactive Versus Reactive Approach in Review (1999-2004). Australian Universities Quality Forum (AUQF) 2004. Quality in a time of change, Adelaide, South Australia, Australian Universities Quality Agency.*
• Brown, George M. (2002). Competing for the Cyber-Savvy: challenging the competitor you never knew you had. 16th Australian International Education Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, IDP Education Australia.*
• Brown, G.M. (2001). Are virtual universities in Australia a guise for degree/diploma mills to thrive? School of Education. M.Ed. Mgmnt Thesis. Adelaide, Flinders University of South Australia: 213.
• Brown, George M (2001). Virtual universities and their impact on Australia. National Higher Education Policy Officers Professional Development Seminar, held on November 15th, 2001, Perth, Western Australia.

Professional Memberships:

Memberships are maintained in the following organisations in order to remain current in various areas of higher education research:

• Australian Association for Research in Education - AARE
• Australian College of Educators - ACE
• Australian Council for Private Education and Training - ACPET
• Association for Tertiary Education Management - ATEM
• International Education Association of Australia - IEAA
• International Education Association - ISANA