This ANUpoll – the 29th since 2008 – examines the attitudes of everyday Australians when it comes to universities, as places of research, learning and public debate.

Universities in Australia: attitudes and challenges addresses attitudes on whether universities are preparing Australians for the workforce; whether universities are still places to debate controversial ideas; and whether we play a pivotal role in educating people from disadvantaged or regional backgrounds.

The results point to the trusted role of universities and university researchers – in the public’s eye the most reliable source of facts and information.

As brokers of ground-breaking education and research, universities need to ‘get’ the millions of people living their daily lives outside campuses. Australian universities must be places that embrace people from all walks of life. The results are insightful, drawn from a broad base of the Australian population.