Professor Richard James is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Melbourne and an Honorary Professorial Fellow with the Centre for the Study of Higher Education. He previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Undergraduate), Deputy Provost and Director Centre for the Study of Higher Education. He was a leading researcher and a prominent commentator on higher education policy in Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. He also served as a member of the inaugural national Higher Education Standards Panel that developed the Australian Higher Education Standards Framework

Professor James’ research interests are broad, with a strong focus on enhancing the quality of the student experience. His research spans key areas including access and equity, the transition to university, student finances, student engagement, quality assurance, and academic standards. He has published extensively on the impact of social class on higher education aspirations and participation. He has authored over 100 journal articles, book chapters, books, and major reports, and has successfully supervised 50 research students, including 15 doctoral candidates.

Professor James’ academic work has made significant contributions to higher education policy development in Australia. He led major national studies on equity and student finances for Universities Australia, which played a key role in informing the 2008 Review of Australian Higher Education. He has been a member of advisory groups for the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund (LTPF), the AUQA Advisory Group on Standards, the Advancing Quality of Higher Education (AQHE) advisory group, and the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) advisory group. Additionally, he has made substantial contributions to policy initiatives for the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC).