Presentation 1:

This session reframes leadership in international education through an ethic of care for staff, drawing on principles of existential leadership that understand leading and following not as positional roles, but as relational, reciprocal, and mutually sustaining practices. Rather than emphasizing hierarchy or authority, we explore leadership as something that emerges through responsiveness, trust, and attunement to others within complex systems.

In workplace contexts, we explore the shift away from individual resilience toward collective care, where staff are supported to be altered by one another, to adapt without depletion, and to move together through uncertainty. When staff are cared for, heard, and resourced, organizations are better positioned to respond ethically and effectively to international students’ evolving needs.

Presentation 2:

Staff in international education and student-facing roles are navigating increasing complexity and emotional labour. While many institutions offer wellness programs, burnout and isolation persist, not because supports are absent, but because they are often disconnected.

This session reframes staff wellbeing as an ecosystem rather than a set of standalone initiatives. Using a systems lens and practical examples, we will explore how connecting people, services, and processes can reduce strain, share responsibility, and create more sustainable, human-centered support for staff. You will leave with a clear opportunity to strengthen connection across existing supports within your own institution.