Scullen J, Fouche W
1Australian Access Federation (AAF), Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
John Scullen is the Head of Trust & Identity Strategy and Futures at the Australian Access Federation. He is responsible for helping to adapt AAF’s services to meet stakeholder needs in a rapidly changing external environment. With 25 years’ experience in the higher education and research sector, John has a strong track record of successfully delivering large, complex projects and in developing innovative approaches to business and technology solutions.
Abstract:
AI is transforming every aspect of digital research and collaboration. Quantum computing and cybersecurity requires new ways of delivering infrastructure. At the Australian Access Federation (AAF), we are at the forefront of enabling the trust and identity that meets the future needs of Australia’s higher education and research sector.
The solution is a fundamental shift in infrastructure to an OpenID Federation – a model that supports machine-to-machine access, API-driven workflows and dynamic trust relationships that don't depend on a browser session. OpenID Federation also provides a solid foundation from which to explore verifiable digital credentials, enabling more portable and privacy-preserving assertions of identity and entitlement across institutional, national and international boundaries.
This session will outline what is changing, why it matters, and what it means for your services and platforms. Benefits include stronger trust and assurance, better support for automated and data-intensive workflows, and a clear pathway for emerging identity technologies aligned with global standards.
Whether you manage identity infrastructure, support research platforms or lead strategic programs, this session will help you prepare for an identity landscape that looks nothing like the environment research and education federations were originally built for.
