President's Message

Last month the Academy, along with several partners, launched a Decadal plan for transforming Australia’s social science infrastructure. Connected, Innovative and Responsive: Decadal Plan for Social Science Research Infrastructure 2024-33 outlines an ambitious vision for how the nation can reap the benefits of the recent and continuing explosion in the amount and availability of social data. Special mention is due to the Academy’s project lead Dr Isabel Ceron for steering the plan. At the launch in Canberra she noted:

‘In a similar way large telescopes inaugurated a new era of discovery for astrophysics and space science, in the same way that peeking into our genes forever changed the way we understood life and its determinants, we are now starting to see masses of social, human data, pouring in from all corners of society.’

In early April I had the pleasure of hosting Professor Betsey Stevenson at UNSW for the Academy’s flagship Cunningham Lecture on the topic of Marriage, family and work in an age of rising gender equality. Professor Stevenson is a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan. She also served as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor and as a member of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers. For those who weren’t able to attend what was a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion, the event was recorded.

I would also like to remind you that applications for the Rechnitz Fund close on 13 May, and that the Fay Gale lecture takes place next week in Adelaide. Professor Pam Nilan will speak about Youth, Masculinity and the Far Right in Australia.

Finally, I had the pleasure of recently attending a roundtable convened by the Academy to support the Productivity Commission's inquiry into early childhood education and care. Thank you to our organising committee and Fellows who participated in this important event, a summary of the discussion will be released in the coming weeks. 

Dr Isabel Ceron with Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM and Dr Chris Hatherly at the launch of the Academy's Decadal Plan. 

Charting a course for social science: Decadal Plan launches

On Wednesday 10 April, the Academy and partners proudly launched the Decadal Plan for Social Science Research Infrastructure 2024-33, a forward-looking blueprint for transforming Australia’s social science research infrastructure over the coming decade.

We extend a warm invitation to all members of the social science research community, data and analytics organisations, universities, government departments and agencies, community organisations and socially oriented businesses to engage with this Decadal Plan, to embrace and champion its goals and to collaborate in shaping a more dynamic, responsive and globally competitive Australian social science research sector.

We thank our partners ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Life Course Centre), the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research and the UQ Institute for Social Science Research for their involvement and support.

Events

Fay Gale Lecture

Join us in Adelaide (or online) next week for the Academy’s 2024 Fay Gale lecture, Youth, Masculinity and the Far Right in Australia, presented by Professor Pam Nilan from 5.30pm on Friday 10 May. 

Held in partnership with The Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender, this lecture will explore the concept of aggrieved entitlement and will consider the nexus of youthful masculinity and far right discourse in Australia. It constitutes a gendered reflection on data collected from a range of men for an Australian Research Council Discovery-funded research project titled Far Right in Australia: Intellectuals, Masculinity and Citizenship.

Please note that there are limited in-person spots available and registrations are free, but essential.

AUKUS Symposium

Since its inception in 2022, AUKUS has received bipartisan political support, shaping crucial national security and international relations discussions. Join us from 15-16 August in Canberra for an important symposium featuring expert analysis of the political, legal, strategic and economic aspects of AUKUS.

Explore the program and access early bird registration rates until 31 May.

ICYMI: Cunningham Lecture 

Last month we hosted the Academy’s Cunningham Lecture, presented by Professor Betsey Stevenson in conjunction with UNSW Business School. Watch the recording of Marriage, family and work in an age of rising gender equality online now.

Save the date: Modernising Medicare Symposium, 19 June Canberra, ACT 

Since its inception in 1984, Medicare has been facing numerous challenges such as increasing costs, population ageing, and the growing burden of chronic disease. To meet such challenges, continuous improvement and reform of Medicare is essential. This symposium is an opportunity to explore how research can inform ongoing policy to modernise Medicare. The blueprint for Medicare was designed using groundbreaking academic research on out-of-pocket costs and health insurance by John Deeble and Dick Scotton in the late 1960s. Building on this legacy, this symposium aims to highlight the central role that research should play in the design of modern health policy to improve access and wellbeing.  Sign up to the Academy Events newsletter for more updates. 

Congratulations

Research.com published the third edition of its annual ranking of the greatest scientists in business and management. This annual list of outstanding researchers in the area aims to bring attention and recognition to the academic community for their research achievements. We congratulate all Academy Fellows included on the list:

We also extend congratulations to Fellow Jonathan Corcoran and the Academy’s Senior Policy Analyst Dr Isabel Ceron on being appointed as members of the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network Scientific Advisory Committee.

Experts convene to shape future of early childhood education and care

On 19 April the Academy convened a policy roundtable for the Productivity Commission to provide multidisciplinary expert input to their inquiry into early childhood education and care which is chaired by Associate Commissioner and Fellow Deborah Brennan. The half-day event in Canberra focused on two important aspects of the early learning system, Effective models of system stewardship and Supporting children with additional needs across the early years, and was chaired by Fellow Susan Danby. 

International happenings

Applications are now open for the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC) Mentoring Initiative, supporting social science researchers in the Asia-Pacific. AASSREC is seeking mentors to assist in supporting early career researchers from under resourced researchers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Call for Nominations: AASSREC Grant Review Committee

AASSREC is also seeking social science researchers to support the Boosting Social Sciences and their Contribution to Better Lives across the Indo-Pacific program. As part of this initiative, you'll evaluate grant applications and help shape research priorities. Nominate yourself or recommend a colleague by 24 May.

Empowering innovation: latest grant opportunities

Final reminder: Rechnitz Fund Grant

Don't miss out! Applications for the Academy’s Wilhelm, Martha, and Otto Rechnitz Memorial Fund are closing soon on 13 May 2024. This fund supports early- and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social scientists, offering grants of up to $20,000 to support research excellence and innovation in the social sciences.

Asia-Pacific opportunity

Applications are now open for the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC) International Social Science Collaboration and Development Grant Program, supporting collaborative social science research initiatives in the Asia-Pacific via 11 grants of $5,750 each for early- to mid-career researchers and underrepresented scholars in the Asia-Pacific.

Read and attend

Read

Hidden Wars: Gendered Political Violence in Asia’s Civil Conflicts by Fellows Sara E Davies and Jacqui True is a groundbreaking exploration into the intricate relationship between sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and structural gender inequality in Asia’s protracted conflicts. More than just an academic study—this book is a call to action for policymakers, activists, and researchers to confront the hidden realities of gendered violence in conflict settings. By understanding the intricate nexus between gender inequality, political dynamics, and reporting silence, we can pave the way for meaningful change and create a future where SGBV has no place in armed conflict. 

Attend

The Hugh Stretton Oration was established in 2021 in honour of the late Academy Fellow Emeritus Professor Hugh Stretton AC. This year's guest speaker on 22 May from 5.30pm at the University of Adelaide is Chair of the Productivity Commission Danielle Wood, who will explore the topic of inequality in Australia and discuss What role does government policy play? Register now to hear Danielle’s insights into economic inequality, how it has changed over time and the factors that contribute to how different groups are faring and whether governments can and should do more.

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our national office is located, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, and

to their elders past and present.