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We’re hitting the ground running in 2025!
This month we have highlights from the Victorian Fellows’ event, the launch of a special issue of the History of Education Review, and a roundup of Academy Fellows recognised in the Australia Day Honours. Plus, there are new grant and fellowship opportunities, book releases, and thought-provoking reads and listens to dive into. |
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Happy New Year! I hope you have had an enjoyable and refreshing break over the summer.
It is a privilege to connect with our Academy community as your new President. My deep thanks to my predecessor Professor Richard Holden FES FASSA for his strong leadership over the past three years. He has worked enthusiastically to promote the Academy, its Fellows and the importance of the social sciences. I will continue to consult with Richard over the coming year to ensure a smooth transition, and have been most grateful for his support.
We begin the year by celebrating our Fellows who have been recognised with Australia Day Honours: Scientia Professor Megan Davis AC FASSA FAHA FAAL and Professor Sharon Naismith AM FASSA. Academy Fellows continue to make remarkable contributions both locally and globally and we are proud to acknowledge these latest achievements.
The Academy’s international programs have developed in recent years, providing new opportunities for researchers. Applications for the new Aus-France Visiting Fellowship program are now open. Please help by sharing this opportunity with relevant early career researchers.
This year promises to be a busy one for the Academy, and a challenging one for the higher education sector more broadly. It is timely to reflect on and refresh the Academy’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan as we prepare to set our 2025–2027 priorities. As part of this process, I look forward to hearing how the Academy can best support the interests and expectations of Fellows across diverse research interests and geographic locations.
Over the next couple of months, I will be attending state events to listen to your ideas and thoughts and to update you on the Academy’s plans. Please look out for invitations from the National Office to contribute to conversations that will help shape the Academy’s future. If you are unable to attend state events but would like to share feedback on the strategic planning renewal, please feel free to contact me.
The National Office team under the leadership of Chris Hatherly offers tremendous support for all Academy work. I'm pleased to advise that Chris will be in attendance at most of the state events, with other members of staff also joining where possible.
I look forward to working with you all over the next three years in furthering the value and impact of the Social Sciences.
Kate Darian-Smith
President |
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Victorian Fellows unpack the future of higher education |
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As last year drew to a close the Academy’s Victorian branch was thinking about the future, through a lively panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing higher education. (Missed it? Catch up here.)
Don’t forget—2025 state branch events are on the horizon. Keep an eye on your inbox for what will be happening in your state or territory. |
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Victorian Fellows at the 2024 annual gathering including panellists Professor Allan Fels AO FASSA (front row, left), Professor Jenny Lewis FASSA (front row, second left), Dr Alison Barnes (front row, second right) and Professor Greg Bamber FASSA (front row, right). |
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Post-Pandemic Perspectives in Education
Also wrapping up 2024 was a special issue from The History of Education Review titled Post-Pandemic Positions: New Perspectives on International Education and Public Diplomacy in Australia.
Based on papers from an Academy-funded workshop, the special issue features insights from early-career researchers and acknowledged the Academy's support.
The issue, launched by Professor Michael Wesley from the University of Melbourne at the ANZHES annual conference in December 2024, offers timely perspectives on education and diplomacy. Find it here. |
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We are pleased to advise that the Academy's Panel Ballot is now OPEN.
The Panel Ballot provides Fellows an early opportunity to review and rate all Fellowship nominees in their panel. The results will be used by the Panel Committees and the Membership Committee to determine which nominees will proceed to subsequent stages of the election process.
The ballot is available via the Academy Fellowship page in the Fellow's Portal and will close on Friday 28th February.
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Congratulations |
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Academy Fellows honoured on Australia Day |
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The Academy is pleased to celebrate our Fellows recognised in the 2025 Order of Australia Honours. Their contributions continue to shape social sciences and public policy in Australia and beyond.
Scientia Professor Megan Davis AC FASSA FAHA FAAL, Companion of the Order of Australia, honoured for her eminent service to law and social justice, and for advocating for Indigenous rights nationally and internationally (pictured below left).
Professor Sharon Naismith AM FASSA, Member of the Order of Australia, recognised for her significant service to neuropsychology, particularly in dementia through both research and clinical practice (pictured below right).
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Davis and Professor Naismith, along with all others honoured. Read more. |
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The Royal Society of NSW Awards |
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Each year, the Royal Society of NSW honours distinguished achievements across disciplines, and we are thrilled to see several Academy Fellows among the 2024 recipients:
· Professor George Paxinos FASSA – RSNSW James Cook Medal
· Professor Jane McAdam AO FASSA FAAL – RSNSW Award in the Humanities, Philosophy, and Law
· Professor Katherine Boydell FASSA – RSNSW Milner Interdisciplinary Award
Congratulations to all awardees! The full list is available here. |
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Grants, Scholarships and Opportunities |
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Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS) – Now open
Applications are now open for the 2025 AFIPS Visiting Fellowship Program, supporting early-career social science researchers from France, French Overseas Territories and the Indo-Pacific to Australian collaborators for visits of up to three months.
This program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Australia-France roadmap, and promotes deeper engagement with Pacific challenges through high quality strategic research and distinctive perspectives on regional trends.
Apply now or share with colleagues or networks you think might be interested (applications close 16 March). |
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Call for papers: "Who is a Refugee in the 21st Century?"
A special issue of the Journal of Refugee Studies is seeking submissions that explore the evolving definition of "refugee" from empirical, on-the-ground perspectives. Submit your 400-500 word abstract to aryan.karimi@ubc.ca by 31 March.
For full details, visit the call for papers here. |
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Amsterdam is calling: NIAS Fellowship applications are open
Looking for time and space to focus on research? The Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study (NIAS) has opened applications for its prestigious fellowship program, open to social sciences and humanities researchers worldwide.
You have until 17 March to apply. Learn more. |
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Events |
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2025 Fay Gale Lecture
The Fay Gale Lecture is named in honour of the late Professor Gwendoline Fay Gale AO (1932–2008), the first female President of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (1997–2000) and an eminent human geographer, well-known for her contributions to academia, the advancement of women within academia, Indigenous studies and juvenile justice. The lecture, inaugurated in 2010, is presented annually by a distinguished female social scientist and is open to the public.
Dr Michelle Fitts will be presenting the 2025 lecture on the topic of Head Health and Healing - Listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women about traumatic brain injury from violence.
Learn more and register to attend. |
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Read, watch, listen and attend |
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Stay up to date with the latest reports, articles and events featuring Fellows and the social science community. |
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Read |
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Plenty of summer reading!
Fellow Fleur Johns says Australia is out to lunch in its approach to disaster diplomacy: Read here
Fellow Roger Wilkins used his expertise as the director of HILDA in this piece on the science of healthy aging for The Australian (paywall).
Fellow Ann McGrath reviewed Clare Wright’s must-read book on the Bark Petitions for Nine newspapers.
Fellow Stan Grant’s new book, Murriyang: Song of Time is now out, learn more. |
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Listen |
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Frontier Justice: An Execution
Fellow Lynette Russell joins the Case in Point podcast to discuss Melbourne’s violent early frontier history. A gripping listen. Listen here.
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With great sadness, we acknowledge the passing of esteemed Academy Fellows: |
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Professor John Nieuwenhuysen
Read John’s Academy profile here. |
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Dr Christabel Young
(married name Turton)
Read Christabel’s Academy profile here. |
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Their contributions to the social sciences will be remembered with deep respect.
The Academy strives to keep you informed, including sharing sad news of Fellows’ passing.
Notices are posted on Linkedin and in our monthly newsletter, though delays may occur if we receive information after publication. Please help by sharing the Vale section with your networks where appropriate and notifying us of any Fellow’s passing. We appreciate your understanding. |
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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. |
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