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We’re hitting the ground running in 2025!
Queensland Fellows kick off the Academy’s 2025 state events, a strategic review of Australia’s research and development system is underway, and there are updates from two international delegations.
While we have you, don’t miss the piece about the Rechnitz Fund Grant Program, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers. Apply by 5 May. |
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As we step into March, I’m pleased to have had the opportunity to begin meeting with Fellows to discuss the Academy’s activities and strategic plan. Last week I enjoyed meeting with Fellows in Brisbane to hear their views on priorities for the Academy over drinks and a convivial dinner, joined by our CEO Chris Hatherly and Education Director Cindy Bin Tahal. I’m planning to attend other state events in March and April to connect and consult with Fellows. For those unable to attend these events, there will be opportunities to provide input into the Academy’s strategy via a survey that will be circulated soon.
Looking ahead, the University of Adelaide will host the annual Fay Gale lecture on 3 April. This lecture is named in honour of the Academy’s first female President the late Professor Gwendoline Fay Gale AO and will be delivered by Dr Michelle Fitts, Senior Research Fellow at the Menzies School of Health Research, who lives and works in Mparntwe Alice Springs. Dr Fitz will speak on Head Health and Healing – Listening to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women about traumatic brain injury from violence. Register here.
Fellows and National Office staff continue to be actively involved in policy reports and submissions. Late last year, the Academy convened an Expert Working Group comprised of Fellows and sector representatives to deliver a report for the Office of the Chief Scientist on the role of cultural and community institutions in building resilience to misinformation and disinformation. An evidence-based report was recently submitted, informing advice to the National Science and Technology Council. The report will be published mid-year and contributes to work across government exploring how policies and programs will foster resilient, cohesive communities.
The Academy’s Policy Committee is also overseeing submissions to the Strategic Examination of R&D; the ARC Policy Review, and the 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Any Fellows interested in making substantive contributions to this work are encouraged to contact the Academy’s Policy Director Dr Honae Cuffe.
The 2024 Age-Friendly Universities and Age-Aware Curriculum Development in the Decade of Healthy Ageing workshop report is available here. Funded by the Academy’s Workshop Program, the event was convened by Fellow Professor Nancy Pachana and Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy.
Finally, on behalf of the Academy, I extend thanks to Professor Renée Fry-McKibbin for her 3 years of service as Chair of Panel B. Renée has been appointed to the RBA Monetary Policy Board and is assuming a new leadership role at the ANU. Professor Beth Webster (University of Melbourne) was recently endorsed as the new Chair of Panel B, and I welcome her to the Academy Board.
I encourage you to read the Newsletter and get involved in the opportunities presented below. I’m looking forward to staying connected and working together as the Academy champions the social sciences in Australia and beyond.
Kate Darian-Smith
President |
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Applications are now open for the Academy’s Rechnitz Fund Grant Program, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in the social sciences. Apply here by 5 May. |
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Queensland Fellows reflect on the Academy’s achievements and future priorities |
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Queensland Fellows were the first to host their 2025 event in Brisbane on Monday, 24 February. Academy President, Kate Darian-Smith and CEO, Chris Hatherly, provided updates on the 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, followed by reflective conversations.
This was the first state event of the year where Queensland Fellows engaged with Kate and national office staff to discuss the Academy’s recent achievements and explore renewed strategic priorities, ahead of the new strategic plan due later this year. Kate said that she is looking forward to meeting with Fellows from across the nation to better understand how the Academy can support the interests and expectations of Fellows across the diversity of the social sciences and across geographic locations.
In addition to state events, a survey will be distributed to Fellows asking for views on Academy priorities. Fellows unable to attend state events but wishing to discuss the strategic planning renewal are encouraged to contact Kate or Chris directly. |
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Front row (L-R): Professor Martine Powell, Professor Katharine Gelber, Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy, Professor Greg Marston, Professor Neal Ashkanasy, Professor Kate Darian-Smith
Back row (L-R): Cindy Bin Tahal, Dr Chris Hatherly, Professor Jolanda Jetten, Professor Brian Head, Professor Janeen Baxter, Professor Ross Homel, Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Professor Jonathan Corcoran, Professor John Quiggin, Professor Kathleen Daly, Professor Mark Finnane |
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Review of Australia’s research and development system
The Australian Government is conducting a strategic examination of Australia’s R&D system. A consultation process is underway, and Fellows are invited to respond to the survey questions by 11 April. Access the consultation survey here. |
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Age-friendly universities report is out
A new report from the Academy’s Workshops Grants Program examines how universities can better support older learners and intergenerational learning environments. Read the report. |
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Congratulations Felicity Meakins! |
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Fellow Felicity Meakins has been awarded a Fulbright Senior Scholars award for 2025-2026. She will work with Professors Joseph Kirschvink and Shin Shimojo at Caltech (Los Angeles) to investigate Australian First Nations’ navigational systems and their potential links to the geomagnetic field.
In a world first in human sensory research, this work on magneto-reception brings linguistics and science to the task of describing one of the extraordinary abilities of First Nations Peoples in Australia. |
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Call for Nominations: ARC College of Experts |
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The Australian Research Council (ARC) is seeking nominations from suitably qualified and experienced individuals, including senior academics and end-users across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, with peer review and research leadership experience.
Nominations Open: Monday, 3 March 2025
Nominations Close: Thursday, 17 April 2025
Nomination Form and Resources available here. |
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The Great School Debate Competition!
The Academy’s Seriously Social school education program is excited to launch the inaugural Great School Debate Competition for students and teachers for 2025! In partnership with the National Library of Australia and supported by the University of Canberra, Seriously Social is offering two teams of high school students the chance to come to Canberra and show off their powers of persuasion during a live debate during Social Sciences Week. The topic? That Australian history unites us.
Entries for the competition comprise a debate plan from interested student teams and are open until 10am, May 1.
Please share the details with your networks and help engage young people in the social sciences.
Learn more and apply here. |
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Delegates at the ISC 3rd General Assembly in Oman (left) and Fellow Professor Emeritus Kathryn Robinson presenting (right). |
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Academy at the ISC General Assembly |
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The Academy’s international engagements for 2025 are off to a strong start, with the Academy’s International Director, Claire Rioult and Academy Fellow, Professor Emerita Kathryn Robinson attending the 3rd General Assembly of the International Science Council (ISC) in Oman.
Discussions focused on:
- Strengthening science-policy partnerships
- Revisiting the social contract for science
- Balancing long-term research with short-term impact
Read the full article here. |
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Academy representatives join delegation to French Polynesia |
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As part of the Academy’s Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program, our International Committee Chair Professor Adam Possamai and International Director Claire Rioult joined a delegation of nine representatives from Australian learned academies and university networks on a visit to French Polynesia.
The visit, arranged by the Embassy of France to Australia took place on 6 – 7 February and included discussion on:
- Expanding academic partnerships
- Supporting Indigenous Polynesian knowledge in research
- Addressing funding challenges for Pacific Island researchers
Read more about the visit here.
Plus, keep an eye out for an upcoming announcement sharing the grant awardees from the sixth iteration of the Australia-France Collaborative Social Science Research Program. |
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Events |
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Join us in Adelaide on April 3 as Dr Michelle Fitts presents the 2025 Fay Gale Lecture, exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's voices on traumatic brain injury from violence.
Learn more and register to attend. |
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Read |
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Citational justice in research
Academy Fellow Mark Finnane explores citational justice in the latest Australian Book Review. Read more here.
Future Cities Making
Co-edited by Fellow Peter Newton, this open-access book explores urban sustainability transitions in Australia. Download it here.
Environment and sustainability: A policy handbook
Fellow Steve Dovers and co-authors Karen Hussey and Sarah Clement have released the 3rd edition of this essential policy guide. Find it here. |
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Listen |
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As the housing debate continues, this throwback to an episode from our Seriously Social podcast on getting housing density right proves it is still a great listen.
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We would like to correct an error in the February Academy newsletter.
In acknowledging the recent passing of fellow Dr Christabel Young, the incorrect photograph was included. The correct photograph is presented here. Also, Dr Young was incorrectly titled as "Professor".
The Academy's national office sincerely apologises for these errors and any distress or confusion they may have caused.
You can read Dr Young's Academy Profile here. |
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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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