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Dear Fellows and friends,
With Social Sciences Week just around the corner from 12-20 September I am looking forward to celebrating the breadth and contribution of the social sciences with colleagues and communities across Australia.
The program this year offers many opportunities to explore the contribution of social science to some of the big issues facing Australia. The Academy’s Great Debate: Australian Politics is Alive and Well is being held in partnership with the National Library of Australia on 17 September. Now in its fourth year, the debate brings together Fellows and other experts to argue both sides of a question that goes to the heart of our democracy. The program also includes a Great Student Debate with two schools from WA and NSW participating, and students and teachers receiving advice from the Academy that enables discussion about topical, and often contentious issues, in the classroom.
The Academy’s Social Sciences for Australia’s Future report, launched in August, provides an important reminder of why this work matters. I encourage you to take a look if you have not already, and to share it with your networks. The questions the Report raises about the visibility and future of social science capability are particularly relevant in light of submissions that the Academy is preparing on research specialisation in universities, and the implementation of the Horizons Europe research scheme.
A big welcome to Dr Jodie Trembath, who commences on 9 September as the Academy’s new Chief Executive Officer and brings extensive experience in research, policy and engagement. The Board looks forward to working with Jodie in strengthening the profile of the social sciences with government and stakeholders and in supporting the Fellowship. We warmly thank the remarkable Dr Tina Parolin for her dedicated service as Interim CEO, and for her calm and capable leadership and guidance of the Academy during this period of transition.
Finally, a reminder that the Academy’s Welcome to New Fellows and Annual Dinner will be held on 11 November at the State Library of Victoria. Registrations will be open shortly and prospective attendees are encouraged to save the date.
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Academy appoints new CEO
The Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of new CEO Dr Jodie Trembath. Dr Trembath is an experienced leader, policy strategist and organisational anthropologist and will commence in the role on 9 September.
Read more about Dr Jodie Trembath’s appointment.
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Queensland branch members connect across disciplines
Fellows from the Queensland state branch came together on 27 August to participate in a cross-disciplinary tour at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, followed by dinner at Patina at the University of Queensland. Bringing social scientists into a research environment outside their usual disciplinary sphere stimulated curiosity, conversation, and new connections. |
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Above: Qld state branch Fellows gathered for dinner at Patina. |
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Fellow Distinguished Professor Anthony Elliott from the University of Adelaide has been awarded a Writer’s Residency at the IEA de Paris. Professor Elliott will also take up the GATES Distinguished Fellowship at Maison de la Création et de l'Innovation at Grenoble University, France, as well as a Visiting Fellowship at St Cross College, Oxford University.
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INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM NEWS |
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The National Office International team would like to thank all Fellows who completed the international engagement survey. A report is being prepared for the International Committee and the Board.
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Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Professor of Australian Studies, Harvard University
Applications close: 15 October 2026
Final notification: end of March 2027
Residency: August 2028 to May 2029 (full academic year, in residence at Harvard)
Teaching load: two courses
Find information on the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Professorship. |
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Kathleen Fitzpatrick International Researcher-in-Residence School
The Kathleen Fitzpatrick International Researcher-in-Residence School will run from 27 – 29 October 2026 at the University of Queensland. Expressions of interest are invited from early career researchers or higher degree research students interested in building international connections, developing new networks, spending time with peers, and participating in mentoring sessions.
Find out more about this opportunity. |
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Social Sciences Week launch
The First Inventors: How People Shaped a Continent
An evening with Larissa Behrendt AO, Billy Griffiths and Sean Ulm
Tuesday 15 September, 6.30pm
The Capitol, Melbourne
Join prize-winning historian Dr Billy Griffiths, celebrated First Nations author and intellectual, Fellow Professor Larissa Behrendt AO and one of Australia’s leading archaeologists, Professor Sean Ulm as they discuss their new book The First Inventors, How People Shaped a Continent.
Register to attend the Social Sciences Week launch event.
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The 2026 Great Debate: That Australian Politics is Alive and Well
17 September, 4.00 - 7.00PM
National Library of Australia
Join us for an evening of compelling debate as six of Australia’s premier academics argue for and against the state of Australian politics.
Don’t miss this thought-provoking event, packed with engaging discussions and opportunities for audience participation. Proudly presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the National Library of Australia, the Great Debate promises an evening that will challenge your perspectives and ignite your curiosity.
Ticket price includes entry to the Great Student Debate.
Register to attend the 2026 Great Debate.
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Hancock Lecture: Save the Date
Let’s talk about Flex: How ‘Good Flex’ builds sustainable careers and better workplaces
1 October, 6.00 - 7.15PM
Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Fellow Professor Rae Cooper will present the 2026 Hancock Lecture.
Drawing on extensive research and real-world insights from workers, employers and government, Professor Cooper will examine how well-designed flexibility can improve gender equality, support career progression, build workforce sustainability and deliver better outcomes for workers and organisations.
Register to attend the Hancock Lecture.
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Save the Date: Rethinking Working Time
Productivity, Fairness and Wellbeing Conference
Thursday 12 November
9:00am-5:00pm
University of Melbourne
Registrations opening soon
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Featured events from #SSW2026 sponsors
From AI data centres and disaster resilience to the sociology of food and understanding Australian's relationship with shark attacks and management, Social Sciences Week sponsors offer a full program of events to cater to everyone from community members to academics.
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Kummargii Yulendji Symposium 2026
Tuesday 15 September
9.00AM - 5.00PM
RMIT Storey Hall and online
Focusing on how we describe, apply and amplify First Peoples’ Knowledges, research and publications, the symposium offers a collegial forum for the Indigenisation of Australian research, libraries and publishing sectors.
Register to attend the symposium.
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AI Data Centres: Exploring the Buildings Behind the AI Boom
Thursday 17 September
5.30 - 7.00PM
The Capitol, RMIT
This event brings together industry, government and academic perspectives to explore the opportunities and challenges of Australia’s digital transformation.
Register to attend AI Data Centres event.
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Rebuilding Cities After Disasters and Conflicts: Perspectives on Housing Recovery
Tuesday 15 September
3.30 - 5.30PM
RMIT Green Brain and online
This event will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collaboration to explore strategies that support resilient and sustainable recovery within the housing sector.
Register to attend Rebuilding Cities After Disasters and Conflicts event.
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Bronze Sponsors: The University of Sydney, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University |
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19th Annual E.L ‘Ted’ Wheelwright Memorial Lecture: Climates of Uncertainty
Thursday 17 September
5.15 - 8.00PM
The University of Sydney
What can the ways we wrestle with uncertain futures—like climate models, prediction markets, high-tech promises, or reactionary revanchism—tell us about a world without a “normal”? Join Distinguished Professor Geoff Mann for the 2026 E.L. ‘Ted’ Wheelwright Memorial Lecture.
Register to attend.
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Why We Eat What We Eat: Food Writing, Social Science and the Stories Behind the Plate
Wednesday 16 September
6.00 - 8.30PM
Macquarie University
‘Why We Eat What We Eat’ is a public Social Sciences Week event bringing together food writing, storytelling, tasting and social science. This event is open to community members, students, educators, food lovers, writers and anyone curious about the hidden social life of food.
Register to attend Why We Eat What We Eat.
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Social Cohesion Symposium: Belonging, Resilience, and Democratic Participation
Monday 14 September
9.30AM - 4.00PM
Western Sydney University
Join leading researchers, educators and community voices at the Social Cohesion Symposium: Belonging, Resilience, and Democratic Participation as part of Social Science Week 2026. This thought-provoking event explores some of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary Australia, from multiculturalism and social cohesion to media trust, democratic participation, belonging and resilience.
Register to attend the Social Cohesion Symposium.
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SERIOUSLY SOCIAL SCHOOLS PROGRAM |
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The Great Student Debate for Social Sciences Week
The 2026 Great Student Debate – “That Australian politics is alive and well” will take place on Thursday 17 September at the National Library of Australia. We are delighted to share images of debaters that are due to travel to Canberra from Lakeland Senior High School, Western Australia and Hurlstone Agricultural High School, NSW.
Both schools will receive:
The National Library of Australia, University of Canberra and Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia are pleased to collaborate as sponsors of this event.
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Living Futures: Shortcuts to a Big Idea
Deborah Lupton
Living Futures offers a fresh and exciting perspective on how people imagine and make futures as part of their everyday lives. It addresses important questions about who is included in futures thinking and futures making, and who is excluded. Bringing together historical, anthropological, sociological, geographical and arts-based perspectives, this book provides a pithy yet expansive overview of social theories, research and creative approaches applied to futures thinking.
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Have news to share?
Reminder to all Fellows: do you have information about events, publications and news articles you would like to share with the social sciences community? If we know about it, we can share it! Email info@socialsciences.org.au with subject line: Information for Academy Newsletter. |
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