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We’re warming up winter with a strong line-up of events, fresh opportunities, and remarkable achievements.
From new grant rounds and symposium announcements to cross-Academy accolades and international collaborations, sit back for your monthly update, and get out your calendar to mark down the events you’ll not want to miss. |
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This month, there are multiple opportunities to apply for Academy grants and awards:
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The Academy’s Workshop grants are now open, closing 4 August. An online information session will be held on 26 June. Register here.
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Nominations for the Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research are open until Thursday 31 July. If you know an early career social science researcher demonstrating excellence, please consider nominating them and share amongst your networks. Find out more details here.
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Applications for the Australia-France International Program Visiting Fellowship Program will remain open until 30 June. This is a wonderful opportunity for early career academic and professional researchers from Indo-Pacific nations, France and French overseas territories. Again, please share widely with your networks.
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The Academy’s new Rechnitz Memorial Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language. Nominations close on 15 August, with more information available here.
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The new ‘Spark Grants’ program provides funding of up to $1,000 to assist social science research organisations, disciplinary societies and other interested parties to arrange events during Social Sciences Week 2025. Applications are due by 30 June, and more information is available here.
The Academy will be undertaking an update of its 2021 State of the Social Sciences report. Fellows with an interest in contributing to this work are encouraged to send an EOI outlining areas of expertise, or direct any queries, to Policy Director Honae Cuffe on honae.cuffe@socialsciences.org.au.
The Academy and its Fellows remain actively engaged in a number of important policy processes, including ongoing input into the Strategic Examination of Research and Development. Our immediate past President Richard Holden joined forces with former Vice-Chancellor of ANU Brian Schmidt to deliver an address to the National Press Club on Securing Australia’s Sovereign Research capability. Their remarks can be found here.
In the wake of the recent federal election, Canberra readers may be interested in Antony Green’s upcoming lecture at the ANU. Held as part of the Academy’s long-standing post-election workshop series, the just retired ABC Chief Election Analyst will be speaking on 13 June on “Bungee Jumping on Election Night”. Event details are here.
Warmest congratulations to Fellow Helen Christensen on her recent election to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science in recognition of her pioneering contributions to the treatment of mental health though digital mental health interventions. Helen is one of 11 scholars who are joint Fellows of ASSA and the ASA, attesting to the importance of cross-disciplinarity in research.
And finally, many thanks to all Fellows who have provided extensive feedback and suggestions on the Academy’s priorities and future directions through the consultation meetings and the online survey. The Board will be working through the 250 or so responses, and I’ll report back on key issues and actions soon.
Wishing you a productive month ahead,
Kate Darian-Smith
President |
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Antony Green on 36 Years of Elections
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Tickets are being snapped up quickly for this special event with Australia’s most trusted election analyst. Join us on Friday 13 June (5.30pm) for a conversation with Antony Green on the trends and turning points of Australian democracy. Grab a ticket here. |
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Watch: Richard Holden and Brian Schmidt at the National Press Club |
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ICYMI – Immediate past President Professor Richard Holden joined Nobel Laureate and former Vice Chancellor of the ANU, Professor Brian Schmidt, for a joint address at the National Press Club.
The fascinating and wide-ranging conversation, titled Securing Australia’s Sovereign Research Capability, tackled challenges facing Australia’s higher education and research sectors. Watch the full address.
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Fellow Helen Christensen elected to the Academy of Science
Congratulations to Fellow Professor Helen Christensen, Director of the Black Dog Institute, on her election to the Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science.
Helen’s pioneering work in digital mental health interventions has transformed the treatment of mental health, allowing millions of people across the world to access effective mental health support for depression and anxiety. Her contributions have helped shape policy to address mental health challenges in Australia and overseas. |
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A wide range of grants and funding rounds are now open. Don’t miss exploring the opportunities below (and if you’re looking for international options – keep reading, there are a number further down in this month’s newsletter). |
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The Academy’s Workshop Program Grants (info session Thursday 26 June)
The Academy Workshops Program offers Australian social scientists financial assistance to host multidisciplinary workshops which aim to advance research and policy agendas on nationally important issues. The Academy supports up to eight workshops each year with funding to a maximum of $9,000 (excl GST).
Application guidelines, links to register for the 26 June information session (online), and more details can all be found on our website.
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| Click for more on the Workshop Program Grants |
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Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research – nominations close 31 July
The Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research honour Australians in the early part of their career who have achieved excellence in scholarship in one or more fields of the social sciences. Applications are open!
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| Click for more on the Paul Bourke Awards |
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Rechnitz Memorial Award – closes 15 August
The inaugural Rechnitz Award is intended to recognise excellence in research leadership and advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language. Nominations must be supported by two Fellows of either the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia or the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
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| Click for more on the Rechnitz Memorial Award |
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Move fast: EOIs for the Kummargii Yulendji Symposium 2025 close 8 June
The 2025 Kummargii Yulendji Symposium will take place on Tuesday, 9 September at RMIT University’s Storey Hall in Naarm/Melbourne, as part of Social Sciences Week. Organisers are calling for expressions of Interest for lightning talks on projects-in-progress/completed projects, longer presentations, case studies, panels, workshop proposals or other formats you would like to propose.
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Call for abstracts: ARC Centre of Indigenous Futures International Conference
The ARC Centre of Indigenous Futures’ International Conference, titled Indigenous futures unbound: Reimagining Indigenous futures through knowledge and praxis, will be held on Kabi Kabi Country on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this November, and the call for abstracts is now open (closing date: 29 June).
For information and abstract guidelines, head over here. |
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International |
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Above: Academy CEO Dr Chris Hatherly and Royal Academy of Cambodia President Dr Sok Touch |
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Cambodian Presidential delegation visit |
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Earlier this month, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia had the pleasure of welcoming to its National Office in Canberra a delegation from the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about the history of the Royal Academy, its outstanding work in advancing academic research and education in Cambodia, as well as its important conservation initiatives at the Techo Sen Russey Trep Park.
We also exchanged ideas and explored potential regional collaborations through the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC). We were especially pleased to provide details about AASSREC's 'Boosting Social Sciences' program and its Biennial Conference hosted by the ICSSR this December. We look forward to continuing these important conversations with RAC representatives in Delhi!
Many thanks to President Dr Sok Touch, Dr Sam Seun and Dr Khek Vireak for their visit, generosity, and openness to future collaborations between our two institutions. |
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In addition to the number of domestic opportunities we’ve listed earlier, there are several international grants and programs on offer this month. |
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Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS Program) – open till 30 June |
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The Academy’s Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS Program), run with support from the Australian Government as a component of the Australia-France Roadmap, has a number of elements, and the Visiting Fellowship Program is currently open.
The Program supports early-career academic or professional researchers from Indo-Pacific Nations, France, and French overseas territories, via visiting fellowships for up three months with one or more research organisations in Australia, and funding support for research, networking, and collaboration opportunities. Get your application in before 30 June. |
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Australia-China Joint Action Program - CASS Foundation Grants – closing 30 June |
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The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) are proud to administer the ASSA-CASS Joint Action Program. You have until 30 June to get your application in |
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Events |
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Social Sciences Week |
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Save the date for the Great Debate!
Social Sciences Week 2025 runs from 6–12 September, and The Great Debate is back for the third year. This time, experts—and high school students—will explore the proposition “That Australia's history unites us.”
Register an event for this year’s Social Sciences Week or subscribe to the SSW 2025 newsletter here. |
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Social Science Week is set to be bigger and more engaging than ever before with the addition in 2025 of Spark grants. With support of the amazing SSW sponsors, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is offering grants of up to $1,000 to support engaging social sciences week events and activities across the nation.
University groups, local governments, disciplinary and professional associations and individuals are invited to apply for a grant to support any social science-themed event, delivered in person or online and open to the public. The application process is quick and easy (requiring only applicant details, name, format, location and date of the proposed event, information on speakers/presenters and a brief 300-word description) and grants will be determined by random selection of applications that align with the goals of SSW, with consideration of geography and available funds.
“We hope that the Spark grants, will encourage groups or organisations that are unsure about hosting an event during Social Sciences Week to get involved. The Academy is excited to see how this offering will bring new opportunities for the public to engage with the social sciences in their local communities,” said Academy CEO Dr Chris Hatherly.
Applications for Spark grants will close on 30 June.
Visit this link for more information and to apply. |
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Read, Listen, Attend |
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Read |
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Listen |
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Watch |
- Check out the Academy's new Seriously Social school education videos on Plants and Life in Space. While designed for schools, there's something new here for everyone to learn (especially if you like strawberries!).
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We are saddened to share the passing of Emeritus Professor Alison Mackinnon, AM FASSA, on 24 April 2025.
Alison was a respected professor of history and gender studies, and a long-standing Fellow of the Academy.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues. |
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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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