Welcome to the Noticeboard
Welcome to the March edition of the Noticeboard, a monthly update with news and opportunities from around the sector. If you have anything you’d like to share with members please contact DASSH.
News from dassh
Essential Insights: Towards Treaty
Tuesday 12 May
11am (AEST)
Online
As universities deepen their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, questions of partnership, responsibility and institutional leadership are becoming increasingly central.
This Essential Insights webinar explores the progress towards treaty, drawing on Swinburne University of Technology’s work with the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Guest speaker Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement, will share insights into the strategic, cultural and institutional considerations shaping this work, and what it means for the sector more broadly.
This webinar will be facilitated by Professor James Verdon, Dean, School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education, Swinburne University of Technology.
Aotearoa Member gathering
It was great to be joined by around 30 Aotearoa members at our recent in-person gathering in Wellington. Special thanks to Professors Cynthia White and Averil Coxhead for organising such an engaging day.
Members discussed priorities including future demographic trends and recent changes of Tertiary Research Excellence Fund. This will set the tone for next steps for DASSH.
Learn more
Around the traps
New modelling on Job-Ready Graduates Package
Innovative Research Universities (IRU) have published new analysis which shows that reductions in funding under the JRG policy meant universities received $813 million less to teach and support students.
Read analysis
Strategic Examination of Research and Development report now live
An independent panel has released the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) report which includes 20 recommendations that aim to improve the capacity of Australia’s research. The Australian Government commissioned the report in 2024.
Download the report
Read the Minister’s announcement
Open Access Policy update
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has updated its Open Access Policy, strengthening open access requirements to ensure research funded by the ARC is accessible to the public. The new version of the policy takes effect on 1 July 2026.
Find out more
ATEC legislation amendments
The Senate has approved an amended version of the Bill to formally establish ATEC. Amendments include enhancements to ATEC’s independence, an increase in the number of commissioners and a legislated role for ATEC to advise on research and research training.
Read Andrew Norton commentary
Read more from Future Campus
More students but less funding in Aotearoa
Semester one enrolments in most major Aotearoa universities are up, however funding shortfalls are hitting the sector, reports Jaime Cunningham in the New Zealand Herald.
Read the story (paywall)
Aotearoa graduates struggling to find entry-level work
On Radio New Zealand, Charlyse Tansey discusses the job market for graduates, following February’s unemployment rates, which show unemployment for 15 to 24-year—olds is three times higher than the overall unemployment rate.
Listen here
Four Corners story on Australian universities
ABC’s Four Corners, investigates the impacts of declining public funding and rising debt on universities. This episode explores the purpose and future of higher education in Australia.
Watch the episode
Aotearoa Fellows announced
Twenty-one new Ngā Ahurei Fellows have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Fellowship recognises researchers, scholars, and innovators throughout Aotearoa New Zealand across science, technology, and the humanities.
Read more
Long-term labour market outcomes for university graduates
Researchers Rong Zhu and Xiaodong Gong, have conducted an empirical study on the market outcomes of university graduates from different socio-economic backgrounds. Their final report is shared on the website of the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success.
Read the report
Universities New Zealand responds to government review on export controls
In Research Professional News, Jenny Sinclair reports on a response from Universities New Zealand to a government review on export controls and international collaboration. The body says current arrangements are inadequate and should be brought into line with the Australian model.
Read more
Annual Status of women report card released
The Government of Australia’s 2026 Status of women report card has been released The reportBdetails that Australian women are working more than ever, with workforce participation at a record yearly average of 63% in 2025.
Read the report
Australia doubles cost of post-study work visa for international students
Blair Wise from ABC News reports that the National Union of Students (NUS) has launched a petition asking the Federal Government to reverse a doubling of temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) from $2,300 to $4,600.
Read more
NZ Government subsidies won’t cover student numbers
At RNZ, John Gerritsen reports on calls from seven New Zealand’s universities which say that the government did not provide the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) with enough funding for all enrolments in 2025 or 2026. They believe this situation will be repeated in 2027.
Read the story
Commentary on Job-Ready Graduates and credit transfer
From Claire Field and Associates, an opinion piece discussing both the Greens’ reversal on the Job-Ready Graduates bill, and the recent announcement about ATEC’s National Credit Recognition Framework.
Read more
Will students offload cognitive work to AI?
Jason Lodge and Leslie Noble review the cognitive science and growing body of evidence that using AI can short-circuit the cognitive effort required for sustainable, deep learning. They discuss the implications of this shift for education. The report is available via Australian Policy Online.
Read here
Attracting more Chinese students to Aotearoa
From RNZ Asia, Liu Chen writes about a new report from the New Zealand China Council, which urges New Zealand needs to do more to attract international students from China amid tougher global competition.
Read the story
Joint response from Australia’s Learned Academies on SERD
At a recent media briefing, Presidents of all five of Australia’s Learned Academies spoke to share their thoughts on the SERD’s Ambitious Australia report.
Read their comments
National Skills Taxonomy announced
In an opinion piece on the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills website, Deputy Commissioner, Jobs and Skills Australia, Megan Lilly, announces a National Skills Taxonomy that will make all skills visible, valuable and transferable in an era of AI recruitment.
Read the announcement
Challenges for regional students wanting to move to city for higher education
The Country Education Foundation and regional families want more support to help regional students move to a city for higher education. Anita Ward, Matt Stephens and Jackson Byrne discuss in ABC News the widening gap between regional and metropolitan students accessing higher education.
Read the story
Harmonisation between universities and TAFEs
In an opinion piece for Future Campus, Tim Winkler, writes about unanswered questions about the Accord which would strengthen relationships between universities and TAFEs.
Read the story
AI era may have upside for literal arts careers
In Fortune, Preston Fore writes that Microsoft’s Chief Scientist believes the answer to a secure career against the backdrop of AI may lie in the critical thinking and cognitive skills developed through the study of the liberal arts.
Read more
Opportunities
NSW History Awards
Entries are now open for the 2026 NSW History Awards. A total of $85,000 in prize money will be presented across six categories from Australian history to military and digital history.
Entries close at 5pm, Friday 10 April 2026.
Learn more
Rechnitz Fund Grant Program 2026
Grants of up to $20,000 are available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars in the social sciences, for work that supports knowledge and understanding of the society, languages and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Applications close Friday 17 April.
Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants
Part of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program, these grants provide seed funding of up to AUD$5,000 per annum to support collaborative research (joint projects and exchanges) in and on the Pacific, including challenges around climate change, food and resources.
Applications close on 30 April.
Stein Rokkan Prize for comparative social science research
The International Science Council, European Consortium for Political Research, and University of Bergen award a prize of 5,000 EUR for comparative social science research.
Nominations close Friday 1 May.
Learn more
Consultation on new National Cultural Policy
The Australian Government is developing a new National Cultural Policy, which will set a clear direction for the coming years and guide how Australia supports creativity, cultural expression and participation.
Consultation closes Sunday 24 May.
Read the public consultation paper
dassh events
Essential Insights: Towards Treaty
Tuesday 12 May
11am (AEST)
Online
This Essential Insights webinar explores how universities are deepening their engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, focusing on Swinburne University of Technology’s progress towards developing a Treaty with the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Conference and AGM
Wednesday 16 – Friday 18 September
Melbourne
More information on the program as well as registration details coming soon. For now, please hold these dates in your calendar.
Stay updated
dassh networks
If you are interested in joining any of our Communities of Practice, please reach out to us at office@dassh.edu.au.
Research Network
Communicating HASS Research Value
Thursday 23 April
12pm (AEST)
Online
Supporting Indigenous-led Research
Wednesday 17 June
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Teaching & Learning Network
Thursday 30 April
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Australian events
ARDC Community Data Lab Co-design workshop: HASS geospatial capability
Wednesday 29 April
12pm – 1.50pm (AEST)
Online
The Australian Research Data Commons invites you to a workshop to co-design a Humanities, Arts and Social Science (HASS) Geospatial Capability based on Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards-based software.
Reserve a free spot
Aotearoa events
Kia Tika, Kia Pono: For a just society
Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April
Victoria University of Wellington | Te Herenga Waka
Join this three-day kōrero to imagine, articulate, and collaborate for a just society. This conference will be a kōrero of scholars, activists, community builders, economists, and legal experts.
Find out more
Auckland Writers Festival
Tuesday 12 to Sunday 17 May
Auckland
With over 200 public events, this year’s Festival brings together 220 of the world’s best writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists and thinkers to explore ideas, share stories and join in conversations.
Find out more
The Reality of Everything symposium
Friday 26 June
Wellington
A one-day, in-person event bringing together leading experts to lay out what is actually happening, especially as it affects Aotearoa New Zealand, and to help build the foundations for informed, collective action.
Find out more