Welcome to the December 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 our Research and Engagement Officer Ellen Kirkpatrick.
As part of our final newsletter of the year, we have compiled news for Australia and Aotearoa.
Year in review
It has been a busy year for the higher education sector and here at DASSH. Particularly with the release of the Universities Accord and multiple policy changes. As the year closes out, we would like to take a moment to reflect on 2024 and share some of our key achievements.
We produced the Australia and Aotearoa Impact and Outcomes research reports documenting the wide-ranging impacts of the humanities, arts and social sciences. These reports translate how the arts deliver direct economic benefit and dispel common myths about career pathways.
The Future of Honours discussion paper
The Future of Honours project dived into declining enrolments, questioning whether Honours education remains aligned with higher degree training and international opportunities. This research was led by Special Interest Group leaders Professors Kath Gelber, Alexandra Ludewig, Kristin Natalier and Thea Blackler. The findings provide insight into the value of Honours and understanding its unique characteristics and student motivations.
Member gatherings
We hosted four in-person member gatherings in different Australian cities. At each of these gatherings, experts delivered presentations on their fields including AI and the future of languages. These gatherings provide members the opportunity to network, share common challenges, resources and receive support.
Annual conference
Our annual conference hosted at the University of South Australia had over 70 members in attendance. Members were able to attend workshops, network and have a say in the future direction of DASSH. We also published for the first time extensive online resources from the workshops and speakers for members who were unable to attend the conference in person.
At the Annual General Meeting, our council members elected a new board for the next leadership term. We welcomed Heather Zwicker from The University of Queensland as Nick Bisley of La Trobe University stepped down after two years of leadership. We also farewelled, Matt McGuire, Robert Greenberg and Kate Darian-Smith. We welcomed new board members Paula Geldens, James Verdon, Kate Nash and Michael Ondaatje. We thank Cynthia White, Deborah Gare and Lori Lockyer for their ongoing contributions.
Australian and Aotearoa Communities of Practice
We established an Australian and Aotearoa Community of Practice for Associate Deans (Research). These communities are forums where members can exchange ideas, provide support and come together to face shared challenges. The establishment of these regular gatherings has been well received by members.
After attending the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences Annual Meeting in San Diego, Executive Director Jane Ryan produced an interview series based on interviews with sector leaders about the issues facing American university educators and how they are being addressed. The interview series have become a great resource for Australian and Aotearoa leaders who are facing similar challenges and opportunities.
We made four policy submissions. This included addressing the National Skills Passport, National Competitive Grants Program, National Skills Taxonomy and establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission. All of our submissions were informed by member views through extensive consultation.
Job-Ready Graduates advocacy
We have consistently advocated for the reform of the JRG scheme which saw arts degree cost up to $50, 000. Opinion pieces published in The Canberra Times and Research Professional News as well as reporting in outlets like Australian Financial Review were an important pillar of our democracy. DASSH has argued for fee reform and highlighted the impact on non-traditional students and the importance of the arts and humanities as career pathways.
While we welcomed the recent once-off reduction of student debt as providing relief to many Australians, the repeal of JRG remains a priority for DASSH to create a more equitable higher education landscape.
In the media
Our advocacy and submissions have been widely recognised with DASSH appearing in multiple media outlets including Australian Financial Review, The Canberra Times, Research Professional News, The Australian, InDaily, Science Media Centre and Scoop Independent News.
Noticeboard and LinkedIn
We have substantially increased our engagement with members online. Our monthly Noticeboard Newsletter has become an important source of policy and sector news. It is now shared via email, the DASSH website and LinkedIn. We have also established a bi-monthly Aotearoa Noticeboard which is dedicated to sharing relevant news and events specific to Aotearoa.
Our online presence has also increased with our LinkedIn page gaining significant engagement. Here we have built an online community of the DASSH Lounge and share updates from around the sector.
The year ahead
Under the leadership of a new board, we are currently developing a strategic direction for the coming year. We will continue to represent the arts, social sciences and humanities through advocacy and policy work and strengthen our relationships with existing members and new partners.
We are gearing up for the 2025 Federal Election. We are ensuring we can provide our members with relevant information and news about higher education policies and advocate on the things that matter to them most.
We are currently mapping out discipline and leadership trends in the arts, social sciences and humanities across Australia and Aotearoa. This research will help us identify future risks and where we can provide ongoing support to members.
We are also developing more communities of practice and networks where members can relate to one another in smaller settings. We are working on a series of online networking events to provide opportunities for those who are unable to travel or attend in-person events.
We hope that you enjoy the upcoming holiday period and continue to stay updated with DASSH throughout 2025.
News from dassh
Deans condemn Minister’s cut to Humanities and Social Sciences research funding
DASSH has called for the immediate reversal of the Aotearoa government’s decision to disband the Humanities and Social Sciences panels under the Marsden Fund. In consultation with Aotearoa members, we responded with a statement highlighting the far-reaching consequences of reducing independent research.
Read the full statement here
The statement has been circulated and quoted at the following outlets:
Other articles of interest regarding the funding cuts:
- Reactions from the scientific community
- Former Marsden Fund chair response
- Aotearoa universities vs business groups
- Impacts on Māori
Sydney member gathering
Professor Greg Hainge from University of Queensland shared insights from his practical campaign to increase university enrolments in languages in the age of AI. The gathering also provided members the opportunity to engage in shared reflections and discussions about the sector and how to best make use of future gatherings.
Associate Dean (Research) Communities of Practice
After the success of establishing the Aotearoa ADR Community of Practice, we are pleased to announce we hosted the first Australian ADR meeting last week. This is a forum where members have been able to engage with colleagues from across institutions at a role level. Both groups have established their main priority areas for 2025 and calendar invitations are going out now. Get involved if you are not already by emailing our Research and Engagement Officer Ellen Kirkpatrick.
Getting the word out
Inequitable costs of arts degrees
DASSH President Heather Zwicker said in the Australian Financial Review that the Coalition’s Job-Ready Graduates policy has impacted a large number of non-traditional students. Within months it will cost some Australian students more than $50, 000 to do an Arts degree. This goes against the Universities Accord student attainment targets and increasing pathways for non-traditional students.
Read the article here
Around the traps
New National Expert Governance Council
The first national expert governance council to set rules for executive salaries and address key issues around university appointments has been introduced. The government-appointed council will look at transparency and accountability processes in response to systemic wage theft. This coincides with a National Teachers Education Union report scrutinising executive salaries.
Read more about the governance council
See the NTEU report
Australian Research Council Discovery Projects 2025
Last week the ARC announced over $342 million to be awarded to more than 500 projects. This reflects a significant increase in government funding from 2024 as part of the Discovery Projects scheme recognising research excellence. The amount of funding to humanities, arts and social science projects doubled year on year. Congratulations to all recipients!
See funded projects here
Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Fellows
Congratulations to all the newly announced 2024 Academy of Social Sciences in Australia Fellows. It is wonderful to see these researchers recognised for their outstanding contributions in their fields. And a special congratulations also to the incredible early career researchers recognised with the Paul Bourke Award this year.
See Paul Bourke award winners
See new Fellows
2024 Research Honours Aotearoa series
The final event of the 2024 Research Honours Aotearoa series was recently held at Te Papa in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. Medals and awards were presented to researchers who have achieved excellence in scholarship or innovation or who have made a significant contribution to Aotearoa through their research.
Read more about the recognised researchers
Australian Academy of the Humanities Fellows
We also welcome the announcement of the new AAH Fellows announced last week. It is wonderful to see their work recognised. These scholars are at the forefront of the most pressing issues facing Australia and internationally, helping Australia tackle the biggest challenges we face as a society.
See more
Critical link between health and arts
New research points to the critical link between health sciences and the arts and highlights the lack of targeted organisational support that promotes the benefits in many other nations. The research highlights a multitude of health benefits of the creative arts but finds that of all the nations surveyed Australia is the only country that lacks a national arts and health organisation.
Read more
See the original report
Australians lack media literacy
A new report finds the majority of Australians lack the ability to verify misinformation. Research published by the News and Media Centre and Western Sydney University state the need for more media literacy initiatives. This is another very important reason to make sure Australians have access to education that helps them understand and verify online information.
Read more here
See original report
Creative arts to support economic growth in Aotearoa
The Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage has released a draft creative and cultural strategy, Amplify, to realise the full potential of Aotearoa’s Creative Arts. Amplify seizes the creative sector as a tangible means of growing the economy. The proposed initiatives have been met with mixed responses from creative workers and stakeholders.
See more here
Student debt relief contributes to gender inequality
Amidst new legislation changing student debt indexation, analysis from the University of Western Australia finds that women will accumulate more debt over time. Women are likely to be repaying student debt over a decade longer than men.
Read more here (paywall)
Suburban study hub locations announced
The Federal government has announced the locations of the first ten suburban university study hubs across the country. These hubs are a recommendation of the Universities Accord to help people from the outer suburbs access university.
See the locations here
Vice-Chancellor points to plan to make arts affordable
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor George Williams has highlighted a plan developed with Innovative Research Universities to cut the cost of an arts degree by almost half. By removing the highest band of university fees, the plan would replace the Job-Ready Graduates Scheme and also restore funding to STEM subjects.
See more here (paywall)
Better Together: The Jobs and Skills Report 2024
This Jobs and Skills Australia report highlights the importance of inclusive participation in the workforce particularly for disadvantaged groups. It provides a detailed look at Australia’s workforce landscape with a focus on future skills, opportunities and challenges. It emphasises the need for a more harmonised tertiary education system to meet future workforce demands.
See the report
Australia’s opportunity: a skills and productivity agenda
A report released by the Australian Industry Group has recommended reform to the tertiary education system to create a coherent system that values both vocational and higher education. It proposes a significant shift in education and training policy to better align skills development with current and anticipated industry needs.
See more here
International students helping Aotearoa post-pandemic
The latest nationwide data from the Ministry of Education has revealed that there has been a sixty-seven per cent increase in overseas student enrolments within one year. Almost seventy thousand students enrolled to study in Aotearoa in 2023 assisting stronger recovery.
Read more
Open letter to European Commission: strengthening social sciences
The Research Network on Energy Politics, Policy and Governance have said that the social sciences and humanities are critical for achieving European Green Deal’s goals and addressing climate change. In an open letter, they have called on the European Commission to strengthen the role of social science and humanities research in future programmes.
See more here
Opportunities
Phase three of Aotearoa University Advisory Group
The UAG has asked the sector for money-saving ideas in the face of “fiscal constraints”. In the third and final phase of its review of the university system for the government, the UAG is calling for submissions on possible reforms to the Performance-Based Research Fund.
Submissions close 18 December 2024.
Read more
See submission guidelines
HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School
3-6 February 2025
Brisbane/Meanjin
Learn hands-on digital research skills, network and inspire new research outcomes for humanities, arts, social science and Indigenous research at the 2025 Australian Research Data Commons Summer School. Registrations are also open for the Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass on 3 February 2025. Both events are open to HDRs, EMCR researchers, and custodians of Indigenous data. Travel bursaries are available.
Find Summer School information here
Higher Education Landscape Survey
The Leaders Survey is designed to provide insights into the evolving business education landscape and explore how opinions of candidates and university leaders intersect or diverge. A joint initiative between Times Higher Education and Advent Group, the survey seeks to identify opportunities and challenges today’s universities face while examining the current recruitment and enrolment strategies.
See more here
Call for papers: special issue on Māori data sovereignty
To celebrate a decade of Te Mana Raraunga, the development of the Māori data sovereignty principles, and associated action in research and policy, the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand is calling for Expressions of Interest for a special issue planned for release in early 2026. This special issue seeks to document progress in Māori data sovereignty, positive contributions to both science and Te Ao Māori, and the coming challenges of the next decade.
Find out more here
Australian events
Coordinated Access for Data, Researchers and Environments
11am-12pm
Thursday 12 December
Online by the Australian Research Data Commons
The Australian Research Data Commons invites you to join Jenny Fewster and Ryan Perry online for an informative webinar showcasing the soon to be launched Coordinated Access for Data Researchers and Environments. Developed to support secure, standardised data sharing across sectors, CADRE is providing the Australian research community with streamlined access to sensitive data for addressing public challenges. The webinar provides an overview and walk through on how to get started with CADRE.
Find out more
Indigenous data governance masterclass
10am-5pm
Monday 3 February
State Library of Queensland by the Australian Research Data Commons
Custodians of Indigenous data and researchers in any discipline are invited to learn about applying Indigenous data governance principles.
Find out more here
The DASSH Lounge
Join the DASSH Lounge, our exclusive LinkedIn group for DASSH Members where we share the latest news, jobs and opportunities from DASSH and around the sector.
The DASSH Lounge is reserved for members and is a great place to let people know you’re hiring, hosting an event or working on a collaborative project, so feel free to post any updates. You can also use it to simply engage with colleagues in conversation.