Welcome to the February 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.
News from dassh
Aotearoa member gathering
Thursday 27 March
10am-4pm (NZT)
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University
Pukeahu Campus, Wellington
All members welcome
Aotearoa Members are invited to the 2025 in person DASSH gathering at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Pukeahu Campus, Wellington on 27 March!
Join President Heather Zwicker and Vice President Cynthia White for a full day event where members from every institution will have the chance to meet and discuss their priorities and challenges.
After lunch, an afternoon session will be facilitated by Professor Kirsty Ross, Acting Head of School of Psychology at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University. This interactive session will focus on exploring psychosocial issues that pose challenges for staff and students, along with practical strategies managers can implement to support wellbeing and safety of those involved.
This is a free event aimed at all Aotearoa members. We hope you will join us!
Essential Insights: Assessment Integrity in the Age of AI
Wednesday 19 February
12pm-1pm (AEDT)
The integration of artificial intelligence in higher education demands a re-examination of many traditional assessment approaches in the arts, social sciences, and humanities. Professor Jason Lodge from University of Queensland examines three possibilities for adapting assessment for the age of AI. The session will include practical strategies for redesigned assessment approaches in the arts, humanities and social sciences. The session will be chaired by DASSH board member Professor Kate Nash from the University of Newcastle.
See the full schedule of 2025 Essential Insights series
Getting the word out
Making the case for Arts
DASSH President Heather Zwicker spoke to Stephen Matchett from The Australian about the value of arts, social sciences and humanities in a rapidly changing workforce and market. She says disciplines are always changing but they continue to respond and adapt, connecting knowledge and society.
Aotearoa research funding cut
Times Higher Education reported President Heather Zwicker’s comments on the New Zealand Government’s decision to drastically reduce funding for HASS research. Marsden Funding for arts, social sciences and humanities has been axed and Horizon One funding has also been impacted.
Read the full article
Around the traps
Future of Jobs Report
Analytical thinking remains the most sought-after core skill among employers world-wide, with seven out of 10 companies considering it as essential in 2025. This is followed by resilience, flexibility and agility, along with leadership and social influence. The findings were published in the Future of Jobs report produced by the World Economic Forum. It brings together the perspective of over 1000 leading global employers, collectively representing more than 14 million workers across 22 industry clusters and 55 economies from around the world.
AI and big data top the list of fastest-growing skills, followed closely by networks and cybersecurity as well as technology literacy. Complementing these technology-related skills, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, along with curiosity and lifelong learning, are also expected to continue to rise in importance over the 2025-2030 period.
Read the report
Australian Universities Accord: 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook
The release of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2024-25 summary outlines reforms to date responding to the Australian Universities Accord. It also details the next steps the government is taking to deliver on the Accord’s targets.
Read the summary
Aotearoa open letter on importance of research in the social sciences and humanities
Royal Society Te Apārangi has called on the Aotearoa Prime Minister to continue investment in social sciences and humanities research. Funding for humanities, arts and social sciences funding under the Marsden Fund was cut last year. Horizon One funding for those disciplines was also targeted. The letter draws on evidence which shows how these areas are essential for the growth of Aotearoa’s economy and capacity to address global challenges.
See more
International students and rent prices
As debate around international student numbers continues, a study from the University of South Australia shows rental costs tend to fall when international student numbers rise, once inflation and vacancy rates are accounted for. Within individual cities, the study found international students exerted marginal influence on rental costs.
Read more
NSW state politicians studied Arts
The Sydney Morning Herald published analysis of New South Wales politicians’ tertiary education. It shows 73 per cent politicians in the upper and lower houses of NSW parliament hold a bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification mostly in Arts or Law.
Read more (paywall)
Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success unveils Trials Registry
The Trials Registry is a new resource aimed at closing evidence gaps and changing equity policy across Australian higher education. It provides universities and practitioners with open access to evaluation results and methodologies, empowering them to implement strategies to enhance outcomes for both prospective and current students.
See more details
ORCID supports wider range of humanities contributions
The free, unique, persistent identifier ORCID now offers a new set of work types that support a wider range of arts and humanities contributions. Scholars have new opportunities to claim credit for outputs such as musical compositions, still and moving images or teaching materials.
Read more
Aotearoa final year Fees-Free policy introduced
Bay of Plenty Member of Parliament (MP) Tom Rutherford has called the introduction of the final Fees-Free tertiary education policy a wise investment. The policy which started in January 2025 will provide up to $12,000 in fee coverage for students completing their first tertiary qualification in their final two years.
See more
Aotearoa’s first tertiary knowledge, education and arts hub
The national first tertiary knowledge, education and arts (KEA) hub in Whangārei brings together creative activities, job training and education. The $200 million project is designed with the hopes it could bring huge gains to the region.
Read more
Government pledges $200 million for Australian theatre
The federal government has pledged almost $200 million over four years under its Revive program to support the restoration of Australia’s cultural sector. This will see Creative Australia’s budget increase by almost 50 per cent.
See more (paywall)
Opportunities
Applications for Australian Research Council Linkage Projects open
Applications for funding for Linkage Projects are now open. The grant opportunity supports projects which initiate or develop long term strategic research alliances to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research.
Applications close on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
See more
Australia-Japan visiting scholar applications open
Applications are now open for the The International Australian Studies Association’s Australian-Japan Foundation Visiting Professor in Australian Studies at the University of Tokyo for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. Applications are invited from the fields of Australian Studies, History, Cultural Studies, Politics, Literary Studies, International Relations or other relevant areas across the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.
Find out how to apply
Australian Academy of the Humanities awards and grants now open
Apply now for the Australian Academy of the Humanities awards and grants. They promote international engagement, embrace emerging fields of humanities and support early and mid-career researchers.
Applications close on 28 March 2025.
Learn more
ANZSOG Emerging Leaders Program
Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) has released a new course designed for emerging public sector leaders. The program is designed to equip new and experienced middle and operational managers with essential skills and support to thrive in leadership positions.
Read more
Award for Innovation and Excellence in higher education applications open
Selected by the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success, this award recognises individuals or teams that have made significant contributions to shaping policy and transforming practices in ways that drive positive outcomes in higher education student equity.
Applications close 30 June 2025.
Apply here
Nominations open for Research Honours Aotearoa 2025
The Royal Society Te Apārangi nominations for medals and awards for Research Honours Aotearoa 2025 is now open. The Society’s Academy Executive Committee is focused on increasing the diversity of nominations from under-represented groups, particularly with respect to gender, ethnicity and employment context, including from Crown Research Institutes and Independent Research Organisations.
Nominations close on Monday 31 March 2025.
Find out more
Deans and Directors of Creative Arts Mentorship Program
After a hugely successful first round of mentoring in 2024, the Deans and Directors of Creative Arts are now launching their 2025 Mentoring Program.
A call for mentee applications is forthcoming. If you would like to participate as a mentor, applications close on 20 February 2025.
Fill out the mentor application here
dassh Events
Aotearoa member gathering
Thursday 27 March
10am-4pm (NZT)
Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University
Pukeahu Campus, Wellington
All members welcome
Essential Insights Series
See the full schedule and register now for the 2025 Essential Insights online lunchtime series.
Assessment Integrity in the Age of AI
Wednesday 19 February
12pm – 1pm (AEDT)
Online
Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing
Wednesday 16 April
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Communication and Media Strategy
Wednesday 18 June
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Social Cohesion
Wednesday 20 August
12pm – 1pm (AEST)
Online
2025 Policy Wrap-Up
Wednesday 19 November
12pm-1pm (AEDT)
Online
Australian events
Australian Research Data Commons National Skills Forum
Wednesday 19 February
1pm-2pm (AEDT)
Online
The purpose of this forum series is to shine a spotlight on the skills researchers need to use national research infrastructure and participate in a national research data commons. The February forum explores the catalysts that help researchers apply introductory skills training to real-world problems.
Register now
Universities Australia Solutions Summit 2025
Tuesday 25 February – Wednesday 26 February
National Convention Centre, Canberra
Australian universities are at a crossroads, facing funding constraints, rising international competition and challenges in enrolment, equity and public trust. The solution summit brings together leaders from academia, government and industry to tackle challenges and seize opportunities to forge new collaborations and shape future of sector.
Register now
Save the Date: The Australian Student Equity Symposium
Tuesday 9 – Wednesday 10 September
Sydney
The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success Symposium brings together higher education experts, policymakers and students to discuss policies and practices to improve equity in higher education. The theme for this year’s symposium is Student Equity in an Era of Change 2025.
Find out more
dassh Networks
Associate Deans (Research) Communities of Practice
The Community of Practice is comprised of Associate Deans (Research) across member institutions. The group meets regularly to discuss spotlighted topics, share resources and guidance for addressing common challenges.
If you are interested in participating, please get in contact with us.
Australia
Role of the Associate Dean (Research)
Wednesday 9 April
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Approaches to Interdisciplinary Research
Wednesday 11 June
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Recognising Non-Traditional Research
Wednesday 13 August
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Implications of De-Casualisation
Tuesday 11 November
12pm-1pm (AEST)
Online
Aotearoa
Staff Fatigue and Morale Issues
Tuesday 6 May
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Restructures and Unstable Leadership
Tuesday 1 July
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Cross-disciplinary and Inter-University Collaborations
Tuesday 9 September
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Balancing Research Expectations
Tuesday 4 November
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
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.