Welcome to the November 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
Sydney Member Gathering
We will be hosting our final member gathering on Wednesday 13 November at the University of Sydney. This is a great chance to meet with colleagues from around Australia, hear from an expert and enjoy a complimentary lunch.
Professor Greg Hainge FAHA from The University of Queensland has acted to significantly raise the profile of languages, to emphasise their value and even generate greater interest in schools in Queensland.
He will use a one and a half hour discussion to provide an overview of some of the strategies he is using to raise the profile of languages in the context of challenges languages face.
Join us for this solutions focused discussion to hear from Greg and other colleagues in the room and find out what is working at other institutions and how it could translate to your own university.
Aotearoa Member Gathering
Aotearoa Deans, Associate and Deputy Deans will have the opportunity to gather in Wellington on 27 March 2025. There will be a full program of speakers and opportunities to engage directly with members from across the country.
Stay tuned for more details!
Getting the Word Out
Aotearoa Associate Dean (Research) Community of Practice
The first meeting of the ADR Community of Practice took place recently online. It was a valuable and insightful gathering where members shared common challenges which will frame the ongoing focus of the community.
There will be another meeting taking place online in December 2024. The group plans to meet four times a year online and twice in person, with the next in person gathering taking place in March 2025.
We are also working to establish a Community of Practice for ADRs in Australia. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jane Ryan.
Around the Traps
Changes to Student Loan Debts
By 1 June 2025, the Albanese Labor Government will cut 20 per cent off all student loans to reduce the debt burden for Australians with a student loan. This will cut around $16 billion in debt, including all HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan and other income-contingent student support loan accounts.
See more here
Release of World Humanities Report
The Consortium for Humanities Centers and Institutes has released the World Humanities report highlighting the importance of protecting the humanities and reinvesting in universities. It documents the vitality of humanities research around the world – both inside and beyond university settings – in responding to global challenges and shaping a more sustainable future. Essential reading!
Read the full report
Regional, Rural and Remote Jobs and Skills Roadmap
The Jobs and Skills Australia report focuses on the unique experiences and perspectives of Australians who live and work outside major metropolitan areas. It is a first step towards recognizing and supporting regional Australia and the regional skills system for the future.
The ANZSOG Report on Crossing Institutional Boundaries
The Australia and New Zealand School of Government report looks at the role of knowledge brokers in crossing institutional boundaries to connect research and practice and promote new approaches to evidence production and use.
“The most important issue is recognition by the public service of the need to nurture meaningful collaboration with researchers – and set up the conditions that make that possible. That will require cultural change and a shift in the practices which exist.”
See more here
New Global Humanities Alliance
In October a new global alliance of the humanities was announced. This initiative brings together over 75 scholars from eight partner universities. It aims to raise the profile and social and political impact of the humanities globally.
“A core value of the GHA is that by combining our complementary and distinctive strengths we can better address key global challenges and showcase the difference humanities, social sciences and liberal arts make to the world.”
VET Workforce Blueprint
Many of the skills shortages across the country rely on the Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce to teach and train Australia’s future workers. Against the backdrop of the National Skills Taxonomy encouraging greater harmonisation between VET and Higher Education, this blueprint identifies eight opportunities and 14 associated actions to support and grow a sustainable VET workforce in Australia.
See the blueprint
ANA Insights Report Released
A New Approach has released the Transformative Edge 2024 report which shows that creative and cultural engagement provides an unexpected edge to respond to Australia’s deepest challenges. This report brings together new fact-based insights about the impacts of culture and creativity for key public policy discussions, and presents opportunities for stakeholders to harness the benefits of creative and cultural engagement across Australia.
See more
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Social Sciences
This report produced by the Academy of Social Sciences in the UK presents a top-level summary of DEI data for the social sciences, for both academic and teaching staff including socio-economic indicators. This report is a snapshot in time of the higher education sector in the UK.
Read the report here
Opportunities
Women’s Leadership Scholarship
Increased scholarships from Women & Leadership Australia are available for women in Higher Education. Scholarships between $1000-$6000 are available for four comprehensive leadership development programs.
Different options for early career managers, mid-level managers and senior and executive leaders. Development programs are all online and are a great way to work with other women in leadership positions. Applications close 29 November.
Apply here
2025 Aotearoa Explorer Grants
The Explorer Grants provide seed support for researchers with transformative, exploratory, innovative or unconventional research ideas about making revolutionary changes to how health is managed in New Zealand. These grants are available in any health-related field (including social, behavioral, public health and sciences). Grants are worth up to $150 000 for 24 months. Registrations close 5 November 2024.
See details here
Universities Australia 2024 Shaping Australia Awards
People’s Choice voting has opened, celebrating outstanding university projects that are changing lives and shaping the nation’s future. There are 15 inspiring finalists competing across three categories – teaching, research and community service. People’s Choice voting is open to all Australians until 19 January 2025. Winners to be announced at Australian Parliament House on 25 February 2025.
See more here
HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons Summer School
Learn hands-on digital research skills, network and inspire new research outcomes for humanities, arts, social science and Indigenous research at the 2025 ARDC Summer School taking place 4 to 6 February. Registrations are also open for the Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass on 3 Feb. Both events are open to HDRs, EMCR researchers, and custodians of Indigenous data. Travel bursaries are available.
Please find the event information here
2024 International Council for Arts Deans Symposium, Doha Qatar
VCUarts Qatar Dean Amir Berbic and the board of directors of the International Council for Arts Deans invite you to join an international summer symposium and educational experience shared by colleagues who are also arts deans and administrators in higher education. There is also the option for an additional cultural immersion experience in Abu Dhabi. Taking place 30 May – 2 June 2025. Early bird pricing for the five-night, four-day program in Doha has been extended through November.
See itinerary
Register here
World Data System Data Stewardship Award
The World Data System Data Stewardship Award is calling for nominations to celebrate individuals who have significantly improved the quality, integrity and accessibility of research data. Ideal candidates are those who manage or curate data with exceptional care following legal, policy and ethical guidelines. Applications close on January 17 2025.
Find out more
Australian Events
Member Gathering
Wednesday 13 November
10am – 2.30pm
The University of Sydney
Practical Answers, Real Experience
We know languages face big challenges at universities all over Australia. Professor Greg Hainge FAHA from the The University of Queensland has acted to significantly raise the profile of languages, to emphasise their value and even generate greater interest in schools in Queensland.
Greg will use a one and a half hour discussion to unpack what he has done, how he has done it and what some of the initial outcomes have been. There will also be the chance to debrief with colleagues from around Australia and Aotearoa and enjoy a complementary lunch.
Unfortunately this session will not be available online BUT all of our member gatherings in 2025 will include a hybrid component. Next year we will also help members gather with others from their own cities and regions to participate in member gatherings where travel is not possible.
A Big Dialogue: The State of the Arts in the Lucky Country – Who Cares? Why Bother?
Wednesday 13 November
5.30-7.30pm, Canberra
The Australian Academy of the Humanities in association with Australian Dialogues will present a Big Dialogue on arts policy on the eve of their 2024 Symposium.
The issues of funding, governance, and sustainability for the Arts sector in Australia will be explored in a long-form and enlightening discussion. The dialogue will explore questions such as, is arts funding a function of the value of the arts? But what is that value? Is it social cohesion or personally enriching or a foundation for nation building?
The Lucky Country Symposium
Thursday 14 – Friday 15 November
Online and in person, ANU Canberra
The 60th anniversary of Donald Horne’s landmark book, The Lucky Country, prompts us to think afresh about Australian culture and social changes, and ask: are ordinary Australians fulfilling their aspirations? Are we a tolerant people? The Australian Academy of the Humanities’ 55th Annual Symposium will take on the big questions posed by Horne and bring others to the fore.
Tickets on sale here
A Webinar with Dr Rong Zhu
Wednesday 13 November
11am-11.45am (AWST)
A webinar with ACSES Small Research Grant recipient Dr Rong Zhu, to discuss the findings of his research project “Socioeconomic disadvantages, choice of disciplines, and post-university labour market performance”.
Using data from the nationally representative Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, this study investigates the empirical role of multidimensional disadvantages in the choice of academic disciplines at university, which then translates into different post-university labour market performance.
See more
Being Human Festival
Join the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne for a festival of the humanities this November. From Shakespeare to street art, find out how you can unleash your humanity!
This year’s theme of ‘landmarks’ invites us to consider our past, present, and future, as we think about the tension between time and space, and how we, as humans, fit into and affect the world around us.
Explore the program
Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass
You are also invited to join the ARDC Indigenous Data Governance Masterclass on 3 February, 10am – 5pm, at the State Library of Queensland. It is aimed at a wider audience, including all custodians of Indigenous data and researchers of all disciplines. The Summer School and Masterclass are free to attend, and a limited number of travel bursaries are available.
Aotearoa Events
ACSES Equity Hub: A Community of Practice for Student Equity Evaluation
Monday 18 November Online and In-person,
2pm – 5pm (NZDT), The University of Auckland
The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success invites you to the Equity Hub Community of Practice at The University of Auckland. Equity Hub CoP aims to bring HEPPP-funded program managers and staff together to strengthen cross-institutional student equity practitioner networks; and provide an opportunity for practitioners to share their lessons learned and best practices on evaluation in the context of SEHEEF.
Find out more
Pakukore: Poverty, by Design
Thursday 21- Saturday 23 November
Pipitea Campus of Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
Join the Stout Research Centre for this conference addressing poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand. Hear from leading researchers on the systems that continue to play key roles in underpinning and maintaining the crisis of poverty: economic management, the housing, health, welfare and education systems, the courts and corrections, and short-term political thinking.
See details here
Climate Change Education Webinar Series
- Understanding the Basics of Climate Change – Tuesday, 19 November
- Exploring Climate Change Education in Secondary Schools – Wednesday, 27 November
- Exploring Climate Change Education in Primary Schools – Thursday, 28 November
Join the Science Learning Hub in collaboration with the New Zealand Association of Science Educators in this webinar series on climate change education and the role of educators in equipping students with the knowledge to comprehend this complex socio-ecological challenge.
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.