Welcome to the October 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 Coordinator Ellen Kirkpatrick.
News from dassh
That’s a Wrap: 2024 DASSH Conference
A big thank you to the team at UniSA led by Paula Geldens and Craig Batty for hosting a fantastic event in Adelaide in September.
We had some excellent feedback from attendees who shared what they found most valuable this year.
“Excellent, relevant presentations by experts in their fields and the arts, social sciences and humanities. Confidential, collegial conversations and a sense of shared purpose and solidarity.”
“Meeting with wonderful colleagues!”
“Being immersed in a collective and a community.”
“Meeting others facing similar challenges – with prompts to enable those conversations.”
“Meeting and getting to know more senior leaders in the field and getting some perspective on the broader issues in the sector.”
Stay tuned for a full wrap up with plenty of resources from speakers and facilitators.
Industry Roundtable
DASSH Executive Director Jane Ryan joined policy experts from around the sector to hear from the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Office for the Arts in September. It was a good opportunity to hear valuable insights on how to best engage with the federal government’s budget process.
A big thank you to the team at A New Approach (ANA) team for hosting the event.
Member gathering
Wednesday 13 November
10am-2.30pm
The University of Sydney
Register here
Following on from the conference we have another opportunity coming up for members to network and share ideas. The next member gathering will take place in Sydney. Full details of the agenda will follow and we look forward to seeing you there!
Getting the word out
In the News
The Canberra Times published an opinion piece by immediate-past DASSH President Nick Bisley in September. It urges the federal government to repeal the Job-Ready Graduates scheme.
“It is imperative that this flawed, inequitable and ineffective policy is wound back urgently”
Around the traps
Review of Fixed-Term Contract Provisions – Higher Education
The Fair Work Commission has initiated proceedings to review contract provisions of the Academic Staff Award in light of amendments made to the Fair Work Act in 2023.
The suitability of current fixed-term contract provisions in the HE Awards was raised by parties in the ‘job security’ and ‘work and care’ streams of the Review.
“The fixed-term contract provisions of the HE Awards were developed against the backdrop of a different legislative scheme — one that did not regulate the use, extension and renewal of fixed-term contracts. For that reason, we are persuaded by the NTEU’s submission that the fixed-term contract provisions of the HE Awards require a review considering the modified legislative scheme in which they will operate.“
Discussion Paper on JRG Reform Released
Innovative Research Universities has recommended three major reforms to the Job-Ready Graduates package. They recommend changing the student contribution system, reduce rates and increase government funding.
Read the full report here
Students with disability in Higher Education
The release of the first report of the Data Insights Series by the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) marks an important step in addressing equity across the Australian higher education sector. This is accompanied by the release of the 2023 higher education equity statistics from the Department of Education including, for the first time, cohort completion rates for students with disability.
Read the full report here
Access the Department of Education Statistics here
ACSES Release Equity Policy Options: Parity Targets
The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success report outlines policy options for the Universities Accord panel in relation to four priority equity groups in Australian higher education: low SES backgrounds, regional and remote students, First nations students and people with disability.
Opportunities
National Digital Research Infrastructure Investment Plan Consultation Now Live
The NDRI plan aims to implement cross-cutting research infrastructure that underpins all fields of research. It plays a critical role in supporting Australian researchers and fostering a stronger eco-system to ensure research is conducted for the benefit of all Australians.
Jenny Fewster from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC) recently spoke about the NDRI at the DASSH Conference where there was significant interest in this process. Jenny said the input of DASSH members is very valuable and encouraged members to provide feedback.
Submissions close on 24 October.
Complete survey here
Festivals Australia Grant
Last chance to apply for Festivals Australia funding to support individual art projects in regional or remote locations. Eligible projects take place at festivals, or significant one-off community events such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource. This may be of interest to colleagues and students.
Submissions close Tuesday 8 October.
View grant opportunity here
Australian Events
Member gathering
Wednesday 13 November
10am-2.30pm
The University of Sydney
Register here
Register now for our third member gathering for 2024. We will talk policy, provide professional development and give you the chance to talk to your colleagues from around Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand about the issues that matter most to you.
30th Webinar in Women in Research ‘Small Wins’ Series
10-11am, Thursday 10 October (AWST)
RSVP here
In the upcoming webinar, lead of the Women in Research initiative, ARC Laureate Fellow and John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker, joined by Professor Jolanda Jetton and Professor Jacqui Batley will share evidence-based tips to prepare yourself for taking the next steps in academic careers.
Aotearoa Events
Exploring Equity and Equality in Aotearoa New Zealand – Wellington
Join experts from the Royal Society Te Apārangi Te Tapeke Fair Futures panel as they highlight some of the important decisions New Zealanders face in determining fair futures.
The panel discussion will be held at Royal Society Te Apārangi on Tuesday, 29 October 6-7.30pm (NZDT).
See details here
Australia and Aotearoa NZ Public History Network Event: The Impact of Public History
AAPHN is hosting an online networking event on Thursday 10 October 2024 12pm AEST/2pm NZDT for public historians across Australia and Aotearoa. Guests are invited to join and share a 3-minute impact story.
Register here
The Inaugural Annual School of Arts Lecture – “What did the Arts graduate say to the future?”
Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, the Honourable Grant Robertson talks on the place of an Arts degree in education and society. He will also reflect on the value of the Arts in his own impressive career path that included a posting at the United Nations and being Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Aotearoa New Zealand.
This takes place on Thursday 10 October 5.30-6.30pm in Dunedin.
See full details here
Performing Data in Australasia Symposium
A collaboration between the Theatre Aotearoa and Austage, the symposium explores opportunities for analysing New Zealand and Trans-Tasman data using the Austage database and other tools. It brings together researchers and artists interested in archiving performance and developing skills in data analysis through visualization and storytelling.
Taking place between 23-25 October 2024 at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
See details 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.
The Australasian Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities proudly acknowledges First Nations people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely.