Seriously Social
Understand your world with the latest from Australia’s best social scientists
Social Sciences Week
Join us every September for the annual celebration of the social sciences.
Discussion Papers
Read the latest reports and papers from the Academy
Upcoming & Recent Events
Each year The Academy hosts and supports a wide range of social science or policy-focused events
2022
2022 New Fellows’ Presentations
Each year, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia elects the most distinguished social scientists in Australia as Fellows. These New Fellows will join the ranks of over 700 of Australia’s leading researchers and professionals across the social science disciplines. This event provides an opportunity to welcome the 2022 New Fellows and to recognise […]
Cunningham Lectures
2022 Cunningham Lecture: ‘What Makes Democracies Work?’
The Cunningham Lecture is the Academy’s flagship annual public lecture. It is named after Dr Kenneth Stewart Cunningham, the first chairman of the Social Science Research Committee (the Academy’s predecessor organisation). The Cunningham Lecture is presented each by an eminent social scientist. The 2022 Cunningham Lecture will be delivered by Dr Elizabeth Reid AO on […]
2022
Democracy: Risk | Relevance | Revival
A national symposium exploring developments and challenges to democracy in Australia and abroad. This hybrid symposium will explore developments and challenges to democracy in Australia and abroad, and the ways in which new thinking, social trends, geopolitics and technology are changing how society engages with its leadership and its future. With sessions on democracy in […]
Keith Hancock Lectures
Staggered Starting Blocks: Intergenerational Disadvantage in Australia
2022 Keith Hancock Lecture Staggered Starting Blocks: Intergenerational Disadvantage in Australia Presented by Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark Increasing social and economic opportunity is one of the defining challenges of our time. In the 2022 Keith Hancock Lecture, Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark discusses the pathways linking entrenched socio-economic disadvantage across generations in Australia. She argues that the intergenerational […]
Paul Bourke Lectures
Narratives for violence and their persistence over time
Collective violence against marginalised groups is a tragic phenomenon in many societies. Often such acts are accompanied by specific narratives that justify the necessity for systematic persecution. How do these narratives become prevalent and why do they persist? In this talk, Dr. Walker addresses these questions first through a broad discussion of what narratives are […]
Paul Bourke Lectures
What are the economic implications of a changing climate?
Given the warnings from scientists of potentially catastrophic changes to our climate from greenhouse gas emissions, it might surprise you to learn that we know very little about the potential economic implications of these unprecedented changes to the Earth’s climate. This lecture, directed at a general audience, will explore the potential channels through which climate […]
2022
Big Data for Social Policy: Developments, Benefits and Risks
Join online for the launch of a new report from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, along with a moderated panel discussion with three of the reports authors. This session will explore the use of big data and related technologies to social policy in both Australian and international contexts, unpacking some of the […]
2022
Social science is everywhere: An introduction for Australian secondary students
The social sciences impact how we live our daily lives, as well as how our society functions. Join this webinar live or on-demand to gain an understanding of how the social sciences help us to study, analyse and solve society’s most compelling challenges. Please register to receive a copy of the webinar recording after the event. […]
Latest Publications
Read the latest reports and papers from the Academy
News
Academy statement on the proposed changes to the Australian Research Council
15 December, 2021 ACADEMY STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has serious concerns regarding proposed changes to the structure and governance of Australian Research Council (ARC) funding schemes. These changes are outlined in a Letter of Expectation sent to the ARC CEO by […]
Position Statements
International Social Science Research, Pedagogy & Collaboration – Position Statement
2022 Federal Election Statement from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Position Statements
Social Priorities for Australia – 2022 Federal Election Statement
2022 Federal Election Statement from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Position Statements
Joint Academies statement on Ukraine
A statement from Australia's learned Academies on the invasion of Ukraine
Position Statements
Joint Academies statement post COP26
Academy statement on Australian action needed to address climate change
Position Statements
Academy statement on the need for a price on greenhouse gas emissions
Academy statement on Australian action needed to address climate change