Australia is at a much-needed turning point in work, care and family policy. Australian women, families and communities are struggling to manage the complex demands of work and care. Rapid social and demographic change, alongside new workplace, labour market trends and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires a policy revamp that will allow all…
The secret of economics is that the most powerful insights come from a handful of big ideas that anyone can follow.’ This small book tells a big story. From ancient times to the modern world, The Shortest History of Economics unearths the hidden economic forces behind war, innovation and social transformation. It traces how capitalism and the…
An economist examines three modern forces that have redefined what “money” means, who controls it, and what the future of finance might look like. Money is increasingly cheap, digital, and mobile. In Money in the Twenty-First Century, economist Richard Holden examines the virtues and risks of low interest rates, mobile money, and cryptocurrencies, and explains how…
Eight Fellows recognised with 2024 Order of Australia honours
AASSREC and GDN Launch Transformative Initiative to Elevate Social Sciences in the Indo-Pacific
Risks and opportunities: Building social contexts for young children’s digital interactions
Australia’s leading social scientists, together with young people, representatives from the youth sector and policy makers have united to explore the development of a national framework for policy that works for young people. The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, together with the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) and Monash Centre for Youth Policy…
A comprehensive summary of Shaping the Future: A new approach to policy that works for young people is available to read and download now. Shaping the Future: A new approach to policy that works for young people is a nationally significant conversation on how young people are positioned within the policy development and implementation landscape…
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a longstanding problem that has shifted very little despite increasing international and national media coverage and attention from governments and in policy debates. But what do we know about it and how to stop it? This book synthesises the latest knowledge about violence against women and girls, what…
A vital new work that untangles the overlooked history, personal narratives and complex geopolitics of enforced military prostitution and survivor redress in Indonesia, arising from Japan‘s World War II military occupation of South-East Asia.
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia welcomes 21 new Fellows
Congratulations to all Academy Fellows who were part of successful applications for the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Discovery Project funding. More than $220 million in funding was announced by ARC Chief Executive Officer Judi Zielke on Monday 30 October, for 421 research projects in round 1. Several Academy Fellows are among the grant recipients, including:…
Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. Despite the fact that increasing housing density in urban centres is an available option to ensure affordable housing is available to all, density is still a dirty word. The ‘Not In My Back Yard’ movement has seen concerned residents in many locations opposing medium and high…
Australia’s 2022 federal election played out in ways that few could have expected. Not only did it bring a change of government; it also saw the lowest number of primary votes for the major parties and the election of the greatest number of Independents to the lower house since the formation of the Australian party…
The Academy is pleased to announce that eight research teams from 12 universities have been awarded over $70,000 in grants to advance important national research and policy agendas via the Academy’s Workshops Program grants for 2024. The projects span a wide range of social science disciplines, from mental health to migration, Indigenous governance, biodiversity, and…
On Wednesday 18 October 2023, Academy President Professor Richard Holden FASSA addressed to the National Press Club, asking ‘Is Australian Economic Exceptionalism Over?’. Speech transcript: Thank you to the Club for this opportunity, and to Misha for that generous introduction. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet,…
Academy of the Social Sciences Recognises Australia’s Brightest Emerging Scholars Four of Australia’s most promising early career researchers have been named recipients of the 2023 Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research, presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Academy President Professor Richard Holden extended his congratulations to the recipients, as well…
The referendum to change the Constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament was unsuccessful. The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia respects the democratic process and will continue to look for ways to engage, listen and deepen understanding in the interests of Australia as a nation. The Academy is committed to…
In the past few months, crime, and in particular, youth crime, has dominated the headlines of the news media. The solution to this complex problem being proposed by some states is to increase rates of incarceration. The Queensland and New South Wales Governments have recently introduced harsher penalties for young offenders, despite opposition from human…
Author, Professor Fethi Mansouri examines the consequences of Western states’ policies towards refugees and deterrence. Professor Mansouri is among the world’s leading experts on diversity, migration and social justice, and intercultural studies and is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences Australia.
Australians have been identified as some of the most brand-loyal consumers in the world but recent data breaches and the fallout from high-profile scandals, have seen trust in certain brands, companies and professions become considerably more shaky. It is possible for organisations to rebuild trust, but there are some key factors that come into play…
The 2022 election overthrew received wisdom about safe seats and how the Australian electorate votes. It resulted in a change of government and also saw the rise of the ‘Teal Independents’ along with the lowest number of primary votes for the major parties since the formation of the Australian party system. In Watershed, leading scholars…
Now in its third edition, this is a comprehensive guide for educators on digital technologies and children’s learning during the years from birth to 12 years. With practical ideas and resources Technologies for children offers innovative, engaging and student-centred approaches to classroom learning, that are aligned with Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum.…
Three First Nations researchers have received grants from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in the inaugural round of its Wilhelm, Martha, and Otto Rechnitz Memorial Fund. This Fund was established in 2022 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in the social sciences. Grants of up to $20,000 enable innovative and…