Media Releases

Keith Hancock Lectures • 15 September 2026

As Australia climbs global gender rankings, leading social scientist calls for better workplace flexibility

Australia’s strongest-ever performance in global gender equality rankings provides a timely backdrop for the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s 2026 Keith Hancock Lecture, to be delivered by leading workplace researcher and Academy Fellow Professor Rae Cooper AO FASSA. The lecture, Let’s Talk About Flex: How ‘Good Flex’ Builds Sustainable Careers and Better Workplaces,…

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Media Releases • 14 September 2026

Academy recognises four outstanding early career social science scholars  

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has announced the winners of the 2026 Paul Bourke Awards, recognising four of the nation’s most exceptional early career researchers in the social sciences.  Academy President Professor Kate Darian-Smith congratulated the awardees for their contributions across diverse disciplines and the role their work plays in advancing our…

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Media Releases • 07 September 2026

SSW2026 showcases power of social science to address Australia’s biggest challenges

This year’s Social Sciences Week program reflects a growing recognition of an important reality: social sciences are central to understanding and addressing the most pressing issues facing the world today. As demonstrated by the recent Why Science Needs the Social event, held as a collaboration between National Science Week and Social Sciences Week, solving complex issues such…

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Media Releases • 18 August 2026

Academy appoints Dr Jodie Trembath as Chief Executive Officer

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has appointed experienced leader, policy strategist and organisational anthropologist Dr Jodie Trembath as its next Chief Executive Officer. Dr Trembath will commence in the role on 9 September. Dr Trembath joins the Academy from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where she served as Director…

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Media Releases • 14 August 2026

Save the date: Social Sciences Week 2026

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia welcomes social science enthusiasts to explore the program for Social Sciences Week (SSW) 2026, taking place from 12 to 20 September 2026. Events will be held online and in-person across Australia, exploring a diverse range of topics including social cohesion, loneliness, AI, First Peoples’ Knowledges, housing, crime,…

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Media Releases • 11 August 2026

New report highlights vital role of social sciences in Australia’s future

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia today launched its landmark Social Sciences for Australia’s Future report, calling for renewed investment in education, research and capability-building to ensure Australia can meet the complex challenges of the decades ahead. Released on Census Day, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the strengths, challenges and opportunities…

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Grants and Funding • 07 July 2026

Rechnitz Fund Grant recipients set to further First Nations knowledge in the social sciences

Two First Nations researchers have received grants from the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia with support from the Wilhelm, Martha, and Otto Rechnitz Memorial Fund. This year’s recipients are Dr Samara Hand, Worimi/Biripi woman, born on Awabakal Country and raised on Bidjigal Country in South Sydney and Dr Shani Crumpen from the Torres Strait Islands. Dr Hand’s work…

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Media Releases • 23 April 2026

Academy to farewell CEO Chris Hatherly

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia will soon farewell CEO Dr Chris Hatherly, as he moves to a new leadership role in the health sector. Chris joined the Academy in mid-2019, and has worked with the Board, Fellows and the National Office team to drive significant growth and change in the Academy’s initiatives…

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Media Releases • 02 April 2026

The role of cultural and community institutions in building resilience to mis- and dis-information

A new report prepared by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia for Australia’s Chief Scientist and the National Science and Technology Council has been released. The report was commissioned by Government and overseen by an Expert Working Group of Fellows and other leading scholars. It found that cultural and community institutions and structures,…

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Grants and Funding • 02 April 2026

Applications open for Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2026 Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research in the social sciences are now open. Named in honour of distinguished past-President Paul Francis Bourke, these prestigious awards celebrate outstanding contributions from early career researchers within the social sciences. Each…

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Media Releases • 16 March 2026

Academy welcomes Strategic Examination of Research, Development and Innovation

The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has joined with Australia’s other Learned Academies in welcoming the release of the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD) chaired by Robyn Denholm. Speaking to media on the morning of release, Academy President Professor Kate Darian-Smith congratulated the Australian Government and the expert panel members for their work…

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Media Releases • 24 January 2026

Academy Fellows recognised with Order of Australia Honours

Academy Fellows recognised with 2026 Order of Australia honours

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Fellows • 25 November 2022

Academy Fellows awarded $11 million ARC funding

28 Fellows of the Academy of the Social Sciences are among the recipients of the prestigious Discovery grants, announced on 24 November, 2022 by ARC CEO Judi Zielke PSM.

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Media Releases • 08 November 2022

34 leading social scientists elected to the Academy

34 LEADING SOCIAL SCIENTISTS ELECTED TO THE ACADEMY A select group of Australia’s leading social scientists have been elected as Fellows of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Among the 34 researchers elected are leaders in human geography, autism, international security, Indigenous health and cultural property law. The 2022 new Fellows include 20…

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Media Releases • 24 February 2022

2022 Australia-France Social Science Collaborative Research Program winners announced

Four teams of social scientists will receive a boost towards interdisciplinary research projects tackling major societal issues, thanks to $20,000 in funding.

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Media Releases • 11 February 2022

Emerging leaders recognised with Academy award

Four of Australia’s brightest young researchers have been named recipients of the 2022 Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Academy President Professor Richard Holden congratulated the winners—and all nominees—for their dedication to making a difference through their research. ‘The Academy is committed to supporting the…

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Media Releases • 04 February 2022

Joint statement from Learned Academies re ARC grants veto

We, the Presidents of Australia’s Learned Academies, are committed to a research and innovation system underpinned by the expertise and talent of researchers across the sciences, humanities, technology and engineering, social sciences, and health and medicine. We urge that our system be consistent with world’s best practice, where expertise in both conducting research, and evaluating…

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Media Releases • 14 January 2022

Academy calls for legislative reform to ensure independence from political interference in research funding decisions

The Academy calls on all political parties to protect the independence of research funding allocations through the Australian Research Council through legislative reform.

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