Join leading experts as we unpack the dynamic complexities that Trump’s tariffs have had on global economic markets. Our speakers will discuss US legislative shifts, trade uncertainties, the deregulation of tech monopolies, and international market perspectives for both short- and long-term impacts. This Flash Forum will be moderated by ABC Finance presenter Alan Kohler AM and is…
The ASSA-CASS Joint Action Program awards grants to teams of social scientists from Australia and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). These grants are suited to early-career Australian researchers to collaborate with a researcher from CASS in areas of shared interest. The Academy would like to thank Fellows for their time and expertise in…
Academy President, Professor Kate Darian-Smith, said, ‘The appointment of all new Fellows to the Academy is a recognition of their remarkable contributions to the social sciences as researchers, policy leaders and public intellectuals. We are incredibly proud to welcome them to the Academy.’ ‘This year’s cohort exemplifies the Academy’s mission to support and amplify…
Professor Matthew HornseyAffiliation: The University of QueenslandDiscipline: PsychologyYear elected: 2018 What initially drew you to your field of study? Existential panic really. Since 2007, humans have emitted over a quarter of all the greenhouse gases ever emitted by our species, and last year global CO2 emissions hit a record high. In that context, overcoming polarisation, conspiracy…
Professor Erte Xiao Affiliation: Monash UniversityDiscipline: EconomicsYear elected: 2024 What initially drew you to your field of study? I’ve always been curious about how people make decisions—often in ways that differ from traditional economic predictions. Behavioural economics allows me to combine insights from psychology and economics to better understand human motivation and decision-making. It’s a field…
In this issue, keep up with upcoming announcements, preparations for Gala Dinner, and meet our Featured Fellow for October, Professor Matthew Hornsey.
As part of the Australian Government’s 2025 Strategic Examination of Research and Development, six issue papers were released and feedback requested about the impact of research, development and innovation (RD&I). The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia submitted a response to Paper 1: National coordination (National coordination for RD&I impact) on 25 September 2025.…
Submission to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development – National Coordination for RDI&I Impact Policy Paper A high performing research, development and innovation (RD&I) system is more than a matter of simply producing and commercialising new goods and services. The system must also coalesce around clear priorities that consider how RD&I can address broader…
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has announced the winners of the 2025 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…
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Workshops Program grants. Over $70,000 has been allocated to eight teams of researchers to host multidisciplinary workshops to develop innovative approaches, foster network connections and tackle critical issues in national research and policy. The funded workshops will bring…
Submission to the Australian Research Council Research Insights Capability Consultation Draft On 19 September 2025, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia made a submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) consultation draft for the Research Insights Capability. The Academy views the proposed Research Insights Capability as a strategic investment in deepening knowledge of…
This is a reprint of the online article “Kirk’s death highlights the fragility of free speech everywhere” published in the Australian Financial Review, Saturday 20 September 2025 by The Hon Robert French AC. Robert French is Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and a former Chief Justice of Australia. He has…
Submission on the Draft Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research This submission responds to a survey from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) on the draft revised Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research. The Academy’s submission…
A Social Sciences Week special eventTuesday 9 September Join us for an evening of compelling debate as six of Australia’s premier academics tackle the complex question of whether Australia’s history unites us. TEAM AFFIRMATIVE:⭐️ Georgina Downer GAICD, CEO of the Robert Menzies Institute,⭐️ Professor Jakelin Troy FASSA, Director, Indigenous Research at University of Sydney, and⭐️ Professor Frank Bongiorno…
Monday 8 September marks the official beginning of Social Sciences Week 2025, a nationwide celebration highlighting the vital role of the social sciences in understanding our world and shaping our future. Running from 8–14 September 2025, Social Sciences Week offers a packed program of public lectures, panel discussions, workshops, film screenings and webinars hosted by…
Isaiah Berlin is well known as a defender of liberal democracy in the Cold War. In this path-breaking study, George Crowder argues that Berlin’s ideas have application beyond their original context to the problems of our own time. Focusing on three central themes – liberty, identity, and value pluralism – Crowder presents a fresh interpretation…
Round 2 Extended Deadlines:Pacific Social Science Academic Grants until 30 April 2026Visiting Fellowships until 29 May 2026 The Academy is delighted to continue its international engagement through the Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS Program). The 2024-2027 Australia–France Indo-Pacific Studies Program (AFIPS) is a flagship initiative delivered by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, with support from…
Four 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 David Windsor, a Kaurareg descendant from Kirriri Island in Zendath Kes (Torres Strait Islands); Pekeri Ruska, a Goenpul woman from Terrangerri | Minjerribah |…
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is delighted to announce the Round 1 Visiting Fellowship recipients under the Australia-France Indo-Pacific Studies (AFIPS) Program. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and delivered from 2024–2027 by the Academy as part of the France–Australia Roadmap, this visiting fellowship component supports early-career social…
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia has deep concerns about the current risks to critical research infrastructure that underpins the work of Australia’s social science and humanities workforce, and which allows us to answer nationally important questions and provide expert advice to decision-makers about the complex challenges and opportunities facing Australia. This erosion…
Social Sciences Week 2025 is almost here, with an impressive line-up of events happening across Australia between 8 and 14 September. The 2025 program features some of Australia’s brightest social scientists and a broad range of topics including outdoor therapy, AI, cryptocrime, disaster recovery, urban swimming and panda diplomacy. Social Sciences Week Principal Sponsor RMIT…
This message originally appeared in the Academy’s August 2025 newsletter. This is a difficult time in the Australian higher education sector, with fluctuations in domestic and international student enrolments among the factors resulting in some major restructures within Australian universities. While no disciplines are completely immune, it is clear that Humanities, Arts and Social Science…
Submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable On 29 July 2025, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (the Academy) partnered with The Melbourne Institute of Applied Social and Economic Research and CEDA to convene 10 leading experts for a rapid-fire forum focused on immediate priorities for boosting Australia’s productivity. A summary of the discussion has been prepared…
Read the August issue. Update on the State of the Social Sciences, Social Sciences Week Spark Grant recipients, and an invitation to the Academy Gala Dinner.