Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

CHASS was formally established on 16 June 2004, when the constitution was adopted at the inaugural AGM at the National Press Club in Canberra. Professor Malcolm Gillies was elected as first President, along with an inaugural Board of ten members.

Initial funding for CHASS was provided by the Federal Government in the budget of 2003. The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, observed in a media statement that:

The humanities, arts and social sciences are critically important to the future development of Australia. Not only do they play a key role in supporting the national innovation system, they make a significant contribution to the development of our society, culture and individual identity. It is from this sector especially that the soul is passed from one generation to the next.

It was envisaged that CHASS would play a key promotional and advocacy role for the humanities, arts and social sciences, and serve as a coordinating forum for academics, students, business, practitioners and the broader community. It would represent people working in research, education and practice.

Since then, CHASS has established itself as an authoritative source of advice on the views of our sector.

At its launch in 2004, Minister Nelson announced that he was commissioning CHASS to carry out research to inform policy. Reports on measures of quality and impact; on commercial activities of our sector; and on collaborations between our sector and the natural sciences are available on our web site.

The first Board immediately moved to make representations and submissions on behalf of CHASS members, and submissions on issues such as the RQF, the Federation Fellows program and the national investment in research followed.

The Board also wanted to create a strong membership base, and create new networks across the sector. A national membership drive was undertaken, and key members today include the Academies of the Humanities and the Social Sciences in Australia, the DASSH Deans, leading universities, and peak disciplinary councils.

CHASS has worked with members to develop shared policy positions and organise events. These include "Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences on the Hill" (HOTH) which brings hundreds of people to Canberra for personal meetings with members of federal Parliament.

Annual symposia for Directors of university-based centres of research and education enable the most innovative, network-minded and connected directors in universities to discuss matters of common interest.

Membership is open to any organisation in research, education or practice in the humanities, arts and social sciences which shares our constitutional aims.

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