New and renewing members

2011 is the year to build your organisation's strong voice and presence through collaboration across disciplines and specialisations and Council's membership can start you on your way. Become part of the Council's vital and active network linking issues and ideas across the sector and the community. Membership is open to organisations with an interest in the future of humanities, arts and social sciences in Australia.

Membership subscriptions are renewable on 1 July each year and you will receive notification of renewal by email before end of June.

If you would like your organisation to become a member and would like to know how to apply, please contact the Membership Manager Ms Divya Das: membership [at] chass.org.au or phone on (02) 6201 5996.

Membership is open to organisations with an interest in the future of humanities, arts and social sciences in Australia. Current members come from the diverse and broad range of disciplines and activities in the HASS sector. Member organisations range from, but are not limited to:

• Professional associations representing librarians, publishers, geographers
• HASS teachers and researchers in a range of disciplines
• Leading universities and research centres
• National collecting institutions
• Peak bodies for museums, libraries, major performing arts companies, craft makers and designers, musicians and music managers
• Peak bodies for the HASS disciplines including the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Council of Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and the Humanities, while Council of Deans in business, education and law are also represented as are art and design schools and schools of theology.

For the full list go to our financial members page.

For further information on the HASS sector please see What is HASS.

Benefits of Council membership include:

• Representation to government at a national level
• Partnership with peer groups and sector leaders in discussing strategic policy directions for the humanities, arts and social sciences
• Advocacy and promotion on issues affecting the sector, drawing on members' research and analysis
• Participation in workshops and programs including the annual HASS On The Hill event in the national capital
• Communication resources through the public affairs and media expertise of the Council Secretariat, including the Council's email newsletters and website
• Inclusion in networks of knowledge with peers and colleagues.

Membership categories

Learned Academies; National Peak Bodies with core HASS interest
Includes organisations with a core interest in and mandate to develop HASS strength in Australia and to foster knowledge transfer. These organisations represent leading researchers and administrators, are likely to include a range of disciplines and have a clear interest in policy advocacy and connecting education and practitioner groups.

University Partners - institutional membership
Universities have a clear interest in building the profile and awareness of the contribution of HASS to Australia. They are the traditional base for learning and research in humanities and arts disciplines areas which give vital cultural and leadership skills for Australians. Social science disciplines have seen major growth in both research and professional training and connect across to research in other areas of science, mathematics and technology.

Universities that join at this partnership level gain representation for the range of faculties, schools and collaborative research centres which offer humanities, arts and social science at their campuses. Membership covers all areas and levels of the university, with Partners nominating a senior contact to manage membership and involvement in Council activities.

University faculties and units from non-partner universities
Universities that cover HASS in a single faculty or other functional group can link their activities with the Council's network through membership in this category.

National councils, institutions and major peak bodies
For national institutions and peak bodies, the Council provides an opportunity to network with peer organisations and gauge what issues have relevance and urgency across the sector. It is for organisations with a narrower discipline focus than bodies in the first category. It includes organisations involved in training and arts practice and those involved in research and allows libraries and museums to connect to organisations with expertise in specific disciplines. With an increasing focus on multidisciplinary approaches to policy, and governments seeking a coordinated response to reviews and consultation processes, Council membership provides peak bodies and national institutions a point where they can test their views and coordinate consultation with the Australian Government.

Research centres, training and collecting institutions
Many of the university and industry based research centres are partnerships across universities and business. The Council gives these centres entry to a network actively promoting and advocating for collaboration and innovation. Training institutions in the HASS area are at the forefront of providing the creative skills and developing talent in new areas of the economy and creative arts – the Council's network links them with peers across the country and in universities, as well as providing links to industry and practitioner groups.

Large practitioner and professional associations, learned societies

For flagship associations for artists and arts organisations, industry groups including the professional associations in collecting professionals; major associations for academic researchers and university based teachers in specific disciplines; and teacher organisations in key HASS areas. The Council provides these societies and associations with a sector wide network and news, and events based on the urgent issues under policy review.

Smaller practitioner, business associations and learned societies
This category is for part time and voluntary non-profits, smaller societies of academic researchers and teachers in specific disciplines. The Council offers a network to access sector wide news and events, and to bring your organisation and its goals to the attention of the sector.