CHASS

Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

Newsletter 6  for October 2004

In this issue:

  1. Directors of university-based research centres
  2. On being commercial - The focus group study
  3. Ministers and shadow minister
  4. Special general meeting
  5. Membership and subscriptions
  6. CHASS in New Zealand
  7. ARC and the College of Experts
  8. Archiving web resources: Issues for cultural heritage
  9. Research grants: Further advances
1. Directors of university-based research centres

CHASS is organising a meeting for directors from university-based centres. The aim is to bring together a body of most innovative, network-minded and connected directors, to allow them to discuss common interests and to examine the possibilities for expansion under a nationally-funded program.

The meeting is proposed for February. The meeting will be by invitation, and we have invited the Deans and the PVCs/DVCs to nominate interested directors.

2. On being commercial - The focus group study

One hundred and forty people have participated in the study on commercial activity in the humanities, arts and social sciences, either at focus group discussions or by completing questionnaires.

Those interested can still have their experiences (and recommendations) recorded by filling in the on-line questionnaire at: www.chass.org.au

The report will be completed by the end of the year.

3. Ministers and shadow minister

Brendan Nelson will continue as Minister for Education, Science and Training. CHASS welcomes this opportunity to continue what has been a productive relationship with the Minister since our formation.

Shadow Minister is Jenny Macklin. We are pleased to see the ALP has adopted the portfolio name "Education, Training, Science and Research", which is closer to our notion of an appropriate name for the portfolio.

The full list of Ministers and Shadow Ministers is at: http://www.aph.gov.au/whoswho/index.htm

4. Special general meeting

CHASS is calling a special general meeting for Thursday 9 December in Canberra. This is to make minor amendments to our constitution, in order to qualify for tax-exempt status.

A formal notice is being sent to the Presidents of all Member organisations.

5. Membership and subscriptions

To turn the $100 temporary subscription rate into a proper income, we need to develop a subscription stream to maintain CHASS as a national organisation. We will shortly write to all 113 Member organisations outlining the way the new subscription rates will apply.

The new subscriptions will take effect from the financial year beginning on 1 July 2005. For the years 2005-06 and 2006-07 subscriptions will apply at reduced rates, to allow Members time to adjust their budgets.

It is still open for organisations to join CHASS for $100 by completing an application form. The form is available on our web page: www.chass.org.au

6. CHASS in New Zealand

CHASS Director Toss Gascoigne spent a week in New Zealand at the invitation of HUMANZ (Humanities Association of NZ). He spoke about CHASS at a series of meetings with Deans, bureaucrats from the cultural and heritage sector, the Minister for Research and others from the university sector.

Our thanks to the Australian High Commission for meeting travel costs. John Byron (CHASS secretary) was similarly invited as director of the Academy of the Humanities.

7. ARC and the College of Experts

The ARC has written to CHASS seeking nominations to its College of Experts in Humanities and the Creative Arts; and Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences.

The ARC is seeking eminent people with wide-ranging expertise and experience applicable to the assessment of competitive, peer-reviewed proposals for funding.

For further information and the on-line nomination form, go to: https://gams.arc.gov.au/CoEnominations.

The closing date is 5.00pm on Thursday 11 November 2004.

8. Archiving web resources: Issues for cultural heritage

International conference at the National Library of Australia Nov 9-11 For program details and registration: http://www.nla.gov.au/webarchiving/

9. Research grants: Further advances

Now the election is over, CHASSS has re-opened discussions with DEST to develop study proposals to examine the way HASS operate in Australia.

When Minister Brendan Nelson addressed 'HASS on the Hill' delegates in June, he said he would support $450,000 of major studies into HASS, and asked CHASS to work with DEST to draft suitable proposals.

The first proposal plans to examine the outputs, and equity and access issues for the humanities arts and social sciences. The second plans to chart collaborative work between HASS and science, engineering and technology.

If approved both these studies could have significant implications for the way HASS is valued and funded in Australia.

 

Regards

Malcolm Gillies
30 October 2004

 

For more information, please contact:
Toss Gascoigne
Executive Director
Council of the Humanties, Arts and Social Sciences
Phone: +61 2 6249 1995
director@chass.org.au

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