Australian Academy of the Humanities

Launched at the National Press Club, 28 October 2014

The Mapping the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences report charts Australia’s current capabilities in the humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS) and identifies gaps and opportunities for the future by developing a comprehensive understanding of student enrolment trends, and teaching and research activity and potential. It was co-funded by the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Department of Industry.

The report is a comprehensive data resource which will serve both practitioners of HASS and those who rely on their skills. It is a timely reminder of the essential place of the HASS sector in building Australia’s future. Professor Ian Chubb AC, Australia’s Chief Scientist (2011–16)

Project Steering Committee: Professor Graeme Turner FAHA (Chair), Professor Mark Western FASSA (Deputy Chair), Professor Joy Damousi FAHA FASSA, Professor Stephen Garton FAHA FASSA, and Professor Sue Richardson AM FASSA

Launched at Australian Parliament House, 17 September 2015

The Power of the Humanities profiles humanities research focused on health, social cohesion, the environment and food security, Australia’s place in the Asia-Pacific region and on the benefits of a historical perspective in a rapidly changing world. The project was led by our former President, Emeritus Professor Lesley Johnson AM FAHA.

The Measuring the Value of International Research Collaboration project, funded by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, aimed to inform consideration of a more comprehensive approach to valuing international research collaboration across the publicly funded research sector. One key area of focus is what can be learnt from other sectors, especially around ideas of ‘social value’. In the social sector, collaborative partnerships are commonplace as a way of harnessing organisations and resources to achieve outcomes that could not be otherwise achieved. The social sector has well developed approaches to measure value utilising quantitative and quantitative methods.

Project Steering Committee: Professor John Fitzgerald FAHA (Chair), Professor Paul Gough, Professor Joy Damousi FAHA FASSA, and Professor Margaret Sheil FTSE

Funded through the Australian Research Council, the Academy has produced two reports on Languages Other Than English (LOTE) in Australian universities:

• Report on Beginners’ LOTE in Australian Universities: An Audit Survey and Analysis (2008)
• An Analysis of Retention Strategies and Technology Enhanced Learning in Beginners’ LOTE at Australian Universities (2009)

In 2008 the Academy completed a scoping study on the development of a national scholarly digital archive in the humanities, published as Towards an Australian Humanities Digital Archive. The aim of this work, conducted by Professor Graeme Turner FAHA, was to compile an evidence base to guide future investment in this area. The principles guiding the selection and prioritisation of materials for digitisation which the report identified are still valid: demonstrable demand, academic or research significance, and public interest.

ACOLA Securing Australia’s Future project 3, launched at Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne, 5 June 2015

The depth of Australia’s linguistic and inter-cultural competence will be a determining factor in the future success of developments in innovation, science and technology, research capacity, international mobility, trade relations and economic competitiveness. In the medium to longer term, the Asia Pacific region will be a principal focus, presenting major challenges and opportunities economically, socially and culturally, for our national security interests. This report finds that leveraging language, research and cultural capabilities will provide the basis for deep, long-term engagement that will return social, economic and political benefits to Australia and its partners in the Asia region.

Expert Working Group: Professor Ien Ang FAHA (Chair), Professor Chennupati Jagadish FAA FTSE (Deputy), Professor Kent Anderson, Professor John Fitzgerald FAHA, Professor Fazal Rizvi FASSA, Professor Krishna Sen FAHA, and Professor Mark Wainwright AM FTSE

ACOLA Securing Australia’s Future project 11, launched at the National Library of Australia, 26 May 2016

As a dynamic economy in a rapidly developing region, Australia seeks to utilise all available resources to manage regional opportunities and risks for growth and stability. Australia’s international business relations are strengthened by the diasporas, of which Asian Australians are an important part. They utilise cultural, linguistic and other skills to build people-people links across diverse areas including science, culture, business and trade. However many of the potential benefits of business diaspora connections are under utilised, under developed or unknown. Focusing on the Chinese and Indian business diasporas in Australia, this project explores the extent, diversity and nature of business diaspora linkages.

Expert Working Group: Professor Kam Louie FHKAH FAHA (Co-Chair), Professor Fazal Rizvi FASSA (Co-Chair), Mr Kevin Hobgood-Brown AM, Dr Marlene Kanga AM FTSE and Professor Aibing Yu FAA FTSE

ACOLA Securing Australia’s Future project 10, launched at the State Library Victoria, 21 July 2016.

It is widely accepted that Australia needs an innovative, flexible and creative workforce with the capabilities to enable the country to maximise its opportunities. While technical and scientific capabilities are recognised as critical, there is a growing awareness that innovation also requires people who understand business, systems, culture and the way society uses and adopts new ideas. Business innovation and productivity therefore requires the interaction of a broad range of technical and non-technical capabilities. This report examines the way that Australia’s high-performing enterprises identify, manage, build and mix the capabilities to succeed.

Expert Working Group: Professor Stuart Cunningham AM FAHA (Chair), Professor Peter Gahan (Deputy Chair), Mr Ken Boal, Professor Victor Callan FASSA, Professor Tam Sridhar AO FAA FTSE, and Ms Christine Zeitz