DASSH | Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Announcing the 2025 annual DASSH conference: 24 – 26 September, Sydney Global Contexts: Leading Education in the Age of Global Disruption You will hear from international leaders in higher education and other sectors, gaining expert insights into trends, opportunities and risks to higher education in the global context. You’ll also take part in a full day of professional development facilitated by experts providing you with practical strategies to enhance leadership, improve communication and manage conflict effectively. It is a must-attend event for those shaping the future of higher education, innovation and leadership across Australasia and beyond. A big thank you to our hosts University of Notre Dame. We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney in September! Stay tuned for more updates soon about guest speakers and registration https://lnkd.in/g5JpV4UN

What a fantastic event! We were thrilled to be in Aotearoa New Zealand this week meeting with members from all over the country.   Vice President Cynthia White and her colleagues hosted around 20 members at Massey University last week.   They made welcome members from The University of Waikato, University of Otago, The University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington and President Heather Zwicker and Executive Director Jane Ryan who travelled from Australia for the event.   It was a fantastic opportunity for many members to meet for the first time and share their insights and strategies during a difficult time for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in Aotearoa.   Jane Ryan also travelled to Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington where members from Lincoln University (NZ), The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University made her very welcome.   Thank you for your hospitality Aotearoa members! We are looking forward to the next member gathering!

DASSH members support the Australian Research Council's vision for bold and innovative research outlined in their National Competitive Grants Policy Review discussion paper. We made a number of recommendations in our submission in response to the proposed new model. They include: 🔹Addressing the precarity of support for early-career researchers, 🔹Reassessing the ratio of specific grant programs to expand access to collaborative projects and address short-term funding implications for ECRs, 🔹Addressing the potential unintended consequences of aligning research funding with priorities of government and the National Science and Research Priorities and maintaining a clear focus on fundamental research. 🔹Members also posed several questions about specific features of the grant model and considerations during implementation. Members welcomed the opportunity to provide feedback to the ARC and noted that many of DASSH’s recommendations in the first stage of this consultation process have been adopted. You can see our full submission now - https://lnkd.in/epPcpcgy

Australia’s social cohesion is being tested by domestic and global challenges. New analysis of Australian and international policy has revealed how cultural and creative engagement can help. Evidence shows that culture and creativity build belonging, trust and connection, helping people to live better, together. In our study with everyday Australians, they said arts and culture helps them feel part of the community, enhances empathy and combats isolation. But not all governments in Australia explicitly pursue social cohesion through cultural policy, and most policy focused on social cohesion does not integrate cultural and creative engagement. Research shows cohesion supports people in Australia to pursue our ambitions and aspirations together, and to achieve prosperity and wellbeing. Australia’s cohesion is, and has historically been, strong compared to its peers. But last year, social cohesion remained weaker after the worst results on record in 2023. Fostering social cohesion is not the sole purpose of cultural and creative participation. But it can – and does – make a contribution. An Australian survey found attending community events is the highest contributor to civic engagement and community participation – besides time spent with family and friends. 80% of Australians trust libraries, and international surveys show cultural institutions such as museums are the most trusted type, above government, scientific, media and political institutions. This is also true of young people, who often report lower feelings of trust and belonging. A New Approach (ANA)’s analysis, ‘Belong, Trust, Connect: Policy opportunities for social cohesion through arts and culture’, shows how all levels of government in Australia can tap into the potential of culture and creativity to help connect communities and foster belonging and trust.  Combining research insights on arts and culture’s role in building cohesion and analysis of policies in action, it is ANA’s resource for people and organisations looking for initiatives that can bring and keep us together. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/gDhsuMtZ #anewapproach #artsandculture #thinktank #socialcohesion #policyanalysis

It was a real privilege to be hosted on so many Aotearoa New Zealand campuses this week and have a chance to meet so many members in person. I headed to Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington where members were incredibly generous in showing me their campuses and telling me about some of the challenges they are facing right now as well as some of the opportunities. One of the things I most enjoyed was seeing how Māori and other Pacific cultures are so central to the teaching, culture and building design on campuses. Thank you to Corinne S. and Averil Coxhead for being so generous with your time and showing me so much of the Victoria University of Wellington campus and to Emma Stewart, Roy Montgomery, Stephen Espiner and Anita Wreford from Lincoln University (NZ) for making me so welcome. It was also wonderful to meet with Katherine Smits and Nancy November from The University of Auckland and with Tim Maloney from Auckland University of Technology. The member gathering was fantastic, thank you to hosts with the most DASSH | Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Vice President Cynthia White and all her colleagues from Massey University. In addition to the many I had already visited it was great to see members from University of Otago and The University of Waikato. It will be great to visit Otago, Waikato and University of Canterbury campuses next time!

For the first time ever, Yale University is offering a course in te reo Māori. It is the first Ivy League university to offer a language program of this kind. Amelia Butler, Māori language teacher, says this is a big win for Indigenous languages. It is a step towards language and cultural revitalisation. Find out more - https://lnkd.in/dGCEH-V3

We are excited to bring you a new interview series! Stories from high-profile Australians that prove just how many different pathways a Bachelor of Arts can take you down. All of these stories share one thing in common - they show that a Bachelor of Arts is a pathway to just about anywhere. First up you’ll meet Brian Maher, Group CEO of Aussie Broadband who tells us about the importance of thinking critically and being able to tell the story behind any idea in business. In coming weeks we’ll release interviews with many more successful graduates who share their stories and reflect on the value of their education. Stephanie Alexander, Australian cook, restauranteur and founder of the Stephanie Kitchen Garden Foundation, Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carman's Kitchen and television host, and Jane Caro AM, marketing guru and commentator among others. You can share these articles with anyone - especially prospective students and their families. They’ll show an Arts degree really can take you anywhere. Make sure you stay tuned: https://lnkd.in/e6DHGGZh

Arts graduate Brian Maher Group CEO of Aussie Broadband says finance and business is more than numbers. It’s about people and story telling. He’s worked in leadership roles across financial management, health and general insurance, communications, waste management and professional services. His story is the first of our brand-new Pathway to Success profile series, released weekly. Brian tells us his Bachelor of Arts taught him to question assumptions and to be open to alternative views which is fundamental in business. “The best business people can explain the numbers and can make informed decisions based on history and context.” His story shows an arts degree really can take you anywhere. Read the article here - https://lnkd.in/dxQbc5Zt

The British Academy and Academy of Social Sciences have published a new report that highlights the impact of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities research. The SHAPE of Research Impact report highlights the impact of the UK’s SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy) research on wellbeing, culture and the economy in Britain. You can read about how our disciplines bolster competitive advantage, create impact and provide value for money. See more - https://lnkd.in/eSe9n276

NLA and Creative Fellowships open! Applications are now open for the 2026 National Library Fellowships and Creative Arts Fellowships! This year, the amount of financial assistance is greater than it has been in previous years, with the NLA Fellowships and Creative Arts Fellowships receiving $35,000 each. Uncover new knowledge and apply now: https://lnkd.in/g9gjnes3