The Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres (ACHRC) is a network for groups engaged in Humanities-based research. Our aim is to connect Humanities researchers and centres, both within the Australasian region and internationally, and to promote relationships with cultural institutions and sector representative bodies in the wider community. We provide a virtual and physical hub for information about research opportunities and events, and seek to strengthen the public profile of research in the Humanities.
2018 ACHRC Annual Meeting: Creative Humanities Matters
Artwork by Vendela Apro-Wellman
The Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres 2018 Annual Meeting and Arts Research in the Creative Humanities Showcase
19-20 November 2018 University of the Sunshine Coast’s Sippy Downs campus
Creative Humanities Matters provides a lively forum for the presentation and discussion of issues, information and engaging research from the creative humanities sphere. The colloquium addresses complex questions concerning notions of value in the cultural sector, and highlights how creative humanities research and practices involving creativity, multi-disciplinarity and critical thinking can contribute to our capacity to negotiate a rapidly changing world. The event includes keynote addresses from leading experts, panel discussions, workshops, book launches and a dramatic performance. Creative Humanities Matters showcases a range of initiatives including collaborations with collecting institutions, interdisciplinary and creative industry-focused projects, and creative outputs that respond to complex social and cultural issues.
For more information and to register see the colloquium website at the USC
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Humanities in the Regions event
ACHRC Humanities in the Regions 2018
10 – 11 May 2018, Launceston
Co-hosted by the Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres
and the Centre for Colonalism and its Aftermath, University of Tasmania
The 2018 two-day collaboratory explores the nexus of humanities research partnerships between academics, cultural institutions, and industry.
Through a keynote papers, discsussion, and showcase panels, the two days of event will engage with key issues in our research practice:
- How do researchers in the Humanities build meaningful connections beyond their regional setting?
- How do we build partnerships to demonstrate and accentuate our impact within our regions?
- How do we develop strategies to maximise and communicate the benefits of our unique research environments when applying for grants?
- How do we build better ways of engaging and respecting Indigenous communities in research?
Over two days, participants will hear keynote addresses from leading researchers followed by panel discussions from a range of stakeholders, before engaging in workshops on the same topic with peers. The workshops will give opportunities to discuss ideas with experts and to reflect on how best practice can be applied at home institutions.
The event will stimulate debate on future trajectories for research, will build cross-institutional connections and research synergies, and will enable strategies for funding success.
More information here or Register here
EVENT SCHEDULE
PRELUDE: Wednesday 9th May at the School of Architecture Inveresk campus
| 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Public Talk: Prof Angelina Russo, Swinburne University, “Fabricating humanities futures: a case for innovative partnerships in the regions”
Venue: Rory Spence VOS Construction Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture, Inveresk Campus, UTAS |
DAY 1: Thursday 10th May (at QVMAG)
| 9:00–9:30 am | Welcome to Country: Welcomes and Introductions
Welcomes and Introductions: Dr Robert Clarke, Dr Jane Mummery, Dr Robert Phiddian, Dr Will Christie |
| 9:30 am –10:15 am | Session 1: Keynote: “’Singing the body electric’: Innovation and HCA futures”, Prof Jen Webb, University of Canberra,
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10:15 am – 11:15 am |
Responding Panel: Robert Clarke (Facilitator)
§ Prof Katie Homes, La Trobe University’s Centre for the Study of the Inland § Dr Jane Mummery, Federation University § Prof Robert Phiddian, Flinders University, Laboratory Adelaide: The Value of Culture § Prof David Carter, The University of Queensland |
| 11:15 am – 11:30 am | Morning Tea |
| 11:30 am – 12:15 pm | Session 2 Keynote: Professor David Carter, University of Queensland. “How do you make cultural history in the regions relevant?” |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | Prof Angelina Russo and Richard Mulvaney “In Conversation”
Rachel Franks (facilitator)
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| 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm | Lunch/(Pre)Book Launch: Island Story: Tasmania in Text and Object (Text, Forthcoming), Dr Danielle Wood |
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1:45 pm – 2:30 pm |
Session 3: UTAS Projects Showcase #1§ Dr Jan Hogan (UTAS): “Reparation: Three points of contact”§ Dr Karen Hall (SOCA UTAS), Dr Patrick Sutczak (SOCA UTAS), Dr Louise Wallis (TED UTAS), Tanya Bailey (Greening Australia): “Boots on the ground: art, ecology and collaborations in the Tasmanian Midlands” |
| 2:30 pm – 3.15 pm | Session 4: Project Showcases
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| 3.15 pm – 3:30 pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 3:30 pm–4:15 pm | Session 5 Keynote: “Standing on the Ground and Writing on the Sky: An Emotional History of Being Indigenous”,
Prof Jakelin Troy, Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research, University of Sydney |
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4.15 pm – 5:15 pm |
Session 6: Indigenous Agency in the Humanities
§ Dr Rebe Taylor (UTAS) § Richard Neville (State Library of NSW) § Prof Ted Lefroy (UTAS) § Adele Kay (UTAS, Ethics) § Prof Jakelin Troy (USyd) |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner |
DAY 2: Friday 11th May (QVMAG)
| 9:00 am – 9:45 am | Session 1 Keynote: “The ARC, ERA, Research Environment”, Prof. Joanne Tompkins (UQ and ARC) |
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9:45 am – 10:45 am |
Responding Panel: ARC, ERA, Research Environment
§ Prof Dirk Baltzly (UTAS) § Prof Will Christie (ANU) § Prof Robert Phiddian (Flinders University) § Dr Tully Barnett (Flinders University) § Prof Jen Webb (Canberra University) |
| 10:45 am – 11:00 am | Morning Tea |
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11:00 am – 11:45 am |
Session 2 Keynote: “The University as the Driver of Humanities Research in the Regions: Towards New Intersectional Paradigms” Prof Kate Darian-Smith, Executive Dean and PVC, College of Arts, Law and Education, (UTAS) |
| 11:45 am – 12:30 pm | Session 3: UTAS Projects Showcase #2
§ Bec Hingley and Dr Elle Leane (UTAS): “The reflection of Antarctic museums within Antarctic geopolitics” |
| 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm | Lunch |
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1:15 pm – 2:15 pm |
Session 4: Impact and Engagement Panel
§ Prof Keir Reeves, (Federation University) § Prof Kate Darian-Smith, (UTAS) § Prof Hamish Maxwell-Stewart (UTAS) § Mr Richard Mulvaney (QVMAG) |
| 2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
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Reflections on CAIA
Future directions of the ACHRC’s Humanities in the Regions and Collaborating with Collecting and Cultural Institutions
Thank you and close |
| 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Indigenous Tour to the Launceston Gorge with Geoff McLean (20 max; bookings required) |
DAY 3: Saturday 12th May
| 10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Tour of the Qeen Victoria Museum and Aart Gallery with Mr Richard Mulvaney |
| 1:30 pm –3:00 pm | Indigenous Tour to the Launceston Gorge with Geoff McLean (20 max; bookings required) |
Queen Victoria Museum, Launceston
2 Invermay Road, Launceston
(Venue for Collaboratory)
Rory Spence VOS Construction Lecture Theatre, School of Architecture
8 Invermay Road, Launceston
(Venue for Public Lecture)
2017 Events
The GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) and the Humanities and Creative Arts tertiary sector are natural partners in research and teaching. This two-day symposium (plus workshop day) celebrates that fact bringing together best-practice examples and sector provocations to curate a strong conversation around issues relevant to both and to collaboration between them.
The GLAMorous Humanities” is a joint conference by the Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres (ACHRC) and the Humanities Research Centre at the Australian National University. The conference focuses on a core aspect of humanities research that is particularly germane to research centres in universities and collecting institutions: the development and dissemination of high quality collaboration and research across the two sectors.
Our aim is to bring together speakers with practical experience of programs that work so that our discussions are grounded in the pragmatics of joint research between humanities and the GLAM sector.
See The GLAMorous Humanities program here
Register for the GLAMorous Humanities here
Register for the workshop “Collaborating around Collections” here (spaces are limited)
Register for the Public Lecture by Rebe Taylor here
For more information see the ANU Humanities Research Centre page, register here, or contact Tully Barnett
Humanities in the Regions 2017: “Impact, Engagement and Connectivity” |18-19 May |University of New England, Armidale
This two-day event combines presentations on practical aspects of working on Humanities-projects from the regions, expertise in collaboration and grant writing partnerships, and workshops aimed at generating research outcomes.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from a range of peak body organisations, and to learn strategies for building strong research connections across universities and cultural institutions at both local and international levels. A range of workshops have also been designed to collaboratively explore key issues in our research practice:
- How do researchers in the Humanities build meaningful connections beyond their regional setting?
- How do we build partnerships to demonstrate and accentuate our impact within our regions?
- How do we develop strategies to maximise and communicate the benefits of our unique research environments when applying for grants?
Over two days, participants will hear keynote addresses from leading researchers and be invited to participate in panel discussions, as well as engage in workshops on key topics with peers. The workshops will give opportunities to discuss ideas with expert mentors and to reflect on how best practice can be applied at home institutions. Co-hosted by The School of Humanities, University of New England, and the ACHRC, the event will stimulate debate on future trajectories for research, will build cross-institutional connections and research synergies, and will enable strategies for funding success.
Keynotes:
Professor Melanie Oppenheimer (Flinders University, ARC College of Experts)
Professor Keir Reeves (Federation University)
The event is free but registration is essential.
The ACHRC calls on the Federal Government to fund TROVE, the most crucial Humanities Research infrastructure in Australia.
24 March 2016
Dear Mr Turnbull,
I write on behalf of the Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres (ACHRC) to protest against the severe and destructive cuts recently visited upon the national galleries, museums, archives, and libraries (GLAM). Their work remains vital, not only to academic research, but also to the community at large and more broadly to the nation’s understanding of its own identity and its own achievements, past and present. These recent cuts, on top of the ‘efficiency dividend’ regularly imposed upon the national GLAM sector’s activities, have made it impossible for them to maintain the number and quality of the services they offer Australia’s researchers as well as the nation at large.
Like most of the individuals and institutions who have protested to the government in recent weeks, we would point to the arrested development of the Trove resource at the NLA as exemplary. Trove is a vital portal to research data for all the nation’s scholarly, teaching, and cultural institutions. It is a model of its kind around the world, a point vigorously expressed by the New Zealand academics on our board, who find the cut mystifying. An efficiency dividend that kills off its maintenance and development will distribute huge inefficiencies around the nation and the globe. Literally millions of research tasks will become harder and more time-consuming. Trove underwrites much of the research humanities scholars do, and ensures its impact by providing access to the public. It underwrites education by allowing individuals to combine teaching with research more efficiently, because we no longer have to travel across the country and spend days physically located in a library finding the sources we need. The NLA is justly proud of its achievement with trove and it is clear that only acute pressure from cascading cuts would force it to consider so drastic a measure.
In addition, Trove is a vital part of the many fundamental research facilities offered by the GLAM sector for humanities researchers. Along with the Academy of the Humanities, we would extend our protest against recent cuts by asking the government to consider funding the GLAM sector through its national research infrastructure. Australian culture is not, in fact, shrinking by a couple of percent per annum, and the GLAM infrastructure for supporting it has become as lean as it can be after more than two decades of attrition. Open and searchable collections provide the essential infrastructure for the tens of thousands of academics and citizens engaged in humanities research, on the spectrum from family history to world-leading cultural analysis. When the institutions that support them are under constant stress, education, culture and research outputs suffer.
Robert Phiddian
Director,
Australasian Consortium of Humanities Research Centres