Academy of Social Sciences in Australia

Paul Bourke Lecture

Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research, and Paul Bourke Lecture

(formerly Academy Early Career Award).

Paul Francis Bourke (1938-1999) was a product of the History school at the University of Melbourne who went on to become one of the first Australian historians to obtain American style doctoral training.

Whilst at Flinders University, he served as Professor of American Studies and also as Pro-Vice Chancellor. From Flinders University, he went on to become the Director of the RSSS at ANU and also served as the President of ASSA (1993-1997). Amongst scholars the contribution Paul made to the field of performance measurement is considered to be invaluable.

The Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research, formerly Academy Early Career Award, replaces the Academy Award for Younger Scholars which was introduced in 1987. The Award honours Australians in the early part of their career who have achieved excellence in scholarship in one or more fields of the social sciences. One award is made each year to an outstanding scholar. In exceptional circumstances two awards may be made. The award is in the form of a Citation and Medallion presented to the winner, who is invited to receive the award at the Annual Dinner.

With the agreement of the winner's home university, the jointly-sponsored Paul Bourke Lecture will be delivered by the winner during the year following receipt of the Award.

Nominations for the Award will be judged by an ad-hoc Awards Committee comprising the President, Chair of the Public Forums Committee and Chairs of the four Panels of the Academy.

There is no nomination form for this Award. However, the following guidelines apply:

The nomination

Nominations are called for in May and are to be submitted to the Secretariat by 10 July each year.

The nomination is to be submitted and signed by two Fellows of the Academy, and should include:

  • a citation of 100–150 words setting out the case for the nominated scholar
  • the names of two referees who may be contacted to evaluate the scholarly contribution of the nominee (the referees need not be Fellows of the Academy)
  • a full CV for the nominee.

Eligibility criteria

For a scholar who has achieved excellence in scholarship in the social sciences. The scholar will have made a highly original contribution to one or more fields of the social sciences as represented in the Academy.

For an early career scholar, not more than eight years since commencing his or her scholarly career. A useful guideline is that the scholar has received their PhD within the previous eight years.

A record of achievement in scholarly publication over several years with emphasis on recent work, publications and contributions, especially in leading international journals and/or books published by leading publishers. Additional evidence of achievement includes prizes, grants, scholarships, presentations at leading international conferences.

The nominated scholar is not a Fellow of the Academy.

The nominated scholar must be an Australian permanent resident.

Please 'phone the Secretariat on 02 6249 1788 if you have any queries about the Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research.