Academy of Social Sciences in Australia

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Submissions

2011

Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: This is a targeted submission to the Department's Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. In responding to this Review, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) has focused on the second of five 'Key Questions' as provided in Attachment B of the Review's Call for Submissions: 'How can we ensure that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students stay at university, complete their studies and graduate?; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 55 kB]
Response to the 2011 SRARI Discussion Paper: ASSA takes this opportunity to respond to issues raised in chapter two of the 2011 SRARI Discussion Paper, noting that these issues have broader implications for the needs of Australian social sciences for strategic investment in productive research infrastructure. In particular, ASSA draws attention to responses to questions 2.B.1 and 2.E.1. The first of these responses highlights the need for investment in collating and making accessible those data sources, including administrative and other forms, which are the essential underpinning of sound social sciences research.; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 54 kB]
Review of the Student Visa Program 2011: In 2010, in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission and Universities Australia, ASSA convened a research workshop in March, and a policy roundtable in August to consider the policy futures for international students in Australia, and produced two policy papers on this issue. These events were initially convened in response to several highly publicised incidents of violence against students in Australia, and grew out of a concern shared by the three partner organisations to contribute to the development and implementation of policy frameworks which mitigate against racism, including racially motivated crimes, against tertiary students studying in this country.; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 100 kB]

2010

Inquiry on Australia's Urban Water Sector: The decision making processes for major infrastructure may be enhanced by inclusion within those processes of a role for a central, independent statutory authority or authorities which would make recommendations to governments on the basis of sound science and sound analysis. This would reduce the influence of the political cycle. Provided such authorities had suitably transparent decision making processes, they would provide a strategic perspective which countered the short-term influence of electoral cycles. Reducing unnecessary capital expenditure would be an important way of enabling efficiency gains in the urban water sector.; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 42 kB]
Expert Working Group on Science and the Media: ASSA notes in the context of this Expert Working Group's focus on science in the media, that journalists and reporters often have training in the social sciences, but that problems have arisen in the reporting of the research findings of social sciences researchers. Problems have included in particular a lack of differentiation between research based reports, and opinion and commentary potentially politicising the research. ASSA supports any initiatives which, by addressing such problems, aim to increase the accessibility of trustworthy, non-partisan research findings.; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 42 kB]

The Australian Government's Research Workforce Strategy: ASSA would welcome the opportunity to work constructively with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) on the development of a sound research workforce strategy. The Academy believes that the consultation paper, whilst serving as a positive step in the direction of developing an effective strategy, would be greatly strengthened by addressing several key issues which will be outlined below.; Read more Download this submission [PDF: 386 kB]

Submission regarding the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Australian Government Research and Development Corporations Model: The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Rural Research and Development. The Academy hopes that the social-science based concerns outlined in this submission will contribute to strengthening the breadth and depth of the inquiry.; Read this submission Download this submission [PDF: 297 kB]; See also: Terms of Reference and Issues Paper pertaining to the inquiry.
House of Representatives Inquiry into International Research Collaboration: The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the inquiry into international research collaboration being conducted by the Australian House of Representatives' Industry Science and Innovation Committee.; Read this submission Download this submission [PDF: 64.69 kB]

2009

Submission to the InASA Review of Australian Studies in Japan: The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia [ASSA] welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Review of Australian Studies in Japan being conducted by the International Australian Studies Association [InASA]. In both its undertakings and aspirations ASSA supports efforts which encourage and facilitate scholarly collaboration and exchange between Australia and Japan.; Read this submission Download this submission [PDF: 46.92 kB]

2008

Submission to the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy: We would like to state our strong support for the separation of the Research Infrastructure, and Transforming Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Research capability areas. Research infrastructure extends in meaning to all tools and enabling mechanisms exploited by researchers, no matter how seemingly mundane they may be. …; Read this submission Download this submission [PDF: 119.34 kB]

2005

Commentary and proposed amendments to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans: The new draft NS is a welcome attempt to produce a policy on research ethics which transcends the origins of the former NS in the ethical regulation of medical and biomedical research. The drafting committee has undertaken a formidable task, because expanding the scope of the policy from medical and bio-medical research to all forms of research involving humans has vastly increased the range of research methods and contexts which are to be addressed. …; Read the preamble Download this submission [PDF: 107.38 kB]
Building University Diversity: Future approval and accreditation processes for Australian higher education: The Academy is firmly of the view that it is a central feature of university-level teaching that the teachers are expected and resourced to maintain an active engagement with their disciplines. This includes staying at or close to the frontiers of their fields, and reflecting critically on what they teach. …; Read this submission Download this submission [PDF: 46.89 kB]

Submissions