2010 News Archive 

Best Australian Stories and Poems for 2010

Six writers associated with the School as either academics or research students in English/Creative Writing have had their work selected for publication in the respected annual anthology series 'Best Australian Stories 2010', and in 'Best Australian Poems 2010' published by Black Inc.

The writers are Anthony Lawrence, Dr Keri Glastonbury, Michael Sala, Ryan O’Neill, Karen Hitchcock and David Kelly.

The Writing Cultures Research Group is hosting a book launch at the Hunter Writers' Centre on Fri 3 Dec 6-8 pm to celebrate the success of these writers. All welcome.

Visit the School's events page for more details

New Lecturer in Theology announced

The University of Newcastle’s theology discipline is set to be strengthened following the appointment of the new Lecturer in Theology.

Dr Timothy Stanley, who was Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Christianity and Contemporary Culture at the University of Manchester in England, has been appointed to the position, which is funded through a donation from the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle to the University of Newcastle Foundation.

Click here for more information

Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence

Dr Debbie Plath has been selected for a Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence for 2010. The award was given for the following publication:

Plath, D. (2009). International Policy Perspectives on Independence in Old Age. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21: 209-223.

Vice-Chancellor's Award for Supervision Excellence

I'm sure you'll all join me in congratulating Professor Hugh Craig on receiving this year's Vice-Chancellor's Award for Supervision Excellence - FEDUA.

The Award recognises outstanding supervisors, and in this particular case, Hugh's reputation as a very supportive supervisor and mentor, who is always willing to share his knowledge, insights, and networks with students; encouraging them to aspire to excellence in their fields of endeavour.

ARC success for FEDUA researchers

I'm very happy to report the success of FEDUA researchers in being awarded ARC funding - the largest number of successful grants for many years (8 grants in total, 4 based at UoN).
I'm sure you'll join me in congratulating them all.

With UoN as the host institution, FEDUA staff have been awarded:
-- 3 ARC Discovery Project grants
-- 1 x Indigenous Researcher Development Grant

FEDUA researchers on successful grants via other institutions:
-- 1 x Discovery Project
-- 3 x Linkage Projects

Congratulations to the following first-named CIs from our School:
A/Professor Philip Dwyer
Dr Roger Markwick
Dr Kathleen Butler

And congratulations to those CIs from our School on successful grants through other institutions:
Prof Dennis Foley
A/Prof Victoria Haskins 
Dr Claire Lowrie

Click here to visit our Research Grants page

World-leading academics enhance sociological research at University

Research at the University of Newcastle will be enhanced with the appointment of two world-renowned professors of Sociology.

The appointment of Professor Lisa Adkins and Professor Mitchell Dean will help make the University of Newcastle one of the leading sites for sociological research in Australia, said Associate Professor John Germov, Dean of Arts and Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Education and Arts.

Read more

Alumni Award for Leadership - National

Congratulations of Fine Arts Alumni Nick Mitzevich, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia. In 2001 Nick was appointed Director of the Newcastle Region Art Gallery, one of the youngest to ever lead a major gallery in this capacity in Australia.

Click here to visit the Art Gallery website

Creative Writing lecturer interviewed on ABC Radio

Dr Kim Cheng Boey was recently interviewed on ABC radio's 'Connect Asia' program about his book Between Stations.

 

Click here to hear the interview

3 Minute Thesis Success!

The University held the 3 Minute Thesis Final yesterday afternoon. There were 17 finalists from across the university with a very high standard! The top 3 finalists were recognised, with the winner receiving $1500 and will represent UoN in Queensland next month. 2 place-winner received $1000 and 3rd received $500.

The results were:

  • 1st: Gabrielle Briggs - Faculty of Health
  • 2nd: Michael Netherton - Engineering
  • 3rd: Sarita Koushik - FEDUA!!!!

Sarita did a fabulous job and deserved to be in the top 3 - it's a great outcome for Sarita and for the Faculty.

ALTC Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for 2010

Congratulations to Dr Michael Ondaatje on being awarded an Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning for 2010.

Citation: For creating exceptionally engaging teaching environments and embedding innovative resources in newly-developed American History courses that have inspired and motivated students to learn.

 

Grant News

2010 Teaching & Learning Strategic Grant

Congratulations to Dr Marguerite Johnson on her Teaching and Learning Strategic Grant, Learning and Teaching with TurnItIn: A Review of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Grant success!

Congratulations to staff member Lou Johnston on her UoN Equity Initiative Grant ($6500) for the project:
Cultural connections in learning for Indigenous Social Work students.

Further congratulations to Dr Kathy Butler (team leader), Jean Harkins & colleagues, on the award of a UoN 2010 Teaching and Learning Strategic Grant ($4800) for the project: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Priorities for Indigenised Curricula at the University of Newcastle.

Researcher awarded national Fellowship

A hearty congratulations to Victoria Haskins on being awarded a highly prestigious ARC Future Fellowship, for the project:

'In Her Place: state intervention and Indigenous domestic service in Australia and the United States, 1880-1945'.

The project involves a transnational history of Indigenous domestic labour and government intervention, and positions Australian scholarship at the forefront of major research initiatives in gender, race and colonialism studies, promoting Australian research among the international community of scholars. More importantly, by increasing public awareness of the complexity of race relations history in our society, and taking understanding beyond the confines of a purely national outlook, this project contributes to ongoing efforts to address, come to terms with, and indeed learn from the more traumatic aspects of our history, in positive and constructive new ways.

Total project funding: $686 400 (2009-2013)

This is a major achievement for Victoria and a wonderful reflection of the quality of scholarship and support produced by the School.

Click here for news story

Grant success

Congratulations to A/Prof Pam Nilan, Dr Alex Broom & A/Prof John Germov on their Australian Development Research Award for the research project: Masculinities and Violence in Indonesia and India ($116 526).

Click here to view more information on this research

ARC Discover Grant funding

Congratulations to the following staff who have successfully obtained ARC Discovery Grant funding in the current round of funding: Harold Tarrant, Mel Gray, Debbie Plath and Stephen Webb. Click on the following titles to learn more about the respective grants.

 

Past News Items

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to Professor Alison Ferguson and Associate Professor Victoria Haskins who recently received promotions effective 1 July 2010.

For Associate Professor, 14 of the 19 applicants (74%) were promoted; 3/6 (50%) women were promoted and 11/13 (85%) men. For Professor, 8 of the 11 applicants (73%) were promoted; 3/3 (100%) women were promoted and 5/8 (63%) men.

Faculty of Education and Arts Postgraduate Research Publication Prizes for 2009

Every year, the Faculty of Education and Arts offers up to five Postgraduate Research Publication prizes.
To be eligible for entry you must be currently enrolled within the Faculty of Education and Arts: School of Drama, Fine Art and Music; School of Education; School of Humanities and Social Science; Wollotuka: School of Aboriginal Studies. Your article must have been published in 2009.

Winner/s will receive a $1000 cash prize, which will be presented at the Annual Prize Presentation afternoon held in July.

Submissions should be made to: Julia.Dunn@newcastle.edu.au
CLOSING DATE: 5pm Tuesday 15 June, 2010

Click here for more information

3-minute Thesis Competition

What is it? Research Higher Degree candidates have 3 minutes to give an engaging and dynamic response to the request to "Tell me about your research!"
Why do it? The competition encourages the capacity to communicate research ideas effectively to a non-specialist audience. It helps to crystallize ideas and promote interest in research. It will be fun and there are prizes to be won!
What are the Prizes? 1st and 2nd place winners of the School of Humanities & Social Science round will receive $100 book vouchers and will progress to the Faculty round. Two Faculty finalists will progress to the University final and will be in the running for $1500 and an all expenses paid trip to Queensland for the national final (1st place), $1000 (2nd place) or $500 (3rd place).
When is it? The first round of the competition will be held at the School of Humanities and Social Science RHD Symposium on Tuesday 8th June, 2010. The Faculty of Education & Arts round will be held on 28th July and the University final will be held on 4th August.
How do I enter? You must register by Friday 7th May. If you are an RHD candidate (Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy) currently enrolled in the School of Humanities & Social Science, you can register by emailing Helen Moffatt  

Click here to download information flyer

Click here to visit the website

Meeting with Julia Gillard

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the University on April 14 to meet with staff from the School and the Faculty. Among matters discussed were the bid for a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Social Inclusion.

A picture of this is included on both the Faculty and School home pages. People in picture L to R: Federal member for Newcastle Sharon Grierson, Prof Stephen Webb, A/Prof John Germov, Deputy PM Julia Gillard, VC Prof Nick Saunders, Prof Jenny Gore, Mr Andrew Johnson & Belinda Munn.

David Marr: Humanities & Social Science Graduation guest speaker

Mr Marr is an accomplished journalist, author, and political and social commentator. Winner of 3 Walkley Awards, Mr Marr currently writes for The Sydney Morning Herald and regularly appears on ABC television's Insiders and Q&A.

Click here for more information on graduation ceremonies

Flechtheim Award - Call for Papers

WIN $3000 for up to 3 years Flechtheim Award

Call for Papers on Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Closing Date for Proposal 31 March

Click here for more details 

Newcastle student lands inaugural PM's Award

University of Newcastle speech pathology student Rebecca Amery will next year swap the leafy surrounds of the Callaghan campus for Vietnam's Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy under a unique new scholarship program.

Ms Amery has been awarded a Prime Minister's Australia Asia Endeavour Award - a new scholarship providing opportunities for students to gain international experience and build professional networks in Asia.

She will be one of just 20 Australian undergraduate students to spend up to 12 months studying in Asia as part of their degree program, followed by at least three months in an internship or work placement.

Click here for more information.

FEDUA Awards for Teaching Excellence

Congratulations to the following academic staff on receiving a 2009 FEDUA Award for Teaching Excellence:

  • Dr Nancy Cushing
  • Dr  Michael Ondaatje

Click here to view other staff awards