Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) Panel D

I am a member of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) Panel D: Education, Psychology & Public Health. Today we met for 2 hours to consider the Academy Fellowship nominations. It has been a fascinating discussion. The people on the Panel are: Don Byrne, Chair (Psychology), Helen Skouteris, Deputy Chair (Health Sciences), Anne Castles (Psychology), Kim Cornish (Psychology), Henry Jackson (Psychology), Russell Tytler (Education), Jenny Gore (Education), Sharynne McLeod (Health Sciences), Julie McLeod (Education), Peng Bi (Health Sciences). The committee is supported by Chris Hatherly (Academy National Office) and Zoe Perry (Academy National Office).

Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) Panel D

Today I attended the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) Panel D annual meeting.

"The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia represents almost 700 leading social science researchers. The Academy exists to recognise and champion excellence in the social sciences and to provide evidence-based advice on a range of social policy issues."

 

Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia - Panel D Fellowship Committee meeting

Today was my first meeting on the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) - Panel D Fellowship Committee meeting. We considered carefully the impressive contributions of the nominees to become Fellows of ASSA. What a privilege to spend time with esteemed colleagues discussing the research of notable Australians.

Panel D Committee of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA)

I have been invited to be on the Panel D Committee of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) https://socialsciences.org.au/ for a three-year term commencing from the AGM next month. What an honour. 

The Chair of the committee,  Emeritus Professor Donald Byrne wrote 

"The Committee's work is crucial to the overall functioning of the Academy in ensuring a broad voice for the disciplines of Education, Psychology and Health Sciences in all of the Academy's activities."

From the website

“The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is an elected body of over 700 leading researchers and professionals across the social science disciplines…a peak body for the social sciences and a distinguished, independent membership organisation, gathering the best and brightest social science minds from universities, research institutes and policy agencies across the country. These are the people whose research shapes government decision-making, whose advice is called on by Australia’s leaders, and whose expertise has long played a key role in shaping our nation.” (https://socialsciences.org.au/academy/)

Contributing to policy discussions about early childhood education and early intervention

Over the past week I have had a number of opportunities to contribute to policy discussions about early childhood education and early intervention.

I was invited to contribute to the submission by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) to Productivity Commission Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care: https://socialsciences.org.au/publications/submission-productivity-commission-inquiry-into-early-childhood-education-and-care/

Here is a key recommendation that I was involved in crafting:

"Recommendation 6: Ensure universal access to early intervention within ECEC with proper oversight, consistency and coordination to reduce inefficiencies in across sectors, reduce vulnerabilities, and support children’s life outcomes."

I also had a long conversation with Jane Delaney, Early Childhood Policy Advisor for Speech Pathology Australia while in Hobart at the Speech Pathology Australia National Conference.

Both conversations included the importance of providing accessible and universal early intervention for children to enable them to thrive throughout life.

Conversations with Jane Delaney at the SPA conference

 

Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences of Australia

I had a wonderful evening in Melbourne celebrating my award of Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences of Australia with family and colleagues.

Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia New Fellows' Presentations

This evening I attended the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia New Fellows' Presentations https://events.humanitix.com/2021-new-fellows-presentations

I really enjoyed presentations from my education colleagues Professor Susan Danby (QUT) and Professor Marilyn Fleer (Monash).

Here is the description of the event 

Each year, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia elects the most distinguished social scientists in Australia as Fellows. These New Fellows will join the ranks of over 700 of Australia’s leading researchers and professionals across the social science disciplines. This event will provide an opportunity to welcome the 2021 New Fellows and to recognise their outstanding contributions to the social sciences. Each New Fellow will have three minutes to discuss their research in an engaging and informative presentation.

2021 ASSA Fellow, Prof Susan Danby

2021 ASSA Fellow, Prof Marilyn Fleer