Minister's powers to block ARC funding grants will be scrutinised in a parliamentary inquiry addressing political interference in research. On February 9 the Senate opened public submissions to consider removing ministers' veto powers from the Australian Research Council Act 2001. ...
More »Humanities academy welcomes ARC funding and senate inquiry into nationhood
The Australian Academy of the Humanities has welcomed the government’s $12 million pledge to fund research into Australian society, history and culture as well as the senate inquiry into our national identity. “Between 2011 and 2020, just three per cent ...
More »Research benchmarking results released amid calls for a review of the system
Australia’s universities are celebrating their standing against an international benchmark but not all are happy with the overarching excellence in research for Australia (ERA) reports. Published by the Australian Research Council (ARC), the State of Australian University Research 2018–19: ERA ...
More »Researchers riled by ARC funding delay
The Australian Research Council (ARC) funding announcement delay is increasingly raising concerns among researchers. ARC-funded projects are required to begin research on 1 January 2019. As the date draws closer, researchers are complaining that adequate preparation time is being compromised by ...
More »Did Birmo veto grants to avoid being the next Turnbull?
By now, you well know that the former education minster's use of an arcane piece of legislation has caused furore among academics. Simon Birmingham's unannounced, unexplained veto of several research grants, all conferred to humanities researchers, has raised doubts about ...
More »Europe’s biggest cancer research funder is revoking bullies’ grants
Grants are currently the buzziest topic in Australian higher education. They are also being discussed around UK academics' proverbial water coolers, thanks to a new Cancer Research UK (CRUK) policy. The policy, drafted by one of the world’s biggest funders of cancer ...
More »UNSW and Go8 get lion’s share of ARC grants
The University of New South Wales has secured the largest share of funding from the latest round of the Australian Research Council grants. Education minister Simon Birmingham made the $9.2 funding announcement earlier this week, with UNSW to receive 43 ...
More »New ARC head likes the big challenges
When Professor Aidan Byrne was a small child he liked taking things apart, which is something small children tend to do. The difference with Byrne was, he knew how to put them back together again. “I think I picked ...
More »ERA committees announced
The Australian Research Council chief executive Professor Margaret Sheil said she was delighted with the response to the call for nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluations. Sheil said the 147 selected were experts in their ...
More »Finding funds for outback digs
The cost of research for archaeology and anthropology could be reduced by tapping money that mining companies pay for cultural heritage compliance, writes Claire Smith. Recent changes to grants programs run by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Australian ...
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