Dear ~~first_name~~,
As mentioned in an email sent to you earlier this week, nominations are now open for TASA’s Executive Committee (November 2024 - November 2026).
We encourage you to consider nominating for an Executive position. To assist your thinking about this opportunity, please access a copy of TASA’s 2023/24 Executive Organisational Chart here and the Executive Committee Position Descriptions here.
Nominations are open for the following Executive Committee positions:
- President
- Vice-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Equity & Inclusion Portfolio Leader
- Postgraduate Portfolio Leader
- Indigenous Portfolio Leader
- Public Sociology Portfolio Leader
- Thematic Groups Portfolio Leader
If you are interested in a particular Executive position, and you would like more information, we encourage you to contact the member currently in that role for a confidential chat. The current Executive members are listed on TASAweb here. You can also contact Sally in TASA Admin.
| We extend our warm congratulations to fellow member Kieran Hegarty who recently completed their PhD at RMIT. Kieran examined the preservation of websites and social media by Australian libraries. Using interviews, observations, and document analysis, he investigated how the values and priorities of libraries, digital platforms, and internet users shape what is collected by libraries and the forms of knowledge production these collections enable and constrain.
Hegarty, Kieran (2024). Assembling a Record of the Australian Internet: Tracing the Emergence and Evolution of a Nation’s Web Archives. School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University [PhD Thesis]. https://doi.org/10.25439/rmt.26157835
|  | At the start of 2021, TASA introduced a new initiative, 'The Australian Sociological Association’s Workshop Program', which was subsequently renamed the Gary Bouma Memorial Workshop Program.
There is up to AU$5,000 available (per workshop) for up to 2 workshops, to be held in Australia.
About the Workshop Program
- Presenting TASA outwardly – engaging with the community
- Potential for feeding into policy
- Connecting with the research community
- Bringing experts in from the community
Successful workshops will advance research within sociology and showcase TASA as the face of sociological/interdisciplinary research in the region; engaging with issues of national concern; advancement of knowledge; support innovative ideas, and, the potential of feeding into policy and practice development.
Expression of interest deadline: August 26th.
| | The nomination deadline for the below listed 2024 TASA Awards is July 17th:
| | | If you are interested in presenting at one of our TASA Thursdays sessions, please email Penny, TASA' Events Manager.
Note, if you missed our last TASA Thursdays event, with fellow member Cathy Martin presenting on the Metaphors of Migration, you can catch up with the recording here.
| Join us on Thursday 18th July, 12:30pm - 1:30pm AEST) for our TASA Thursday session: Social Class and Emotions in Australia.
This TASA Thursday session brings together three creative academics to speak about their applied research at the intersections of social class and emotion in diverse interest areas: gender, health, and youth.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday 18th July 2024
Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm (AEDT)
Format: Zoom Webinar
Cost: complimentary
Click here to read more
| | | Geoffrey Lawrence (2024) Societal Deception: Global Social Issues in Post-Truth Times, Palgrave Macmillan.
| | This book provides a comprehensive overview of ‘societal deception’ - how and why people are deceived and led to believe fake news. Coherently blending critical political economy and sociology, the author provocatively examines how corporations, political parties, the media, think tanks and assorted 'influencers' seek to manipulate public opinion to achieve their goals. This book spans an array of contemporary topics and issues not normally tackled by a single writer – the media, genetic engineering, fast food, environmental pollution, climate change, economic inequality, political manipulations, sports, and religion. While critical in subject matter, and replete with easily accessible and reliable sources, this book is highly readable and entertaining for the general as well as academic audience interested in current global issues. Read on... | | | |
Botterill, LC and Walsh, MJ. (2024). An Examination of the Policy Content of Scott Morrison's and Anthony Albanese's 2022 Federal Election Campaign Materials. Australian Journal of Politics and History. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajph.12997. [OPEN ACCESS].
| Drysdale, K., Fisher, K. R., Smyth, C., Gendera, S. and Newman, C.E (2024), Our Voices, Our Lives, Our Way Project Evaluation Report, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney.
| Call for proposals for Special Issue by Guest Editors - Issue 1, 2026
The Editors of HSR encourage sociologists to submit proposals to develop and edit special issues exploring new ideas and the cutting edge of their field of expertise. We particularly welcome proposals for special issues with a focus on novel empirical domains, theoretical frameworks and/or methodologies in the sociology of health and illness (for example, the intersection of health sociology and climate change).
A call for guest editors for the 2026 issue is now open.
| | Generations and Housing Symposium
Note, this event is on the day before TASA 2024 starts
| | | | Call for Focus Group Participants
| As announced during TASA’s annual conferences in 2022 and 2023, The Australian Sociological Association is currently undertaking a research study to assess the state of sociology in Australia. This includes investigations into teaching, funding, university enrolments, employment outcomes, and research outputs with respect to Australian sociology.
We are currently seeking recent PhD graduates in sociology who would like the opportunity to discuss their experiences navigating the discipline in Australia as part of a focus group for this project.
Volunteers need to have graduated with their PhD from an Australian university within the last five years.
If you are interested in participating in a focus group, please email Dr Rhys Gower at r.gower@westernsydney.edu.au to discuss further details.
| New: Indigenous Research Assistant
The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)
TASA is seeking an interested and motivated Indigenous Research Assistant (RA) to support enhancing the visibility and inclusion of Indigenous sociology/ists and research. This role is integral to advancing TASA’s commitment to Indigenous perspectives being included in and influencing sociology.
We respectfully ask and encourage you to share this call with your networks.
| The Jobs Board enables you to view current employment opportunities. As a member, you can post opportunities to the Jobs Board directly from within your membership profile screen.
| | | PhD Scholarship (open call)
Melbourne Social Equity Institute
University of Melbourne
PhD Scholarship - Reproductive Justice
Melbourne Social Equity Institute
University of Melbourne
Clare Burton Memorial Scholarship
Queensland University of Technology
Established to honour Dr Clare Burton, this scholarship is open to students of all Australian universities undertaking master and doctoral research degrees.
| | The Scholarships Board enables you to view available scholarships that our members have posted. Like the Jobs Board, as a member, you can post scholarship opportunities directly from within your membership profile screen. | | | | In case you are not aware, you can add job and scholarship opportunities to our publicly searchable Jobs & Scholarships Board via your TASA membership profile, see image below: | | Other Events, News & Opportunities | Petition - Call for Signatures
| | New: Higher Degree Research (HDR) Stipend E-Petition
Petition to the Australian Federal Government to improve HDR conditions
The Universities Accord laid out 47 recommendations, several of which relate to Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student working conditions. These recommendations are yet to be addressed. The raising of the Research Training Program (RTP) stipend is of the utmost importance. The current minimum stipend awarded is $32,192, an amount that is $11,771 below the national minimum wage.
| | | Innovative methods for exploring financial abuse
Hawthorn, 10am-4pm, Monday 9 September (as part of Social Sciences Week)
Morning tea and lunch provided, including full barista service
A limited number of travel bursaries are available to support interstate HDR/ECR attendance
Expression of interest deadline: 1 August. Read on...
Emotions of the Future
Friday 22 November
Macquarie University, Sydney
| | Launch of the Research Handbook for the Sociology of Youth
Online, Tuesday, July 9th, 5 - 6:30pm AEST
Join the launch of the Research Handbook for the Sociology of Youth (Edward Elgar Press), a new publication edited by scholars Prof Judith Bessant, Prof Philippa Collin, and Dr Patrick O’Keeffe. This handbook features 53 authors, representing 7 continents, and includes work by academics, activists, and young people.
The official launch is being conducted by fellow member Joanna Wyn.
| | | Call for Executive Committee Members
| SHAPE Futures EMCR Network Executive Committee Positions
Call for expressions of interest
The SHAPE Futures EMCR Network aims to support, connect and advocate for early and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) working in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts for People and Environment (SHAPE) disciplines across Australia. The SHAPE Futures Executive Committee is recruiting EMCRs interested in these objectives to take on a role within the Network Executive. All members of the executive are expected to attend the monthly meetings (held via Zoom), with other tasks allocated that are aligned to the position description. The time commitment will vary each month, depending on the role held by an individual. On average, it is anticipated a time commitment of 1-2 hours per week would be necessary.
The three positions currently available are Deputy Chairperson, Website Officer and Social Media Officer.
For details, read on...
| Sociological Futures
British Sociological Association (BSA)
Sociological Futures is the BSA’s research monograph series and has published a wealth of titles on significant topics of sociological enquiry such as climate change, food, social mobility and sociological theory. BSA are interested in more proposals at any time and invite all scholars to get in touch with their book ideas. Read on...
| The Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
Four Paul Bourke Award recipients are selected each year by members of the Academy’s Panel Committees. The awards are presented to social science researchers within five years of receiving their doctorate (with allowances for career interruptions).
Nomination deadline: July 31. Read on...
| Workshop Program Grants
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
The Workshops Program offers Australian social scientists financial assistance to host multidisciplinary workshops which aim to advance research and policy agendas on nationally important issues. The Academy supports up to eight workshops each year with funding to a maximum of $9,000 (excl GST).
| Call for Participants - Survey
| Fellow members Nick Osbaldiston and Rachel Busbridge are running a research project on social theory use in Australia exploring how social theories are used and valued in their contemporary classroom and research spaces. They are looking for anyone who identifies as a sociologist or related discipline, who is currently employed or a graduate student in an Australian university. If this is you and you are interested in this project, please click here to fill out a short 15 minute survey on your experiences with social theory. The survey is completely anonymous and no personal information is collected other than general demographic detail.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact Nick and Rachel directly via email: nick.osbaldiston@jcu.edu.au and rachel.busbridge@acu.edu.au.
| Call for Submissions - Journals
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Teaching Sociology in Higher Education: Pedagogical Practices and Possibilities
Sociology, Special Issue
Slavery and Freedom in the Contemporary World: A Sociological Lens
Sociology, Special Issue
| Social Sciences Week 2024
Hosted by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
9-15 September 2024
Social Sciences Week is an annual event that celebrates and promotes the social sciences to a diverse audience of students, researchers, policymakers, and the public. During the week, a wide range of activities take place, including keynote lectures, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive events. These activities are hosted by leading universities, research institutes, and non-profit organisations across the country.
If you would like to get involved by running your own Social Sciences Week events, you have until the end of July to register them on our website. Once events are registered, we will publish them on the Social Sciences Week events calendar and begin promoting on social media. You can find more information about running your own event here, or email Anna Dennis, at the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, with any questions.
|  | The more members TASA has, the stronger our association can be.
To help spread the word about TASA, you can quickly and easily gift a TASA membership to someone from within your TASA membership profile.
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 | | TASA members have free access to over 90 peer-reviewed Sage Sociology full-text collection online journals encompassing over 63,000 articles. The image on the left shows you where to access those journals, as well as the Sage Research Methods Collection & the Taylor and Francis Full Text Collection, when logged in to TASAweb. If needed, here is a short instructive video on how to access the online resources. |
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 | TASA currently has 27 thematic groups in operation and members can join up to 4 groups. This can be done quickly, and easily via your membership profile.
Watch the very short video (1:30) to learn how to join a thematic group/s.
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 | TASA's Membership Directory allows you to search for members by country and state. It also has search functions for members of a particular thematic group, and members who are available for supervision and/or mentoring.
To learn how to search the Membership Directory, watch this very short video (1 min).
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 | Via your membership profile, you can update many options including adding a secondary email address, and indicating if you are available for mentoring, supervising, consulting, and/or talking to the media, for example. If you are in a Tier 2, Tier 3 & Tier 4 membership category, you can also opt in or out of receiving a hard copy of the Journal of Sociology.
All of these changes can be done quickly and easily. To learn how, watch this video (1 min). |
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Personal pronoun preferences can be added to your profile. There are 9 combination options to choose from. Please let Sally in TASA Admin know if your preference/s is not on the list and we will have them added.
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 | We encourage you to support your colleagues by sharing details of your latest publications with them via this newsletter. No publication is too big or too small.
Any mention of sociology is of value to our association, and to the discipline, so please do email through details of your latest publication/s (fully referenced & with a link, where possible), events, job adverts etc. for the next newsletter, to TASA Admin. Usually, the newsletter is disseminated every Thursday morning. |
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 | As part of the agreement with Taylor & Francis, TASA members are entitled to a 30% books discount. This discount is valid on any full priced CRC Press or Routledge book.
To access the book discount, click on the following link and then log in to TASAweb: book discount link. |
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TASA Admin (Sally): admin@tasa.org.au
TASA Events (Penny): events@tasa.org.au | |