Quarterly Newsletter | July 2026
Latest Submissions
In April, the Network provided a written response to a Senate Inquiry into a Greens Bill which aimed to overturn the Job-Ready Graduates scheme that has led to an increase in the cost of Arts degrees to over $50,000.
In our submission, we argued that the Job-Ready Graduates scheme must be repealed given the importance of SHAPE degrees to the Australian workforce and society, the disproportionate impact of JRG fees on underrepresented students, and the effects of JRG on early- and mid-career researchers in SHAPE disciplines.
While unfortunately the Bill was voted down by the Senate in June, we will continue to advocate on these issues and the need to repeal the Job-Ready Graduates scheme.
Read our submission here.
The Network also provided a response as part of the government’s consultation on the new National Cultural Policy.
As we argued, a strong national cultural policy must recognise creative and cultural labour as legitimate, valuable, and socially necessary work that deserves long-term investment, protection, and the creation of sustainable career pathways for current and future generations.
Read our submission here.
Annual Report
The Network’s 2025-2026 Annual Report has recently been released. The report provides an overview of the key activities undertaken by the Network from January 2025 to June 2026. This 18-month report aligns the Network’s annual and financial reporting systems.
Highlights over the past 18 months include: releasing our first Strategic Plan, launching our Shape Shifters interview series, hosting our Annual Convention in Melbourne, and contributing written responses to three government consultations.
Check out our list of achievements here.
Sector Engagement
Decadal Plan Consultation, April 22
Our Officer for Insecure Employment Dr Habib Moghimi attended the Decadal Plan consultation at The University of Sydney. Consultation findings covered R&D investment, research careers, data access, ethics, AI in education research, implementation, success measures, barriers and enablers, and governance across universities and government. Habib contributed an EMCR social science perspective, highlighting the importance of supporting emerging researchers including those with insecure employment, and ensuring research informs education policy and practice over the next decade.
State of the Social Sciences, 21 May
In May, our Chair Dr Alexa Ridgway represented SHAPE at the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s “State of the Social Sciences” stakeholder consultation. The consultation provided a valuable space for exploring opportunities and challenges for EMCRs in the SHAPE disciplines with a particular focus on the importance of supporting and resourcing SHAPE EMCRs to contribute their expertise to the grand challenges faced by the nation.
University Governance Forum
In June, Alexa also attended the University Governance Forum held at The Australian National University. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, institutional leaders, staff representatives, students, and community advocates to explore issues of university governance. Over 170 participants from 20 different Australian universities participated, including more than 90 attending in person. SHAPE looks forward to continuing to support the University Governance Forum moving forward.
Future Events
National Science Week
21 August, 5:30-6:45pm | RMIT University
The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia is hosting a free event during National Science Week which brings together leading thinkers from across the social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and public policy to explore what truly interdisciplinary thinking looks like – and why it matters now more than ever.
Register here.
Current Opportunities
ASSA Workshop Program
Applications are currently open for the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s Workshops Program, closing 3 August. 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 $10,000 (excl GST).
Further information can be found here.
AFIPS Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment grants
Applications for the Indo-Pacific Strategic Environment Grants are closing 3 August. Grants of up to AUD $10,000 are available to researchers from Australia, France (including French overseas territories), and Indo-Pacific nations to support collaborative research projects and exchange focusing on the regional strategic environment, including on economic and non-traditional security issues.
Further information can be found here.
AFIPS Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants
Applications for the Pacific Social Sciences Academic Grants are closing 3 August. The grant provides seed funding of up to AUD $5,000 to support collaborative research (joint projects and exchanges) in and on the Pacific, including challenges around climate change, food, and resources. Applications from early- and mid-career researchers are particularly encouraged.
Further information can be found here.
Connect with us
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Do you know other EMCRs working in SHAPE who would like to join our network?
They are welcome to join, it is free, and they can sign up here.
