Quarterly Newsletter | June 2025
Our latest advocacy
In April, the Network provided a written response to the Australian Research Council’s proposed model for the National Competitive Grants Program. This was the second stage of consultation as part of the current review of the NCGP, with the ARC Board due to provide their final report by mid-2025.
The Network’s submission was prepared by Chairperson Sarah Midford and Co-Deputy Chairpersons Alexandra Ridgway and Anna Kosovac. The Network welcomes the proposed changes to the NCGP and commends the ARC on its efforts to increase opportunities for early- and mid-career researchers. We also commend the ARC for recognising the importance of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences disciplines.
While SHAPE Futures is generally supportive of the NCGP Proposal, consultation with members has identified some suggestions for further exploration and clarification, including broader consideration of equity-related issues and clarification of assessment processes.
As outlined in our submission, for the new model to effectively support SHAPE ECRs, post PhD pathways must also be strengthened. This includes providing targeted training and widening grant eligibility so final stage PhDs and recent graduates without university employment are permitted to apply.
Read our comments on the NCGP Proposal in full here.
Strategic Plan
The Network has released our first Strategic Plan which will set the agenda for the next three years. The Executive Committee began defining the Network’s values, vision, mission, strategic priorities and objectives in 2024, focussing on how best to support and represent Australian SHAPE EMCRs. The Strategic Plan is underpinned by our four key values: promotion, connection, voice and wellbeing.
Read more about the Network’s vision here.
Mentoring Program
Many of our members have spoken about the lack of mentoring opportunities available to them. SHAPE would like to know what our members want from a mentoring experience in order to address this concern in the best way possible for our members. Click on the link to our short survey to help us better understand what works best for EMCRs.
Save the Date! SHAPE Annual Convention 2025
We’re excited to announce that our Annual Convention will be held in the afternoon of the 27th of November at The University of Melbourne as part of the Congress of HASS (CHASS).
This year’s theme will explore the new funding landscape of research grants in Australia and include a strategic planning session on how you, as an EMCR in the SHAPE disciplines, can navigate these changes in order to thrive and excel in your research career.
Stay tuned for more details and mark your calendars—this is one you won’t want to miss!
Annual Report
The Network’s 2024 Annual Report has recently been released. The report provides an overview of the key activities undertaken by the Network from January to December 2024. Highlights over the past year included defining the Network’s strategic priorities, engaging with cognate organisations, hosting the Annual Convention in Perth and continuing our advocacy work.
Check out our list of achievements here.
Current opportunities
The Rechnitz Memorial Award
The annual Rechnitz Award is intended to recognise excellence in research leadership and advancement of knowledge of Indigenous society, culture and language. The Award is open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars who must be nominated and endorsed by two Fellows of either the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia or the Australian Academy of Humanities. Recipients will be required to deliver a Rechnitz Lecture in the 12 months following their award and will also be invited to participate in the production of an Academy-produced video highlighting their work.
Further information can be found here.
The Paul Bourke Awards
The Paul Bourke Awards for Early Career Research honour Australians in the early part of their career who have achieved excellence in scholarship in one or more fields of the social sciences. This year’s awardees have made significant contributions in areas ranging from anthropology and computational statistics to mental health and cross-cultural communication.
Further information can be found here.
Connect with us
Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
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.
