News archive 2008
Expressions of interest sought for editorship of Australian Historical Studies
The Board of Australian Historical Studies is seeking expressions of interest to edit the journal as the current editors, Shurlee Swain and Stuart Macintyre, will complete their terms at the end of the year.
The journal is now published three times a year by Taylor and Francis, which handles subscriptions, production and distribution, and provides website support for handling submissions. The journal is also supported by a part-time Administrative and Editorial Assistant.
The journal operates under a regulation of the University of Melbourne, and its Board is chaired by the Head of the School of Historical Studies, while the Board is composed of members of Victorian universities. Hence it is expected that the editor is also based in Victoria. The editorship can be held by an individual or shared.
It would be helpful if those interested in the position could indicate their relevant experience, the skills they would bring to the role, and any ideas they have for future development of the journal. The Board wishes to appoint the new editor before the end of the year, so that expressions of interest should be received by 10 NOVEMBER 2008.
All inquiries and submissions should be directed to:
Chair of the Board
Professor Joy Damousi
School of Historical Studies
The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010
OR via email to j.damousi@unimelb.edu.au
Visiting Professor in Australian Studies 2009 - 2010
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Centre for Pacific and American Studies (CPAS), The University of Tokyo
The Visiting Professorship in Australian Studies was created in 1999 by the Centre for Pacific and American Studies, The University of Tokyo, to promote a deeper understanding of Australia and its regional engagement. The Australia – Japan Foundation supports activities associated with the position.
Applications are invited from highly qualified Australians with a significant academic achievement, including those who have moved to academia from the senior levels of government or community. The Visiting Professor is required to teach three courses at introductory and advanced undergraduate and postgraduate levels; to present conference papers; to conduct research and participate in other activities. Opportunities are available to contribute to Australian Studies programs elsewhere in Japan.
The appointment is usually for a twelve month period, and commences no later than 1 October 2009. The Visiting Professor is expected to spend most of his/her time in Tokyo engaged in research and, during semester, in teaching. All teaching is conducted in English. An attractive salary package is available.
Applications close on 1 December 2008.
The selection process will be managed by the International Australian Studies Association (InASA). A full position description and application procedures are available at:
www.inasa-home.net
www.ajf.australia.or.jp/english/tokyouni
For any further information contact:
Professor Kate Darian-Smith
Vice President InASA
Phone: + 61 3 8344 7232
Email: k.darian-smith@unimelb.edu.au
David Philips Memorial
3 September 2008
On Monday 8 September, friends, colleagues and students gathered at the Melba Hall at the University of Melbourne to celebrate the life and career of Associate Professor David Philips. Robert Dare, Ian Britain, Lynne Wrout, Dolly McKinnon, Jennifer Kloester, Jani Tampi and Julie Evans shared stories and reflections with the large crowd and guests of honour, David’s mother, Joan, and his brother Bobbie.
David retired from the University last year after over 30 years in which he taught both British and South African histories. David played a pivotal role in the Department of History as an inspiring teacher and scholar, and he will be sorely missed.
SHS welcomes international visiting scholars
3 September 2008
Professor Helen Chenut is visiting the School of Historical Studies for a six-week stay as a Faculty of Arts Visiting Scholar. Helen is an expert on labor and gender in France and the translator of Fadela Amara. Helen will present a History Brown Bag on The Multiple Meanings of the Headscarf in France on Thursday 18 September.
Professor Timothy Tackett, an historian of the French Revolution from the University of California, Irvine, is this year’s Miegunyah Fellow and will also be in Melbourne for six weeks. Professor Tackett will present the Miegunyah Lecture on Thursday 18 September on The First Terrorists: The French Revolution and the Origins of a Political Culture of Violence.
Sabra Thorner, PhD candidate in the Anthropology and Media Program at New York University, will be based at the Australian Centre for the next few months while conducting research. Sabra is working on new visual media and Indigenous archives, and is the recipient (with Kate Darian-Smith) of a national competitive research grant of $20,000 from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies for this work. Sabra will be presenting a seminar Indigenizing Photography: Archives, Activism and New Visual Media in Contemporary Australia at the Australian Centre on Wednesday 3 September.
Call for papers: Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art
30 July 2008
The Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation and the Editorial Committee of the Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art are inviting submissions for the third volume of the Melbourne Journal of Technical Studies in Art, which will focus on Supports.
The deadline for proposals is 15th September 2008.
Call for papers: Fourth International Congress on Black Sea Antiquities
28 July 2008
The Centre for Classics and Archaeology at the University of Melbourne and the Eurasia Institute at Istanbul University will present the Fourth International Congress on Black Sea Antiquities, entitled The Bosporus: Gateway between the Ancient West and East (1st Millennium BC-5th Century AD).
The call for papers is currently open and the deadline for abstracts is 30th November 2008.
Ernest Scott Prize to Chinese-Australian history book
15 July 2008
Professor John Fitzgerald is the worthy winner for 2008's Ernest Scott Prize for his book Big White Lie: Chinese Australians in White Australia, UNSW Press, 2007. The Ernest Scott Prize is awarded annually to the book judged to be the most distinguished contribution to the History of Australia or New Zealand published in the previous year. The award was announced at the Australian Historical Association Conference dinner by Professor Joy Damousi, Head of the School of Historical Studies at the University of Melbourne.
In awarding Professor Fitzgerald with the 2008 Ernest Scott Prize, the judges citation stated:
“This is a mould-breaking book, with a strong argument, meticulous and extensive research, and a providing a new and challenging way of understanding Chinese-Australian history. Fitzgerald shows that historians have too often adopted the assumptions of earlier generations of uncomprehending Australians, and that it is possible to see the history of Chinese in Australia quite differently. Through extensive use of both Chinese and English language sources, it constructs an often surprising account of the ways in which Chinese people in Australia lived, thought, and acted. The subjects of this history come to life variously as democrats, liberals, nationalists, political activists, and successful businessmen often with international connections. This book will affect not only our understanding of Australian history but also the way we think about current issues, such as immigration policy and multiculturalism, more generally.”
The Prize is based on a bequest by Mrs Emily Scott in memory of her husband, Sir Ernest Scott, who held a professorship in the department of History at the University of Melbourne.
Two other fine books were shortlisted by the judges for this year's Prize:
Selling Sex: A Hidden History of Prostitution by Raelene Frances (published by UNSW Press, 2007), and
The Best Man Who Ever Served the Crown? A Life of Donald McLean by Ray Fargher (published by VUW Press, 2007).
The School of Historical Studies extends its congratulations to Professor John Fitzgerald.
Conference Call for Papers: 150 Years of Australian Football
15th July 2008
Victoria University
Conference Centre
300 Flinders Street
Melbourne
Those interested in presenting a paper or small display are invited to submit abstracts or descriptions in Word of up to 300 words along with a 50 word biography.
Please email submissions to:
footy150conference@gmail.com
Deadline for Submissions:
31st May 2008
For futher information on the conference, see the 150 Years of Australian Football webpage.
2008 Ernest Scott shortlist announced
11 June 2008
The Ernest Scott Prize is awarded annually to the book judged to be the most distinguished contribution to the History of Australia or New Zealand published in the previous year. The Prize is based on a bequest by Mrs Emily Scott in memory of her husband, Sir Ernest Scott, who held a professorship in the University of Melbourne's History department.
Three fine books have been shortlisted by the judges for this year's Prize. The winner will be announced at the Australian Historical Association dinner, 9th July. The shortlist is:
John Fitzgerald, Big White Lie: Chinese Australians in White Australia, UNSW Press, 2007
This is a mould-breaking book, with a strong argument, meticulous and extensive research, and a providing a new and challenging way of understanding Chinese-Australian history. Fitzgerald shows that historians have too often adopted the assumptions of earlier generations of uncomprehending Australians, and that it is possible to see the history of Chinese in Australia quite differently. Through extensive use of both Chinese and English language sources, it constructs an often surprising account of the ways in which Chinese people in Australia lived, thought, and acted. The subjects of this history come to life variously as democrats, liberals, nationalists, political activists, and successful businessmen often with international connections. This book will affect not only our understanding of Australian history but also the way we think about current issues, such as immigration policy and multiculturalism, more generally.
Raelene Frances, Selling Sex: A Hidden History of Prostitution, UNSW Press, 2007
This is a lively and well-written history which investigates the history of prostitution in Australia from the convict period through to the present. It considers many dimensions ˆracial, legal, political, and cultural ˆ of its subject, and demonstrates the connections between the sex industry in Australia and the international movement of sex workers. As the author writes, "through the lens of sexual exchange we see a society working out its destiny both within national borders and in relation to the rest of the world". This is confronting history, well told.
Ray Fargher, The Best Man Who Ever Served the Crown? A Life of Donald McLean, VUW Press, 2007
The issue of land ownership lies at the heart of this biography of one of the major figures in the history of nineteenth century New Zealand. McLean served in numerous government posts, from Sub-Protector of Aborigines to Native Minister. He was fluent in Te Reo and had a deep understanding of Maori custom and culture, yet he was also responsible for extracting more land from Maori ownership than any other colonial official. The McLean archive is one of the great repositories of information for colonial New Zealand and this biography brings to life the man behind the archive. It also engages with issues that remain central in the political and social life of New Zealand today.
The judges in 2008 are Professor Ann Curthoys, Manning Clark Professor of History at the Australian National University; and Professor Brian Moloughney, Head of School of Asian & European Languages at Victoria University of Wellington.
Lloyd Robson Memorial Awards 2008
01 May 2008
The School of Historical Studies is pleased to invite applications for the Lloyd Robson Memorial Awards for 2008 for research-related travel to be undertaken between May 2008 and the end of October 2008.
The Lloyd Robson Memorial Award is open to postgraduate students of Australian history in the School of Historical Studies to assist them to undertake research interstate (within Australia).
A formal application is required and should include the following:
- Student number, full name, address and telephone number
- Research topic
- Details of the proposed interstate research
- Draft itinerary
- Budget setting out estimated travel and living expenses (supported by quotations)
- Details of funding from other sources
- Letter of support from your supervisor.
Applicants are welcome to include any other information that may assist the selection committee in making a decision.
The legislation governing the Award states: In recommending applicants for the award the head of the department must take into account the academic attainments and potential of the candidate, as well as the candidate's financial need. Information about financial need should thus be included as relevant.
Previous recipients of the award are eligible to apply, however preference may be given to applicants who have not previously held the award.
The amount of the award will be determined upon consideration of the applications.
Please forward your application to Coralie Crocker no later than Friday 16th May 2008.
Coralie Crocker
Research Higher Degrees Officer
School of Historical Studies
Room 306 John Medley West
The University of Melbourne
Parkville Victoria 3010
Tel: (+61 3) 8344 3745
Fax: (+61 3) 8344 7894
Email: ccrocker@unimelb.edu.au
Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens
Travel/Research Scholarships
14 April 2008
The Classical Association of Victoria, La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne are each offering a scholarship, in association with the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens (AAIA), to enable three Honours or Postgraduate students to travel to Greece in 2008/2009 to undertake academic research.
The La Trobe University and Melbourne University scholarships will be awarded to Honours or Postgraduate students currently enrolled in these institutions. The Classical Association of Victoria will award a scholarship to an Honours or Postgraduate student enrolled at any tertiary institution in Victoria. Although the scholarships are primarily intended for archaeological research, students in related fields such as Ancient History, Art History, Classical Literature, Material Culture Studies and Heritage Management are also encouraged to apply.
The value of the scholarships will be $3000 in each instance. It is expected that this will cover the airfare and contribute toward the cost of accommodation in Greece.
Successful applicants will be expected to undertake a research program while in Greece and to write a short report for the Bulletin of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens upon their return. The AAIA will provide support in Athens, in the form of access to the Institute’s library facilities and to those of other academic institutions in Athens. If rooms are available, successful applicants are expected to stay at the AAIA while in Athens.
There is no specific limit to the duration of time spent in Greece but candidates should provide an approximate indication of the date and length of their proposed stay. It is expected that travel to Greece will be undertaken before the end of June 2009.
Applications are due by Friday June 20th 2008 and should include the following:
- a. A brief Curriculum Vitae
- b. An outline of the proposed research (no more than one page), with an approximate indication of the date and length of time to be spent in Greece and an indication of why a visit to Greece is appropriate
- c. The names of two academic referees
Applications should be submitted in hard copy to: Dr Jenny Webb, Archaeology Program, La Trobe University, Victoria 3086
For further information please contact Roger Scott (r.scott@unimelb.edu.au) or Jenny Webb (jenny.webb@latrobe.edu.au).
Patricia Grimshaw receives dual recognition for distinguished service
19 March 2008
In recogniton of Professor Pat Grimshaw’s contribution to the University of Melbourne, a new award has been introduced in her name. The ‘Patricia Grimshaw Awards for Mentor Excellence’ honour Pat as a distinguished Professor of History and pioneer of women's and gender history, who has mentored generations of PhD students and younger colleagues across the University.
Pat’s magnificent achievements have also been recognised with her induction to the 2008 Honour Roll of Women in recognition of her substantial contribution to her field of research as an academic, pioneer of the study of women’s history, a writer and researcher, lecturer, supervisor, administrator and activist.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Pat for these richly deserved honours.
New Archaeology Fieldwork Opportunity in Israel:
In the wake of the Sea Peoples/In the footsteps of Goliath
04 March 2008
Over the last several years, Classics & Archaeology Senior Lecturer, Louise Hitchcock has been exploring a range of fieldwork projects that will provide on-site archaeological training for School of Historical Studies students - not only students who are involved in Aegean archaeology, but also those with interests in history, Classics, Jewish Studies, and Biblical Studies and would like to learn more about material culture and archaeology of the Philistines. Students at all levels of undergraduate and post-graduate research as well as staff are welcome to join the project as volunteers and receive training in archaeological field work, artifact processing, and attend lectures and go on fieldtrips in Israel.
In 2007, the Centre for Classics & Archaeology became involved in a 3rd collaborative project with Bar Ilan University: The Philistine site of Tell es-Safi, ancient Gath, the largest city of the Philistine Pentapolis is believed to have been founded by Cypriot and Mycenaean refugees, disenfranchised groups among the Sea Peoples contingent causing destruction in the Mediterranean at the end of the Bronze Age.
Volunteers can choose to work ffor 2, 3 or 4 weeks and are housed at the Kibbutz Revadim. If you would like to participate in the forthcoming season from July 6 - Aug 1 and work with a large ethnically and culturally diverse international team, please contact Louise Hitchcock lahi@unimelb.edu.au.
School welcomes Professor Ana Labrador, social anthropologist and curator, as a Visiting Scholar
13 February 2008
Historical Studies welcomes the Professor Ana Maria Theresa Labrador, 2008 Visiting Scholar Award at the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation.
Dr Ana Maria Theresa Labrador is a social anthropologist and lecturer on Non-Western Aesthetics and Museum Studies and a lecturer in Anthropology and Cultural Heritage Management at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. She was previously the head of University of the Philippines’ Vargas Museum, and is a member of a team of experts’ for CollAsia 2010 program in Southeast Asia. She completed her DPhil at the University of Cambridge in 1998.
Professor Labrador is researching the inclusion of traditional approaches in preventive conservation training. One of the fundamental concerns is the concept of tradition in the European-North American sense that is different from the generally accepted notions in Southeast Asia. In the region, constructions of past and present are not separate but part of continuous cycles that have significant implications in terms of teaching preventive conservation and its scientific methods.
She will undertake two main research programs at the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation (CCMC) examining indigenous conservation practice and the materials and techniques of Twentieth Century Art in the Asia Pacific.
Dr Labrador will be a resident from 15 February to 24 May 2008.
New Archaeology Fieldwork Projects in Georgia and Turkey
18 February 2008
Since the closure of excavations at Sos Höyük in eastern Turkey, Classics & Archaeology Acting Director, Professor Antonio Sagona, has been preparing the way for a new fieldwork project that will provide on-site training for the Centre's students - not only students who are involved in archaeology, but also those whose interests are more text-based and would like to learn more about material culture and archaeology.
Starting in 2008, the Centre for Classics & Archaeology will be involved in two new collaborative projects overseas:
1. One is with the National Museum of Georgia (Caucasus) at Samtavro, a large Late Bronze Age-Iron Age (c. 1500-700 BC) cemetery site.
2. The other is at the significant Neolithic site of Ulucak near Izmir in western Turkey.
If you would like to learn more about forthcoming fieldwork opportunities - these projects were designed largely to provide benefits to the Centre's postgraduate cohort - please attend a briefing session on Thursday 28th February in Old Engineering Theatre A1 at 1:00pm.
Australian Historical Association 2008 Prizes
31 January 2008
The Australian Historical Association offers a raft of five biennial prizes; the next round being in 2008. These prizes offer enormous opportunities to early career scholars working in the field of history or across disciplines.
Included in its prizes is the Serle Award ($2500) which offers a publication subsidy for the thesis deemed most deserving of publication; the Allan Martin Award (up to $4000) offering assistance in getting post-doctoral projects such as exhibitions, films, publications, etc, ready for their final production or form; the W.K. Hancock Prize ($2000) for a first book; the Kay Daniels Award ($1500) for work on convict history/heritage/ or related subject area; and the Magarey Medal for Biography ($10,000).
The application due date for all five prizes is 28 February
Further information and application forms
Nominations open for the Ernest Scott History Prize
21 January 2008
The Ernest Scott Prize for History is awarded annually to the book judged to be the most distinguished contribution to the History of Australia or New Zealand or to the history of colonisation published in the previous year.
Nominations for the prize are now open - the closing date is 31st January 2008.
The Prize is based on a bequest given to the History Program of the University of Melbourne by Mrs Emily Scott in memory of her husband, Sir Ernest Scott, who held a professorship in the department for 23 years, to commemorate in particular his interest in the development of Australian historical studies. The amount of the prize varies according to interest considerations but will be in the order of $10,000 AUD.
The judges are chosen from the ranks of leading historians of Australia and New Zealand, and for the 2008 prize they are Professor Ann Curthoys and Professor Brian Moloughney. Nominations should be forwarded directly to the judges (at the addresses below) and should reach them no later than 31st January 2008.
Professor Ann Curthoys
Manning Clark Professor of History
Haydon-Allen Building
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA
Professor Brian Moloughney
Head of School of Asian & European Languages
Victoria University of Wellington
von Zedlitz Building
Kelburn Parade
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
School welcomes acclaimed curator as 2008 Macgeorge Fellow
16 January 2008
The School of Historical Studies welcomes the 2008 Macgeorge fellow, Dr Catherine Moriarty.
Moriarty is Curator of the University of Brighton Design Archives and Principal Research Fellow in the Faculty of Arts & Architecture. She completed her DPhil at the University of Sussex in 1995.
Her work engages with theoretical issues that lie at the heart of current research in the humanities – commemoration, cultural memory, inter-textuality, and principally visual and material culture, particularly sculpture. Her areas of expertise include war and commemoration, sculpture and architecture, photography and graphic design - as well as the cultural manifestation of memory in both private and public spheres.
Publications include:
The Monument and the Miniature: The commemorative art of Paul Montford & Marian Dibdin (Macmillan, 2008) [forthcoming].
The Sculpture of Gilbert Ledward (Henry Moore Foundation in association with Lund Humphries, 2003). A monograph in the series British Sculptors and Sculpture, research publications funded by the Henry Moore Foundation.
Dr Moriarty will be resident from 21 January to 1 March 2008
Maltese honour for Classics & Archaeology Fellow
08 January 2008
The State of Malta has bestowed its honours through appointment to the National Order of Merit to Dr Claudia Sagona, Senior Fellow in the the Centre for Classics & Archaeology. Granting these honours is a symbolic and lasting way for the country to recognise the excellence, merit and effort of those persons whom it is desired to honour.
The President of Malta, on the advice of the Prime Minister, has appointed Dr Sagona a member of The National Order of Merit in the grade of Member. Dr Sagona was advised last week of this news via a telephone call from the office of the Prime Minister of Malta.
The award is in recognition of Dr Sagona’s sustained scholarship on Malta's ancient past, which she has disseminated extensively to both academic and general audiences.
The award is rarely conferred on foreign nationals, and only to those who "…have distinguished themselves by their service in the promotion and fostering of international relations, or who have earned the respect and gratitude of the people of the Maltese Islands."
Dr Sagona was not able to attend the Investiture Ceremony in Malta which was held on their Republic Day (13 December), but will meet with staff in the Office of the Prime Minister early in the New Year.