By all means, let’s focus on the value of higher education. But let’s not define that value solely in terms of economics. A definition that does not include social value, cultural value or artistic value is no value at all.

Vale Dr June Factor AM (1936-2024), historian, author, and folklorist. She was tireless and a little bit cheeky, never sought accolades, and always remained steadfast in her belief of what was right. I will miss you.

reminder that if you're an early career researcher/phd working on global feminism, you can join our group.

every 2 months we zoom, read a chapter/ draft article that someone from the group has written & offer feedback.

non-competitive, friendly, space 4 u in this squad.

We are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Menzies Lecture will be delivered by Kate Fullagar on 17 May at King’s. It’s going to be a big one - register now or you may miss out!

kcl.ac.uk/events/2024-me…

This should be excellent, from the marvellous Kate Fullagar Fri 17 May 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM: 2024 Menzies Lecture - Bennelong & Phillip: A History Unravelled tickettailor.com/events/globala…

Amazing news! Our Visiting Scholar Jess Urwin has won the American Society of Environmental History award. It's the first time this award has gone to a scholar outside North America. 👏 ourANU American Society for Environmental History

'shocked ...shocked.' War Memorial scandal: Morrison pushed $500m project before business case was done smh.com.au/politics/feder…

A must-read for everyone in Australian higher education:

The Goldsmiths crisis: how cuts and culture wars sent universities into a death spiral | Goldsmiths, University of London | The Guardian theguardian.com/education/2024…

It's meant to be satire but...

So under a future coalition government, the education minister could put any partisan hack (whom they believe is ‘qualified’) on the ARC board to veto university research grants, while no university researchers will be eligible? This doesn’t seem ideal…

We are pleased to see the ARC Review Act pass into law and the ARC Board formed. However, we believe it is important for active research practitioners to be represented on the ARC Board.

Read our feedback here: aip.org.au/Advocacy/13341…

Royal Australian Chemical Institute  Astro. Soc. Aus. ARC

Last week of term 1, many teachers exhausted, and Labor announces a $148 million cut from NSW public schools - this will lead to more burnout and make the shortage worse.

Hard agree. We are one of the richest countries in the world. We can ‘afford’ tax cuts for high income earners, $370 billion for nuclear subs & $11 billion pa for fossil fuel subsidies…we ‘can afford’ better public schools, our governments just have different priorities #auspol

Parkinson's is a wicked illness - thanks to John Watkins for his candour in speaking about his experiences:

I don't think people realise how much of an outlier Australia is - I'm in Scotland right now, only 4% go to private schools, across the UK it's only 7%
Good public education matters for a good society based on equality & recognition

Bishop triplets, Lynette, Annette and Jeanette on their way to their first day of school, Mascot, Sydney, 8 December 1953, photo by David Cumming. #NationalSiblingsDay collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/1JkPX85…

Michelle Arrow Prue Car MP It’s honestly beyond head scratching at this point. Sending already overworked deputies and principals into the classroom more will only make behaviour problems worse. This will only increase the shortage.

The perfect Mother's Day gift!

Every time this happens Labor hacks at its own foundations. The practical effect of these cuts, particularly on vulnerable students, will be profound. The ideological effect will be to further corrode the basic notion of collective provision. This is a party abolishing itself.

This is something that should concern everyone. You can send your kids private & still see that a well educated society is essential for the economy, social equity & stability. Business leaders should fight this too- they need skilled & educated workers