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OCTOBER 2018
Simon Jackman recognised for social sciences leadership
United States Studies Centre CEO Professor Simon Jackman has been elected as a fellow to the prestigious Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Professor Jackman is one of 36 academics from across Australia who were deemed by their peers to have significantly advanced research knowledge and developed new approaches to important areas within the social sciences.
USSC Chairman Mark Baillie said Professor Jackman's election to the Academy is a testament to his academic rigour and commitment to the Centre.
"This is a wonderful achievement for Simon,” Mr Baillie said. “He has been duly recognised for his substantial academic accomplishments, which extend to the environment he has cultivated at the United States Studies Centre. One where the messages that arise from dense research are deciphered and go on to play a pivotal role in Australian public debate."
The Academy of the Social Sciences is one of the Australia's four Learned Academies and seeks to promote excellence in the social sciences in Australia and in their contribution to public policy. The new fellows will be formerly inducted in early November.
REPORT
Australian AgTech research released
The Australian agricultural technologies (AgTech) sector has expanded dramatically in recent years, with investment more than doubling between 2016 and 2017. However, an absence of sophisticated capital will impede investment in this sector from experiencing the exponential growth seen globally.
The USSC this week released a first-of-its-kind report analysing the volume, value, and makeup of AgTech investment in Australia. It puts it in the context of the United States and provides insight into both how AgTech is developing as a new sub-industry and as a case study for the broader venture capital market in Australia.
The research was launched to a packed audience at the Sydney Mint and its findings were featured in The Australian Financial Review. Co-author Jared Mondschein was interviewed by Adam Creighton on 'Your Money' about how the recommendations can be implemented. You can read the full report here.
EVENTS
Women in foreign policy
Despite progress in recent decades, women continue to be underrepresented in foreign policy and national security sectors. What are the implications of this gender imbalance, how does it impact women’s participation in policymaking and academia, and what can be done to encourage more women into foreign policy and national security careers?
Please join us for a public discussion between the United States Studies Centre’s 2018 Alliance 21 Fellow, Madelyn Creedon, and Lecturer in US Politics and Foreign Policy Gorana Grgic. Madelyn will also reflect on her distinguished career in the US public service, spanning the US Senate Armed Services Committee, the Pentagon, and the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
DATE & TIME
18 October 2018
6pm–7.30pm
LOCATION
Administration Building, University of Sydney
COST
$10
US midterm elections Canberra briefing
What will the US Congress look like after November 6 and what are the implications for Australia and the world should President Trump be hindered by a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives? With a record-breaking number of women candidates running for office this cycle, are there also lessons for Australia in regards to female representation in politics?
USSC experts Professor Simon Jackman and Dr Charles Edel, along with ANU's Dr Jennifer Hunt will tackle these questions in a special Parliament House briefing, drawing on their research on these issues over the past 12 months.
DATE & TIME
22 October 2018
5.30pm–7.00pm
LOCATION
Parliament House, Canberra.
COST
Free, but registration required
CENTRE NEWS
Teaching awards for two USSC academics
Two USSC academics have been acknowledged with Excellence in Teaching awards by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. Both Dr Gorana Grgic and Dr David Smith were honoured with awards, which are judged by a panel of their peers and take into account innovation in design and delivery of units, ability to help students achieve and participate in courses, and participation in professional activities and research in relation to teaching.
A formal award ceremony will be held on 31 October.
American foreign policy after November 6
While the US midterms are ostensibly about domestic policy, there are major international undercurrents at play. So argues Dr Charles Edel in his latest research brief published last week. Dr Edel contends that the midterms will answer the several important questions about the trajectory of US foreign policy both under and beyond the Trump administration. Read it here.
Bruce Wolpe joins USSC, launches 'Midterm Matters'
Bruce Wolpe, a former senior advisor in both the US Congress and the Prime Minister's Office in Canberra, has joined the United States Studies Centre as a Visiting Fellow.
Mr Wolpe has been utilising his insider expertise for his new weekly Midterm Matters blog for the USSC, published every Monday morning in the lead up to the midterm elections on November 6.
Data for Directors program
The USSC is offering a first-of-its-kind program for Australian directors to catch up with the rapidly expanding world of workforce data. The Data for Directors program will be taught by Professor Simon Jackman, a world leading expert in data analytics, and author of Bayesian Analysis for the Social Sciences.
Professor Jackman brings a wealth of experience to the program, ranging from his tenure as a professor of statistics at Stanford University, a data consultant at the US headquarters of Facebook, and his current role as CEO at the United States Studies Centre.
You can find out more about the program here.
STUDENT NEWS
Student briefing on the midterms
Students are invited to join experts from the United States Studies Centre and Young Australians in International Affairs, who will hold an on-campus briefing unpacking the implications of November's midterm elections on October 30 at 12.30pm. You can find more information here.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Fear of Automation: The University of Toronto's Professor Peter Loewen joined the USSC's Professor Simon Jackman and Claire McFarland to explore how fear about automation is related to support for populist candidates and parties, and for more protectionist public policy. Listen to the podcast.
Launch of Australian AgTech: The authors of the USSC's new AgTech report launched the findings of this original research. The Chair of Innovation and Science Australia, Bill Ferris AC, also addressed the event. Listen to the podcast.
The United States and Asia's Four Flashpoints: Brendan Taylor joined the USSC for the Sydney launch of his new book 'The Four Flashpoints' and a discussion of the areas from where a large-scale war in Asia might arise if not addressed. Listen to the podcast.
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United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006
