No images? Click here December 2020Hindsight is 2020The many challenges of this year have prompted deep scrutiny and a renewed appreciation of Australia’s relationship with the United States. In turn, the mission of the United States Studies Centre (USSC) — simply stated as “analysis of America, insight for Australia” — has also become all the more relevant and valuable. It has been a privilege to lead a team dedicated to amplifying this message during even the toughest of times. When the pandemic hit, the need for rigorous, evidence-based insights and analysis of the US response and its implications for Australia sent us into overdrive. As a Centre, we produced more publications in the month of April than ever before in the Centre's history. But that was just the beginning. In June, widespread unrest in the United States after the murder of George Floyd was a further call to action for the Centre's analysts. We published our Coronavirus and protest report on the day of Floyd's murder. We were honoured to host more than 850 participants for Race relations and the making of the United States with Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway. In the lead up to the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in July, we published Bolstering Resilience, its recommendations stressing joint US and Australian pandemic response in the Indo-Pacific. In Tech wars the Centre's experts examined what is at stake for Australia in US-China strategic technology competition. While webinars were certainly not foremost in our minds when the year began, our rapid transition to online events let us host more VIPs than ever before. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, former Prime Minister John Howard, and current and former ambassadors such as Arthur Sinodinos and Joe Hockey were part of our events. Our reach into Washington has never been greater with participation from likely key players in a Biden administration such as Michele Flournoy to a bevy of American current or former officials including President Trump's former Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's former National Security Advisors John Bolton and HR McMaster as well as former US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and former US Senator Jeff Flake. Thought leaders, journalists and analysts such as Tom Friedman, Phil Rucker, Jonathan Swan, Charlie Cook and Norm Ornstein also joined us. The US presidential election was always going to be the pinnacle of 2020 for the Centre, but the amount of interest and engagement in the Centre's analysis is unprecedented. I started with the Centre in an intense election year, 2016. Demand for our expertise, web traffic and report downloads have run several multiples over 2016 levels. Our team has worked tirelessly all year long, often on tight deadlines to respond to breaking news and in a shifting and uncertain work environment. Thank you for your support this past year. We head into 2021 bolstered by your interest and support. We always welcome your feedback, your questions and your suggestions. On behalf of us all at the US Studies Centre, I wish you a peaceful holiday season, good health and a prosperous new year. Sincerely, Professor Simon Jackman, CEO CENTRE NEWS Avoiding US-style demographic stagnationIn November, the USSC released: Avoiding US-style demographic stagnation, the latest report from USSC Trade and Investment Program Director Dr Stephen Kirchner. The report shows that the United States is experiencing its weakest population growth in 100 years due to record low fertility and the Trump administration’s dramatic tightening of immigration policy, driving long-lasting economic restrictions. It warns Australia will face the same impacts unless it increases its managed isolation, quarantine capacity for international arrivals, and number of permanent migrants to counteract this trend. This research was covered by The Australian, The Age, and AusBis TV with write ups from the author in The Conversation and The Mandarin. Biden's appointments: ClimateThe Centre will be bringing you news on key players in the Biden administration, the first instalment is Climate for change. In a signal of intending to make good on promises to act on climate change, some of his first major appointments will tackle this issue head on. Announced:
Key vacancies:
Names to watch:
Read more HERE Enrol now for American Studies in 2021From President-Elect Biden's swearing-in to the transition to an America without Trump in the White House, understanding the United States will be critical to understanding all areas of public policy and cultural trends. To be at the forefront of this time of transition, students can enrol in these American Studies courses for Semester 1, 2021: USSC Summer reading listAs we prepare for the holiday season, we are looking at what books to include in your Christmas reading list to crack open next to the fire or the pool for those of us enjoying summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Here's a list we'd recommend for insights on the United States by friends of the Centre.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Webinar replaysUSSC had the pleasure of welcoming President Trump's former chief of staff to a webinar event in October as well as potential key players in the incoming Biden administration. Catch up on the webinar replays through the USSC Live podcast and on YouTube to know who's who for the outgoing and incoming administrations. Here are some of the greatest hits from recent webinars:
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