JULY 2019

REPORT LAUNCH

The future of the US-Australia alliance

A former advisor to US Secretary of State John Kerry, Charles Edel, and a former advisor to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, John Lee, joined forces in June for a new report published by the United States Studies Centre (USSC). It looks at the future of the US-Australia alliance in an era of great power competition and details why there are divergences between the two allies when it comes to countering China, and how to narrow those differences.

The next Australian Ambassador to the United States, Senator the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, spoke at the launch of the report at the University of Sydney. You can read the full report here. 

INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Future workers: Lessons from education and training in the United States

Technological disruption is rapidly changing the nature of work and the skills needed to succeed at work. It’s estimated that around half of current work activities can be automated by adapting currently available technologies. 

In this new USSC report, Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, Claire McFarland, and co-author Andrew Herrmann discuss three critical components of developing the future workforce: digital skills, apprenticeships, and soft skills training. They also explain how the US approach to education and training can help Australian policymakers prepare for the rapidly changing employment landscape. Read the report here. 

TRADE & INVESTMENT

Lessons from quantitative easing in the United States

If interest rates in Australia are almost at zero, how can the Reserve Bank maintain nominal stability if there is adverse shock to the Australian economy? Faced with the same issue, the US Federal Reserve implemented a strategy known as quantitative easing.

In his latest research report, Director of the USSC's Trade and Investment Program Stephen Kirchner details what Australia could learn from the US experience with quantitative easing. Read more here.

EVENT

USSC Study Abroad Fund Gala Dinner

CENTRE NEWS

USSC shortlisted for Prospect Magazine think-tank awards

The United States Studies Centre has been short-listed for Prospect Magazine's 2019 think-tank awards in the "United States - Rest of World" category, alongside institutions including the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 

The awards will be announced at a ceremony in the UK Parliament later this month.

Semester 2 offers big guests and plenty of laughs

With Semester 2 about to kick off at the University of Sydney, here are some of the USSC highlights on offer for the second half of the year:

• GOVT6229 Campaigning: Data, Politics, Strategy: Polling heavyweights Antony Green and Campbell White (YouGov-Galaxy) provide guest lectures in this unit on how elections really work, with practical skill-building in data analysis and survey design.
• AMST2606 Stand Up USA: American Comedy and Humour: one of the most exciting subjects available on campus, with discussions about politics, meme culture and social issues – as well as a special ‘The Big Lebowski’ themed offsite lecture at the historic Manhattan Superbowl.
• AMST1001 Global America: The award-winning flagship unit of the USSC offers everything that makes our subjects great – politics, foreign policy, film, music, literature, race, the environment, sexuality, and how they all interact.

For more information on what's happening in Semester 2, visit our website to find out about internships, our undergraduate subjects, and our postgraduate subjects.  

Megan MacKenzie joins USSC

Megan MacKenzie, a Professor of Gender and War in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney, has been appointed as a Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre.

On July 17, Professor MacKenzie will be chairing an event on #metoo in the military, with a panel of world-leading experts to discuss why military sexual violence remains a persistent problem across many national militaries. Register here.

Ideologies of American Foreign Policy

A new book co-authored by the USSC's Associate Professor in American Politics Brendon O'Connor offers a comprehensive account of ideology and its role in the foreign policy of the United States. Ideologies of American Foreign Policy, co-written by John Callaghan and Mark Phythian, investigates the way US foreign policy has been understood, debated and explained in the period since the United States emerged as a global force, on its way to becoming the world power. Further details on the book here. 

David Smith looks at vaccination for Politics journal

The Australian government has recently introduced some of the strictest vaccination mandates in the world. In light of international studies warning that public opposition to vaccination mandates could undermine public consensus about the value of vaccination, the USSC's Senior Lecturer David Smith – and co-authors Katie Attwell and Uwana Evers  – conducted an original study on attitudes towards both vaccination and mandates. They found in contrast to similar studies in the United States and the United Kingdom, support for both vaccination and mandates is very high. Read the journal article here. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

PODCAST: The first Democratic presidential debates took place in Miami, Florida in June. Dr David Smith joined 2020Vision podcast to discuss his thoughts on their performance. LISTEN HERE.

EVENT AUDIO: Charles Edel and John Lee discuss their new report with Elsina Wainwright (featuring an introduction from Senator Arthur Sinodinos) at a launch event in Sydney. LISTEN HERE.

ARE YOU GETTING "THE 45TH"?

"The 45th" is our weekly wrap of US politics-related news, analysis and events delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.
Sign up now

Manage your email preferences  |  Forward this email to a friend

United States Studies Centre
Institute Building H03
University of Sydney NSW 2006

www.ussc.edu.au  |  us-studies@sydney.edu.au