News and Events
October, 2010
Presenting with Confidence: A Workshop for Arts Research Students
SUPRA and the University of Sydney presents Hugh Kearns from Thinkwell on Presenting with Confidence
If you are a researcher, then at some stage you will need to present your findings. To ensure your audience understand your message as you intend it, you need to communicate clearly, skilfully and with conviction.
Career Pathways In Arts
Come and learn how to begin your career after your study. How to identify opportunities, useful organisations, hints and tips for applications. There is opportunity for everyone!
Book Launch: John Clark, "Asian Modernities: Chinese and Thai art compared, 1980 to 1999"
When: 5:30 pm Friday 8 October 2010
Where: Schaeffer Library, Mills Building, The University of Sydney
RSVP: essential to powerinstitute@sydney.edu.au
You are cordially invited to the launch of John Clark's Asian Modernities: Chinese and Thai art compared, 1980 to 1999, a groundbreaking comparison of two contemporary Asian art cultures.
History lecturer wins literary award for first book
Dr Clare Corbould, senior lecturer from the Department of History, has been awarded the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for a First Book of History, which comes with a prize of $15,000.
University of Sydney hosts Celtic studies conference
Topics as unique and diverse as medieval Irish magic and the drinking of blood in the ritual context of mourning will be explored at the Seventh Australian Conference of Celtic Studies at the University of Sydney this week.
Professor Iain McCalman Receives Coveted Publishing Award
In a year of great publishing success for the History Department, another academic has received critical recognition for their fascinating work.
2010 City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture: Making Peace with the Earth
2010 Sydney Peace Prize recipient, Dr Vandana Shiva, will give the City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House.
September, 2010
Publishing Success for Faculty of Arts Alumna
A Faculty of Arts alumna is making her mark in the world of Australian literature with the recent success of her first novel.
Professor Moira Gatens Receives Top Appointment
As testament to her valuable contributions to philosophy and the humanities in Australia, Professor Moira Gatens has been appointed Chair of the ‘Excellence in Research for Australia’ (ERA) Research Evaluation Committee for the Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA).
International Accolade for Eminent Department of History Scholar
Professorial Research Fellow in the Department of History, Professor Warwick Anderson, has achieved the highest international honour in the field of science and technology studies with his most recent book.
John Tranter’s Poetic Networks
Australian Literature at the University of Sydney is proud to host a symposium and booklaunch celebrating the publication of The Salt Companion to John Tranter (edited by Rod Mengham) & Starlight: 150 Poems (John Tranter).
Could this be the year of the modern family?
What does it mean to make history? While Australia was occupied with the formation of a minority Federal Government, history of another kind was being made in NSW. The passing of the Adoption Amendment (Same-Sex Couples) Bill ushered in the end to the direct legislative discrimination against same-sex couples in NSW.
Careers Centre Workshop: Successful interview technique
This workshop is offered by the Careers Centre specially for Arts students.
Careers in Management Consulting
Are you thinking about a career in Management Consulting? The University of Sydney is hosting an informal session with industry professionals.
Careers Centre Workshop: Writing Effective Resumes and Letters
This workshop is offered by the Careers Centre specially for Arts Students.
The Department of History Reveals Australia’s Forgotten Faces for History Week
The History Council of New South Wales’ History Week 2010 is on from the 4-12 September, with the theme “Faces in the Streetâ€.
To explore this idea, the Department of History is presenting a series of four fascinating public lectures across the week.
English Literature and the Antipodean Imaginary
Inaugural Lecture by Professor Paul Giles, Challis Professor of English, School of Letters, Arts and Media.
Free Public Lecture on Contemporary Challenges to Human Rights and Democracy in the Asia Pacific Region
The Faculty warmly invites you to a special lecture on Democracy in Burma and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan which will be held from 12-2pm on Tuesday 7 September in the Old Teachers' College Assembly Hall.
Courageous Women’s Rights Campaigner to Inspire University of Sydney Audiences
Listed as one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential persons for 2009, inspirational women’s rights advocate, Suraya Pakzad is a woman with an incredible story to tell.
Benefits of the NBN go beyond the individual
The debate surrounding the National Broadband Network has confirmed that it is among the most dramatic points of policy divergence in this election. It’s a choice between a relatively frugal, business-as-usual, hands-off policy from the Coalition and an expensive government monopoly with dramatically faster, almost universal broadband.
Easy to be cynical in game of it's a knockout
Organisations in conflict with each other come to resemble each other. This insight of the great American public policy scholar James Wilson is amply confirmed whether we look at commercial TV networks, spy agencies, football clubs - or political parties.
Careers Centre Workshop: Career Options for Arts Graduates
This workshop is offered by the Careers Centre specially for Arts Students.
Kazakhstani Student Brings a Global Perspective to PhD Research
Taking a personal approach to research is essential, according to Yelena Nikolayevna Zabortseva, an international PhD student at the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney.
When voters elect an independent...
Government is likely to be formed by the Labor Party with the support of two independents but this does not mean the independents necessarily lose their independence.
Professor John Keane on Q&A
Professor John Keane, Professor of Politics in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney, will appear on the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday 30 August with Malcom Fraser, former Australian Prime Minister, Jessica Rudd, author, Chris Berg, research fellow, Institute of Public Affairs and Christine Wallace, journalist and commentator.
August, 2010
ERIC BEECHER, CRIKEY.COM.AU: THE BUSINESS OF JOURNALISM IN A NEW MEDIA AGE
The Media and Communications Department at University of Sydney invites you to join Eric Beecher, the publisher of crikey.com.au to discuss the business of journalism in a new media age.
Award-winning Darwin biographer to speak at University of Sydney
Pre-eminent Darwin scholar and Harvard professor Janet Browne will join two University of Sydney scholars on Thursday 12 August to discuss the challenges and delights of writing historical science biographies.
School of Languages and Cultures welcomes visiting UBEF Professor
The Faculty of Arts extended its international liaisons this week with the arrival of Professor Geoffrey Samuel from the School of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University.
The distinguished scholar in religion, mysticism and modernity is visiting the School of Languages and Cultures until October 19.
As the second holder of the University Buddhist Education Foundation (UBEF) Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies, Professor Samuel will help shed light on the current trends and research in this field to boost the profile of Buddhist Studies in Australia.
Faculty Tightens Links with EU under Erasmus Mundus Partnership
The University of Sydney has won nearly €120,000 in funding from a new Erasmus Mundus Partnership to further boost its international doctoral research activities.
The funding was secured for the first time under the new Erasmus Mundus Action 2, Strand 2 Partnership to provide support for continued research excellence in PhD students, Post Doctoral students and staff.
Faculty of Arts Academic Features in ABC Online Forum
They say the two touchiest subjects to be avoided in social situations are religion and politics.
But Associate Professor Barry Spurr from the University of Sydney is eagerly detonating both debates in a new international collaborative project on the ABC’s Religion and Ethics website.
Media and communications students showcase their skills in Korea
Producing breakfast news for Seoul’s only all English radio station, Traffic Broadcasting Station (TBS), was a challenge and a thrill for University of Sydney media student Arghya Gupta during his recent Australian Korea Foundation (AKF) funded journalism internship.
ARC Centre for Excellence in History of Emotions
The University of Sydney is proud to be part of the recently announced Australian Research Council (ARC) funded ‘Centre of Excellence in the History of Emotions’. The Centre, housed at the University of Western Australia under the Directorship of Professor Philippa Maddern, will engage Chief Investigators from the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, and Adelaide, as well as Partner Investigators from a number of international universities and from Australian cultural institutions, such as the National Gallery of Victoria, the West Australian Opera, and ABC TV. The Centre will receive ARC funding of $24.25 million over seven years, which is an acknowledgment of the depth of research talent in the fields of medieval and early modern studies in Australia. This Centre provides an exciting opportunity for Australian researchers to show the world how they can 'think big' on questions as fundamental to human nature as the history and development of emotions.
Shock of the new, or why voters want life to be simpler
A key to understanding much of the current election campaign is in a book published 40 years ago. Alvin Toffler's Future Shock sold more than six million copies but, more importantly, the concept became part of popular culture. For Toffler, future shock is the shattering stress and disorientation that individuals suffer when they experience too much change in too short a time.
New Global Engagements - The Future of the Commonwealth and future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
The lecture will be presented by the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia. This event is part of the Human Rights and Democratisation and Sydney Ideas special lecture series.
Teaching journalism in the tech age
Professor Jay Rosen, the New York writer, media critic and journalism teacher, visited the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney yesterday to address Australian media educators about teaching journalism "in a time of disruptive technology".
Sydney Ideas - Human Rights and Democratisation Special Lecture Series
The Faculty of Arts and Sydney Ideas are pleased to announce a series of free, special public lectures exploring aspects of human rights and democratisation. This special lecture series will feature keynote speeches by internationally renowned human rights experts, including the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Adj. Professor Chris Sidoti and Professor Brian Burdekin AO, who will draw on their extensive expertise and experience to examine the opportunities for, and challenges of, promoting human rights at the regional level in the Asia Pacific today. The first lecture will commence this Monday, 9 August from 1.00-2.00pm in the Law School Foyer, Eastern Avenue, University of Sydney. map code:F10.
Human Rights and Development Debate
On Friday 13 August 2010, guest panellists from the University of Sydney and ActionAid will lead the second debate in a series of three presented by the Institute of Social Sciences at U Sydney and ActionAid:
Education: are we on track for the Millennium Development Goals?
Speakers and panel members include Dr Elizabeth Cassity , Faculty of Education and Social Work, U Sydney, Ms Darcel Russell, Deputy Federal Secretary, Australian Education Union, and Ms Anjela RV Taneja, Education Program Officer, ActionAid India.
Go here for time and venue details.
International expert joins Buddhist Studies
The Faculty is delighted to welcome, Professor Geoffrey Samuel, a leading international expert in the sociology and anthropology of religion in traditional Tibet. From the School of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University, Professor Samuel joins the faculty as the second holder of the University Buddhist Education Foundation (UBEF) Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies.
Professor Samuel will be conducting a series of eights lectures on aspects of Tibetan Buddhism in its traditional social contexts, as well as a Sydney Ideas Lecture and a joint Asian Studies, Anthropology and Australasian Associations of Buddhist Studies lecture.
You wouldn't read about it: climate scientists right - Professor Rod Tiffen
Chances are, you have not heard much about Climategate lately, but last November it dominated the media. Three weeks before the Copenhagen summit, thousands of emails from the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia were published on a Russian website.
The research institute was a leading contributor to the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, and some of the leaked emails showed the scientists in a poor light.
For the full Sydney Morning Herald article: click here
The Atlantic World in a Pacific Field Conference - 5-7 August, 2010, University of Sydney
Generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the University of Sydney
How does a strange place or people become comparable with those more familiar? What does it take to relate a new plant or animal to those already well known? How does one standardize observations and mobilize things and people and situations so they have meaning elsewhere? That is, how was the Pacific made into the obligatory site for exploring the issues that mattered in the Atlantic world? In particular, this conference will examine the ways in which both oceanic regions were co-produced through a complicated series of intellectual and practical interactions over many centuries. Moreover, it will seek ways in which to make the Pacific visible again in global scholarship.
July, 2010
Why history matters: historians remap the world
Leading international historians will come together at the University of Sydney on Monday 26 July to discuss why history should be viewed from a global perspective.
Professor shortlisted for Prime Minister's Literary Award
Professor John Keane's book, The Life and Death of Democracy, has been shortlisted for the annual Prime Minister's Literary Awards for Non-Fiction.
World-renowned political commentator joins University of Sydney
Australian-born John Keane - voted by The Times of London as one of Britain's leading political thinkers and writers whose work has 'world-wide importance' - has returned to Australia this month to join the University of Sydney's Department of Government as Professor of Politics.
Speculation set the scene for ALP leadership spill
The leadership transition from Kevin Rudd to Julia Gillard is a unique event for a variety of reasons.
Last year's champ has become this year's chump
Think for a moment about all we have learnt about Kevin Rudd in the last few weeks. An eminent author, David Marr, has told us he is motivated primarily by anger, stemming from a traumatic period in his childhood. A voice coach has told us he has an unpleasant voice. The retailer Gerry Harvey has told us Rudd and his government are hopeless salesmen. The billionaire miner Andrew ''Twiggy'' Forrest has told us he is taking the country in a communist direction. And Kevin's brother has said he is not impressed by the job he is doing as prime minister.
Sydney Ideas Open: History as a Communication Problem
A lecture by John Durham Peters, Chair of Communication Studies and Professor of International Studies at the University of Iowa.
June, 2010
Public Talk: A Common in Wales
A public talk by Professor John Barrell from the Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies, University of York.
Humanities Salon: See what’s really happening in the arts
The Humanities Salon brings together a diverse and stirring array of scholars to share their work, showcase the award-winning research unfolding within the University of Sydney and prove that humanities matter.
University of Sydney Student Proves Politics and Philosophy are a Winning Combination
The annual ASLP Essay Competition encourages innovative research and writing in legal theory and the philosophy of law by early career scholars around the world.
Markets and Society Research Network Pitch Session
The Network was established in 2009 with a growing membership from the faculties of Arts, Economics and Business, and Education and Social Work; including units such as Sociology, Economics, Gender and Cultural Studies, Work and Organisational Studies, and Anthropology, to name a few.
The Centre for Classical and Near Eastern Studies of Australia: a unique collaboration
The Centre for Classical and Near Eastern Studies of Australia (CCANESA) proves the University of Sydney has come a long way since Walter Scott, Professor of Classics from 1884 to 1900, spearheaded the introduction of modern history, literature and philosophy to the University’s Arts curriculum.
World Democracy Forum launches in Washington this week
Democracy is imperfect but is the fundamental right of individuals. That is the view of University of Sydney Professors Graeme Gill and Murray Print who are the Chairs of the World Democracy Forum (WDF) - a global network of researchers dedicated to emerging and continuing global issues.
May, 2010
Department of Government and International Relations and the Politics Society Book Launch
You are invited to attend the launch of three books by scholars in the Department of Government and International Relations.
The Dean's Reception for Alumni and Friends of the Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts invites all alumni and friends to a cocktail reception that will take place in the Great Hall on Wednesday 26 May 2010.

Meet the Arts Postgraduate Winner of Dan David Award
University of Sydney student, Franklin Obeng-Odoom proves he is a scholar of exceptional merit and undeniable promise after winning the Dan David Award.
Sydney historian wins international award
The American Association for the History of Medicine has awarded University of Sydney historian, Professor Warwick Anderson, the prestigious 2010 William H Welch Medal for his book The Collectors of Lost Souls: Turning Kuru Scientists into Whitemen.
The Dean's Reception for Alumni and Friends of the Faculty of Arts
On Wednesday 26 May 2010 Professor Duncan Ivison, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, met Faculty alumni, academics, students and friends at a cocktail reception in the Great Hall.
Sydney Sawyer Seminar: Critical Histories of Human Biology and ‘Hybridity’ in the Pacific
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the islands of the Pacific became a vast archipelago of laboratories for the study of culture contact and race mixing.
Ross Gittins shares thoughts about Immigration and Population with Political Economy students
Leading Australian Economist and Economics Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, Ross Gittins, presented his thoughts on immigration and population to students in the Arts and Economics and Business faculties last week in an event organised by the student union’s Political Economy Society (ECOPSOC).
The Department of Performance Studies Takes Center Stage
Two productions developed and rehearsed within the Department of Performance Studies are nominated for Best Independent Theatre Production at the 2010 Sydney Theatre Awards.
The Sydney Humanities Salon
Inviting the public to share in the research of the Faculty.
Book Launch: The Unknown Nation - Australia after Empire
The Unknown Nation - Australia After Empire is co-authored by 2010 Fulbright scholar and University of Sydney senior lecturer James Curran, and University of Copenhagen historian Stuart Ward.
The ‘Best and Brightest’ Begin to Shine
A panel of our most promising honours graduates of the Department of Government and International Relations discussed their original research at ‘The Best and Brightest, IV Honours Graduate’ event hosted at State Parliament House last week, and sponsored by the Sydney Morning Herald, The initiative came from the Department’s External Advisory Committee.
April, 2010
What is Australia's responsibility to asylum seekers?
To mark the introduction of a new Masters degree in Human Rights and Democratisation, the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts will host a free public seminar this Thursday on a critical human rights question - what is Australia's responsibility to those who seek asylum on our shores?
Arts Postgraduate Information Evening 2010
The Faculty of Arts will be holding a Postgraduate Information Evening on Thursday 22 April 2010 in the Quad, to give prospective students an opportunity to visit the Faculty of Arts and to find out more about the wide range of postgraduate degrees we offer, both coursework and research.
You will be able to meet teaching staff in all areas of the faculty and to get one on one advice about the course, or courses you're interested in. A series of degree-specific information session will be run throughout the event and you will also be able to get information about applications and fees all in the one place!
The Faculty Office will be open for inquiries and applications for postgraduate programs from 5.00-7.30pm. For session times and to register your attendance: click here
Students Prepare to Make Their Mark
New scholars begin their University experience.
Food for Thought with Dr Anne Summers
The first Graduate Connections Breakfast of 2010 is being held on Wednesday, April 14 and features the dynamic Dr. Anne Summers (PhDArts 1975).
University of Sydney Graduate Takes a Ride
With the aid of a BA Augusta Supple takes on Sydney’s creative world.
Department of History's Dr James Curran awarded the 2010 Fulbright Professional Scholarship
Dr James Curran, a senior lecturer in history, is set to deepen our understandings of the political underpinnings of Australia's relationship with America during 1969-83, with research that focuses on recently released archival documents of key US administration officials.
March, 2010
EUROPEAN STUDIES NETWORK SEMINAR
After the June 2009 Election: Political Dynamics of the EU
Mr Lapo Pistelli (member of the Italian Parliament)
WHEN: Thursday 25 March at 4.00pm
WHERE: Education Seminar room 325
For flyer click here
Ancient History and Classics teachers ‘Catch Up’
The staff of the Departments of Archaeology and Classics &Ancient History at the University of Sydney will host a ‘catch up’ event for all Ancient History and Classical studies teachers on 25 March.
Sydney Ideas Forum: Why Feminism Matters
Co-presented with the Faculty of Arts The Faculty of Arts and the Sydney University Arts Association.
Myer AKF Fellows make their media mark
Generous fellowship enables our media students to raise their voice in Asia.
Writers - Will you be in the 2010 University of Sydney student anthology?
A unique publishing opportunity continues when 2010 Masters of Publishing students will edit an anthology of student writing.
The Faculty of Arts welcomes its new incoming students
The Faculty of Arts officially welcomed its new incoming undergraduate and postgraduate students on Thursday 25 February.
Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad
High school kids with a particular talent for interpreting languages and logic - from Mayan Hieroglyphs to Japanese braille, from language games to grammatical problems in endangered languages - can now compete internationally in their very own Olympics.
Sydney Sawyer Seminar: Sexuality in the South Seas
Ever since the first visits by European explorers, the sexual mores of the South Seas have fascinated, attracted and appalled foreigners.
The New Rich in China: Why There is no New Middle Class
Inaugural Lecture of Professor David Goodman,Professor of Chinese Politics
and Director of the Institute of Social Sciences.
The Virtues of Mendacity: On Lying in Politics
The Sydney Humanities Salon brings together local and international scholars to share their work with a wider audience. A new lively and intellectually stimulating gathering, the Salon showcases inspiring, award-winning and intriguing research in the fields of history (classical and modern), archaeology and philosophy, as well as gender and cultural studies. The Humanities Salon promises to be an engaging forum for ideas and debate.
February, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY TAKES ON MELTON
From 2010, the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School (FMAMS) will come under the auspices of the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education and Department of Hebrew, Jewish and Biblical Studies, headed by Associate Professor Suzanne Rutland. Jillian Fine, an educator currently working in the education department of the Sydney Jewish Museum has been appointed as Academic Director of the Melton Mini-School.
Arts Start Video Guides
Two video guides are now available on the Arts Start website for prospective students. Find out what to expect and how to prepare for enrolment day.
January, 2010
Arts students attend Copenhagen as Australian Youth Delegates
The Faculty of Arts has provided support to three students to attend the United Nations Copenhagen Climate Conference as Australian Youth Delegates.