Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Australia

31/08/2026

Street artists turn Lightning Ridge opal-mining equipment into outback spectacle

A renowned Australian artist offers city street artists a blank canvas to turn discarded opal-mining equipment into an outback open-air gallery.

30/08/2026

Powerhouse Parramatta was meant to reshape Sydney’s cultural map. Now its leadership is under scrutiny

Sydney’s Powerhouse Parramatta was built on a bold leader’s vision. Now that leader is stepping down, weeks before it is due to open.

30/08/2026

Not so quiet on the western front: Despite all the arguments against it, the GST deal Labor inherited will be hard to budge

Despite all the arguments against it, the GST deal Labor inherited will be hard to budge

30/08/2026

The threat of biological warfare is real – a new book describes the potential devastation

Biological War tells the story of a hypothetical but realistic pathogen that quickly causes anarchy and mass casualties around the world.

30/08/2026

full access to the following peer reviewed article:

Where has the ‘precariat’ done the heavy academic lifting? Examining detailed data on academic casual employment in Australian universities

This study examines patterns of academic casual employment in Australian universities using detailed data from 21,784 units of study taught across 12 universities, alongside detailed payroll record...

30/08/2026

Critics claim trans people ‘defy biology’. New research suggests otherwise

A new study in twins shows the likelihood of being trans is influenced by your genes.

30/08/2026

Our August CHASS newsletter is out!

This month’s edition brings together a selection of HASS open access, peer-reviewed articles, highlights Social Sciences Week events (12–20 September), and includes a final reminder that the two CHASS prizes close today.

If you’re looking for some new HASS research to read, events to join, or a prize opportunity to explore, visit https://chass.org.au/content.aspx?page_id=722&club_id=239946&item_id=3225648&ht=1

30/08/2026

41% of surveyed Australian teens now get their news from AI: new research

Al tools are now the second most common way young people proactively seek out news.

30/08/2026

Symposium

Thriving in Uncertain Futures: Education, Employability and Professional Agility

Tuesday 8 September, University of Melbourne

For the full details, and to register, visit

Thriving in Uncertain Futures: Education, Employability and Professional Agility

30/08/2026

CHASS president Prof. Frank Bongiorno on:

The unmaking of the Australian party system: How should we deal with a fragmented political landscape? First we need to understand how we got here

How should we deal with a fragmented political landscape? First we need to understand how we got here