Applications open for ABC’s Top 5 Media Residencies program

The Australian Academy of the Humanities is proud to support ABC’s search for Australia’s next generation of research talent with applications now open for the 2020 ABC Top 5 Media Residencies program.

Now in its third year, the program offers outstanding early career humanities, arts and social science researchers a two-week residency at the ABC’s Radio National. During the residency, they will learn from some of the nation’s leading journalists and broadcasters on how to communicate their ideas and develop content across radio, television and online.

Academy President Professor Joy Damousi said she was privileged to be an Ambassador for the humanities category of the ABC’s Top 5 Media Residencies program, particularly in a time when the harnessing and communication of expertise is more important than ever.

‘Australia has endured the convergence of natural disasters and a pandemic which have had massive national impact. Many of the challenges Australia faces are not only medical or environmental, but are fundamentally social and cultural.

‘The work of Australia’s humanities, arts and social sciences researchers will therefore be vital to our response and recovery. The ABC Top 5 Media Residencies program provides an essential platform for our emerging humanities, arts and social science leaders to communicate the impact and benefit of their research,’ Professor Damousi said.

‘This generation of humanities researchers are the drivers of social change and awareness, record keepers of the past and present. They are involved in timely research in areas such as ethical decision-making, histories of medicine and public health intervention, the spread of disinformation on social media and other platforms, and social cohesion, community resilience and cultural-led recovery.’

Developing innovative and impactful communication capabilities is essential for all researchers. It requires the ability to successfully translate research to diverse audiences and to participate in respectful national debate – essential talents to ensure Australia’s opportunities and challenges are informed by ethical, historical, creative and cultural expertise.

For the 2020 Top 5 Humanities program, the ABC has again partnered with the University of Sydney with Academy Fellow and Council Member Professor Duncan Ivison as an Ambassador. The Academy congratulates the ABC and the University of Sydney on their ongoing support of this initiative, and its recognition that this is a time to strengthen the voice of Australia’s leading early career humanities, arts and social science researchers.

‘I would encourage all early career researchers in the humanities, arts and social sciences to consider applying for the ABC’s Top 5 Residencies program,’ Professor Damousi said.

‘Through this outstanding initiative and the expertise of the ABC, we can take our ground-breaking work into the public sphere and engage with many more Australians.’

Applications are now open and will close midnight Monday 1 June 2020.

For more information, and how COVID-19 may impact the program, see the ABC’s website.

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