introduction

introduction Download The Case for the Network (213 KB) The proposed Australia Research Network brings together scholars from a broad range of disciplinary backgrounds from across the Humanities and Social Sciences. It builds upon the established infrastructure of the Australian Public Intellectual Network http://www.api-network.com which operates as a successful communications hub for research on Australia. The API Network was founded at the University of Queensland in 1997 before transferring to Curtin University of Technology in late 2000. The Australia Research Network is firmly located within the disciplines of History, Politics, Law, Sociology, English and Cultural Studies. It possesses the capacity to positively engage with other disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas where Australia is a primary focus of attention. A refigured and expanded API Network will serve as the electronic platform for the proposed Australia Research Network. In undertaking this migration, the Network will retain its essential characteristics involving, in particular, the promotion and support of public intellectual activity relating to Australia. It is desirable also to retain the philosophy of the API Network and its dedication to the 'democratisation of knowledge on Australia'. The API Network can rightfully claim to be among the most impressive intellectual Networks originating from an Australian source. From a modest funding base, it has established a distribution list of more than 3500 active participants. The main website received more than two million downloads in the twelve months to February 2004, with links to hundreds of related sites. The API Network figures prominently on several other websites across Australia but also internationally. Between 60% and 70% of all recorded uses emanate from within Australia. The remaining 30% to 40% of visits come from offshore. Among its many and varied activities, the API Network founded and continues to manage the annual New Talents 21C project, a national mentoring scheme for postgraduates and early career researchers. New Talents is currently operated by a partnership involving Curtin University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and the International Australian Studies Association. More than 700 new and emerging scholars have participated in this unique scheme which each year involves hundreds of supervisors, advisers and mentors. In its sixth full year of operation, New Talents 21C has helped to launch the careers of now award-winning new scholars such as Ruth Balint (Australian/Vogel Award 2003), Tony Hughes-d'Aeth (WK Hancock History Award 2002 and Ernest Scott History Award 2002) and Clare Wright (co-recipient of the inaugural Serle Award 2002 and the Max Kelly Medal). More recently, the API Network has engaged in a program of republishing outstanding Australian scholars whose research monographs have been allowed to go out of print. Authors in this series range from Dennis Altman through to Judith Wright. Among senior scholars whose original research work has been produced under the aegis of the API Network, David Walker's Anxious Nation (2001) was the recipient of the 2000 Ernest Scott prize for History. These capacities will transfer directly to the proposed Australia Research Network which will assume ownership of and governance over the core projects of the API Network. From this advantaged position of acquiring an existing and successful electronic network, the Australia Research Network will turn to the important business of linking and facilitating researchers and research activities. Priority will be given to travelling master-classes, mentoring schemes, short-term fellowship programs and a range of other initiatives designed to encourage cooperation between Australian research scholars. [Scope] [Activities] [Capacities] [Infrastructure & Benefits] [Participants] [API Network]

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hosted by the api-network

Dedicated to the 'democratisation of knowledge', the API Network is a free electronic gateway specialising on matters Australia. Managed and produced by the Australia Research Institute, the Division of Humanities, Curtin University of Technology, it links public intellectuals through its publications, mailing list, online Forum, chat room and regular posting of news relating to book, journal and ezine publications, conferences, events, tours and funding opportunities in the field of Australian Studies.

This report has been make possible due to the generous support
of the Australian Research Council, and Curtin University of Technology