Conference Digital Content Creation: Creativity, Competence, Critique - The second international DREAM conference
18 - 20 September, Denmark International
This conference will present and discuss the most advanced and exciting research on digital content creation, its socio-cultural contexts and educational consequences. A major aim of the conference is to bring together an international forum of scholars from a range of disciplines including media and ICT studies, education, psychology, anthropology, sociology and cultural studies - and to promote dialogue within and across research traditions. We also aim to develop dialogue between researchers, educators and producers of new learning resources.

Venue: University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Dream conference website

Conference Participatory Design Conference (PDC)
30 September - 4 October, USA International
The conference theme for this Participatory Design Conference, PDC 2008, is Experiences and Challenges. Join us to celebrate two decades of biennial PDCs. We invite you to reflect on past experiences and review the important lessons we have learned so as to better meet the new challenges of the future. What are the important trends, phenomena, developments, and views on participation and design etc., which in so many different ways challenge our traditions, our experiences and/or the current ‘wisdom’ within the field?

Venue: Indiana University Topic: None
More Information >  Indiana University

Call For Papers Journal special issue: Innovation Policy in the Creative Industries
Deadline for papers: 15 October 2008 International
The international journal, Innovation: management, policy and practice guest editor, Jason Potts is calling for papers for an issue on the creative industries. Policy frameworks in the arts and cultural industries have traditionally been based on welfare theory and industry policy. The arrival of the ‘creative industries' framework has begun to shift analytic foundations toward innovation systems and innovation theory and, in consequence, toward innovation policy. However, there remain significant challenges in both the theory and practice of applying innovation policy to this sector. This special issue seeks to identify and examine the main analytic issues in the relation between the innovation system and the creative industries. It then seeks to formulate and review innovation policy mechanisms in this domain. Please contact the Guest Editor with an Abstract of your paper in advance: j.potts@uq.edu.au

Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation

Conference Isles of Exile
26-29 October 2008, Norfolk Island International
Norfolk Island shares its heritage as an island of exile with islands including Tasmania; New Caledonia; Guam; Jeju (Korea); Coiba Island (Panama); Dawson Island (Chile); Isla Gorgona (Peru); Molokai (Hawaii); and Sakhalin Island (Russia). This conference will allow scholars to share the work they are doing in relation to six contemporary themes: UNESCO and the Importance of World Heritage Listing; Heritage Architecture; Isles of Exile – Historical Context of Forced and Voluntary Exile; The Convict’s Story; World Heritage in the Pacific; Heritage Tourism. Full details on website.

Venue: South Pacific Hotel, Norfolk Island Topic: Asia and the pacific
More Information >  Norfolk Island Government

Conference Second International Conference on Religion and Media
9 - 12 November, Tehran International
The Second International Conference on Religion and Media will be held in Tehran and Qom, Iran, from November 9th to 12th, 2008. We cordially invite you to attend and submit a paper. A few scholarships are available to partially subsidize the costs of participants with selected papers.

Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Conference website

Conference Innovation and Entrepreneurship
12 - 13 November, Hong Kong International
Wing Lung Bank International Institute for Business Development (IIBD), David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies (LEWI) and the School of Business of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) are organising a two-day international conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The conference will focus on innovation in social entrepreneurship as well as new directions in entrepreneurial education in emerging nations. Academic scholars, doctoral students and others interested in entrepreneurship related research are welcome to attend the Conference.

Venue: Hong Kong Baptist University Topic: Education
More Information >  David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies (LEWI)

Conference Creative Clusters 2008: The Creative Economy in Smaller Nations
17 - 20 November, Glasgow International
In the 'winner takes all' world of the creative economy, it is increasingly apparent that issues facing the creative industries in smaller nations are substantially different from those in larger ones. Experience from nations that have been vigorously pursing creative economy policies, such as Singapore, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, Austria and Scotland, has thrown up some key challenges. For small nations, what strategies, and what practical policy measures, will help identify and develop a competitive advantage? How does a small nation turn globalisation into an opportunity rather than a threat? What makes a 'Creative Nation'?

Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Creative Clusters

Workshop Valuing Indigenous Knowledge and Doing
15 Sept, Darwin; 17 Sept, Brisbane; 18 Sept, Sydney National
This workshop focuses on the evaluation of Indigenous services and programs in ways that uphold and value Indigenous ways of being, knowing and doing. It will explore collaborative models of working with Indigenous provider organisations, including some tools that might assist these collaborations. The workshop will examine the challenges facing Indigenous provider organisations and the importance of all stakeholders understanding these challenges when placing expectations upon these organisations.

Topic: Indigenous
More Information >  Australasian Evaluation Society

Call For Submissions Communications Policy Beyond 2010
Deadline: 26 September 2008 National
This project calls for forward looking proposals about what policy changes the parliament and community need to consider before a single, convergent Communications Act can be drafted. The project looks beyond past political and regulatory decisions to focus on the years beyond 2010. Proposals will be incorporated into a policy matrix published on the Network Insight Institute website. For more information about the project, including how to submit proposals please go to the Network Insight Institute website: www.networkinsight.org

Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Network Insight Institute

Call For Submissions Family Relationships Practice Profiles
24 October, National
Submissions for Round Four of the Family Relationships Practice Profiles are now open - your contributions are welcome. The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (AFRC) is developing a collection of profiles on family relationships practices. By providing this collection the Clearinghouse aims to share information between different service providers, practitioners and organisations, to improve understanding of and responses to family and relationship issues. The Family Relationships Practice Profiles collection will be made available for public access on this website.

Topic: Families and households and youth
More Information >  Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse

Public lecture Case Studies in Australian Social Policy: The Higher Education Contribution Scheme
8 September, Canberra ACT
HECS was motivated by a perceived need to make Australian university financing more equitable and was introduced amidst considerable controversy in 1989. The lecture by Prof Bruce Chapman from The Crawford School, The Australian National University, will make the case for there being financial contributions from students, and stress that government intervention in this process is required. The theoretical advantages of an income contingent loan, such as HECS, will be examined, as will data concerning its effects on Australian and international students' access to higher education.

Time: 5.30-7pm Venue: Innovations Lecture Theatre, Innovations Building, Eggleston Road, The Australian National University Topic: Education
More Information >  Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute, The Australian National University

Conference The Whole Person: Sustainable Futures in Living, Learning and Working
11 - 12 September, Canberra ACT
There are no panels, key notes or presentations; there are practitioners bringing their Action Learning and Action Research practice questions to explore with fellow practitioners in the context of our theme. You are invited to rub shoulders with Australia's leading AR and AL thinkers, writers and doers from multiple sectors and disciplines; to work along side new talents; to co-determine and experience a live participatory event (open ended, participant shaped, principles in practice); let your ideas about the power of AR and AL as a key driver of social transformation towards sustainability be transformed; and reset your benchmarks for your own AR and AL excellence. The conference theme explores the encroachment of economic rationalist approaches to our work and life and its dominance in areas such as health and education particularly. This is often pursued at the expense of community development and wellbeing of individuals and families, not to mention workplaces and our educational institutions. Our key interest is to use action learning research and action learning approaches to explore this focus at the conference.

Time: 8.30- 5;8.30-3 Venue: K Block, Canberra Institute of Technology, Reid Campus, Constitution Ave, ACT Topic: Education
More Information >  Action Learning Action Research Association (07) 3342-1668 Events at CIT (02) 6205-2881

Forum Indigenous Epidemiology - single day forum
11 September, Canberra ACT
Indigenous health in Australia is a national public health priority. Life expectancy lags years behind mainstream Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander statistics for illness and disability in almost every disease far outstrips the accepted norms. The issues are complex and the answers are not always clear, but there have been success stories (which will be highlighted during the day). Most of these have relied on community consultation, capacity building, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, a full appreciation of the problem at hand AND the underlying issues which have led to them. The increased political commitment in Australia is welcomed, but this needs to be backed up by population level initiatives with a proven benefit to health and wellbeing. The Master of Applied Epidemiology (MAE) program at the National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health is committed to enhancing capacity in Indigenous health and to assisting policy makers in this endeavour. We are committed to using our knowledge of epidemiology to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. We have 22 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MAE graduates working with their communities, in State and Territory Health Departments, academia and the non-government sector, applying the knowledge and experience gained from the course and many are making vital contributions to Indigenous Health in Australia . Our three current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are chairing sessions in today's forum. The Indigenous Health Forum is part of that process. It will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, policy makers and practitioners to examine what is known, where are the gaps in knowledge and to propose potential solutions. The range of topics will include some of the major challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our invited speakers are national experts in their fields.

Time: 9am - 5pm Venue: Finkel Theatre, Garran Road, ANU Topic: Health
More Information >  National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, ANU

Conference A Decade of the Life Course: The Negotiating the Life Course Conference
29-30 September, Canberra ACT
The Negotiating the Life Course Project has been tracing the lives of Australians for ten years. This conference showcases some of the work resulting from this project focusing on the spheres of family, education and work. Our keynote speakers, Professors Hans Peter Blossfeld, Elizabeth Thomson and Stephen Jenkins, will provide an international context from which participants can debate the life courses of Australians in a globalised world. The speakers will present research in the fields of demography, sociology and economics on themes relevant to current Australian policy debate.

Venue: Innovations Lecture Theatre, The Australian National University Topic: Families and households and youth
More Information >  The Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute, The Australian National University

Conference Criminology: linking theory, police and practice
26-28 November 2008, Canberra ACT
21st annual conference of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology hosted by the Australian Institute of Criminology. The theme for this year's conference is Criminology: linking theory, policy and practice, which will be woven through a range of sub topics including Indigenous issues, women and the criminal justice system (including questions of human rights and trafficking), financial and technology-enabled crime (particularly focusing on global developments in crime control and regulation), and victimology.

Venue: National Convention Centre, Canberra Topic: Citizenship and the law
More Information >  Australian Institute of Criminology

Conference Judicial Reasoning: Art or Science?
7-8 February, Canberra ACT
The conference is being jointly presented by the National Judicial College of Australia, the ANU College of Law and the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Topic: Citizenship and the law
More Information >  National Judicial College of Australia

Call For Papers Australian Indigenous Law Review
Deadline: 15 September 2008 NSW
The Australian Indigenous Law Review (AILR) is a DEST-approved, peer-reviewed publication unique for its currency, wide range of material, expert commentary and international perspectives. It draws together legal materials from all areas affecting Indigenous peoples in Australia and around the world. While regularly publishing pieces by legal academics and practitioners, the AILR also welcomes papers from policy experts, political scientists, economists, educators, historians, medical practioners, sociologists and philosophers. Papers for the upcoming edition 12(2) are sought. For submission guidelines, the AILR policy on publication and further information, please visit the website.

Topic: Indigenous
More Information >  AILR, Indigenous Law Centre, UNSW

Conference Web Directions South
23 - 26 September, Sydney NSW
30 sessions, 10 international speakers, 3 tracks, 5 workshops, 4 very full days covering the technologies, techniques and strategies you need to build the best possible web sites and applications. Add plenty of networking and social events, engaging hallway conversations, an expo of highly relevant products and services, and switched on professionals just like you from all over the world, and you get the "best conference ever!"

Venue: Parkside Auditorium, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Topic: None
More Information >  Web directions south

Conference Happiness and Wellbeing at Work Conference
Thursday 25 September, Sydney NSW
Follows the success of last year's conference including seminars and workshops facilitated by some of Australia's leading experts on psychology, leadership and workplace relations, The aim of this conference is for our expert speakers to provide strategies that will allow the mindful leader to create solutions for generating increased productivity through the dominant value of employee wellbeing. Speakers include Hugh Mackay, Social Researcher and Author; Tim Sharp, The Happiness Institute; Chris Taylor, Great Place to Work Institute Australia and Dr John Lang, Good Health Solutions. Contact: Kristy Bergin - 02 9351 5622 or k.bergin@econ.usyd.edu.au

Time: 9.00am-4.30pm Venue: Harbours Edge, Darling Harbour Topic: Employment and workplace relations
More Information >  Workplace Research Centre, University of Sydney

Conference NDS Accommodation and Social Participation
Thursday, 25 September, Sydney NSW
Almost all Australians with disability now live within the community—a positive outcome of the deinstitutionalisation which occurred over past decades. But how well have the community and the disability sector responded? And how might we do it better? The current political and community interest in concepts such as inclusion, participation and citizenship provide the opportunity to challenge current practices and rethink how people with disability might be supported to have active and valued social roles. The opportunity exists for people with disability, families and friends, service providers, governments and policy makers to work together to build a better future. The NDS 2008 Accommodation and Social Participation Conference will seek to integrate policy, research and practice to improve the responses—from community, governments and the disability sector—to the needs and lifestyle preferences of people with disability.

Time: 8.30am Venue: Hilton Sydney Topic: Disability
More Information >  National Disability Services

Forum Communications Policy & Research 2008
29-30 September, Sydney NSW
Interest areas include ICT, digital media, telecommunications, broadcasting, communications culture, Internet and e-commerce. It is a research-oriented forum open to all viewpoints; a co-operative effort by a number of policy and research centres.

The attendance for this annual gathering of people with a serious interest in communications has grown by over 40 per cent in each of the last two years. In 2007 were 75 speakers or authors, and 23 sessions filling two days. We expect this year's to grow even more, because broadband and the digital economy have become national priorities. Areas to be featured include:

* Digital television, radio and online media
* Telecoms and media economics, structures
* Quality of journalism in new and old media
* Mobile and wireless networks and cultures
* User-led innovation and DIY media forms
* Internet communities, worlds, blogs and wikis
* Broadband, uses, users and infrastructure
* Consumer preferences and needs among the new platforms

Cost: $450 per person, including lunch and refreshments on both days. For inquiries about registration and attendance: c.abad@networkinsight.org or phone 02 9230 4262.

Venue: University of Technology, Broadway, Sydney Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Communications Policy & Research Forum

Conference 'The 4Rs International Conference: Rights, Reconciliation, Respect, Responsibility – Planning for a more socially inclusive future'
Tuesday Sept 30 – Friday, Oct 3, 2008, Sydney NSW
'Be part of the biggest debate this year on human rights, citizenship, and social inclusion in contemporary Australia and plan for a more inclusive and just society. Leading thinkers discuss: Human rights education; mental health and human rights; Government and NGO strategies on social inclusion; the Intervention and rights of Indigenous Australians; Climate change and citizens' rights; Interfaith dialogues; Industrial relations, rights and citizenship; Engaging young people in inter-communal understanding; And more...'

Time: n/a Venue: University of Technology Sydney Topic: Social policy
More Information >  4Rs secretariat: Registration enquiries Peter Gates +61 (0) 419419160

Seminar The dynamics of receipt of social assistance benefits in the United Kingdom
Wednesday 1 October, Sydney NSW
PRESENTER: Professor Stephen Jenkins, Director, Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Essex. ABSTRACT: Over the last fifteen years, the proportion of British adults of working age in a family receiving social assistance benefits has declined, reflecting primarily a decline in the annual entry rate (exit rates remained much the same). We model these dynamics using dynamic binary random effects probit models applied to data from the British Household Panel Survey, survey years 1991-2005. We contrast the impacts on transition rates of demographic factors such as lone parenthood and the presence of young children, educational qualifications, and macro-level factors such as local labour market tightness.

Time: 12.30pm Venue: Level 2, Room 250, Robert Webster Building (G14), UNSW Topic: Social policy
More Information >  Social Policy Research Centre

Seminar Self neglect and squalor among older people: The ethics of intervention
Tuesday 7 OCtober, Sydney NSW
PRESENTER: Dr Shannon McDermott, Research Associate, Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW. The term self neglect refers to situations in which people fail to adequately maintain their environment and to perform essential self care tasks. This presentation describes the findings of a qualitative study which explored how professionals understand this concept in the Australian context and how they resolve ethical dilemmas in situations involving self neglect in older people. The research uncovered that, unlike the definition of self neglect used in the wider literature on this topic, participants clearly differentiated between personal neglect (self neglect) and environmental neglect (squalor and hoarding). Ethical dilemmas were common in these situations and professionals resolved these dilemmas using both objective and relational approaches to ethics.

Time: 12.30pm Venue: Level 2, Room 250, Robert Webster Building (G14), UNSW Topic: Social policy
More Information >  Social Policy Research Centre

Symposium ArtsHealth Symposium #1
8 - 9 October, Newcastle NSW
Symposium themes are: 1. Reflections on Arts and Health; 2. Practice as Research: The Arts Health Perspective; 3. Medical Humanities and Ethics; 4. Art and Critical Thinking in the Community. Associate Professor Graeme Sullivan from Columbia University is a keynote speaker and other keynote speakers will be announced soon.

Venue: The Hunter Room - Newcastle City Hall Topic: None
More Information >  ArtsHealth website

Conference Emerging Health Policy Research Conference
9 October, Sydney NSW
The conference will showcase the work in progress of current doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. Presentations will be by researchers working in all areas of health policy – including international health, health systems, history of public health, indigenous health, health economics and health promotion.

Topic: Health
More Information >  The Menzies Centre for Health Policy

Conference Information Online 2009
20 - 22 January 2009 NSW
Information Online 2009 is already shaping up to be the biggest event we have ever held. For 2009 the Executive Committee is looking forward to presenting delegates with an innovative programme, a full array of vendors at the trade show and fun-filled social programme.

Venue: Darling Harbour Exhibition and Convention Centre Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  ALIA

Conference Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Biennial Conference 2008
2 - 5 September, Alice Springs NT
The conference is expected to attract organisations and delegates from Australia and New Zealand as well as the Asia-Pacific region. The conference theme, dreaming08, will produce a program that empowers library and information professionals in the development, promotion and delivery of quality services in all sectors. It is expected that over 500 delegates will attend the ALIA 2008 Biennial Conference. They will be drawn to the conference by a varied and stimulating program, a unique trade exhibition, a fun and different social program and by the opportunity to spend some time in a fascinating part of the country.

Venue: Alice Springs Convention Centre Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  ALIA

Festival Art at the heart: Regional Arts Australia national conference
3 - 5 October, Alice Springs NT
The sixth biennial Regional Arts Australia national conference will be presented by Regional Arts Australia and the Northern Territory Government through Arts NT, in collaboration with the host town of Alice Springs. After the success of the Pacific Edge in Mackay in 2006, art at the heart promises to be another great event embracing the theme - part conference, part festival – all art, to deliver the very best in regional arts performance and practice.

Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Regional Arts Australia

Conference 12th National Conference on Volunteering
3 - 5 September, Gold Coast QLD
The theme of the 12th National Conference on Volunteering is Catch the New Waves. This conference will explore the current and emerging trends in volunteering. The 3 sub-themes that will be fully discussed and debated are: The shift in the way people are volunteering; Flexibility in management; The changing demographics of volunteering.

Venue: Radisson Resort, Gold Coast Topic: None
More Information >  Volunteering Australia Conference

Seminar What is "Open Education" and what does it mean for the future of learning?
Tuesday 23 September, Brisbane QLD
CCI and the The Open Access to Knowledge (OAK) Law Project of Queensland University of Technology present a free seminar with leading international and national experts. Featuring guest speaker Melissa Hagemann (pictured right) from the Open Society Institute and Soros Foundations Network.

Time: 2 - 5 pm Venue: OJW ROOM - S Block Level 12, QUT Garden Point Campus Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI)

Conference Open Access and Research Conference 2008
24 - 25 September, Brisbane QLD
This exciting international conference is a must-attend event for researchers, academics, educators. Anyone with interests and expertise in open access that recognises the need to remain current in this highly progressive field should attend. Attendees will benefit from encountering new ideas, forming research networks and taking part in stimulating discussion that aims to inspire and inform.

Venue: Stamford Plaza, Brisbane, Australia Topic: Media, communications and cultural policy
More Information >  Open Access to Knowledge (OAK) Law

Conference AWE National Conference 2008: "Choices Chances and Opportunities: Women and Girls in the 21st Century"
Wed 1 Oct - Fri 3 Oct 2008, Cairns QLD
The Conference will focus on: • Education • Career • Lifestyles • Morals and Ethics This conference challenges women in their personal, career and community life to support girls' education and women's career pathways; • To explore options • To identify choices • To recognise and act on opportunities • To be risk takers • To accept challenges • To provide active and supportive leadership • To influence their community positively • To be empowered to make informed and ethical choices • To continue to be open to new possibilities and opportunities. • To participate fully in education and society generally

Time: 9.00AM - 4.30 PM 1 - 3 Oct 2008 Venue: Pacific International Hotel, Esplanade, Cairns, Qld 4870 Australia Topic: Education
More Information >  AWE Peninsula Branch, National Conference Planning Committee PO Box 5891, Cairns Qld 4870

Workshop Introduction to Evaluation
Weds 15 and Mon 27 October, Adelaide SA
This two-day workshop is designed for participants who have no formal training in evaluation, but have experience in related processes, such as collecting and interpreting information, reviewing programs or procedures, and reviewing and writing reports. The workshop will build upon and extend the learning from those experiences, drawing on an overview of evaluation theory and practice. It focuses on the types of knowledge, understanding and skills needed to effectively plan and conduct evaluations, and to interpret and use evaluation findings and reports. It will provide frameworks and practical approaches useful for various levels of involvement in evaluation.

Topic: Social policy
More Information >  Australasian Evaluation Society

Conference Australian Learning Communities Network - Biennial Conference
26-28 October, Adelaide SA
This year’s conference theme is Connecting Faces, Places and Spaces. Through a series of keynote lectures, plenary sessions, paper sessions, posters and workshops, the conference will explore best practice models of learning communities, nationally and internationally, the development of learning communities, the impact of learning communities on the human social and economic capacity and workforce development within organisations.

Venue: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Adelaide Topic: Education
More Information >  ACE and Community Partnerships, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

Conference Better Choices Better Health Conference – Improving Compensation Outcomes
24 - 25 November, Adelaide SA
The TRACsa hosted Conference titled – Better Choices Better Health has been rescheduled. The conference themes are: Recognised best practice management of soft tissue injuries; The compensation setting; Return to work and the community; Building capacity (through research, education and training).

Venue: Adelaide Convention Centre Topic: Health
More Information >  All Occasions Management