The 2025 Australian Historical Association (AHA) conference is being hosted jointly by Central Queensland University (CQU) and James Cook University (JCU). To mark this occasion, the AHA 2025 conference committee is sponsoring two Northern Australia Fellowships worth $1,000 each, both of which are to involve research in James Cook University Library’s Special Collections (https://www.jcu.edu.au/library/specials). Subsequently, at the AHA 2025 conference, the Fellowship holder will present a paper based on their research.
Who can apply?
The Northern Australia Fellowship is open to all historians. However, postgraduate students and Early Career Researchers are especially encouraged to apply.
What are the benefits of the Northern Australia Fellowship?
- A $1,000 bursary to assist the fellow to conduct research at JCU Library Special Collections. The bursary may be used to subsidise flights, accommodation, photocopying and other expenses, depending on the priorities of the Fellow.
- As well as the $1000 bursary, the Fellow will receive free conference registration for the AHA 2025 conference as well as having the opportunity to attend the conference dinner free of charge.
What is expected of a Northern Australia Fellow?
- The award holder must visit the JCU Library Special Collections in Townsville OR Cairns.
- The archival research must focus on an aspect of the history of northern Australia.
- The Northern Australia Fellow must subsequently attend the AHA 2025 conference, where they will present a paper drawing on the archival research they have conducted at their chosen archive.
- Applicants should be aware that $1,000 will only partly cover their research expenses, especially if the applicant needs to travel to conduct the research.
- Applicants should be current members of the Australian Historical Association.
What details are available on archival holdings at JCU Library Special Collections?
- To get ideas for potential Northern Australia projects to be conducted at JCU in Townsville or Cairns, please view the holdings of the Library Archives Collection (primary source records) held in the JCU Library Special Collections: https://libserver.jcu.edu.au/specials/holdings.html
Note that the above listing includes Archives located in the JCU Cairns Library Special Collections. To ensure you are aware of all possible Special Collections materials pertaining to your research topic, please consult with librarians via specialcollections@jcu.edu.au
How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be judged by a panel made up of members of the AHA 2025 conference committee. The judging criteria will be as follows:
- The capacity of the proposed research to make an original and significant contribution to the history of northern Australia or, alternatively, the capacity of the proposal to incorporate northern Australia more fully into the history of Australia more generally.
- The extent to which the proposal is likely to produce clear, practical and manageable outcomes, chiefly, a paper at the AHA conference in 2025 and subsequent research publications.
- Whether or not the proposed budget of the Fellowship is practical and justified.
- Track record of applicant (subject to opportunity).
To apply, please fill in the attached application form.
Application forms should be sent by email to Lyndon.Megarrity@jcu.edu.au.
Applications close 30 September 2024.
Applicants should be informed of the results by late October 2024.
The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
We look forward to your application!