Thematic Groups

2013/2014 Convener

Associate Professor Grazyna Zajdow

Grazyna Zajdow is Associate Professor of Sociology at Deakin University. She teaches at all levels of sociology from first year to honours. Her research interests include the experience of living with drug and alcohol affected people and public policy related to drugs and alcohol. She also researches the experiences of older women and the paid workforce. Grazyna is also a co-editor of Arena Magazine.

Grazyna has been a TASA member for over 25 years and has previously been an executive member as well as Treasurer.

2011/2012 Convener

Associate Professor Julie Matthews

Associate Professor Julie Matthews has a background in sociology, anthropology, education, and cultural studies. Her research addresses issues of sustainability and education; cultural diversity; the education of minority, refugee and international students; diaspora, globalisation and transnationalism; critical pedagogy and postcolonial, Foucaldian and feminist theory. She is involved in the South East Queensland Climate Adaptation Research Initiative (SEQ CARI) and ARC-funded projects include studies of Indigenous governance, refugee education, and reconciliation and education. She is currently Director of Research in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and teaches honours and masters research methods. She is also Associate Director of the Sustainability Research Centre. Prior to entering the university sector she was a high school teacher of Sociology, Integrated Humanities, English as a Second Language and World Studies

To access information about current Thematic Groups, please click on the 'Established Groups' tab at the top of this page. Alternatively, click here.

As from July 2012, every group will be up for renewal at the same time. Groups will be renewed every 3 years, using the renewal form, with the next review in December, 2013.

You can join up to 3 thematic groups via TASA's membership application form. Your selections can be ammended at anytime throughout the year by logging in to your TASA membership profile. Instructions for joining a thematic group are available in Word (25kb) and Pdf (988kb)

The Terms of Reference document is available  in Word (32kb) and Pdf (12kb)

The Role of Thematic Group Conveners

The role of thematic group coordinators is to facilitate communications within the group and between the group and the TASA Executive. Coordinators also arrange for group members to referee relevant papers and organise session schedules for the TASA conference. Prior to the TASA conference each year, thematic group conveners will receive a list of refereed paper submissions. Conveners are responsible for organising blind referring submissions. Blind referring involves a) forwarding submissions to two referees with appropriate experience and expertise, b) sending Refereeing guidelines and Referees Review Form' to referees and c) forwarding referees reports to conference organisers. The 2012 conference LOC Instructions for TG Conveners is now available. 

Coodinators can facilitate group communications by:

• using a group email list to keep members informed of activities, events, conferences, workshops, publications and calls for papers;

• organising group meetings or dinners at the TASA conference;

• putting up a plenary panel at the TASA conference;

• taking over an issue of Nexus;

• developing a group website and or/blog;

• applying for group funding (up to $2,500) to run workshops, seminars and mini conferences of relevance to the group;

• applying for group funds (up to $100) for minor administrative expenses;

• providing Nexus editor with a report/feedback about the TASA funded activities of the thematic group.

Thematic Group Coordinators are welcome to request a written itemisation of their role and responsibilities at the end of their term. Please send your request with the following details to the TASA Thematic Group Coordinator; name of group, length of term, and tasks conducted.

2013 Thematic Group Convener list is available in Word (21.2kb) and Pdf (61.1kb).

2012 Thematic Group Convener list is available in Word (20kb) and Pdf (19kb).

2011 Conveners Meeting Minutes are available in Word (39kb) and Pdf (139kb)

TASA members are invited to submit proposals for the Thematic Groups. Proposals must:

1. specify a thematic group's title;
2. have a short description of the group's aims and objectives (suitable for the website and other publicity);
3. list the names of a Convener and any Co-Conveners;
4. identify a minimum of 15 TASA members (including the convenors) who are members of the groups;
5. be endorsed by all members of the proposed thematic group.

• Media (2005 - early 2011) Details from the Media  TASAweb page are available in Word (16.2kb) and Pdf (29.4kb) (The Media Thematic Group was revived in mid 2011)
• Science, Technology and Knowledge ( 2008 - June 2010) Details from the Science, Technology and Knowledge  TASAweb page are available in Word (113kb) and Pdf (87.8kb)
• Mobilities (2007 - September 2010) Details from the Mobilities TASAweb page are available in Word (14kb ) and Pdf (25kb ).  A 2008 Mobilities annual report can also be viewed.

Submissions will be considered at Executive Committee meetings. They can be sent to the TASA Office:

The Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Swinburne Institute for Socal Research Swinburne University of TechnologyPO Box 218, Mailbag H98 Hawthorn VIC 3122 Ph: +61 3 9214 5283 Email to: admin@tasa.org.au

The TASA executive make decisions regarding Thematic Group formation at their quarterly meetings. For consideration in the first-round decisions for 2013, please have your application submitted by Febuary 28th. Subsequent 2013 deadlines will be June 29th, September 20th, & November 8th.

Thematic Group Support Scheme The Major Support Scheme allows for groups to apply for up to $2,500 for activities that support their thematic area. There will be two submission rounds in 2013; February 28th (for events between January 1st and June 30th, 2013); and June 30th (for events between July 1st & December 31st 2013). An additional $1,000 is available to provide assistance to groups for minor administrative costs, up to a maximum of $100 per group. Submissions for minor administrative costs can be forwarded to the TASA Office as required. Please note: Applications including a catering component need to include an attendee fee to cover the catering. Group organisers can arrange for the TASA Office to collect the attendance fees. Please note that TASA is developing an online, automated fee collection page for TASAweb for future events. The service should be available in early 2013.

Applications should be between 3-5 A4 pages. They should include:

1. Name of the thematic group

2. Name of convener(s)

3. Track record of the thematic group

4. Proposed activity

5. Evidence of support and/or involvement

6. Expected outcomes

7. Budget and justification

8. Timeline

Note that it is NOT necessary to provide a literature review in support of the proposed topic

Submissions

Applications should be submitted as an email attachment to admin@tasa.org.au. There will be two submission rounds in 2013; February 28th (for events between January 1st and June 30th, 2013); and June 30th (for events between July 1st & December 31st 2013). The Executive retains the right to deal with applications at other times if the applicants can convince the Executive of the need for this.

Criteria

Funds will be allocated on a competitive basis, as judged by the TASA Executive. The Executive will disburse funds according to the merit of the applications. It reserves the right to make no disbursement of funds if the applications are not of sufficient merit. Criteria will be as follows:

1. Track record of thematic group

2. Viability of proposed activity

3. Contribution to the vitality of the thematic group

4. Potential for most members of the group to participate and/or benefit from the activity

5. Contribution to sociological research and teaching

6. Generations of outcomes suitable for publication in Journal of Sociology or Health Sociology Review.

7. Extent of previous support

Conditions

The following conditions will apply:

1. Grants will be made available in the form of payments on invoices from suppliers, or reimbursements of monies spent, after the event has occurred. Groups who are funded under the Support Scheme are strongly advised to discuss payment matters with the TASA Treasurer or Executive Officer to ensure that all statutory and taxation obligations are met.
2. Applications should identify a person responsible for compiling all funding claims. That person is required to submit a single claim, after the event, to the TASA Office, which can have several different recipients listed for reimbursement. Bank details of each reimbursement recipient need to be recorded on the Thematic Group claim form and submitted with the accompanying receipts being claimed.
3. Postgraduate scholarships to attend Thematic Group events are only available to TASA members.
4. The support of TASA must be recognised on materials related to the activity (eg. advertising, brochures, programs etc.).
5. Permission must be sought from TASA for the use of the TASA logo and other registered material.
6. Events must meet requirements for disability access and participation.
7. Participants must be charged a fee to cover costs if catering is provided and funding is not available from other sources. This condition may be waived by the Executive for activities where students are the principal participants.
8. A report (1000 words) must be provided to the TASA Executive Officer within four weeks of the completion of the activity. This should be suitable for publication in Nexus.
9. If the proposed activity generates output in print, electronic or other forms, the copyright of such material remains with the authors/creators.
10. All funds should be used within 12 months of notification.

Groups may apply for funds up to $100 to cover ongoing administrative costs, for example registration of web names. Funds will be made available in the form of payments on invoices from suppliers, or reimbursements of monies spent. Groups are strongly advised to discuss payment matters with the TASA Treasurer or Executive Officer to ensure that all statutory and taxation obligations are met. Groups should send documents to the TASA Executive Officer with a brief note outlining how the expenditure contributes to the activity or viability of the group.

1. Grants will be made available in the form of payments on invoices from suppliers, or reimbursements of monies spent, after the event has occurred. Groups who are funded under the Support Scheme are strongly advised to discuss payment matters with the TASA Treasurer or Executive Officer to ensure that all statutory and taxation obligations are met.
2. Applications should identify a person responsible for compiling all funding claims. That person is required to submit a single claim, after the event, to the TASA Office, which can have several different recipients listed for reimbursement. Bank details of each reimbursement recipient need to be recorded on the Thematic Group claim form and submitted with the accompanying receipts being claimed.
3. If your funding is to be used for the expenses of an invited speaker/s, please advise the speaker/s, before they book their travel requirements, the limit of funding available to them (ie. if TASA have agreed to fund your group $400 for an invited speaker, inform the speaker that you will be able to arrange for the reimbursement of up to $400 on the presentations of their Tax Invoices and receipts etc). TASA will not reimburse amounts greater than those agreed to.