Promoting sociology in Australia
Facilitating sociology teaching and research
Enhancing the professional development of TASA members

Thematic Groups

Since 2005 eighteen Thematic Groups for TASA have been established. These groups have benefited from a special time-slot at the annual conference and are provided with on-line discussion forums. TASA asks for expressions of interest from those who would like to establish a thematic group.

The aims of Thematic Groups:

  • facilitate communication and collaboration between members working in similar areas
  • provide a basis for streams within conference programs
  • have a designated time slot at the annual conference (thematic group sessions will be scheduled concurrently at the Conference)
  • be recognised for three years (groups can then be reformed, or restructured where appropriate)
  • have a designated chair/convenor and
  • have a presence on TASAweb.

For further information on the Executive’s discussion and development of these thematic groups, members should go to the March, 2005, issue of NEXUS.

Establishing Thematic Groups:

TASA members are invited to submit proposals for the Thematic Groups. See below for submission process and deadlines.

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. designate two TASA members who agree to be the convenors of the group
  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.

Established Thematic Groups

Thematic Groups Submissions

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

The Australian Sociological Association (TASA)
School of Social Science
Swinburne University of Technology
PO Box 218
Hawthorn VIC 3122
Ph: +61 3 9214 5283
Fax: +61 3 9214 8643

or via sent email to: admin@tasa.org.au.

The TASA executive make decisions regarding Thematic Group formation at their quarterly meetings. For consideration in first-round decisions for 2010, please have your application submitted by the 28 February. The 2010 deadlines for the remaining three rounds are 30th June, 31st August and 31st October.

Thematic Group Support Scheme

The TASA executive has allocated $6,000 for the support of the Thematic Group activities in 2010.

Project Scheme

The Support Scheme allows for TGs to apply for up to $3,000 for activities that support their thematic area.

Applications

Applications should be between 5-10 A4 pages. They should include:

  1. The Thematic Group
  2. The Convenor and contact person
  3. Track record of TG
  4. Proposed activity
  5. Evidence of member support and/or involvement
  6. Expected outcomes
  7. Budget and justification
  8. Timeline

Submissions

Applications should be submitted as an email attachment to admin@tasa.org.au. Proposals should be submitted by the 19th of February or the 27th of August for consideration at the March or September executive meetings respectively. Please note, this year (2010) the September executive meeting is being held early (1st September) so applications will need to be submitted by the 6th of August. 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 a sub-committee of the TASA Executive. The sub-committee will disperse funds between the schemes according to the merit of the applications. It will reserve 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 TG
  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. Groups who are funded under the Support Scheme are strongly advised to discuss payment matters with the TASA Treasurer or Executive Officers to ensure that all statutory and taxation obligations are met.
  2. The support of TASA must be recognised on materials relation to the activity (eg. Advertising, brochures, programs etc.).
  3. Permission must be sought from TASA for the use of the TASA logo and other registered material.
  4. A report (1000 words) must be provided to the TASA Executive within four weeks of the completion of the activity. This should be suitable for publication in Nexus.
  5. If the proposed activity generates output in print, electronic or other forms, the copyright of such material remains with the authors/creators.
  6. All funds should be used within 12 months of notification.