Newsletter – 20 April 2026

Welcome to our fortnightly newsletter. If you have things you’d like to share with the CCH community, please email Scott over the coming fortnight. We will also share news and updates on LinkedIn. Please tag us in the news you post on LinkedIn so we can share it!

News from Members and Associates

Deborah Lee-Talbot has published an article with Circa, in which she argues that historians should critically intervene in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development. At the University of Melbourne’s Archive (UMA), she used an AI-supported platform, Transkribus, to transcribe handwritten station diaries from the late 19th and 20th centuries to improve access to records. Her discussion and case study show one example of how to do supervised learning: a process where expert humans correct and tag AI-generated outputs. This process establishes parameters of accurate transcription within specific historical contexts. Supervised learning by experts has value as it improves transcription accuracy and metadata content for cultural institutions. Historians are essential participants in AI development because they can safeguard against decontextualisation and historiographical silences, while ensuring archival and historical principles remain central to a project. If you wish to discuss the article or AI use by historians, you can contact Deborah at deborah.leetalbot@deakin.edu.au. Congratulations, Deb!

David Lowe spoke recently to David Marr on the ABC’s Late Night Live about his new book, The Colombo Plan: Development Internationalism in Cold War Asia (Cambridge University Press, 2025). Catch the recording here!

Bob Gartland & Tony Joel have published an article – ‘The Man Behind the Medal: The Life of Charles Brownlow, 1861–1924’ – in the International Journal of the History of Sport. The article sheds new light on one of the most recognised (though less well known) names in AFL history. Congratulations, Bob & Tony!

And a very warm CCH welcome to Geraldine Fela, recipient of the Deakin University Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for 2026–29! Geraldine will be known to many of us as the recent winner of the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Australian History, awarded for Critical Care: Nurses on the frontline of Australia’s AIDS crisis (NewSouth, 2024). A word from our new colleague:

Seminar Series

Events

Final CCH Seminar of Trimester One

Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Location: Deakin Downtown
Time: 11–1pm

Conceived in 1950, the Colombo Plan for Co-operative Economic Development in South and Southeast Asia was a unique experiment in foreign relations. Meeting annually across what we now know as ’the Indo-Pacific’, talented administrators facilitated foreign aid provision and promoted development fuelled state-making, internationalism and experimental regionalism across postwar Asia.

David Lowe argues that this new setting and dynamic international cast created an unusually productive diplomatic environment of what he calls ‘development internationalism’. The Colombo Plan did not escape power politics or Cold War divisions. However, it did run according to its own rhythm and offers instructive lessons for Australia in its region today.

Launching the book will be Marilyn Lake, AO, honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne. One of Australia’s most celebrated historians, Marilyn is a multi-award winning author of 15 books on Australian, United States and transnational history, a Fellow of the British Academy, Fellow of the Academy of Humanities in Australia, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and past president, Australian Historical Association.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Reserve your spot!

CCH Shut Up and Write

Every Monday, 9am-12pm, on Zoom. 

Start the week strong with a Shut Up and Write! We run 3 x 50 minute blocks of writing/focus, with breaks in between to chat and grab coffee. All CCH colleagues welcome, especially ECRs, HDRs, and those who work remotely. Feel free to join at any time.

The zoom link is here (Meeting ID: 879 3895 9029, Password: 97747034). If you would like a recurring invite in your calendar, or you have any trouble joining, email Mia at mia.martinhobbs@deakin.edu.au

Calls for Papers

Publish in the Australian Policy and History Network

This is an open invitation for CCH members to contribute opinion pieces, policy briefs, and book reviews for publication inAustralian Policy and History. Drafts will be workshopped with APH editors, so if you have an idea but are unsure if it fits, please do get in touch!

Email australianpolicyandhistory@gmail.com with pitches, book requests, or questions.

ANZUS, Menzies and America: The political, strategic, and cultural impact of the USA across Australian history

2026 marks 75 years since the Menzies Government signed the ANZUS Treaty with the United States and New Zealand in 1951. ANZUS has come to be understood as the bedrock of the Australian-American alliance and the cornerstone of Australia’s national security. At a time when, despite urgent geo-security concerns, Australian-American relations appear to be more fraught than they have been for some decades, this anniversary provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on the history and depth of the relationship. Exploring how it has evolved beyond mere geostrategic calculus to encompass both shared values and an enriching exchange of ideas. But also its limitations; including historical criticisms of American cultural influence, overriding of Australian sovereignty, and willingness to defend Australian interests when these do not directly align with those of the United States.

In this open call for papers, we encourage submissions interpretating the conference theme in a broad fashion. Covering such matters as geopolitics, institutional development, intellectual trends, comparative histories, economic policy, the adaptation of American ideas to an Australian context, and more. Proposals can be submitted for panels, linking three interconnected topics, or individual papers. Both require a title and an abstract of 300 words. Proposals should be emailed to the Institute historian Dr Zachary Gorman at zachary@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au by Friday 1 May.

Successful applicants will hear back no later than Monday 18 May. Conference papers take the form of a presentation plus Q&A. Papers will later be published as a chapter of up to 4,000 words in a Melbourne University Publishing volume, which will be due by Monday 4 January 2027. Financial assistance is available for a limited number of presenters who would not otherwise be able to attend the conference.

Find out more here.

Call for applications – Journal of Pacific History Publication Incentive Grants

The Journal of Pacific History Inc. invites qualified persons to apply for a Publication Incentive grant. These competitive grants are offered to help support early career Pacific historians to prepare manuscripts for submission to the Journal of Pacific History for peer review. See https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cjph for the journal’s Aims and scope, Journal information, and Instructions for authors. Applicants must follow the Instructions scrupulously in preparing their manuscript.

Prospective applicants should note that the journal is ‘dedicated to historical research concerning the Pacific Islands, their peoples, and their pasts. Its core geographical focus includes all of New Guinea and adjacent islands. Its chronological remit is broad: from prehistory to the present. It publishes articles in social, cultural, religious, political, economic, geographical, and environmental history and the history of science’. Where difficult choices have to be made in the selection process, historical projects with such a focus are likely to be preferred.

Qualifications:
Anyone who has completed a PhD or thesis-based MA relevant to Pacific history, or who is currently enrolled for a doctorate in a relevant field, can apply for a grant of AU$3,000 to prepare a manuscript for submission to peer review by the Journal of Pacific History. In the case of co-authored proposals, all cited authors must meet these guidelines. For multiple authors, the total grant will be AU$4,000, divided equally.

Successful applicants will receive their grants in three tranches:

• AU$500 upfront;
• AU$1,000 if and when the Journal’s Editors decide to send a submitted manuscript for peer review. Manuscripts must be submitted through the Journal of Pacific History Taylor & Francis web portal before 15 December 2027. It will be the Editors’ decision whether to send them directly for peer review; to request revisions before they are sent for peer review; or to reject them. In the latter case, no further grant payments will be made.
• AU$1,500 when an accepted final article is sent for production by the publishers ofthe Journal of Pacific History.

Application process:
Candidates should submit a recent CV, letters of support from two referees, and a proposal of up to 1,000 words by 30 September 2026 to the Secretary of JPH Inc (bronwen.douglas@anu.edu.au). It is not acceptable to use generative AI tools to prepare a proposal.

Article proposals should include the following:
Title and 200-word abstract
Outline: rationale of the topic and a brief historiography demonstrating the candidate’s familiarity with relevant historical literature, including primary materials
Timeline: to submission via the JPH online portal before 15 December 2027.

Applications will be assessed by the Prizes & Grants sub-committee of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Pacific History. A mentor will be appointed to assist successful applicants, who are strongly encouraged to take regular advantage of their mentor.

Helen Gardner
Chair, Prizes and Grants sub-committee, JPH Inc.

Contributions to forthcoming collection on Migration and the British World: Peoples, Flows, and Connections

It has been nearly a decade since the last edited collection about migration and the British World. Migration was one of the key themes that led to the creation of the British World model of history. Since then, there has been a new wave of academics carrying out new research on the subject in fascinating ways. This new collection aims to showcase that research, adopting a broad geographical and temporal perspective. The use of plurals of people, flow, and connection is very much intentional as the collection aims to look at not only people of British descent, but non-White people; the flow of people not just from the United Kingdom to other parts of the British World but in the opposite direction also, as well as between other parts of the British World themselves; and various connections – both individual and collective.

The collection is anticipated to be published in the ‘Studies in Transnationalism’ book series with Peter Lang Publishing (subject to a successful peer review), under the auspices of the Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand Studies Network. Submissions due 30 April 2026.

Find out more here

Australian and New Zealand Legal History Society Seminar Series

The Australian and New Zealand Legal History Society are organising four seminar series that will be held from March to October 2026. These sessions will bring together a diverse group of scholars and members of the public to workshop a pre-circulated paper. Our definition of law is expansive and pluralistic; we encourage papers that focus on legal culture and laws beyond western courts as well as more traditional legal history. After brief remarks from the author and an assigned commentator, the discussion will be opened to the floor. All are encouraged to ask questions, provide feedback on the circulated essay, and discuss the topic at hand. Sessions are free and open to everyone.

If you would like to present a paper in either mid-March, mid-May, mid-August, or mid-October, please send an abstract and a list of possible commentators (they do not need to be from Australia or New Zealand).

Submissions due to alecia.simmonds@uts.edu.au

Opportunities

National Library of Australia Scholarships

Applications are now open for the 2027 Scholarships offered by the National Library of Australia. Up to 8 of these fellowships are on offer, available to PhD candidates who require onsite access to the library’s uniquely held or extensive collections to advance their doctoral project. Of the 8 fellowships available for application, 5 are for research on any subject, 2 are for the field of Asian studies, and 1 is for ‘Travel, exploration or the natural world in Australia or the Pacific’.

Successful applicants will be granted $10,000 to support onsite research. Funding is based on 4 weeks at the library, but scholars are welcome to extend their research period as required without additional funding. Scholars have 24 months to complete their research.

Learn more about the National Library of Australia Scholarships, including information on eligibility, information on previous projects, and online application forms.

Applications will close on 1 May 2026.

Academy of International Affairs NRW Fellowship Call 2027/28: Project Proposals on Global Security and Resilience

This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to explore pressing global challenges in security and resilience within a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. By bringing together academics and practitioners, the programme fosters innovative thinking and bridges the gap between theory and practice. Participants gain the chance to develop impactful research, contribute to policy discussions, and engage with a network of experts working on the future of international security.

The call focuses on the theme “Comprehensive Security for a Changing World: Building Strategic and Technological Resilience,” reflecting the urgent need to rethink how security is defined and addressed in today’s rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.

With Europe experiencing profound transformations—ranging from open conflicts to intensifying global competition and evolving alliances this fellowship offers a platform for critical inquiry, collaboration, and policy-relevant research.

Selected fellows are expected to reside in Bonn, Germany, for the duration of the programme, which runs from April 2027 to March 2028.

Applications will close on 31 May 2026.

Find out more here!

PhD Scholarship, Race, Gender, and Violence in Western Militaries in the War on Terror

Dr Mia Martin Hobbs seeks a PhD candidate for her DECRA project ‘Race, Gender, and Violence in Western militaries in the War on Terror’. In the wake of 9/11, Western militaries agreed that force alone would not defeat global terrorism. The US, UK, and Australian militaries set forth new doctrine outlining the need to build trust with local populations, and a core element of this doctrine was the diversity of their armed forces. Leaders were explicit about the necessity of diversity among the ranks, while rhetorical justifications for the War on Terror framed it as defending values of pluralism and equality. Military recruitment materials heavily promoted diversity, tying the individual empowerment of the soldier to the ‘liberating’ mission of the War on Terror. Yet the War on Terror was characterised by the weaponisation of race and gender by Western militaries, and the soldiers who diversified Western forces faced widespread sexual violence and racism within military institutions.

The PhD candidate will conduct their own research on perceptions of gender and race in the wider ADF in the 21st century, or on a related issue, and coauthor comparative research with Mia.

For further information, please contact mia.martinhobbs@deakin.edu.au

Cover Photo

Women’s liberationists protest ANZAC Day, 1987.