ISAA National Newsletter #37 December 2011
Since the last Newsletter our annual conference has been held in Canberra (3-4 November). As usual, it attracted excellent speakers and lively discussion on the theme: Perversions of Prejudice: How bias distorts.
The papers ranged over the humanities, social sciences and sciences, reflecting the breadth of members' interests and those of invited speakers who included Father Frank Brennan. The Annual Lecture, delivered by Antony Lowenstein, focussing on the accountability of the media in the context of Wikileaks, was insightful and provocative. It provided food for thought that continued along with food for the body at the conference dinner. Council decided to make available to those attending the conference an opportunity to buy for the price of $5 the books that had come to ISAA in the 1990s when the Book Prize was running. Not surprisingly this proved very popular and the money raised will go towards printing costs of future publications. Council thought it much better to have the books in personal libraries rather than sitting in storage. Lesley Vick and her team, Gretchen Poiner and Jane Burns, again organised the two-day conference, a memorable highlight of the ISAA year.
At the Annual General Meeting on 4 November Christine Jennett assumed the role of secretary, Stephen Horn and Elspeth Browne were re-elected and Pamela Burton joined the committee. The involvement of all our National Council members is highly valued. In response to a question about the role of ISAA in public commentary the National Council will consider in the New Year how resolutions agreed at the conference may be implemented.
The newly redesigned website is now up and running. The members' page is a 'work in progress' so please send us your ideas on what you would like to have on a members' page. The 2011 Membership List and the latest edition of the ISAA Review should be mailed out to members before Christmas. With all good wishes for a happy festive season and peaceful and rewarding New Year. Janet George, President
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ISAA National Newsletter December 2011