The Graeme Turner AO FAHA Policy Internship
Help build the Graeme Turner AO FAHA Policy Internship
Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner AO FAHA was one of Australia’s most influential humanities scholars.
Through his pioneering work in cultural and media studies, he helped transform how Australians understand culture, media and society, while also demonstrating the vital contribution humanities scholarship can make to public policy and national life. As a scholar, educator, mentor, policy adviser, public intellectual and former President of the Academy, he inspired generations of students and colleagues and championed the role of the humanities in advancing the public good.
"Graeme showed us how humanities scholarship can shape public understanding, public policy and the public good. This program seeks to inspire others to follow that path."
With $50,000 in seed funding already committed through the Academy’s Circle of Champions initiative, the program will commence in 2027, providing outstanding humanities and creative arts PhD candidates and recent graduates with opportunities to work directly with public policy, cultural and civic institutions.
Our goal is to raise a further $150,000 to place the program on a stable footing and support its growth over time. With the support of Fellows, friends and supporters of the Academy, we aim to create a lasting national initiative that equips emerging humanities scholars with the skills, networks and practical experience needed to contribute to public policy, national debate and decision-making.
In doing so, we will help ensure that Graeme’s commitment to intellectual leadership, public engagement and the public value of the humanities continues to shape future generations.
Please consider making a gift to support this important initiative.
If you wish to donate via direct deposit (no fees) or cheque, please refer to “Giving options” below for bank account details.
Why this program matters
The humanities help us understand people, cultures, institutions and societies. They provide the critical, creative and ethical perspectives needed to address many of Australia’s most pressing challenges and to develop policies and institutions that serve the public good.
Yet opportunities for humanities graduates to gain direct experience within policy, parliamentary, cultural and civic institutions remain limited.
The Graeme Turner AO FAHA Policy Internship Program seeks to bridge that gap by providing practical experience, professional networks and pathways into public leadership for outstanding emerging scholars.
Your support will help fund:
- Participant stipends;
- Mentoring and professional development;
- Policy and leadership training; and
- Program coordination and growth.
Over time, we hope the program will create a national network of humanities-informed leaders working across government, cultural organisations, research institutions and the broader community.
Every gift, large or small, will help strengthen the contribution of humanities knowledge to Australia’s future and extend Graeme Turner’s legacy of scholarship, leadership and public engagement.
Giving options
Donate online
To donate online, please visit the GiveNow website. GiveNow is an Australian-based website which supports not-for-profit fundraising.
GiveNow will automatically add a 3.5% transaction fee to your donation to cover platform costs. You may choose to remove this fee at the time of payment.
Direct Deposit
Please transfer funds into the Academy’s ANZ bank account as per the details below.
Acc Name: Australian Academy of the Humanities
Bank: ANZ
BSB: 012-984
Acc Number: 413757896
Reference: Full name + ‘GT Internship’
SWIFT No: ANZBAU3M
If you donate using Direct Deposit, please share your name and email so we can provide a receipt for tax purposes via enquiries@humanities.org.au.
Cheque
Please make cheques payable to the Australian Academy of the Humanities, note ‘Graeme Turner Internship’ and send it to:
Australian Academy of the Humanities
490 Northbourne Avenue
DICKSON ACT 2602.
The Australian Academy of the Humanities is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
Contact
If you would like to discuss your donation with Malcolm Gilles AM FAHA, the Academy’s Philanthropy Lead, please contact the Academy Office on enquiries@humanities.org.au or call 02 6189 6982.
Remembering Graeme Turner AO FAHA
Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner AO FAHA FQA was one of Australia’s most distinguished
humanities scholars and a towering figure in our Academy’s history.
Graeme combined exceptional scholarly distinction with an unwavering commitment to
strengthening the humanities and Australia’s higher education sector.
Internationally recognised for his pioneering work in cultural and media studies, he was
equally admired at home as a sector leader, policy advisor, educator and mentor. His
advocacy for the value and contribution of the humanities to national life was tireless and
truly without parallel.