QUEENSLAND – SMITHSONIAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

2009

Based in the USA

World’s largest museum and research complex

Primary mission - “the increase and diffusion of knowledge”

19 Museums and GalleriesMostly based in Washington DC2 campuses in New York

Numerous research centres

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUMS

National Museum of Natural History (Washington DC)Mineral sciences, palaeobiology, botany, entomology,zoology, anthropologySmithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce (Florida)Carrie-Bow Marine Field Station (Belize)

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama)

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center(Chesapeake Bay, Maryland)

National Zoological Park (Washington DC)Conservation and Research Centre (Front Royal, Virginia)Migratory Bird Center (Washington DC)

SCIENCE

National Air and Space Museum & Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centre (Washington DC and Chantilly, Virginia)

History, science, and technology of aviation and space flight Center for Earth and Planetary Sciences (Washington DC)

Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics(Massachusetts, Arizona, Hawaii)

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)

Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education

Mpala Research Centre (Kenya) Joint venture with Princeton University, the Kenya WildlifeService, the National Museums of Kenya and the MpalaResearch Trust

SCIENCE cont…

SMITHSONIAN SCIENCE STRATEGIC PLANScience Matters Priorities and Strategies 2005-2010

Research, collections and outreach/education priorities:

Origin and Nature of the Universe

Formation and Evolution of the Earth and Similar Planets Including planetary processes

Discovering and Understanding Biological Diversity Individual species to complete ecosystems

Study of Human Diversity and Cultural ChangeHistorical perspectives on human impacts on and responsesto modern environmental and social change

Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (New York)Design, decorative arts, industrial design and architecture

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (Washington DC)Asian and a specialised collection of American art

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Washington DC)Modern and contemporary art

National Portrait Gallery (Washington DC)

ART

National Museum of African Art (Washington DC)

Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery(Washington DC)

Painting, sculpture, graphics, folk art, craft and photography 18th

century to the present

Archives of American Art

ART cont…

National Museum of American History (Washington DC)History of science, technology, society and culture in AmericaLemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center and the Cultural Resources Center (Washington DC)

Living cultures and history of the native peoples of the Americas

Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture(Washington DC)

National Postal Museum (Washington DC)

CULTURAL HISTORY AND EDUCATION

National Museum of African American History and Culture (planned for Washington DC)

Arts and Industries Building (Washington DC - closed for renovation)Special changing exhibitions

Smithsonian Institution Building, the Castle (Washington DC)Smithsonian Information Center

Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (Washington DC)Annual Folklife Festival on National Mall

CULTURAL HISTORY AND EDUCATION cont…

Smithsonian Center for Education and Museums Studies(Washington DC)

National Science Resources Center

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service

Smithsonian Business Ventures

CULTURAL HISTORY AND EDUCATION cont…

QUEENSLAND – SMITHSONIAN RELATIONSHIP

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Queensland and Smithsonian in 2000 to collaborate over a 5 year period to:

advance researchdisseminate knowledgepromote social and cultural development

Unique agreement extended until 2010

Managed by:International Collaborations (Department of Employment, Economic

Development and Innovation) Smithsonian Office of International Relations

Projects progressed under the MOU to date include:Annual Fellowships ProgramThird International Canopy Conference in CairnsQueensland Museum Magnet School ProgramJoint research into the population biology andbiogeography of Caribbean and Indo-Pacific Reef Fishes Eco-Online environmental education website

QUEENSLAND – SMITHSONIAN RELATIONSHIP cont…

QUEENSLAND - SMITHSONIAN FELLOWSHIPS AND ALUMNI

Launched in 2001, extended until 2010

To encourage the interchange of knowledge and skills in areas of mutual interest

Up to three Fellowships each year for Queenslanders to travel to the Smithsonian to undertake a project

The Fellowships have:Reinforced collaborative activity around the original foci of therelationship Enabled the development of collaborative opportunities in other fieldsEnhanced the knowledge, expertise and networks of Fellows and their

home organisations leading to ongoing collaborations

Queensland – Smithsonian Alumni to provide a platform for past Fellows and other Queenslanders to explore and develop opportunities to work with their counterparts at the Smithsonian

Fellows have come from:Museum / Gallery / Cultural Sector (10)Universities / CRCs (9)Government agencies (5)

Fellowship Project Themes:Asian art; scientific insect illustration; application of new media; marine park management; folklife festivals; rainforest biodiversity; brain and skull development in schizophrenia; fossilised marine reptiles; effects of CO2 on tropical plants; reef ecosystem management; innovative practices in art museums; museum magnet school programs; effects of climate change on evolution; indigenous knowledge management; Queensland as a world exhibitor; evolution of mind; educational outreach to schools; role of public programs; indigenous engagement; peacock mites; carbon cycle; sugarcane in Panama; engaging Indigenous students in science education; and 21st Century museums.

WHO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL

SMITHSONIAN HOST ORGANISATIONS(Some Fellows have had more than one host)

ScienceNational Museum of Natural History (6)Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (5)Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (1)National Zoological Park (1)Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (1)

Art and CultureNational Museum of the American Indian (2)Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (2)Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (1)National Museum of American History (1)Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (1)Smithsonian Institution Archives (1)

Education / OtherSmithsonian Center for Education and Museums Studies (1)National Science Resources Center (2)Smithsonian Office of Policy and Analysis (1)

EXAMPLES OF OUTCOMES

Professor Roger Kitching, Griffith University, organised a major climate change research project at Lamington National Park; some 40 scientists from 13 countries participated; supported by the Smart State Innovation Fund.

Suhanya Raffel developed a long term exchange program between the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Arthur M Sackler Gallery; historical Asian art from Sackler on display at QAG; contemporary works from QAG in Washington.

The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum is partnering with Dr Angelina Russo from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation to explore the use of social media in museums.

EXAMPLES OF ONGOING OUTCOMES cont…

A design partnership between Arts Queensland, State Library of Queensland and the Cooper Hewitt under Smart State 3, including an annual Fellowship for a Qld teacher to work in the Cooper Hewitt’s Education Department and development of online design education resources.

Associate Professor Richard John, Griffith University, incorporated learnings from his Fellowship at the National Science Resources Center into the Australian Academy of Science's new 'Science By Doing' initiative.

Virtually all the Fellows have noted the ongoing value of the networks that the Fellowship helped them create both within the Smithsonian and elsewhere.

SOME AREAS OF POTENTIAL MUTUAL INTEREST

Evolutionary, systemic, behavioural and environmental biologyBiodiversity, conservation and climate change Earth, mineral, and planetary sciencesAstrophysicsAnthropology, archaeology, linguistics and indigenous and cross-cultural studiesMaterial and folk culture Science and technologyArt, design and craftsMaterials conservationMuseum management, practice, education and outreach

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE

Duration:13 to 26 weeks

Fellowship support covers:Return economy airfare for the FellowContribution towards the cost of living

The Fellowship will comprise:Base amount of A$4,000Plus a weekly amount of A$1,000

Maximum amount of a Fellowship is A$30,000

For the duration of the Fellowship, it is expected that the:Full-time salary will be paid by the current employerThe Smithsonian host organisation will provide, as a minimum,office accommodation and access to a computer and telephone

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants include persons employed in:A Queensland Government agency / statutory bodyA Queensland-based research, educational or cultural institution(including universities, schools and museums), business or other organisation

Applicants must be Australian citizens, or have permanent resident status in Australia, with their principal place of residence in Queensland

Unsuccessful applicants in any one year are eligible to re-apply in subsequent years

Fellowships are awarded on an individual basis only

SELECTION CRITERIA

Feasibility of the project:technical feasibility of the project and achievability of project goals within the proposed timeframeapplicant's expertise and capacity to carry out the proposed projectcontribution undertaking the project at the Smithsonian will make to project outcomes.

Relevance and value of the project in:contributing to the future work of the applicantadvancing knowledge, disseminating knowledge or developing skills in the fieldfostering an interchange of knowledge and skills and building ongoing collaboration between Queensland and the Smithsonian Institutionbenefiting the home organisation and the broader Queensland community.

APPLYING FOR A FELLOWSHIP

Complete Application Form provided on the website:Including a project proposalAddressing the Selection Criteria.

Applicants must obtain and submit:Two referee’s reports from different people, on the form providedWritten approval of their employer / home organisationWritten approval of the proposed Smithsonian hostLetter of endorsement from employer on the relevanceand value of the project to the home organisation and itsstakeholders.

SELECTION PROCESS

Managed by the Queensland - Smithsonian Secretariat in liaison with the Smithsonian Institution

A Selection Panel, appointed by the Premier, will undertake the assessment of applications

Eligible applications will be assessed on their relative merit against the selection criteria

Shortlisted applicants may be interviewed, which generally include a 10-15 minute presentation by applicants on their project

14 August 2009 Closing date for applications

Aug-Sept 2009 Selection Process

Oct-Nov 2009 Letters of offer to successful applicants andpublic announcement of the Fellows

PROPOSED TIMETABLE

CONDITIONS OF FELLOWSHIP

Successful applicants will be required to:Make every reasonable effort to be present at the Fellowshipannouncement functionEnter into a formal Fellowship Agreement with the QueenslandGovernmentTake up the Fellowship within twelve months of notificationProvide a written report on the results of the Fellowship projectMake presentations to interested parties after completion of the project

USEFUL WEBSITES

Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Program -www.premiers.qld.gov.au/Business_and_industry/grants/smithsonian/

Smithsonian Institution - www.si.edu

Other Smithsonian Fellowship / Internship Programs –www.si.edu/ofg/intern.htm

Finding contacts at the Smithsonian - ww.si.edu/ofg/mrirolist.htm

CONTACT DETAILS

Peter BlondellPrincipal Project Manager, International CollaborationsEmployment, Industry Development and InnovationDepartment of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Level 4, Executive Building100 George Street BRISBANE Q 4000

Telephone: +61 7 3234 1632Email: Peter.Blondell@premiers.qld.gov.au

PO Box 15185City East Brisbane Q 4002