QUEENSLAND – SMITHSONIAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Based in the USA

World’s largest museum and research complex

Primary mission - “the increase and diffusion of knowledge”

19 Museums and Galleries, and the National Zoo Mostly based in Washington DC 2 campuses in New York

Numerous research and education centres

Network of 20 libraries

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUMS

National Museum of Natural History (Washington DC) Mineral sciences, palaeobiology, botany, entomology,

zoology, anthropology Smithsonian 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 Wildlife

Service, the National Museums of Kenya and the Mpala Research Trust

SCIENCE cont…

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 America Lemelson 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) 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…

SMITHSONIAN STRATEGIC PLANInspiring Generations

Through Knowledge and Discovery

Focusing on Grand Challenges Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet Valuing World Cultures Understanding the American Experience

Revitalizing Education

Crossing Boundaries

Broadening Access

Measuring Outcomes

Strengthening Collections

Enabling Our Mission Through Organizational Excellence

QUEENSLAND – SMITHSONIAN RELATIONSHIP

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

advance research disseminate knowledge promote 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

Flagship Projects progressed under the MOU:

Third International Canopy Conference in Cairns

Joint research into the population biology and biogeography of Caribbean and Indo-Pacific Reef Fishes

Queensland Museum Magnet School Program

Eco-Online environmental education website

Annual Research Fellowships Program

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 the relationship Enabled the development of collaborative opportunities in other fields Enhanced 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 (11)

Universities / CRCs (11)

Government agencies (6)

WHO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

Ecosciences – tropical biodiversity, ecosystem modelling and management, species conservation, the carbon cycle and climate change, biosecurity, and scientific insect illustration

Life Sciences – the evolution of mind, brain and skull development and schizophrenia, the effects of vitamin D in brain development and using ancient DNA analysis to recover lost cultural information

Indigenous Issues – innovative engagement strategies, knowledge management, science education, and reconciliation programs

Culture and The Arts – innovative Asian art, folklife and community festivals, and Queensland as a world exhibitor

Public Programs – the role and impact of public programming, and using new technologies to create interactive cultural experiences

Education/Outreach to Schools – object-based learning programs, science curricula, and early childhood programs

Museum Management – innovative business models and strategies.

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

Science National Museum of Natural History (7) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (5) Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (1) National Zoological Park (2) Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (1) Art and Culture National 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 / Other National Science Resources Center (2) Smithsonian Center for Education and Museums Studies (1) Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (1) Office of Policy and Analysis (1) Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs (1)

FELLOWSHIP OUTCOMES

Advanced the work of individual fellows and enhanced their international networks and reputation

Increased research, knowledge-sharing and skills development in fields of mutual interest and significance

Prompted further exchanges in both directions

Built ongoing collaborations at both an individual and institutional level

Benefited the home organisations and the broader Queensland community through:

enhanced programs, services, expertise

access to infrastructure and global pools of knowledge and ideas

promoting Queensland’s expertise internationally

EXAMPLES OF FOLLOW-ON PROJECTS

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.

SOME AREAS OF POTENTIAL MUTUAL INTEREST

Evolutionary, systemic, behavioural and environmental biology

Biodiversity, conservation and climate change

Earth, mineral, and planetary sciences

Astrophysics

Anthropology, archaeology, linguistics and indigenous and cross-cultural studies

Material and folk culture

Science and technology

Art, design and crafts

Materials conservation

Museum management, practice, education and outreach

AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE

Duration: 13 to 26 weeks

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

The Fellowship Amount will comprise: Base amount of A$4,000 (excl GST) Plus a weekly amount of A$1,000 (excl GST)

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 employer 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 body 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 timeframe applicant's expertise and capacity to carry out the proposed project contribution 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 applicant advancing knowledge, disseminating knowledge or developing skills in

the field fostering an interchange of knowledge and skills and building ongoing

collaboration between Queensland and the Smithsonian Institution benefiting the home organisation and the broader Queensland

community.

APPLYING FOR A FELLOWSHIP

Complete Application Form provided on the website: Outlining the background, rationale and goals of the project Including a detailed project proposal Addressing the eligibility and selection criteria

Applicants must obtain and submit: Written approval of the proposed Smithsonian host Written approval of their employer / home organisation Letter of endorsement from employer on the relevance and value

of the project to the home organisation and its stakeholders Two referee’s reports from different people, on the form provided,

addressing the selection criteria

SELECTION PROCESS

Managed by the Queensland - Smithsonian Secretariat in the International Collaborations Unit in liaison with the Smithsonian Institution

A Selection Panel 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

CONDITIONS OF FELLOWSHIP

Successful applicants will be required to:

Make every reasonable effort to be present at the Fellowship announcement function

Enter into a formal Fellowship Agreement with the Queensland Government (generally through the home organisation)

Take up the Fellowship within twelve months of notification

Provide a written report on the results of the Fellowship project

Make presentations to interested parties after completion of the project

Timetable for 2010-11 to be advised.

PROPOSED TIMETABLE

USEFUL WEBSITES

Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship Program - www.science.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/content.cfm?id=13220

Smithsonian Institution - www.si.edu

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

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION …

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Queensland-Smithsonian Secretariat to discuss projects, application requirements and Smithsonian contacts:

Peter BlondellPrincipal Project Manager, International CollaborationsDepartment of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Level 10, 111 George StreetBRISBANE Q 4000

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

PO Box 15168City East Brisbane Q 4002

IN CLOSING

Thank You For Your Attention