The Boab tree is self-sustaining;
it draws on its own resources.
Upside down, it flourishes against the grain.
About ISAA
The Independent Scholars Association of Australia Inc is a network of scholars pursuing interests in the broad streams of the humanities, arts and sciences. Their work is produced in a variety of forms including book and journal publications, films and documentaries, script writing and journalism. As an association ISAA has no political affiliations but seeks to encourage all who, independently of institutions, offer well-founded studies of society, in the humanities and the sciences, or ideas of cultural significance.
ISAA is an affiliate of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars (USA):
https://www.ncis.org/national-coalition-independent-scholars-ncis
Purpose of ISAA
The purpose of ISAA is to encourage and support individuals who undertake independent scholarly work outside the nation's formal institutes of education and research; to promote such scholarship; and to stimulate public debate in Australia. It does so by:
- bringing such individuals together to share interests and expertise
- sponsoring conferences and lectures for both members and the public
- offering informed opinion on matters of public interest and concern
- creating a collective voice on issues affecting the practice of scholarship
- representing the interests of independent scholars in the public arena
- supporting knowledgeable dissent and independent opinion
As an organisation ISAA takes no position on matters of party politics. ISAA supports the right of its members to take an individual stand on matters of public concern but their statements should not be presented as reflecting the view of the Association or other members.
Views expressed in the ISAA Review, Conference Proceedings, articles and newsletters are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the members of the editorial board or those of the members of ISAA.
Affirmation of Importance of Research
The Council of the ISAA affirms the fundamental importance of research for the Australian society, and globally. The Australian Government needs to support and fund basic and applied research in all disciplines.
- Council advocates the appointment of high-profile Science and Arts Ministers in any Federal government.
- Council advocates expanding resources for CSIRO and other research organisations.
- Council considers that tertiary education provides a private and a public good and that in the interests of equitable participation in tertiary education the level of fees should not be deterrent to those from lower socio-economic background.
- Council advocates affordable fees for PhD students, the potential future researchers.
- Council is concerned that administrative requirements for research applications not impact on the quality, quantity and efficiency of research, including for ISAA members.
- Council considers that priorities for increasingly scarce funding should not favour short-term research at the expense of long-term basic research, the outcomes of which often cannot be speedily determined.