About Social Sciences Week
About
Social Sciences Week is a national program of events that brings social science research to public audiences across Australia. Each year, teachers, researchers, universities, schools and community organisations host events that explore the social issues shaping our lives — from policy, wellbeing and education to culture, technology and the environment.
Held annually in September, the program features a wide range of public‑facing events, including lectures, panel discussions, workshops, school activities, exhibitions, film screenings and other creative formats. These events aim to make social science accessible, engaging and relevant, while highlighting its role in addressing complex challenges facing communities today.
Social Sciences Week is coordinated by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and delivered through the collective efforts of organisations and individuals around the country.
History
Social Sciences Week was founded in 2017 by Professor Dan Woodman as a way to bring social science research into public conversation. What began as a small initiative to connect social scientists with broader audiences gained momentum, reflecting strong appetite for spaces where research, policy, and everyday experience could intersect.
Universities, professional associations, schools, cultural institutions and community organisations began hosting events, each contributing their own perspectives, audiences and formats. This distributed, participatory model became a defining feature of Social Sciences Week, ensuring the program reflected the diversity of social science disciplines and the communities they engage.
Social Sciences Week developed into a nationally recognised program held each September, coordinated by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Recent years have seen continued growth, supported by initiatives such as Spark Grants, online and hybrid events, and new partnerships that have helped broaden participation and experimentation. Today, the program is shaped by the collective efforts of organisers across Australia who continue to evolve Social Sciences Week in response to changing social questions and public interest.
We expect Social Sciences Week to grow again in 2026. Be part of it. Keep the dates available: 12-20 September 2026—and sign up here to stay in touch about developments for #SSW2026.