peter blondell - queensland smithsonian fellowship
DESCRIPTION
Peter Blondell, Principal Project Manager, presents an overview of the Smithsonian Fellowship Program.TRANSCRIPT
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: [email protected]
PO Box 15168City East Brisbane Q 4002
IN CLOSING
Thank You For Your Attention