AUSTRALIA  AND AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

• We support and foster an international community of screen studies scholars, students and industry participants, with a particular focus on Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand

• Foster institutional recognition of the field and to bolster the scholarly community ties

• Facilitate a forum to discuss issues that academics are facing in their teaching and research in the discipline

• Support collaborative and cross-disciplinary activity across Film, Visual Culture and Theory disciplines

• We argue for the importance of a Screen Studies discipline at a national level

• We advocate for the value of particular research methodologies

• Champion the development and sustainability of research archives

• Advocate for the recognition (and funding) of academic screen studies journals

• Advocate for appropriate acknowledgment of screen studies journals in Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ranking exercises

• Facilitate a biannual conference on Screen Studies to showcase current research in the field.

In 2010, Screen Studies Association of Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand (SSAAANZ) sprang up in response to the (then) current position of screen studies programs and film and television studies research and scholarship in Australian and New Zealand universities.

A response to academic pressures

We formed in the face of academic pressures emerging from:

• Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ranking of journals.

• The mandate by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to develop national discipline specific learning outcomes within Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA).

• The rationalisation of teaching divisions and organisational units in universities.

In addition, the re-emergence of Communications and a push towards strengthening research in universities have each impacted on screen studies programs and research in ways that are not always advantageous for the future of scholarly work in the field.

We identified the need for an international conference

The lack of a professional association meant that screen studies scholars in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand did not have an annual discipline-based conference. This limited the possibilities of screen studies scholars sharing (and promoting) their research. It reduced opportunities to establish research networks. It also meant our screen studies community lacked a discipline-based forum to discuss issues in and resource implications for curriculum and program design.

Ability to provide national and international advocacy and promotion for Screen Studies

As a professional organisation, SSAAANZ argues for the importance of the discipline at a national level. We also play a role in arguing for the value of particular research methodologies, the development and upkeep of research archives, and the recognition (and funding) of journals.

This professional association supports its members by advocating for the importance of the Screen Studies discipline at a national and international level. As well as fostering a culture of tertiary teaching and research, we promote academic debate and industry engagement and champion a collaborative Screen Studies community.

Our members include:

Academics researching in the Screen Studies field.

Teachers teaching into a Screen Studies discipline.

Postgraduate and Research students studying in an academic Screen Studies field.

Local and international media specialising in Screen Studies.

Active freelancers and employees of the Screen Studies industry.

General public interested in Screen Studies in Australia and New Zealand.

• Connect with Screen Studies colleagues nationally and internationally

• Participate in Screen Studies Association conferences

• Access the SSAAANZ Online Member’s space (NEW for 2026!)

• Receive SSAAANZ newsletters with announcements, opportunities, and notable highlights from within the Screen studies community

• Learn about SSAAANZ events, including the Postgraduate Writing Group and Hub activities, or apply to host your own local SSAAANZ Hub event

• Participate in SSAAANZ mentoring program, as a mentor or mentee

• Participate in Scholarly Interest Groups

• Promote professional activities, including book launches, major research projects, creative outputs, and research in progress

• Access and disseminate information about professional opportunities, including academic positions, internships, and scholarships

• Representation to government, funding and research councils to have a voice on key issues in our sector

• Connect industry and media to researchers and commentators

• Attendance at the AGM, including voting rights and the possibility of election to the Executive Committee.

The Screen Studies Association of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand aims to strengthen Screen Studies scholarship and its institutional recognition and support in Australia and New Zealand.

We foster discussion through our biennial conference. These and other SSAAANZ-hosted events promote collaboration and highlight current research in the field. We aim to support the growth of physical and online Screen Studies networks.

We offer advocacy on behalf of screen studies academics. Our campaigns include:

The Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia rankings (ERA).

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

Raising the profile of Screen Studies teaching in the Australian Government Office for Teaching and Learning fellowships, awards, and initiatives.

Other Federal Government issues to do with research and teaching.

Want to advocate and contribute to these and other issues within Screen Studies? Join SSAAANZ now or contact us for more information.

We highlight the academic achievements and awards of our members and we invite participation in our conferences. SSAAANZ will also offer annual sponsorship of a research paper to promote discussion about the state of the field of screen studies. Members can apply for funding to subsidise the preparation of a research article that critically reflects on recent developments and new directions in Screen Studies.

The biennial conference for SSAAANZ members aims to publicise new research in the field, promote the development of research networks and extended academic communities, and provide a forum for established and emerging Screen Studies researchers to present their work and receive expert feedback from peers and colleagues.

Please contact us to express interest in hosting the conference and to suggest conference themes.