Cirrus@Austlit

'The events of the last three months of 2018 regarding the vetoing of Australian Research Council (ARC) grants by the former Minister of Education, Simon Birmingham, has dominated academic news. The response from the Australian research sector to Birmingham’s actions have been unanimous, uncompromising and strident. Professional associations, Vice-Chancellors, all four Learned academies, leading scholars and researchers across the academic spectrum have joined in the outcry. The vetoes were revealed only when the CEO of the ARC, Professor Sue Thomas, was questioned by the Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr in Senate estimates. They pointed to a serious undermining of the world-renowned peer-assessment process of the ARC. In total, 11 ARC grants – all from the Humanities – which were recommended for funding were vetoed by the Minister without explanation, let alone any reasons advanced on scholarly grounds. While the Minister acted within his right to do so, it signals a dangerous action which challenges the independent means of determining the allocation of grants.'   (Editorial introduction)