The ABC is searching for Australia’s next generation of inspiring research communicators across Science, the Humanities, and the Arts – to share their ideas, findings and insights with its audience.
In 2024, five successful applicants from each of the three fields will receive intensive two-week media training and practical experience in residence at the ABC, as part of the TOP 5 initiative, working alongside the organisation’s journalists and broadcasters.
Cath Dwyer, Manager ABC Radio National, says engaging with the media can be a daunting for early career academics, but their input to the ABC is also crucial: “The TOP 5 is a terrific program, not only because the researchers learn how to effectively communicate their specialist knowledge to broad audiences, but also because we here at the ABC also greatly benefit by working with these extraordinary individuals and being exposed to their ideas and ways of thinking”.
Applications open 9am (AEST) Monday 25 March 2024 and close 11.59pm (AEST) Sunday 7 May 2024.
The ABC TOP 5 media residencies are open to:
- Humanities: PhD-qualified early career researchers in humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS)
- Science: PhD-qualified early career researchers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medical research (STEMM)
- Arts: Early-career Arts researchers – with or studying for – a PhD in visual arts, architecture, design, performance, screen, literature, or music.
The ABC is has partnered with Creative Australia, University of Melbourne, Australian National University and University of Sydney to make the initiative possible.
The initiative was launched by ABC Chair Kim Williams, who said: “The ABC is in a unique position providing independent information and ideas to the Australian community. The close ties that the TOP 5 has developed with the universities and Creative Australia, means we have direct input to these new ideas that will shape Australia’s future.”