The Screen Studies Association of Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand is the professional association for screen studies scholars in Australia and New Zealand.

The association advocates for the importance of the Screen Studies discipline at a national and international level. SSAAANZ strives to foster a vibrant culture of tertiary teaching and research, promote academic debate and industry engagement and champions a collaborative Screen Studies community.

SSAAANZ emerged from a push for a professional screen studies association by scholars attending the B for Bad Cinema conference held at Monash University in 2009. The association was launched by Professor Tom O’Regan on the 30 November 2010, at the XVth Biennial Conference of the Film and History Association of Australian and New Zealand (FHAAANZ) at the University of New South Wales.

Deane Williams is the association’s founding President, and Jane Stadler, the founding Treasurer.

The President of the Association is responsible for formulating a strategic plan, providing leadership, and delegating responsibilities to members. The President represents the organisation in civic and professional association responsibilities and activities in the local community, the state, and at the national level. The President, or in the President’s absence, the Vice-President of the association convenes meetings of the Association, presides as Chairperson at each general meeting of the Association, co-signs to authorise financial transactions, and gives due consideration to issues pertinent to the governance of the Association and to representations made to the committee.

The Vice Presidents of the Association work with other senior executives to plan, develop and implement policies and objectives for the Association to ensure it maintains its values and meets established goals. The Vice Presidents are responsible for creating public awareness initiatives and events such as conferences to ensure the Association is visible to and engages with the community. The Vice Presidents also oversee the budget for the organisation and present a report to the committee on a yearly basis to review the Association.

The Secretary of the Association keeps minutes of the resolutions and proceedings of each general meeting, and each committee meeting, together with a record of the names of persons present at committee meetings and any representations made to the committee. The Secretary must keep in his or her custody or control all books, documents and securities of the Association. The Secretary is also responsible for managing applications for membership, managing resignations, keeping and maintaining a register of members containing the name and address of each member and the date on which each member’s name was entered in the register.

The Treasurer of the Association collects and receives all moneys due to the Association and make all payments authorised by the Association; keeps correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs of the Association with full details of all receipts and expenditure connected with the activities of the Association; and manages membership fees, annual subscriptions, donations and such other sources as the committee determines.

Contact the SSAAANZ executive.

• Chris Berry ( Goldsmiths, University of London; BAFTTS)
• Russell Campbell (Victoria University, Wellington)
• Felicity Collins (La Trobe University)
• Barbara Creed (University of Melbourne)
• Rajinder Dudrah (Birmingham City University)
• Ross Gibson (University of Sydney)
• Annie Goldson (University of Auckland)
• Tina Kaufman (a Sydney-based writer on film and media issues)
• Sylvia Lawson (writer of essays, critical journalism, and fiction about film, media and cultural politics)
• Richard Maltby (Flinders University)
• Toby Miller (City University, London)
• Meaghan Morris (Lingnan University, University of Sydney)
• Tom O’Regan (University of Queensland)
• Patrice Petro (University of Madison, Milwaukee; SCMS)
• William (Bill) D. Routt ( author of works on film and popular art, formerly of La Trobe University)
• Lesley Stern (University of California, San Diego)
• Graeme Turner (University of Queensland)

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.

Find out more about our membership benefits and join online now.

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. 

Find out about our membership benefits and join online now..