The Robert Menzies Institute is establishing the Menzies Early Career Network to create opportunities for young Australians to engage with the history of the Menzies era and to connect with like-minded peers and established figures interested in Australian political history.

Twelve current students and recent graduates will be invited to participate in a twelve-month pilot program.

Each participant will have the opportunity to present a short paper on current research to an online seminar for discussion with other emerging and established scholars, including Robert Menzies Institute CEO Georgina Downer and research manager Dr Zachary Gorman.

Participants will be mentored by Robert Menzies Institute Fellow, Dr Damien Freeman, who will workshop papers with participants and edit their final work for publication in a collection to be published by the Jeparit Press.

The book will be launched at Parliament House, Canberra in 2025 and all participants will be invited to attend with their guests.

Additional benefits for participants include complimentary registration for the Robert Menzies Institute annual conference and other networking opportunities.

To participate, prospective participants should demonstrate a high level of academic achievement as well as a personal interest in some aspect of Australian political history during the time that Menzies served in the federal parliament (1934-1966, non consecutively).

Participants may have formal training in Australian political history, but this is not a requirement for participation. What is required is enthusiasm for understanding the legacy of Sir Robert Menzies and his political era.

Participants will be encouraged to identify some topic that connects with their particular interests and will be supported in developing a deeper understanding of the relevance of historical analysis for contemporary understandings of those issues.

If you would like to nominate an emerging scholar to be considered for the Menzies Early Career Network, please contact Damien Freeman at damien.freeman@acu.edu.au.