The Australian National University
Humanities Research Centre
The
HRC Biography Institute
The HRC Biography Institute has been established in order to encourage and promote biographical work of various kinds -- including autobiography, memoir, life-writing -- and in various media.
The principal aims of the Institute are:
1. To host an annual Seymour Lecture on Biography, with associated activities, including seminars and workshops. The lecture, which has been generously endowed by Dr John Seymour and Dr Heather Munro AO, will be delivered first in Canberra, and then in two other Australian cities. It will normally be published by Pandanus Books, ANU. The Seymour Lecturer may be of any nationality and resident anywhere in the world. The Seymour Lecture may be on any aspect of Biography. The first lecture will be delivered late in 2005.
2. To maintain a regular program of Visiting Fellowships, seminars, and conferences, relating to the theme Remembering Lives: Biography, Memory, and Commemoration. This is the HRC’s annual theme for 2006, and will thereafter be a continuing HRC Research Platform.
3. To develop a Master’s program in relation to this theme, run through the HRC, and to enrol Doctoral candidates working on biographical topics.
4. To encourage biographical projects which employ both traditional and new technologies (print, film, video, web-based, etc.).
5. To work collaboratively with other academic units within the ANU, with national cultural institutions within the ACT, and with other institutions and universities both in Australia and overseas.
6. To establish an annual or biennial prize for biography.
7. To seek funding to the ARC and appropriate foundations for specific programs of teaching and research.
Governance
The HRC Biography Institute is run by a Board chaired by the Director of the HRC and including up to six other members.
Dr Seymour and Dr Munro AO are invited to assist the Board when it selects an annual Seymour Lecturer, and discusses arrangements for the Seymour Lecture.
