The Carmichael Centre is a new initiative, housed within the Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute, to acknowledge the legacy of former union leader Laurie Carmichael. Laurie passed away on 18 August, 2018, after a lifetime of outstanding service and innovative leadership to the trade union and social justice movements in Australia. His legacy touches on numerous themes that remain relevant and pressing today, including:

• The importance of active industrial policy to develop Australia’s value-added industries.
• The importance of skills and vocational education to a strong economy and labour market.
• The importance of strong union education programs to the development of an effective and vibrant cadre of union leaders and activists.
• The importance of shorter working hours and superannuation to the quality of life of working people.
• The importance of actively integrating economic, labour market and social policies, in a multi-dimensional plan for achieving full economic and social equality.
• The importance of peace and resistance to war.

The Carmichael Centre is established to:

• Increase public awareness of Laurie Carmichael’s life, achievements, and ideas.
• Undertake and publish new research into themes relevant to Laurie’s legacy (including trade unionism, vocational education, and labour and social policy).
• Contribute to modern efforts to educate trade unionists in political-economy and related subjects.
• Celebrate the achievements of the union movement and inspire emerging leaders.

To that end, the Carmichael Centre is pleased to announce the creation of a planned 3-year position, the Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow, beginning in early 2021. This position will be awarded to a mid-career or senior researcher in labour and industrial relations, political-economy, or a related field.

The Fellow will undertake and publish new research, and undertake other educational and commentary activities, consistent with the themes and progressive vision expressed by Laurie Carmichael, and the goals of the Centre.

The Fellow will be employed by the Australia Institute, and would work from an office of the Centre for Future Work / Australia Institute (either in Canberra or Sydney).

Compensation for the position will be consistent with experience of the successful candidate (and will include superannuation contributions and related employment expenses).

Prospective candidates for the Fellow must demonstrate the following attributes:

• Proven record of high-quality research and publication in fields relevant to the Carmichael Centre’s goals.
• Demonstrated history of commitment to and engagement in the trade union movement.
• Capacity and willingness to engage in the range of activities (including research, education, public commentary, and public events) that will be required of the role.