Informit

03/09/2026

Come see what the team really looks like at National Education Summit Melbourne! Stall C18

Chat to us about Informit Explore and how we can combat misinformation and Kickstart critical thinking in secondary schools!

24/08/2026

We are excited to share the finalised program for Kummargii Yulendji Symposium 2026.

Find all program here: https://hubs.ly/Q04tY4J40

Featuring leading First Nations speakers on themes including:

- Indigenisation processes transforming academic and public libraries and the broader GLAM sector
- Reading (and re-writing) Country as archive
- First Nations languages, AI and Indigenous Knowledge sovereignty

Register here to attend: https://hubs.ly/Q04tXRMw0

21/08/2026

Space exploration doesn’t end when rockets leave Earth; sometimes, the story continues when pieces of them come crashing back down. For National Science Week, we’re spotlighting two fascinating reads on space junk, available in full on Informit.

Alice Gorman’s article, “How does a flaming piece of space junk end up on Earth? A space archaeologist explains,” unpacks how debris survives re‑entry, why it lands where it does, and what these fiery fragments can tell us about the history of human space activity. It’s a rare look at the intersection of archaeology, engineering and orbital dynamics.

Gregory Radisic’s piece, “An abandoned SpaceX rocket is about to crash into the Moon. The real problem comes next,” zooms out to the bigger issue: the growing volume of human‑made debris in space. He explores what happens when derelict rockets drift into unstable orbits, how they threaten future missions, and why long‑term solutions are becoming urgent.

Together, these articles reveal the hidden life of space junk; from dramatic landfalls on Earth to silent collisions in deep space and why scientists are calling for smarter, safer orbital management.

Read both articles on Informit and dive deeper into the science behind space debris. Start with Informit or explore more space science content.

Gorman, A. (2025). How does a flaming piece of space junk end up on Earth? A space archaeologist explains. The Conversation. Informit.T2025102100000890076524764. https://hubs.la/Q04tPs7K0

Radisic, G. (2026). An abandoned SpaceX rocket is about to crash into the Moon. The real problem comes next. The Conversation. Informit.T2026072700000490006157387. https://hubs.la/Q04tPy320

13/08/2026

Book Week is here, and Explore Media is celebrating the stories that shape readers of all ages. Dive into a rich mix of Australian literature that captures the heart of our national storytelling, alongside beloved children’s classics that continue to spark imagination across generations. For teens, Explore Media’s young adult features explore identity, resilience and creativity; perfect for engaging readers who are discovering their own voices.

Educators will also find curriculum favourites brought to life through interviews, analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insights that deepen classroom learning. And for those who love understanding the minds behind the words, Explore Media’s collection of author biopics offers an inspiring look at the creative journeys of some of Australia’s most influential writers.

Whether you’re building displays, planning activities or simply celebrating the joy of reading, Explore Media has something for every corner of Book Week.

Discover more on Explore Media or ask our support team to start a free Explore Media trial for your school.

10/08/2026

From stadium tours to scholarly journals; Taylor Swift is shaping conversations far beyond pop culture. An article titled 'Taylor Swift is filling a ‘blank space’ in academic research' by Hannah McCann, Emma Whatman, Eloise Faichney and Rebecca Trelease for The Pursuit explores how Swift’s work is opening up a “blank space” in academic research, inspiring fresh thinking across gender studies, fandom, media, identity and cultural analysis.

The authors unpack why Swift’s influence matters in universities right now, how her storytelling invites deeper critical engagement, and what it means when pop icons become sites of serious scholarship. It’s smart, timely and full of insights that go well beyond the headlines.

✨ If you’re curious about the intersection of pop culture and research, or you just love seeing how everyday cultural moments shape academic conversations, this one’s worth the read.

📚 Head to Informit to explore the full article and dive deeper into the research. Start with Informit or explore more Taylor Swift scholarship.

McCann, H., Whatman, E., Faichney, E., & Trelease, R. (2025). Taylor Swift is filling a “blank space” in academic research. Pursuit. Informit.T2025080400002490832558968. https://hubs.la/Q04slZ1f0

05/08/2026

The Informit team is lighting up the CAVAL SPARK Conference in Perth this week! Great conversations, curious minds and plenty of excitement about Australian research and content. If you’re here, come say hi and grab some goodies. We love a conference chat!

29/07/2026

Registrations to attend are now open for Kummargii Yulendji Symposium 2026.

Register here: https://hubs.la/Q04r5X2Z0

Since 2023, Kummargii Yulendji Symposium has grown as a forum for the critical movement that is transforming Australia’s knowledge ecosystem. Co-convened by Informit and CAVAL as part of Social Sciences Week, the symposium offers an important gathering for the communities that are working to re-frame and reckon with colonial systems and embed First Peoples' Knowledges within our institutions.

Building on the powerful insights of past symposiums, this year’s program promises engaging presentations and panel discussions by First Nations leaders and allies who are Indigenising the research, GLAM and publishing sectors.

The conveners are excited to announce this year’s keynote speakers:
- Professor Michael-Shawn Fletcher, Associate Dean of Science (Indigenous), University of Melbourne
- Dr Bianca Beetson AM, Executive Director, First Nations, Queensland Museum
- Peter-Lucas Jones, CEO, Te Hiku Media (Aotearoa)

We look forward to seeing you there.

This project is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.

24/07/2026

For World Drowning Prevention Day, we’re spotlighting two thought‑provoking pieces from The Conversation that challenge long‑held assumptions about water safety in Australia and highlight where change is urgently needed.

Beach safety signals matter. Australia’s red and yellow beach flags can be dangerously confusing. Is it time to change them? By Samuel Cornell and Masaki Shibata examines Australia’s iconic red and yellow flags and reveals how their meaning isn’t always clear to beachgoers. With rising cultural diversity and varied international flag systems, confusion can put people at risk. The authors ask a timely question: Is it time to rethink the way we communicate safety on our beaches?

Technology is stepping in. Drownings are surging in Australia. AI can help by Gabrielle Weidemann, John Cass, Tamara Watson explores how AI‑powered tools could support lifesavers and emergency services as drowning rates climb nationwide. From real‑time hazard detection to smarter surveillance, researchers show how innovation could help prevent tragedies before they happen.

Both articles are open access and available now on Informit; and is an essential read for anyone committed to safer coastlines, waterways, and communities.

References
1) Cornell, S., & Shibata, M. (2026). Australia’s red and yellow beach flags can be dangerously confusing. Is it time to change them? The Conversation. Informit.T2026010200001000045429766. https://hubs.la/Q04qD6jR0
2) O’Shea, M., Weidemann, G., Cass, J., & Watson, T. (2026). Drownings are surging in Australia. AI can help. The Conversation. Informit.T2026010500000901232268055. https://hubs.la/Q04qC_Bg0

23/07/2026

Informit is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 First Peoples’ Lens Cultural Fund, which is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects in research and innovation that prioritise digital sharing of knowledge.

Thank you to everyone who applied. Informit’s First Peoples’ Lens Steering Committee was impressed by the quality and quantity of applications received across a broad range of fields and endeavours.

Applicants’ Expressions of Interest requested a total of $147,566 and Informit had $30,000 to allocate. After a rigorous assessment process, the Committee has selected four projects to support.

Congratulations to the successful recipients:

- Brooke Wandin ($10,000) - The research and development of a Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Education Resource Kit;
- Lauren Castino, Western Sydney University Library ($10,000) - A First Nations Student Partner program to support the development and public launch of a new Truth Telling digital library guide and repository;
- Indigenous Archive Collective ($5,000) - Conversion of the Indigenous Knowledges Attribution Toolkit to an accessible open educational resource (OER);
- Natjul Indigenous Performing Arts & Kings Narrative & Dulwich Centre ($5,000) - An Open Access book highlighting the outstanding work of Aboriginal men who are developing effective, culturally affirming ways to address significant hardships in First Nations communities.

20/07/2026

Join us for our upcoming webinar introducing the new Science subject on Informit Explore; perfectly timed after

Join Science teacher and Research Fellow at ACER; Agnes Bersee as she will showcase how Explore’s science collection brings together research articles, Australian case studies, and locally relevant scientific perspectives that help students connect theory to real‑world contexts.

With a specific focus on chemistry and other emerging fields, Agnes will demonstrate how these evidence‑based resources support inquiry‑based learning, strengthen research skills, and enrich STEM engagement across year levels.

Date: Thursday 27 August
Time: 4:30 PM AEST
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams

Ideal for educators, librarians and anyone supporting science learning, this session will highlight practical ways to integrate Explore’s science collection; especially its research‑driven content and Australian case studies; into teaching, programming and resource workflows.

Register here: https://calendly.com/informit-rmit/experience-the-new-science-ollection-informit-explore-webinar

**This session was originally scheduled for 13 Aug and has been rescheduled.Join us for our upcoming webinar introducing the new Science subject on Informit Explore; perfectly timed ahead of National Science Week. Science teacher and Research Fellow at ACER; Agnes Bersee will showcase how Explore’...