Terms of reference

The aim of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) is to connect members of AHES who have a similar research interest, allowing exchange of knowledge, facilitating cooperation on grants, joint conference submissions, submissions to parliamentary inquiries, and meetups (for example an organised meeting at AHES), thereby building research capacity and policy impact. All activities should relate to a common interest, for example a specific research area, method or teaching initiatives.

Submitting proposals to establish a Special Interest Group

AHES welcomes proposals to establish SIGs that can be submitted at any point. All proposal will be reviewed by the AHES Executive Committee at regular intervals.

Proposal form

Proposals to establish new SIGs should include the following information:

  • Proposed name of the SIG
  • Description of the health economic policy area, clinical interest, and/or methodology
  • Aim and objectives of the SIG
  • Expected activity plan (max 2000 characters) for the ensuing 12 months
  • Brief bio (max 2000 characters each) for at least 2 initial convenors
  • List of members and their AHES membership status willing to contribute to SIG activities.

Please use this template and submit your proposal to news@ahes.org.au.

Benefits of SIGs

All SIGs approved by the AHES Executive Committee will be offered:

  • Support in communicating activities by the SIG via the AHES mailing list and social
    media channels
  • Advertisement and promotion on the AHES website
  • Opportunity for organized sessions at AHES annual conference
  • Admin support to confirm membership status

Membership

The convenors and at least five other members of the SIG must be current AHES members.

Convenors

There should be a minimum of two co-convenors for each SIG and we recommend maintaining a gender balance plus a combination of senior and Early and Mid-Career (EMCR) AHES members, where possible. We recommend each SIG to consider additional convenors to assist in: communications, membership, EMCR support, and conference activity. Convenors should rotate every two years and be voted by a simple majority of SIG members who are also current AHES members. Convenors may self- nominate if there are no other candidates.

Annual report

SIGs should provide an annual report, using this template, one month prior
to the annual AHES conference detailing:

  1. Number of members and convenors (AHES and non-AHES members),
  2. Number and type of activities over the prior 12 months,
  3. Number of SIG meetings over the prior 12 months, and
  4. Activities planned for the ensuing 12 months.

Please submit your annual report to news@ahes.org.au.

External communications

All external communications concerning the AHES SIG should be pre-approved by the AHES Executive. Please direct any inquiries to news@ahes.org.au.