When informed consent goes poorly: A descriptive study of health care complaints and medical negligence claims. To correct process failures effectively, one must understand them. This project will improve knowledge of problems and disputes that arise when patients are 'consented' for medical treatment -- an enterprise in which thousands of Australians, many at very vulnerable stages of their lives, are engaged daily. Study findings will advance understanding of breakdowns in the informed conse ....When informed consent goes poorly: A descriptive study of health care complaints and medical negligence claims. To correct process failures effectively, one must understand them. This project will improve knowledge of problems and disputes that arise when patients are 'consented' for medical treatment -- an enterprise in which thousands of Australians, many at very vulnerable stages of their lives, are engaged daily. Study findings will advance understanding of breakdowns in the informed consent process and help shape strategies for reducing them. Our partner organisations are extraordinarily well-placed to carry insights from this work to health professionals in the field, enhancing opportunities for real benefits to patients from the research. The project fits with the national research priority of promoting and maintaining good health.Read moreRead less
Living Down the Past: Criminal Record Checks and Access to Employment for Ex-offenders. This project will introduce increased certainty as to the rights and obligations of Australian employers and employees in the use of criminal records checks. It will have significant economic and social benefits for Australia, by helping to reduce the inappropriate exclusion of ex-offenders from employment; improving the rehabilitation of ex-offenders through facilitating their employment opportunities and lo ....Living Down the Past: Criminal Record Checks and Access to Employment for Ex-offenders. This project will introduce increased certainty as to the rights and obligations of Australian employers and employees in the use of criminal records checks. It will have significant economic and social benefits for Australia, by helping to reduce the inappropriate exclusion of ex-offenders from employment; improving the rehabilitation of ex-offenders through facilitating their employment opportunities and lowering rates of recidivism. Other outcomes will be to maximise Australia's labour supply and support efforts to prioritise social inclusion on the national agenda. The project will assist Australia to meet its international obligations and address human rights principles in relation to employment.Read moreRead less
Cultural Collections, Creators and Copyright: Museums, Galleries, Libraries and Archives and Australia's Digital Heritage. This project investigates current and emerging ways of using digital collections in museums, galleries, libraries and archives, in light of copyright law and the interests of creators. It serves the strong public interest in facilitating digital access to collections while efficiently managing copyright. Exploiting the potential of digital media and maximising Australia's cr ....Cultural Collections, Creators and Copyright: Museums, Galleries, Libraries and Archives and Australia's Digital Heritage. This project investigates current and emerging ways of using digital collections in museums, galleries, libraries and archives, in light of copyright law and the interests of creators. It serves the strong public interest in facilitating digital access to collections while efficiently managing copyright. Exploiting the potential of digital media and maximising Australia's creative capability both depend on providing adequate incentives for content production while granting access to creative material as a resource for new production. The project will assist Australia better manage its digital cultural collections and balance the interests of creators, institutions and public accessibility.Read moreRead less
Mental Health Tribunals: Balancing fairness, freedom, protection and right to treatment? In determining treatment options for mentally ill people, mental health tribunals must balance the person's right to treatment with rights to safety, justice and freedom from coercion. Much studied overseas, Australia lacks information about the 'fairness' of hearings. Applying popular 'therapeutic jurisprudence' literature, this project studies the impacts of hearings in 3 diverse Australian jurisdiction ....Mental Health Tribunals: Balancing fairness, freedom, protection and right to treatment? In determining treatment options for mentally ill people, mental health tribunals must balance the person's right to treatment with rights to safety, justice and freedom from coercion. Much studied overseas, Australia lacks information about the 'fairness' of hearings. Applying popular 'therapeutic jurisprudence' literature, this project studies the impacts of hearings in 3 diverse Australian jurisdictions (NSW, Vic & ACT). It uses field observations, interviews and file reviews to isolate best practice reforms. Broader than overseas work, it assesses the actual and perceived fairness of hearings, and the therapeutic outcomes for patients. As in Britain, the project will inform legislative reform and tribunal practices.Read moreRead less
Ethics and Regulation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry. The broad aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current integrity system of the ICT industry, that is, the ethical standards and goals, accountability and disciplinary mechanisms and preventative and promotional processes, eg. ethics training, reduced opportunity for inappropriate behaviour, and to define a new integrity system including standards of professional competency and ethi ....Ethics and Regulation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry. The broad aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current integrity system of the ICT industry, that is, the ethical standards and goals, accountability and disciplinary mechanisms and preventative and promotional processes, eg. ethics training, reduced opportunity for inappropriate behaviour, and to define a new integrity system including standards of professional competency and ethical conduct, and a regulatory model applicable to the whole industry. As ICT becomes ever more ubiquitous, it is vital that a comprehensive and integrated system is developed that recognises the requirements of the ICT industry, the profession and business organisations.Read moreRead less
Ethics, Regulation and the Professionalisation of Occupations. This project, which involves collaboration between the Professional Standards Council and the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, aims to understand how best to promote high ethical standards in a range of 'professionalising' occupations. Among the key concerns of the project are the relation between self-regulation and other forms of regulation, including 'meta-regulation'; and the ethical issues facing professionals op ....Ethics, Regulation and the Professionalisation of Occupations. This project, which involves collaboration between the Professional Standards Council and the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, aims to understand how best to promote high ethical standards in a range of 'professionalising' occupations. Among the key concerns of the project are the relation between self-regulation and other forms of regulation, including 'meta-regulation'; and the ethical issues facing professionals operating in large organisations. This project involves innovative work in 'applied philosophy', extending current understanding of professional ethics, particularly in the Australian setting, with important economic and social benefits to consumers and the broader society.Read moreRead less