Writing the new history of British Imperialism its European, African and Australian context. I plan to complete several related projects already under way which are linked to the project title. The Oxford History of Missions in the British Empire will recast the way we think about the historical impact of Christian Missions. The Mapping Project compares the role played by surveyors and maps in the colononization of Australia and South Africa. Imperium of the Soul explores connections between d ....Writing the new history of British Imperialism its European, African and Australian context. I plan to complete several related projects already under way which are linked to the project title. The Oxford History of Missions in the British Empire will recast the way we think about the historical impact of Christian Missions. The Mapping Project compares the role played by surveyors and maps in the colononization of Australia and South Africa. Imperium of the Soul explores connections between deep currents of European intellectual life and the productions of key artists associated with British imperialism.
I will be revising my book on Theories of Imperialism and researching new work on war and conquest.
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Liberty, Anti-transportation and the Empire of Morality. The campaign to end convict transportation to Australia was a key step to the establishment of a liberal democracy founded on the highest moral principles. This project will safeguard Australia's national interest by creating new knowledge about the religious and political sources for the ideals of political and personal freedom that are foundational to the Australian national identity.
Religion at the End of the World: Anglican Communities in Western Australia 1829-c.2000. As the project will study Anglicanism as an internal variety of forms it will benefit minority groups in understanding their 'agency' in shaping religious traditions. The project will also contribute to breaking down stereotypical generalities about religions and religious groups in Australia that result from approaching any religion as a monochrome and uniform phenomenon. The identification of the various f ....Religion at the End of the World: Anglican Communities in Western Australia 1829-c.2000. As the project will study Anglicanism as an internal variety of forms it will benefit minority groups in understanding their 'agency' in shaping religious traditions. The project will also contribute to breaking down stereotypical generalities about religions and religious groups in Australia that result from approaching any religion as a monochrome and uniform phenomenon. The identification of the various forms of Anglicanism in Western Australia and their own particular religious cultures will be of benefit in substantiating the part played by indigenous, rural, and regional communities in the history of Western Australian society through the agency of Anglicanism.Read moreRead less
Understanding identity, social change and emerging needs: Melbourne's Jewish community and Australian society. Understanding current developments within ethnic and religious groups is of vital national importance. The detailed profile of Australian ethno-religious groups to be produced will be of relevance to a range of planning issues, including: strategies to maximize the life potential of young Australians, preventative health care, appraisal of future needs of an ageing population and of the ....Understanding identity, social change and emerging needs: Melbourne's Jewish community and Australian society. Understanding current developments within ethnic and religious groups is of vital national importance. The detailed profile of Australian ethno-religious groups to be produced will be of relevance to a range of planning issues, including: strategies to maximize the life potential of young Australians, preventative health care, appraisal of future needs of an ageing population and of the capacity of voluntary agencies to maintain their existing levels of social welfare provision. Integral to the project is ongoing consultation with communal leaders, social workers and policy makers. It will provide for informed public discussion and promote a climate of consultation and dialogue. Read moreRead less
Religion, welfare and problem populations in Australia, 1788-2006. Given that faith-based welfare providers have become more important in the welfare sector in recent years, it is important that their origins, similarities and differences are fully understood, especially as religious practice is easily stereotyped in the media. This project's historical focus will give policy makers and field workers a sense of perspective in dealing with contemporary problems. In revealing the varying effectiv ....Religion, welfare and problem populations in Australia, 1788-2006. Given that faith-based welfare providers have become more important in the welfare sector in recent years, it is important that their origins, similarities and differences are fully understood, especially as religious practice is easily stereotyped in the media. This project's historical focus will give policy makers and field workers a sense of perspective in dealing with contemporary problems. In revealing the varying effectiveness of religious groups to assist participation in the past, it will assist people to make informed and positive choices and thus strengthen the contemporary social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
A study of the rise of Islam and community survival in Indigenous Australia. The recovery of the history of Islam in Indigenous Australia makes available new information about the sources of national identity. It provides compelling arguments to dismantle community stereotypes that have prevented the recognition of an exemplary hybrid community tradition as integral to our collective sense of self. Linked to the contemporary phenomenon of Indigenous Islamicisation, this study makes possible a ne ....A study of the rise of Islam and community survival in Indigenous Australia. The recovery of the history of Islam in Indigenous Australia makes available new information about the sources of national identity. It provides compelling arguments to dismantle community stereotypes that have prevented the recognition of an exemplary hybrid community tradition as integral to our collective sense of self. Linked to the contemporary phenomenon of Indigenous Islamicisation, this study makes possible a new and timely dialogue between Australian Muslims, Indigenous communities and Australian society generally. Identifying new sources and resources of community-making at a local, national and international level, this study significantly enriches Australia's capacity to negotiate its place in the world. Read moreRead less
History of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, 1930-2003. This project will research and write the history of the Melbourne based Anglican welfare organisation, the Brotherhood of St Laurence since its foundation. It will be a multi-focussed history, which will reassess the Brotherhood's origins in the social divisions of the depression, examine its culture, including the interaction between its religious and secular missions, investigate its record of innovative social policy and service delivery, ....History of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, 1930-2003. This project will research and write the history of the Melbourne based Anglican welfare organisation, the Brotherhood of St Laurence since its foundation. It will be a multi-focussed history, which will reassess the Brotherhood's origins in the social divisions of the depression, examine its culture, including the interaction between its religious and secular missions, investigate its record of innovative social policy and service delivery, and interrogate its changing relationship with the local communities where it has a physical presence. The research will include interviews with present and former staff. The age of some of these makes this aspect of the research urgent.Read moreRead less
Faith, gender and cultural exchange: Australian missions in comparative perspective, 1800-1930. The project will permit a fresh understanding of Australia's core tradition of British Christianity, an important cultural heritage which influences current views of national identity and which is of increasing significance in the face of the insecurities of globalisation. Through illuminating understandings of social, cultural and religious issues, in particular in relation to gendered aspects of r ....Faith, gender and cultural exchange: Australian missions in comparative perspective, 1800-1930. The project will permit a fresh understanding of Australia's core tradition of British Christianity, an important cultural heritage which influences current views of national identity and which is of increasing significance in the face of the insecurities of globalisation. Through illuminating understandings of social, cultural and religious issues, in particular in relation to gendered aspects of religious faithwithin cross-cultural encounters , it will contribute to greater understanding of societies and cultures across the Asia-Pacific region. It will foster international scholarly interchange, dissemination of its findings giving increased profile for Australia within the fields of colonial studies, gender and mission history.Read moreRead less
Recovering the Experience of the Indigenous Evangelist in the Expansion of Christianity during the late Colonial Era. The relationship between religion and society is an issue of outstanding contemporary interest to Australians. The project will provide important comparative illustrations for the national current debate on the role of religion in society. Tolerance of social difference is at the heart of the historical spread of religions and their success in converting people from different cul ....Recovering the Experience of the Indigenous Evangelist in the Expansion of Christianity during the late Colonial Era. The relationship between religion and society is an issue of outstanding contemporary interest to Australians. The project will provide important comparative illustrations for the national current debate on the role of religion in society. Tolerance of social difference is at the heart of the historical spread of religions and their success in converting people from different cultures to share basic beliefs whilst continuing to embrace and celebrate cultural difference.
Australia's already strong international research profile in the field of mission and postcolonial studies will be further enhanced by the resulting publications with leading journals and international publishing houses.
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Academies under Stress: the Reinvention and Survival of Platonist Schools, 360BC-AD565. This project promises new insights into the versatility that is required for an intellectual movement to fend off social, political, religious, and intellectual pressures, preserving whatever is thought central to its mission, and responding positively to the needs and demands of successive eras. Though grounded in antiquity, and involving a Greek movement's response to successive Macedonian, Roman, and Chris ....Academies under Stress: the Reinvention and Survival of Platonist Schools, 360BC-AD565. This project promises new insights into the versatility that is required for an intellectual movement to fend off social, political, religious, and intellectual pressures, preserving whatever is thought central to its mission, and responding positively to the needs and demands of successive eras. Though grounded in antiquity, and involving a Greek movement's response to successive Macedonian, Roman, and Christian pressures, or to other pressures of a social, political, scientific, and religious nature, modern analogies will be instructive. In particular it should offer lessons both for higher educational bodies and for minority intellectual or religious movements responding to mono-cultural pressures that regularly arise. Read moreRead less