The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Environments. This project is a study of the behaviour of western artists materials in tropical climates through the visual examination and scientific analysis of both simulated and aged paintings from four museums in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This will form new methodologies and guidelines for the preventive care, transportation, storage and conservation treatment of western artists materials in hot, humid climates. ....The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Environments. This project is a study of the behaviour of western artists materials in tropical climates through the visual examination and scientific analysis of both simulated and aged paintings from four museums in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This will form new methodologies and guidelines for the preventive care, transportation, storage and conservation treatment of western artists materials in hot, humid climates. The success of this project will have profound implications on the analytical techniques available for conservation research.Read moreRead less
The corruption-organised crime nexus in four European states, with particular reference to people smuggling. Considering its importance to Australia, too little research is being done here on Europe. The EU alone accounts for c.40% of Australia's trade. Yet most research on Europe undertaken here is either historical (pre-1945) and/or of individual countries. Relatively little is in the social sciences. One benefit of this project is that it ensures that comparative social science research o ....The corruption-organised crime nexus in four European states, with particular reference to people smuggling. Considering its importance to Australia, too little research is being done here on Europe. The EU alone accounts for c.40% of Australia's trade. Yet most research on Europe undertaken here is either historical (pre-1945) and/or of individual countries. Relatively little is in the social sciences. One benefit of this project is that it ensures that comparative social science research on Europe is conducted in Australia. Second, Australia experiences many problems facing European states, albeit usually on a smaller scale. The potential benefits of learning vicariously from others' experiences are obvious. Third, this will enhance this country's expertise in this strategically important area. Read moreRead less
City Shattered, City Born: The Great Kantô Earthquake and the Reconstruction of Tokyo, 1923-1930. This project explores the effects of, and responses to, one of the most catastrophic, yet least studied natural disasters of the 20th century. The project aims to analyse the extensive demographic, political, economic, and social impact of the 1923 Kantô Earthquake on Tokyo. It will also shed light on the politics which surrounded Tokyo's reconstruction, a reconstruction that influenced future exp ....City Shattered, City Born: The Great Kantô Earthquake and the Reconstruction of Tokyo, 1923-1930. This project explores the effects of, and responses to, one of the most catastrophic, yet least studied natural disasters of the 20th century. The project aims to analyse the extensive demographic, political, economic, and social impact of the 1923 Kantô Earthquake on Tokyo. It will also shed light on the politics which surrounded Tokyo's reconstruction, a reconstruction that influenced future expansion of Japan's capital throughout the 20th century. The findings, when published as a book and articles, will strengthen Japanese historiography, provide cross-cultural contextualisation and promote advances across various academic disciplines that investigate earthquakes, disaster relief, and urban reconstruction.Read moreRead less
The Spectre of Velvet Revolution: Dissidents, International Civil Society and post-Communist Authoritarianism. The study of 'Velvet Revolution,' both as a theory and as historical events, has immense implications for Australian policymakers. As an approach to regime change that does not entail foreign military intervention, 'Velvet Revolution' offers a path for democratic transition that minimises nationalist resentment and post-revolutionary violence. As a radical challenge to undemocratic regi ....The Spectre of Velvet Revolution: Dissidents, International Civil Society and post-Communist Authoritarianism. The study of 'Velvet Revolution,' both as a theory and as historical events, has immense implications for Australian policymakers. As an approach to regime change that does not entail foreign military intervention, 'Velvet Revolution' offers a path for democratic transition that minimises nationalist resentment and post-revolutionary violence. As a radical challenge to undemocratic regimes, it also constitutes a potent alternative to militant Islamism. By illuminating the role of dissidents and international civil society as protagonists and purveyors of 'Velvet Revolution,' this project will help to clarify the conditions that have facilitated the successful spread of democratic revolution.Read moreRead less
Islam and the Politics of Memory and Identity in Post-Authoritarian Indonesia. This project will make a vital contribution to understanding the past and present of Indonesia, Australia's most significant neighbour. The project investigates the legacy of competition between two of the most influential ideological and political forces in Indonesian history, communism and Islam, and examines their continuing significance to contemporary Indonesian identities. My analysis will profile the diverse ra ....Islam and the Politics of Memory and Identity in Post-Authoritarian Indonesia. This project will make a vital contribution to understanding the past and present of Indonesia, Australia's most significant neighbour. The project investigates the legacy of competition between two of the most influential ideological and political forces in Indonesian history, communism and Islam, and examines their continuing significance to contemporary Indonesian identities. My analysis will profile the diverse range of Islamic opinions in Indonesia on reconciliation and provide broader comparative insights into the processes of dealing with traumatic pasts.Read moreRead less
Fashionable Times: An Inquiry into the History of China's Modernity. Fashion, once regarded as a purely Western phenomenon and equated with thoroughly modern life, has recently made an improbable appearance in histories both of urban life in late imperial China and of twentieth-century Chinese nationalism. To speak of Chinese fashion is effectively to raise a question about the origins and course of China's modernity. The project aims to respond to this question through a study of the culture of ....Fashionable Times: An Inquiry into the History of China's Modernity. Fashion, once regarded as a purely Western phenomenon and equated with thoroughly modern life, has recently made an improbable appearance in histories both of urban life in late imperial China and of twentieth-century Chinese nationalism. To speak of Chinese fashion is effectively to raise a question about the origins and course of China's modernity. The project aims to respond to this question through a study of the culture of clothing from Ming to Mao, the expected outcome being an illustrated monograph of interest to scholars and general readers in the fields of fashion theory, material culture, and Chinese history.Read moreRead less
Lawyers, Civil Society and the State in Post-colonial Malaysia. This study investigates how Malaysian lawyers have mobilized to defend core legal values in response to key political events in Malaysian history. It will contribute to Australian understanding of civil society and the rule of law in our regional neighbour and build bridges between Malaysian and Australian lawyers and scholars. The development of deeper respect for the rule of law in this region plays an important role in increasing ....Lawyers, Civil Society and the State in Post-colonial Malaysia. This study investigates how Malaysian lawyers have mobilized to defend core legal values in response to key political events in Malaysian history. It will contribute to Australian understanding of civil society and the rule of law in our regional neighbour and build bridges between Malaysian and Australian lawyers and scholars. The development of deeper respect for the rule of law in this region plays an important role in increasing regional stability and creating a safe and more predictable environment. Understanding the role that lawyers play in this process is a vital component of regional security.Read moreRead less
Children of Frankenstein: Science Fiction, Automata and the Emergence of Robot Realities. Entertainment technologies are integral to everyday life and they play a crucial role in acclimatizing the public to new technologies. This project provides a unique account of the role played by creative industries in developing cutting-edge technologies that include robots, and film and computer game special effects that rely on artificial intelligence. The computer game industry in Australia is developin ....Children of Frankenstein: Science Fiction, Automata and the Emergence of Robot Realities. Entertainment technologies are integral to everyday life and they play a crucial role in acclimatizing the public to new technologies. This project provides a unique account of the role played by creative industries in developing cutting-edge technologies that include robots, and film and computer game special effects that rely on artificial intelligence. The computer game industry in Australia is developing into a very profitable industry and attracts an audience far greater than that of the cinema. Like film effects designers, game programmers are implementing artificial intelligence into their games. By considering Australian industries within an international context, much can be learned about our role as innovators on a global scale.Read moreRead less
Islam and identity in Java: the violent culmination and subsequent decline of communal conflict, c. 1920- present. This project analyses for the first time the culmination of politicised and bloody conflict along lines of Islamic religious identity within Javanese society - today 100-million strong and Indonesia's largest ethnic group - and the subsequent decline and depoliticisation of those religiously defined categories, c. 1920-present. This process has left Javanese society more deeply Isla ....Islam and identity in Java: the violent culmination and subsequent decline of communal conflict, c. 1920- present. This project analyses for the first time the culmination of politicised and bloody conflict along lines of Islamic religious identity within Javanese society - today 100-million strong and Indonesia's largest ethnic group - and the subsequent decline and depoliticisation of those religiously defined categories, c. 1920-present. This process has left Javanese society more deeply Islamised than at any time in its history. But conflicting categories might, in theory, be repoliticised. The 2004 election campaign will be crucial for this analysis. The resultant book will be the last of three analysing the Islamisation of the Javanese from the 14th century to the present.
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Sexual contracts in Burma and Cambodia: Intersections of Desire, Duty and Debt. Prostitution, sex trafficking, and violence against women are global concerns. A better understanding of the underlying context that permits women and children to be abused in this manner in other cultures will allow Australia to assist in addressing these problems - in our own multicultural society and abroad - in a culturally appropriate manner that will prove far more effective than current approaches. Australia h ....Sexual contracts in Burma and Cambodia: Intersections of Desire, Duty and Debt. Prostitution, sex trafficking, and violence against women are global concerns. A better understanding of the underlying context that permits women and children to be abused in this manner in other cultures will allow Australia to assist in addressing these problems - in our own multicultural society and abroad - in a culturally appropriate manner that will prove far more effective than current approaches. Australia has long been regarded as a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, especially regarding crime prevention and protecting the rights of marginalised groups. The research outcomes of this project have practical applications that can only enhance our reputation.Read moreRead less