Islam and Secular Urban Culture in Early Modern Middle East. Australia is the homeland of a growing Muslim community, and Islam is an important feature in Australia's religious and cultural landscape. The project contributes to expanding Australia's knowledge of Islam, to developing its ability to engage and interact in constructive and enabling ways with the Muslim communities locally, regionally, and internationally, and to heightening the Muslims' respect for the modern secular culture by mak ....Islam and Secular Urban Culture in Early Modern Middle East. Australia is the homeland of a growing Muslim community, and Islam is an important feature in Australia's religious and cultural landscape. The project contributes to expanding Australia's knowledge of Islam, to developing its ability to engage and interact in constructive and enabling ways with the Muslim communities locally, regionally, and internationally, and to heightening the Muslims' respect for the modern secular culture by making them aware of their creative role in its making. It addresses a prevailing misunderstanding about secular culture in Islam and enhances Australia's international reputation as a centre of cutting-edge research in the fields of Islamic studies.Read moreRead less
Islam, Modernity and the Enlightenment: A New Perspective. Australia's encounters with Islam have never been as politically, militarily and emotionally demanding as the events of the last few years have revealed. In the current climate of tension and conflict a deeper understanding of Islam - its socio-religious and intellectual history, its systems of thought, and its attitude towards modernity and the modern world - is vital to enhance Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with its regi ....Islam, Modernity and the Enlightenment: A New Perspective. Australia's encounters with Islam have never been as politically, militarily and emotionally demanding as the events of the last few years have revealed. In the current climate of tension and conflict a deeper understanding of Islam - its socio-religious and intellectual history, its systems of thought, and its attitude towards modernity and the modern world - is vital to enhance Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with its regional and global environment. This project contributes to enhancing Australia's ability to engage and interact in constructive and enabling ways with the Muslim communities locally, regionally and internationally.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
A Historical and Cultural Analysis of Qigong in Contemporary China. This project will assist Australians to understand important developments in contemporary Chinese society, enhancing the basis of our bilateral relationship, especially in discussions of human rights and refugee issues. A better knowledge of qigong will also promote social and religious understanding in Australia where qigong practice is a significant feature of some sectors of society. This project will complement and enhance ....A Historical and Cultural Analysis of Qigong in Contemporary China. This project will assist Australians to understand important developments in contemporary Chinese society, enhancing the basis of our bilateral relationship, especially in discussions of human rights and refugee issues. A better knowledge of qigong will also promote social and religious understanding in Australia where qigong practice is a significant feature of some sectors of society. This project will complement and enhance Australia's already strong international reputation in contemporary Chinese Studies and foster future collaborations and networks. Finally, it will also give unique insights, from a particular Australian perspective, on the impact of the international media on the creation of China issues in a global context.Read moreRead less
Cistercian Nuns in England c.1150-1550AD: A Gendered History of a Monastic Institution. This project re-writes the history not just of the previously ignored medieval Cistercian nun but of the medieval Cistercian monastic institution more broadly. Using English Cistercian women as case studies, it will produce two major breakthroughs. First, it will demonstrate that the history of the Cistercian religious order looks very different when analysed with issues of gender to the fore. Second, it will ....Cistercian Nuns in England c.1150-1550AD: A Gendered History of a Monastic Institution. This project re-writes the history not just of the previously ignored medieval Cistercian nun but of the medieval Cistercian monastic institution more broadly. Using English Cistercian women as case studies, it will produce two major breakthroughs. First, it will demonstrate that the history of the Cistercian religious order looks very different when analysed with issues of gender to the fore. Second, it will reconfigure our understanding of this classic monastic institution according to the principles of centre-periphery relations. Both outcomes produce new strategies for creating histories of marginalised groups that are not premised on the histories of the dominant groups.Read moreRead less
Religion and Imperialism in Australia from Colony to Nation. In international contexts, imperialism and religion have been recognised as two of the most powerful forces for social cohesion, identity, transformation and conflict. The preliminary work undertaken for this project indicates that Australia has not been immune from these significant historical forces. This project will be of national benefit in providing insight into the historical pattern of imperialism on the formation of religious ....Religion and Imperialism in Australia from Colony to Nation. In international contexts, imperialism and religion have been recognised as two of the most powerful forces for social cohesion, identity, transformation and conflict. The preliminary work undertaken for this project indicates that Australia has not been immune from these significant historical forces. This project will be of national benefit in providing insight into the historical pattern of imperialism on the formation of religious and cultural values. By contributing to the education of the scholarly and general public on religious issues, this project seeks to contribute to the quality of public debate and policy analysis in this key emerging field of national and international significance.Read moreRead less
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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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
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