Prevalence report by the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) estimated that 1 child in every 160 children in the 6-12 year-old age group is affected by ASD. There is no cure for ASD and the causes are not understood. We propose that sex hormones may play a role in the development of these disorders. We will test this hypothesis using knockout and transgenic mouse models which have social interaction deficits and brain structure reminiscent of these disorders.
The Australian Centre For Research Excellence In Offender Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,646,826.00
Summary
Offenders are one of the most marginalised groups in society and endure the worst health outcomes in regards to mental health, exposure to bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections, and engagement in health risk behaviours. Incarceration devastates Indigenous communities and we urgently need for solutions to reduce Aboriginal prisoner numbers. The research proposed by this CRE in mental health and infectious diseases will improve health outcomes for offenders and provide treatment ....Offenders are one of the most marginalised groups in society and endure the worst health outcomes in regards to mental health, exposure to bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections, and engagement in health risk behaviours. Incarceration devastates Indigenous communities and we urgently need for solutions to reduce Aboriginal prisoner numbers. The research proposed by this CRE in mental health and infectious diseases will improve health outcomes for offenders and provide treatment solutions rather than incarceration.Read moreRead less
Embedding Impact Pathway Thinking Into The Identification And Prioritisation Of RD&E Needs And Investments For FRDC
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$80,000.00
Summary
In order to support a greater degree of systems thinking in its advisory committees, it is proposed to expose all committee members to the potential approaches to priority setting through a systems lens and benefits of these approaches, and then work with a subset of Research Advisory Committees [and possibly others] to test how bringing tools such as theory of change into their deliberations could assist them to deliver better designed priorities. Working specifically towards theories of chang ....In order to support a greater degree of systems thinking in its advisory committees, it is proposed to expose all committee members to the potential approaches to priority setting through a systems lens and benefits of these approaches, and then work with a subset of Research Advisory Committees [and possibly others] to test how bringing tools such as theory of change into their deliberations could assist them to deliver better designed priorities. Working specifically towards theories of change in the committee processes, at appropriate levels of complexity, is expected to provide (i) a context to making approaches of different committee members more explicit, (ii) a basis for better design logic, and (iii) a way of more readily communicating the committee's priorities. The focus of this approach on identifying and working back from ultimate objectives helps frame what may legitimately be narrow priorities in a wider analysis of system drivers such as incoherent policy environments or climate change and thus enable larger agendas to be built around such issues across FRDC. An explicit emphasis on barriers, enablers and assumptions, as well as what is necessary and sufficient to achieve the objectives, also provides a strong basis for evaluating progress and learning. Together these attributes are anticipated to achieve the intent of supporting better FRDC priority setting and increased impact for its stakeholders. Objectives: 1. Build the knowledge, attitude, skill, aspiration and practice (kasap) among the FRDC’s advisory committees and staff, with particular focus on Extension Officers, to embed impact pathway thinking into the identification and prioritisation of RD&E needs and investments. Read moreRead less
Voluntary Behaviour Change In Recreational Fisheries To Support Sustainability And Amenity
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$193,128.00
Summary
This project responds to an FRDC identified opportunity to review and build on previous experiences aimed towards encouraging recreational fishers to voluntarily diversify their target species.
This project targets three outcomes in the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-25: -Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity -Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems -Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Our project consists of two phases, each addressing a di ....This project responds to an FRDC identified opportunity to review and build on previous experiences aimed towards encouraging recreational fishers to voluntarily diversify their target species.
This project targets three outcomes in the FRDC R&D Plan 2020-25: -Outcome 1. Growth for enduring prosperity -Outcome 2. Best practices and production systems -Outcome 4. Fair and secure access to aquatic resources
Our project consists of two phases, each addressing a discrete need identified through conversations with stakeholders.
Phase 1 – Developing a knowledge base and roadmap: A robust knowledge base, including data on the the magnitude of behaviour changes achieved by previous initiatives, is required to support the use of voluntary behaviour change interventions for diversifying target species as alternatives to direct regulations. Phase 1 will consist of a backwards looking scan of past-experience to construct this knowledge base from case studies that have implemented an initiative to promote voluntary diversification of recreational target species. This will include a global literature scan, and interviews with stakeholders and managers in Australia to document case studies, identify their successes or failures and compile data on the magnitude of behaviour change achieved. The knowledge base will then be used to identify key knowledge gaps and develop a roadmap of research and information needed to support voluntary behaviour change strategies aimed at diversifying target species as genuine alternatives to direct regulations.
Phase 2 – Improving effectiveness: Effective behavioural change interventions require careful targeting to ensure they are appropriate and acceptable within a specific context. Phase 2 will look forward with a focus on the future implementation of voluntary approaches that can confidently be applied to promote the voluntary diversification of target species for recreational fishers. This will include a forward-looking test of approaches identified through Phase 1 through interviews, focus groups and a survey of recreational fishers to delve deeply into which approaches are acceptable, where they are acceptable and which approaches are most likely to influence change. The outputs of Phase 2 will include clear advice on which strategies are likely to work in different situations relevant to Australian recreational fisheries.
A project evaluation will take place at the end of phase 1 to evaluate the feasibility of the remaining components, and guide case study selection and strategy for phase 2. This will be based on the interim short report based on phase 1 submitted to the FRDC in the milestone schedule below, as well as progress report 1.
To facilitate co-design and research impact, the research team have engaged with the Australian Fisheries Management Forum (AFMF), the AFSB Fisheries Management Committee (on advice from the AFMF), and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF). Input from recreational fishing stakeholders into the project will be facilitated through an ARFF advisory panel, with representatives from different jurisdictions across Australia. The advisory panel plan to meet with the research team on 5 occasions across the project (front loaded to facilitate co-design). The model for input from fisheries managers is an on-going discussion but will likely take a similar advisory panel across jurisdictions.
Project risks: The project relies heavily on the inputs of recreational fishing stakeholders and managers, with potential risks around a lack of availability to participate as well as lack of interest. To manage this risk the project team will work closely with the ARFF advisory group to identify and manage relationships with participants. A secondary project risk is the potential for sharing and disclosure of sensitive information from interviews and focus groups. To manage this risk, the research protocol will be subject to a human ethics review against the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Through this process, issues of anonymity, data management and retention and data sharing will be addressed in-line with national standards and carried throughout the project. Objectives: 1. To develop a global knowledge base of behaviour change strategies that have been used to promote diversification of recreational target species. 2. To identify the magnitude of behaviour change achieved by different strategies. 3. To identify key knowledge gaps forming a road map for supporting voluntary behaviour change strategies aimed at diversifying target species as genuine alternatives to direct regulations. 4. To identify success factors that may have driven success or failure of past behavioural change strategies. 5. To develop a shortlist of strategies that experiences suggest will be effective in an Australian context. 6. To test the shortlist of potential behaviour change strategies from Phase 1 in terms of their acceptability, likelihood to influence change to deepen understanding of success factors (e.g., motivators, species, and/or incentives) within the Australian context. 7. To package key insights, lessons and recommendations for behaviour change initiatives to diversify fish species for recreational fishers. 8. To ensure this knowledge is easily accessed and practical, and framed so as to speak to the values and drivers of recreational fishers. 9. To maximise the reach and amplification of this knowledge through building the capability of fisheries managers. Read moreRead less
Honesty and efficiency in the provision of expert services: doctors and other experts as participants in economic experiments. Experts serve us when we see the doctor, the financial planner or the car mechanic. In all these case the expert can take advantage of his superior knowledge and sell us something we do not need. This research will inform policy makers about the underlying motives of real world experts and allow them to design better institutions.
Abalone Aquaculture Subprogram: Early Life History Of Abalone (Haliotis Rubra, H. Laevigata): Settlement, Survival And Early Growth
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$313,217.00
Summary
Abalone farming can be improved in Australia. The profit will be increased and the cost of production reduced:
· increased knowledge of the settlement process and development of a better settlement system resulting in low cost juvenile abalone is essential for both integrated abalone farms and for the supply of seed to growout farms;
· the development of a practical settlement protocol for abalone requires a greater understanding of microalgae requirements and their culture and ....Abalone farming can be improved in Australia. The profit will be increased and the cost of production reduced:
· increased knowledge of the settlement process and development of a better settlement system resulting in low cost juvenile abalone is essential for both integrated abalone farms and for the supply of seed to growout farms;
· the development of a practical settlement protocol for abalone requires a greater understanding of microalgae requirements and their culture and reduces the cost for abalone at the growout stage;
· the project will be integrated into the abalone aquaculture sub-program and has extensive industry involvement in developing the practical aspects;
· the aquaculture industry in Victoria is developing into a major growth area and investment opportunity and production is intended to triple by the end of 2001;
· the success of the Australian abalone aquaculture industry is dependent on developing methods that reduce costs in labour and growout time;
· the project will deliver information that can result in technically advanced culture methods that will maintain the competitive edge over low labour cost countries. Objectives: 1. To test performance of different settlement inducers at both the laboratory and commercial scale. 2. To improve the rate and consistency of abalone larval settlement. 3. To compare different microalgal diets for their nutritional value in terms of digestibility and growth. 4. To quantify the suitability of different microalgae for their ease of use, both for maintaining mass cultures and ability to recolonise settlement surfaces. 5. To increase growth and survival for the first two months of post-larval life at a commercial scale. Read moreRead less
A Study Of The Movement And Behaviour Of The Sand Crab (Portunus Pelagicus) Using Ultrasonic Tags
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Develop ultrasonic tags suitable for tracking & monitoring behaviour of sand crabs. 2. Develop simple methods of tracking tagged free-ranging crabs in Moreton Bay. 3. Obtain positional & Behavioural information over 24-hour periods to map movement of individual crabs
Older workers & psychological contracts: A dynamic perspective. This project aims to track the trajectories of older workers’ psychological contracts that shape their give-and-take with the organisation. Little is understood about how these psychological contracts change as older workers continue to pursue work through their fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth decades of life. This project tracks older workers over intensive, repeated in-depth interviews and a large-scale longitudinal panel study. ....Older workers & psychological contracts: A dynamic perspective. This project aims to track the trajectories of older workers’ psychological contracts that shape their give-and-take with the organisation. Little is understood about how these psychological contracts change as older workers continue to pursue work through their fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth decades of life. This project tracks older workers over intensive, repeated in-depth interviews and a large-scale longitudinal panel study. The outcomes fill significant gaps in our understanding of older workers’ needs and orientation toward work, and identify the age-related changes and organisational practices that spur older workers to sustain a strong trajectory of productive participation in the workforce.Read moreRead less
A Study Of The Distribution Of Post-larval And Juvenile Western King Prawn In Spencer Gulf, South Australia
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. To identify settlement sites and seasonal variation in sites of post-larval P. latisulcatus; 2. identify common parameters of these preferred areas that may condition settling (salinity, temp, sediment type)
Serving the greater good: using 'Servant Leadership' to build ethical and engaging work practices. The project will result in the first organisational application in Australia of a leadership development program based on scientific foundations of the 'Servant Leadership' framework. The outcomes will benefit organisations of all types in developing the leadership capabilities required to create ethical, positive, and sustainable work environments.