Diseases of the 21st century are complex with environmental and genetic causes. At the interface of these is Epigenetics - factors not specified by DNA sequence that control genes. Recent data show much of the risk associated with disease is set early in life, even during the time in the womb. The MCRI CDDE laboratory has assembled teams of researchers of diverse expertise investigating epigenetics of human development and complex disease to hopefully prevent or reverse them early in life.
Review Of Approaches For Determining Commercial Fisheries Compensation
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$136,420.00
Summary
WAFIC and DPIRD are seeking an improved understanding of the methods available for valuing fishery access rights, their relative advantages and disadvantages, and more specifically which methods would be most relevant and appropriate for Western Australia’s small-scale fisheries. This is to better ensure that future compensation schemes better meet their objectives while also building increased certainty and confidence for industry and the holders of access rights, which ultimately supports impr ....WAFIC and DPIRD are seeking an improved understanding of the methods available for valuing fishery access rights, their relative advantages and disadvantages, and more specifically which methods would be most relevant and appropriate for Western Australia’s small-scale fisheries. This is to better ensure that future compensation schemes better meet their objectives while also building increased certainty and confidence for industry and the holders of access rights, which ultimately supports improved resource security.
Our proposed approach draws on relevant literature and consultation with both government and fishery stakeholders (including fishers, investors, and brokers) to understand the range of approaches applied to valuing commercial fishing rights and their relative advantages and disadvantages. We will then define some key evaluation criteria that define what an appropriate compensation method is and then assess identified methods against these criteria. This evaluation will also consider how the applicability of methods may vary for different fishery types and circumstances.
The end outcome will be identification of the most appropriate valuation methods for the development of future compensation schemes for different fishery types, with a particular focus on small-scale fisheries. This advice will be developed to be readily adopted and applied by in relevant legislation and/or policy instruments.
Objectives: 1. To review and summarise methods that can be used to value fishery access rights for compensation purposes, including each method’s advantages, disadvantages and appropriateness for given circumstances. 2. To understand the views and perspectives of those that hold or trade fishery access rights regarding how they value fishery rights. 3. To identify and recommend compensation calculation approaches that are most suitable for Western Australian small-scale fisheries and that could readily be adopted in Western Australian government legislation, policy or processes. Read moreRead less
Social Science And Economics Research Coordination Program (SSERCP) – Economic Consultant Services
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$67,000.00
Summary
Request from Emily Ogier to sub contract Sarah Jennings for the economic component of the parent project 2015-300 Objectives: 1. To provide economic consultancy to the Social Science and Economics Research Coordination Program (SSERCP).
International franchising success factors: A guide for Australian franchise systems. Australia is considered the most 'franchised' nation in the world. With 850 franchisors, it has over three times the number of systems per capita than the United States. However, Australian franchises are small due to the country's limited population, with 60% of systems holding fewer than 30 units. One third of Australian franchisors now operates internationally, however little is known about how they plan an ....International franchising success factors: A guide for Australian franchise systems. Australia is considered the most 'franchised' nation in the world. With 850 franchisors, it has over three times the number of systems per capita than the United States. However, Australian franchises are small due to the country's limited population, with 60% of systems holding fewer than 30 units. One third of Australian franchisors now operates internationally, however little is known about how they plan and implement their expansion strategies. It appears that franchisors are reacting to approaches made by overseas investors rather than proactively developing international expansion strategies. This research will examine the practices of successful exporters to develop a model of best practice for future activity in the sector.Read moreRead less
Meeting Sustainability Expectations: Translating And Aligning Objectives, Reporting And Evaluation Of The Performance Of Australian Fisheries
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$164,674.50
Summary
The Australian fishing industry is under increasing scrutiny due to campaigns that communicate that stocks are overfished and poorly managed (AMCS 2011). This contributes to calls for MPAs, resistance to consumption of some seafood, and a general erosion of community support for fishing industries (Hilborn & Kearny 2012). FRDC is addressing these issues through a suite of initiatives, including the SAFS and NHSP projects. The project proposed here examines the consistency and transparency of fis ....The Australian fishing industry is under increasing scrutiny due to campaigns that communicate that stocks are overfished and poorly managed (AMCS 2011). This contributes to calls for MPAs, resistance to consumption of some seafood, and a general erosion of community support for fishing industries (Hilborn & Kearny 2012). FRDC is addressing these issues through a suite of initiatives, including the SAFS and NHSP projects. The project proposed here examines the consistency and transparency of fisheries governance. The need is to ensure that the Australian community’s expectations for the management of its fisheries are adequately reflected and accounted for throughout governance processes, from the objectives of legislation through to reporting and evaluating performance and status of fisheries.
This project was developed to directly address the following needs as identified in the National R,D&E Strategy 2010: - provide greater clarity in management objectives, - develop governance models for better accountability; and - develop performance indicators, including social, ecological and economic.
The project will also contribute to the following priority areas: - integrating social, environmental and economic considerations into fisheries management strategies; and - identifying and understanding community aquatic values and how these can be integrated into fisheries management .
This project will meet these needs by generating knowledge about ways to improve the design of: 1. legislative objectives for fisheries resources and management objectives for specific fisheries, and thereby achieve greater alignment with the Australian community’s expectations for management of fisheries resources; and 2. management objectives for specific fisheries so they can be operationalized to achieve greater articulation with reporting and evaluation of performance and status. In addition, the project will contribute to the development of common reporting frameworks and formal classifications for social, economic, ecological and management performance and status of key Australian fisheries.
Objectives: 1. Determine the extent of alignment between the Australian public's expectations for the performance of fisheries and legislative objectives for fisheries resources in each of the jurisdictions 2. Determine the extent of alignment between legislative objectives for fisheries resources between Australian jurisdictions 3. Determine the extent of alignment between management objectives and reporting frameworks for each of Australia's key fisheries 4. Determine the level of articulation between management objectives and reporting for each of Australia's key fisheries 5. Identify options and provide recommendations for common reporting frameworks and formal classifications for social, economic, ecological and management performance and status of Australia's key fisheries 6. Develop guidelines and identify instruments and processes for the optimal design of fisheries legislative objectives and management objectives for specific fisheries. Read moreRead less
Social Science Research Coordination Program (SSRCP) II
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$297,703.50
Summary
The initial project/phase of the SSRCP has been effective in creating recognition of the need for social science expertise. It has also identified need for a point of reference for FRABs and researchers and is relied upon by industry agencies as a point of co-ordination for fisheries social science research. The continuation of this coordination program is endorsed by the emerging understanding of the depth of social factors in fishing activities at the individual, business/group and sectoral le ....The initial project/phase of the SSRCP has been effective in creating recognition of the need for social science expertise. It has also identified need for a point of reference for FRABs and researchers and is relied upon by industry agencies as a point of co-ordination for fisheries social science research. The continuation of this coordination program is endorsed by the emerging understanding of the depth of social factors in fishing activities at the individual, business/group and sectoral levels, and the ways in which these activities interact with the broader community. Increasingly, external economic impacts such as market and competing industry influences; energy costs; distance to market; and potential new taxes, influence the shape of fishing and aquaculture industries, and are emerging as significant issues that remain unaddressed by biological or economic approaches alone.
Through a range of different techniques, social science research can address these issues and complement biological and economic research to support change in practice and community perceptions. The past three years of focus on social science research has encouraged and facilitated leveraging of previous research work, minimising the expense of duplication, and increasing the ability to identify solutions to resource use issues. Continuation of the program will support the efficient use of FRDC funds, and the pursuit of research project outcomes with greater reach than if implemented in isolation of previous research and other FRDC Program activities. Objectives: 1. Continue the social sciences program in the existing framework, subject to ongoing industry and research community feedback 2. Collaborate with the industry to identify emerging issues in wild harvest, aquacutlure, post harvest, recreational and indigenous fishery sectors, that could benefit from early integration of social science research for the identification of potential solutions. 3. Addresss research needs arising from FRDC's existing programs and ensure the quality and relevance of proposed social research projects 4. Co-ordinate and undertake the communication of key social research needs to the research community and SSRCP research outcomes to fishers and managment agencies. 5. Provide FRDC relevant program management for social projects including evaluation, commissioning of projects and milestone reviews. Read moreRead less
The Role And Underlying Mechanisms Of Constitutional Epigenetic Silencing In Cancer Predisposition
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$218,617.00
Summary
Familial and young onset bowel and uterine cancer are usually caused by the inheritance of spelling mistakes in the genetic code within a set of cancer-protection genes. Recently, some patients were identified with their gene switched off by paralysing chemicals instead. This study aims to identify additional cancer cases with gene paralysis, determine if this arises in the presence or absence of a genetic change in front of the gene, and how gene paralysis is transmitted to the next generation.
Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people w ....Platelets are key blood elements that are essential for the prevention of bleeding in response to injury or infection. Overactive or spontaneously active platelets cause thrombosis and blood clot formation. My laboratory has identified new physiological pathways of activation of platelet metalloproteinases, the enzymes that regulate surface levels of the prothrombotic platelet receptors. By understanding this mechanism of receptor regulation, we can uniquely target platelet receptors in people with prothrombotic pathologies.Read moreRead less
A Human Dimensions Research Subprogram presents the FRDC and stakeholders with the opportunity to maximise investment in and effectiveness of human dimensions RD&E for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. This is achieved by: - Providing the Subprogram with capacity to lever greater overall investment in human dimensions RD&E through co-investment arrangements: Capacity to co-invest or directly commission will enable the Subprogram to ensure that a higher number of human dimensions RD&E needs, ....A Human Dimensions Research Subprogram presents the FRDC and stakeholders with the opportunity to maximise investment in and effectiveness of human dimensions RD&E for Australian fisheries and aquaculture. This is achieved by: - Providing the Subprogram with capacity to lever greater overall investment in human dimensions RD&E through co-investment arrangements: Capacity to co-invest or directly commission will enable the Subprogram to ensure that a higher number of human dimensions RD&E needs, as identified by RACs, IPAs and other Subprograms, are addressed through successful applications. This capacity to collaborate and co-invest with RACs, IPAs and/or other Subprograms not only acts as an incentive for further investment in human dimensions RD&E, it increases the likelihood that high quality and effective research is undertaken which will meet stakeholders' needs. It will achieve this through a number of mechanisms including: providing funding for appropriate expertise to be included in teams of research applicants; and, creating incentives for more integrated RD&E in which human dimensions research can be embedded in more traditional fisheries and aquaculture research projects. - Providing leadership and coordination where required to draw on a range of expertise to tackle complex problems: Capacity to directly commission or call for RD&E will enable the Subprogram to meet needs for targeted, strategic RD&E to address some of the issues which are preventing improved outcomes for fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders. These include issues such as the previously uncoordinated investment in measurement of the economic and social contributions made by different sectors, in response to which the Subprogram will draw on recognised expertise to develop a common position on metrics, methods of measurement and interpretation. This will in turn increase credibility of contribution studies and the return on investment in such studies. Objectives: 1. Identify human dimensions RD&E priorities annually, through review and consultation with key fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders (RACs, IPAs, Subprograms, AFMF) and develop projects to address those priorities 2. Promote coordination and co-investment in human dimensions RD&E across RACs, IPAs and Subprograms 3. Ensure quality and relevance of humans dimensions RD&E through review of applications and project reports 4. Support the FRDC in the management of a portfolio of projects with significant human dimensions research components 5. Facilitate extension and adoption of human dimensions R&D outputs 6. Build and support capability in human dimensions research to meet the needs of fisheries and aquaculture Read moreRead less