Avatars and Identities. The avatar, a virtual representation of its user, is the key element of interface technology for everyday computer use in the twenty-first century. While specialist aspects of the avatar have received intensive attention from the technology industries and scholars, the focus of the work to date has been on the technical efficiency of the interface, rather than understanding the full social implications of its use. Through a historical, ethnographic and critical analysis o ....Avatars and Identities. The avatar, a virtual representation of its user, is the key element of interface technology for everyday computer use in the twenty-first century. While specialist aspects of the avatar have received intensive attention from the technology industries and scholars, the focus of the work to date has been on the technical efficiency of the interface, rather than understanding the full social implications of its use. Through a historical, ethnographic and critical analysis of the role of the avatar, in consultation with industry, this project offers a unique opportunity to develop a wider perspective that will contribute to an understanding of the uses and policies for the digital economy.Read moreRead less
After the apocalypse: the mediasphere, global crisis and violent ecologies. This project examines the ways in which the media shapes our thinking and practices around crisis. The study focuses particularly on the evolution of a 'crisis consciousness' and the ways in which human desires are implicated in the cultural politics of violence. The study focuses specifically on Australia's participation in post-9/11 conflicts.
Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both ....Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both eras, the project will theoretically evaluate the cultural significance of our current fascination with spectacle environments. In comparing the C17th and late C20th/C21st attraction with such spectacular spaces, it is proposed that we are witnessing a return to a culture of the baroque.Read moreRead less
The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of ....The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of the baroque (and its delight in spectacular spaces). In turn, the social and cultural implications of such a return will be a central concern.Read moreRead less
Mobile Indonesians: social differentiation and digital literacies in the twenty first century. This is the first dedicated study of the social implications of mobile telephony's recent and rapid popularisation throughout the country. This project will study metropolitan, urban and rural users to understand how mobile phones create the new and unexpected social networks which will shape tomorrow's Indonesians.
Australian Film Theory and Criticism. Australian film theory and criticism has burgeoned over the past thirty years, but there is no dedicated book-length study of the field. This research project will fill the gap, not only tracing the specificity of Australian film theory and criticism but also reasserting its place on the international scholarly agenda. In tracing the critical positions, personalities and institutions that have shaped film theory and criticism in this country, this project wi ....Australian Film Theory and Criticism. Australian film theory and criticism has burgeoned over the past thirty years, but there is no dedicated book-length study of the field. This research project will fill the gap, not only tracing the specificity of Australian film theory and criticism but also reasserting its place on the international scholarly agenda. In tracing the critical positions, personalities and institutions that have shaped film theory and criticism in this country, this project will at once disseminate and preserve (for scholars and the general public alike) the legacy of those critical intellectuals who have striven to understand the nation's most popular art and entertainment form, the cinema. Read moreRead less
Chinese international students in Australia: A study of the transformative potential of education abroad. This longitudinal study of female Chinese students in Australian universities is the first to trace in detail these students’ subjective experience of their journeys from China to Australia and their post-graduation destinations. Through in-depth ethnographic research, it will reveal how these young women’s time in Australia impacts on their gendered and national-cultural sense of identity. ....Chinese international students in Australia: A study of the transformative potential of education abroad. This longitudinal study of female Chinese students in Australian universities is the first to trace in detail these students’ subjective experience of their journeys from China to Australia and their post-graduation destinations. Through in-depth ethnographic research, it will reveal how these young women’s time in Australia impacts on their gendered and national-cultural sense of identity. This project aims to deepen knowledge in areas directly linked to Australian education export, and enhance Australia’s engagement with its region.Read moreRead less
Transforming Cultural Identity: Media flows between Australia and East Asia. By evaluating Australia's role in East Asian media circuits, this project aims to identify new industry and consumer trends. The rise of East Asian media industries, estimated to be worth US$120 billion and reaching at least 2 billion consumers, is changing Australian media culture. While East Asian media reach in to Australian audiences via new media, Australian media industries are reaching out to Asia via transnation ....Transforming Cultural Identity: Media flows between Australia and East Asia. By evaluating Australia's role in East Asian media circuits, this project aims to identify new industry and consumer trends. The rise of East Asian media industries, estimated to be worth US$120 billion and reaching at least 2 billion consumers, is changing Australian media culture. While East Asian media reach in to Australian audiences via new media, Australian media industries are reaching out to Asia via transnational co-productions. This project plans to examine these trends in media consumption and production to analyse impacts on the cultural identities of Australian audiences and media products. Through the innovative framework of minor transnationalism, it plans to produce a deeper understanding of the nation's relationship with its region.Read moreRead less
Locating the mobile: intergenerational locative media practices in Tokyo, Melbourne and Shanghai. From providing convenience at a fingertip to helping criminal investigations, using locative media has become an essential part of everyday life for individuals, families, businesses and government. Responding to this nascent phenomenon, this project will provide the first cross-cultural, intergenerational study of locative media use.
Making a Spectacle of Disagreement: Media and Controversy in Modern Chinese Thought. Polemical and combative rhetoric, as well as tactics of dispute and provocation, are an integral part of key debates that have shaped a century of modern Chinese thought. This study is the first attempt to survey and analyse intellectual contestations and controversies in twentieth-century and contemporary China in relation to their publication in different forms of media (especially electronic media) that have ....Making a Spectacle of Disagreement: Media and Controversy in Modern Chinese Thought. Polemical and combative rhetoric, as well as tactics of dispute and provocation, are an integral part of key debates that have shaped a century of modern Chinese thought. This study is the first attempt to survey and analyse intellectual contestations and controversies in twentieth-century and contemporary China in relation to their publication in different forms of media (especially electronic media) that have been available to Chinese intellectuals and the concerned public. We expect to provide a new critical account of Chinese intellectual history and contribute to knowledge of the socio-political and cultural impacts of new media in a non-Western context.Read moreRead less