The Two Frank Thrings. A study of two lives in the context of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia. This dual biography of F.W.Thring (1882-1936), stage and cinema entrepreneur, and his actor son Frank (1926-94), will explore two remarkable lives in relation to their performance culture and society. It will provide the first scholarly biography of both men, and through them will illuminate the history of Australian cinema and musical theatre, investigate issues of distinctively n ....The Two Frank Thrings. A study of two lives in the context of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia. This dual biography of F.W.Thring (1882-1936), stage and cinema entrepreneur, and his actor son Frank (1926-94), will explore two remarkable lives in relation to their performance culture and society. It will provide the first scholarly biography of both men, and through them will illuminate the history of Australian cinema and musical theatre, investigate issues of distinctively national iconography and voice, and examine the complex interactions between industrial/economic forces and artistic vision. Its principal outcome will be a book that should add significantly to our knowledge of the performing arts in twentieth-century Australia, and to continuing debates in the arts.Read moreRead less
A study of the scholarship on Indonesia in Australia and its implications for foreign policy. This project explores Australia's scholarly engagement with Indonesia and the impact of disciplinary, political and moral influences on their interpretations and knowledge. The importance of Indonesia for Australia has never been more acute. The impact of instability in Indonesia on Australia's own security and place in the region cannot be understated. It is essential that we have the tools for interpr ....A study of the scholarship on Indonesia in Australia and its implications for foreign policy. This project explores Australia's scholarly engagement with Indonesia and the impact of disciplinary, political and moral influences on their interpretations and knowledge. The importance of Indonesia for Australia has never been more acute. The impact of instability in Indonesia on Australia's own security and place in the region cannot be understated. It is essential that we have the tools for interpreting and understanding cultural, religious and political differences. Australian scholars have a deep and lasting engagement with Indonesia. Investigation of the debates within the field of Indonesian studies will help us to interpret better the perceptions and politics informing our study.Read moreRead less
From Sarah Wills Howe to Thomas Wentworth Wills: An Australian Family Biography. This project will be the first biographical study of the Wills family, a significant yet forgotten colonial family. Across three generations, from 1798 to 1880, the project will use the innovations and insights of family biography to reassess key turning points in Australian history in which the Wills family figured prominently. From the economic success of its matriarch Sarah Wills, to the tragic decline and suicid ....From Sarah Wills Howe to Thomas Wentworth Wills: An Australian Family Biography. This project will be the first biographical study of the Wills family, a significant yet forgotten colonial family. Across three generations, from 1798 to 1880, the project will use the innovations and insights of family biography to reassess key turning points in Australian history in which the Wills family figured prominently. From the economic success of its matriarch Sarah Wills, to the tragic decline and suicide of her grandson, the sublimely gifted sportsman Tom Wills, the project will bring a new perspective to those years. Through the illustrative capacity of family biography this project will not only uncover some forgotten historical figures but will also offer new interpretations of critical aspects of Australian colonial history.Read moreRead less
History and the Individual Life: Autobiography, Biography and the history of the self in the British World c1750 -1980. In providing a new way of linking autobiography and biography with the history of identity and of the self, this project will open new avenues for the study of history which will be important in Australia and internationally. Its focus on the British world will also bring Australian writing and experience into a broader international framework. At a time when biography is so v ....History and the Individual Life: Autobiography, Biography and the history of the self in the British World c1750 -1980. In providing a new way of linking autobiography and biography with the history of identity and of the self, this project will open new avenues for the study of history which will be important in Australia and internationally. Its focus on the British world will also bring Australian writing and experience into a broader international framework. At a time when biography is so very popular and widely read, it offers the possibility of bringing academic scholarship closer to questions of general interest to the community and thus re-enforcing the significance of academic research in the humanities. Read moreRead less
The refugee legacy for second generation Vietnamese in Australia. This project aims to explore the refugee legacy for second generation Vietnamese in Australia. The first Vietnamese refugees arrived 41 years ago in the wake of the Vietnam War. This project will examine identity formation, secondary trauma, and linguistic and cultural interactions in the aftermath of war and the refugee experience, and analyse the achievements and challenges of this group. The expected outcomes are a major study ....The refugee legacy for second generation Vietnamese in Australia. This project aims to explore the refugee legacy for second generation Vietnamese in Australia. The first Vietnamese refugees arrived 41 years ago in the wake of the Vietnam War. This project will examine identity formation, secondary trauma, and linguistic and cultural interactions in the aftermath of war and the refugee experience, and analyse the achievements and challenges of this group. The expected outcomes are a major study of Vietnamese in Australia and a national oral history collection.Read moreRead less
Political careers: a cohort analysis. The work of our MPs has influential effects on the lives of all of us. An informed citizenry deserves to have a close understanding of the nature of that work and of the people who undertake it. This research will provide that opportunity. Informed understanding could encourage greater esteem for politicians and more realistic expectations of what they can achieve in politics. For those aspiring to political careers, this comprehensive study will detail the ....Political careers: a cohort analysis. The work of our MPs has influential effects on the lives of all of us. An informed citizenry deserves to have a close understanding of the nature of that work and of the people who undertake it. This research will provide that opportunity. Informed understanding could encourage greater esteem for politicians and more realistic expectations of what they can achieve in politics. For those aspiring to political careers, this comprehensive study will detail the potentials and the limitations of their intended course. Analysts of parliament and of social change will benefit from this case study in social history.Read moreRead less
Australian politicians and the uses of history: from Federation to the present. While competing interpretations of Australian history occasionally attract controversy, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis, over time, of the significance of histories and history-making for Australian politicians. In taking the longer view of Australian political speech and thought since the Federation, this study will provide a stronger foundation for both political engagement with historical themes and p ....Australian politicians and the uses of history: from Federation to the present. While competing interpretations of Australian history occasionally attract controversy, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis, over time, of the significance of histories and history-making for Australian politicians. In taking the longer view of Australian political speech and thought since the Federation, this study will provide a stronger foundation for both political engagement with historical themes and public appreciation of the continuing role of history in contemporary policy debates. It will add depth to public understanding of political dialogue and how it is informed by national and international histories.Read moreRead less
Australia in the forefront of science: Australian contributions to "Big Science". Since 1788 Australia has been at the cutting edge in science. Geoscientists, including women, have initiated ideas and their contributions far outweigh the number of people involved. One period 1957 to 1970 saw upheavals in thinking centred on continental drift. This prompted a major Australia research effort to promote what became the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), which continues today. Do ....Australia in the forefront of science: Australian contributions to "Big Science". Since 1788 Australia has been at the cutting edge in science. Geoscientists, including women, have initiated ideas and their contributions far outweigh the number of people involved. One period 1957 to 1970 saw upheavals in thinking centred on continental drift. This prompted a major Australia research effort to promote what became the International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), which continues today. Does the recent trend for competetive priority-driven research always produce mind-boggling results in international journals or even good science or is grassroots-derived co-operative research like IGCP the way to conduct science and increase Australia's international profile? Examination of Australian contributions to IGCP will gauge scientific and economic benefits.Read moreRead less
La Bella Liberta: Women, Freedom and the History of Italy c1800-1940. By exploring the intersection between Italy and the lives of some
prominent educated British women in the 19th and early 20th centuries
this project offers innovative approaches to British history, to
biography and to cultural history. By analysing the connection these
women drew between their own desire for personal emancipation and
Italian political developments and exploring their active interest in
the history, ....La Bella Liberta: Women, Freedom and the History of Italy c1800-1940. By exploring the intersection between Italy and the lives of some
prominent educated British women in the 19th and early 20th centuries
this project offers innovative approaches to British history, to
biography and to cultural history. By analysing the connection these
women drew between their own desire for personal emancipation and
Italian political developments and exploring their active interest in
the history, culture, and politics of Italy this research will offer
new insights into changing constructions of Italy, the intellectual
life of the expatriate world there and the important role women played
in representing Italy in the Anglophone world.
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Lorenzo de Medici and Renaissance Italy. By providing a scholarly study of Lorenzo de' Medici, and bringing to conclusion the critical edition of his correspondence (a collaborative enterprise by several eminent research institutions in the UK. USA and Italy), this project makes a major Australian contribution to a classic research field of high international prestige, and helps ensure the continued strength of teaching and research in Italian Renaissance and early modern European history in Aus ....Lorenzo de Medici and Renaissance Italy. By providing a scholarly study of Lorenzo de' Medici, and bringing to conclusion the critical edition of his correspondence (a collaborative enterprise by several eminent research institutions in the UK. USA and Italy), this project makes a major Australian contribution to a classic research field of high international prestige, and helps ensure the continued strength of teaching and research in Italian Renaissance and early modern European history in Australia. This period, and Lorenzo, continue to intrigue the general reading public throughout the world, and broadly to disseminate specialist research on these themes, as this project also proposes, is to contribute to the maintenance of a lively and critical contemporary culture.
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