The Cultivation of Middle-Class Taste: Reading, Tourism and Education Choices in Urban China. In urban China, high-income professionals and consumers have enormous influence on the development of élite education, travel, and cultural pursuits, but also on the stability of the Party-State. Their choices will materially affect Australian economic strategy, and will impact the socio-political character of the entire region. This project works to support Australian understanding of the tastes, aspir ....The Cultivation of Middle-Class Taste: Reading, Tourism and Education Choices in Urban China. In urban China, high-income professionals and consumers have enormous influence on the development of élite education, travel, and cultural pursuits, but also on the stability of the Party-State. Their choices will materially affect Australian economic strategy, and will impact the socio-political character of the entire region. This project works to support Australian understanding of the tastes, aspirations and national priorities of this new formation: the Chinese middle class. The approach and outcomes of the research will enhance Australia's global position in innovative, relevant Asian scholarship, support good economic strategy, and provide an accurate socio-cultural lens through which to engage with Chinese and regional futures.Read moreRead less
Creative Misreadings of Christianity in Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture. The project will intensify understanding of Asian interpretations of Western culture, especially Christianity, and Western reception of Japanese culture. While Australian collective perceptions of Japan are often still informed by the experience of the Second World War, the increasing popularity of manga and anime is fostering a different relationship between the two countries. By studying Japan's popular cul ....Creative Misreadings of Christianity in Modern Japanese Literature and Popular Culture. The project will intensify understanding of Asian interpretations of Western culture, especially Christianity, and Western reception of Japanese culture. While Australian collective perceptions of Japan are often still informed by the experience of the Second World War, the increasing popularity of manga and anime is fostering a different relationship between the two countries. By studying Japan's popular culture and its history of cultural negotiation, the project will further our knowledge of Japan's position in the twentieth-century world. It thus accords with National Priority 4, Safeguarding Australia: Understanding Our Region and the World. Read moreRead less
Tackling the issues of low numbers of Australia's advanced users of Japanese: Reasons and strategies. A sound relationship between Australia and Japan is critical to Australia. Their key relations in trade, foreign policy and cultural exchange require an advanced understanding of Japanese. However, Australia is not producing sufficient numbers of advanced users of Japanese. This project creates and implements strategies to develop more Australian learners into advanced users of Japanese, thus c ....Tackling the issues of low numbers of Australia's advanced users of Japanese: Reasons and strategies. A sound relationship between Australia and Japan is critical to Australia. Their key relations in trade, foreign policy and cultural exchange require an advanced understanding of Japanese. However, Australia is not producing sufficient numbers of advanced users of Japanese. This project creates and implements strategies to develop more Australian learners into advanced users of Japanese, thus contributing to Australia's knowledge base in language education and applied linguistics. The PhD project will train a well-rounded Australian applied/educational linguist, equipping them with in-depth knowledge of current learners as well as fundamental research tools in both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Read moreRead less