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
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354600
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Sources of Insecurity: Local, National and Global. Globalizing violence and the War on Terror have brought with them an acute sense of insecurity. The present study is intended to map and understand sources of that insecurity, both from ?below? and ?above?. From below, the project analyses the cultural-political and socio-economic conditions of violence on the ground, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. From above, it documents Western representations of recent arenas of violence. The aim of th ....Sources of Insecurity: Local, National and Global. Globalizing violence and the War on Terror have brought with them an acute sense of insecurity. The present study is intended to map and understand sources of that insecurity, both from ?below? and ?above?. From below, the project analyses the cultural-political and socio-economic conditions of violence on the ground, focusing on the Asia-Pacific region. From above, it documents Western representations of recent arenas of violence. The aim of the project is to research the commonplace claim that it is reassertions of older forms of traditionalism or cultural and civilizational difference that are the well-spring of contemporary global violence, including terrorism.Read moreRead less
Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical dev ....Trans/national activism: Organizing for Domestic Worker Rights in Southeast Asia. This project will contribute to the identified national priority, Safeguarding Australia, by providing a better understanding of the issues surrounding labour migration, including the capacity of NGOs and state governments to address the needs and rights of labour migrants in Southeast Asia. By expanding our understanding of the possibilities for democratisation within the region and contributing to theoretical developments on the relationship between state and civil society, this research will also contribute to the national interest in influencing institutional reform and democratic transition in Asia. Read moreRead less
The Role and Impact of the Social Support System on the Well-being of the Elderly in China. This research will examine how recent changes to the system of formal and informal support for the elderly in China has affected their well-being. The project will analyse two unique data sets that provide a wealth of information on the economic and social circumstances on the elderly in China in 1992 and 2000. The proposed collaboration with Chinese researchers on aging will generate new insights into ho ....The Role and Impact of the Social Support System on the Well-being of the Elderly in China. This research will examine how recent changes to the system of formal and informal support for the elderly in China has affected their well-being. The project will analyse two unique data sets that provide a wealth of information on the economic and social circumstances on the elderly in China in 1992 and 2000. The proposed collaboration with Chinese researchers on aging will generate new insights into how the circumstances of the elderly are changing in a context of economic transformation and social change. The results will have implications for social policy development in China and shed light on theoretical debate over the role of confucianism in China's version of 'welfare orientalism'.Read moreRead less
Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia (ABBA): Informing Actions For Better Retirement. The research will improve understanding of baby boomers & inform action to achieve positive outcomes individually & for an ageing Australia. It will: 1)inform baby boomers of ways in which their actions in late middle age can increase the chance of having satisfying healthy lives in retirement; 2)inform employers & governments on key factors enabling people to work longer; 3)challenge stereotypes of baby boomers b ....Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia (ABBA): Informing Actions For Better Retirement. The research will improve understanding of baby boomers & inform action to achieve positive outcomes individually & for an ageing Australia. It will: 1)inform baby boomers of ways in which their actions in late middle age can increase the chance of having satisfying healthy lives in retirement; 2)inform employers & governments on key factors enabling people to work longer; 3)challenge stereotypes of baby boomers by showing their variability over the life course & in retirement; 4)provide four researchers with knowledge & expertise in applied, multi-disciplinary research on individual & population ageing; 5)identify baby boomers' expectations for themselves, governments, & the community to guide directions for Australia's response to ageing.Read moreRead less
Social Support Provided in China to Older People with Disabilities. The project contributes to understanding our region through the opportunity to demonstrate Australia's engagement with China, with which it is establishing strong links in social, economic and cultural interests. It contributes to national understanding of East Asian policies for older people with a disability, including partnership approaches to social support between government, non-government and communities. The project stre ....Social Support Provided in China to Older People with Disabilities. The project contributes to understanding our region through the opportunity to demonstrate Australia's engagement with China, with which it is establishing strong links in social, economic and cultural interests. It contributes to national understanding of East Asian policies for older people with a disability, including partnership approaches to social support between government, non-government and communities. The project strengthens connections between Australian researchers and policy officials, the China Research Centre on Ageing, and Chinese government organisations.Read moreRead less
Regulating Morals in Modern Japan. The project will examine the contestation over modernity in early twentieth century Japan as revealed in heightened attempts to regulate public morals. Focus on regulation of morals shifts the traditional emphasis on foreign, military developments to domestic social change to explain the repressive, expansionist state of the 1930s. Investigation of the everyday makes concrete the meaning and experience of modernity in interwar Japan. Examining the role of middl ....Regulating Morals in Modern Japan. The project will examine the contestation over modernity in early twentieth century Japan as revealed in heightened attempts to regulate public morals. Focus on regulation of morals shifts the traditional emphasis on foreign, military developments to domestic social change to explain the repressive, expansionist state of the 1930s. Investigation of the everyday makes concrete the meaning and experience of modernity in interwar Japan. Examining the role of middle class activists adds a dimension to the debates over the consequences of modernization.Read moreRead less
In the shadow of Singapore: The limits of transnationalism in Insular Riau. This project will contribute to the process of safeguarding Australia, through a better understanding of our nearest neighbours. An enhanced understanding of nationalism and regionalism in Southeast Asia is central to the maintenance of effective bilateral and multilateral relations between Australia and its near neighbours. Cross-border tension between our ASEAN neighbours is potentially a problem for Australia, and thu ....In the shadow of Singapore: The limits of transnationalism in Insular Riau. This project will contribute to the process of safeguarding Australia, through a better understanding of our nearest neighbours. An enhanced understanding of nationalism and regionalism in Southeast Asia is central to the maintenance of effective bilateral and multilateral relations between Australia and its near neighbours. Cross-border tension between our ASEAN neighbours is potentially a problem for Australia, and thus of political and economic concern to all Australians.Read moreRead less
Indonesian young adults facing the future. While much Indonesian research has focused on adolescent issues, young adults, those aged 20-34, the largest generation in Indonesian history, have been largely ignored both by researchers and policy makers. As the vanguard generation in Indonesia's new democratic, economic and cultural future, this generation's successful transition to adulthood is crucial. Research findings will engage the attention of key policy makers in Indonesia, many of whom are ....Indonesian young adults facing the future. While much Indonesian research has focused on adolescent issues, young adults, those aged 20-34, the largest generation in Indonesian history, have been largely ignored both by researchers and policy makers. As the vanguard generation in Indonesia's new democratic, economic and cultural future, this generation's successful transition to adulthood is crucial. Research findings will engage the attention of key policy makers in Indonesia, many of whom are parents of the study generation. The researchers have been working in this policy arena for over two decades. Indonesia's social, economic, religious and cultural stability will contribute to Australia's future and security.Read moreRead less
Contact zones: activism, art and media in Italy, 1994-2006. This project will generate knowledge about recent activism, social change and contemporary art practices in Italy; it will add to Australia's international reputation as a centre of research on contemporary Italy; it will assist in facilitating cultural relations between Australia and Italy as already established in cultural and scientific bilateral agreements.