Pathways to social cohesion and social change: opinion-based groups and the dynamic formation of identities. This project will update the understanding of political conflict by exploring groups based around shared opinions. It will show that groups are likely to be more successful in their political campaigns when they tie their causes to national and other positive identifies.
The politics of public administration reform: capacity development and ideological contestation in international state-building. Why do expensive international aid programs often fail to achieve public administration reform in fragile states? This study investigates how the beliefs of public servants about the nature of their role reflect societal conflicts and alliances. Understanding this offers aid practitioners a means of designing tactical responses to reform agendas.
Securitisation and the governance of non-traditional security in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific. In recent years, the Australian government has become concerned with managing non-traditional security threats such as terrorism and pandemics in Australia's region. This project compares responses to terrorism and health scares in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific to explain the processes shaping the way security is understood and governed.