Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the ....Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the Northern Territory. A key objective is to combine applied and critical approaches in expanding our understanding of the interactions that takes place between external agencies and local communities. The research will contribute to the improved design and implementation of initiatives for managing local resources.Read moreRead less
Activating and maintaining community participation in natural and cultural resources initiatives in the Murray-Darling Basin. The project goes beyond the rhetoric of participation to discover what factors activate communities and individuals to become involved in programs and voluntary initiatives for natural resource management. It assesses the effectiveness of existing communication channels and develops new models for more effective and representative participation. It combines the National M ....Activating and maintaining community participation in natural and cultural resources initiatives in the Murray-Darling Basin. The project goes beyond the rhetoric of participation to discover what factors activate communities and individuals to become involved in programs and voluntary initiatives for natural resource management. It assesses the effectiveness of existing communication channels and develops new models for more effective and representative participation. It combines the National Museum of Australia's expertise in environmental history and public communication with the imperative of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to improve community participation in natural resource management. The potential for harnessing communications technology to facilitate new channels for participation is assessed through carefully evaluated pilot programs.Read moreRead less
Exploring processes of change in parenting interventions for high-risk parents. This study will identify the timing and triggers of change in parents as they participate over 18 months in an intensive therapeutic parenting program. The findings will inform planners and service providers about the most effective features of such programs to facilitate change in parents at risk of abuse and neglect of their children.
Stewarding thin markets: improving public sector market effectiveness. This project aims to develop methodologies to identify thin markets in the public service sector. Thin markets, where there are a low number of buyers or low number of sellers, are a major risk for governments utilising a personalised approach to service delivery. This project will develop new methodologies for identifying thin markets and determine ways emerging markets can be stewarded to better achieve their aims.
Caring at end of life: understanding the nature and effect of informal community care networks for people dying at home. This project will provide an understanding of the function and purpose of caring networks for people at the end of their life, specifically for people who are dying at home. This understanding will enable the development of communities capacity in addition to informing a national health promotion approach to palliative care.
Young people with cognitive disability: relationships and paid support. This project aims to improve the rights and wellbeing of young people with cognitive disability by exploring their relationship and interaction with paid support workers. The introduction of national individualised funding and support is a watershed in Australian disability policy. Understanding the role that paid support plays in the ongoing identity development of these young people is urgently needed to realise national p ....Young people with cognitive disability: relationships and paid support. This project aims to improve the rights and wellbeing of young people with cognitive disability by exploring their relationship and interaction with paid support workers. The introduction of national individualised funding and support is a watershed in Australian disability policy. Understanding the role that paid support plays in the ongoing identity development of these young people is urgently needed to realise national policy aspirations for people with disability of rights, choice, inclusion and independence. Using social geography and recognition theory, the project expects to deliver new understanding and improved practice around how paid support relationships can foster mutual care, respect and value at a critically important time in young people’s lives.Read moreRead less
Community Capacity Building in Child Protection Through Responsive Regulation. Neglect and abuse of children is a critical issue in this country. The number of cases reported to state authorities is increasing. Recent estimates show that a child is abused every 2 minutes in Australia. This research develops an innovative approach that protects children while promoting greater support for families. By harnessing and building community capacity this approach has the potential to make more efficien ....Community Capacity Building in Child Protection Through Responsive Regulation. Neglect and abuse of children is a critical issue in this country. The number of cases reported to state authorities is increasing. Recent estimates show that a child is abused every 2 minutes in Australia. This research develops an innovative approach that protects children while promoting greater support for families. By harnessing and building community capacity this approach has the potential to make more efficient use of existing resources through earlier intervention and improved cooperation with families. This project aims to reduce the incidents and harm caused by child abuse and neglect in ways that strengthen communities, while enhancing the integrity of child protection agencies.Read moreRead less
Small mercies, big futures: enhancing law, policy and practice in the selection, protection and settlement of refugee children and youth. This project will assist refugee youth and children who ultimately become Australian citizens or permanent residents. In so doing, it will help to maximise the social benefits that flow from immigration. The project will also help to reduce the risk of social dysfunction that flows from damage sustained in childhood. By raising awareness of issues involving ....Small mercies, big futures: enhancing law, policy and practice in the selection, protection and settlement of refugee children and youth. This project will assist refugee youth and children who ultimately become Australian citizens or permanent residents. In so doing, it will help to maximise the social benefits that flow from immigration. The project will also help to reduce the risk of social dysfunction that flows from damage sustained in childhood. By raising awareness of issues involving refugee children, the project will encourage Australians to become more responsive to children generally. Finally, the international exposure generated by the project will assist in restoring Australia's international reputation, which has been damaged by poor practices in relation to refugee youth and children in the past.Read moreRead less
Regional Dimensions: The Spatial Implications of Population Ageing and Needs-Based Planning of Government Services. The national fiscal implications of population ageing have received extensive attention from government in the past few years. However, relatively little attention has been given to the spatial implications of population ageing. Yet such effects will become vigorously debated matters of public policy in the near future, as such issues as regional labour force shortages and regional ....Regional Dimensions: The Spatial Implications of Population Ageing and Needs-Based Planning of Government Services. The national fiscal implications of population ageing have received extensive attention from government in the past few years. However, relatively little attention has been given to the spatial implications of population ageing. Yet such effects will become vigorously debated matters of public policy in the near future, as such issues as regional labour force shortages and regional demand for aged care services assume greater prominence. This project will improve the ability of State and Territory governments to plan for the current and future need for particular government services at a small area level, including services for children and the aged.Read moreRead less
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE: UNDERSTANDING, BUILDING AND SUSTAINING EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE IN RURAL, REMOTE AND URBAN INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES. This project investigates Indigenous community governance - its structures, processes, institutions, leadership, powers and capacities - across rural, remote and urban settings. It will longitudinally assess the effectiveness of different forms of governance, and their consequences for socioeconomic development. It applies an innovative, multi ....INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE: UNDERSTANDING, BUILDING AND SUSTAINING EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE IN RURAL, REMOTE AND URBAN INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITIES. This project investigates Indigenous community governance - its structures, processes, institutions, leadership, powers and capacities - across rural, remote and urban settings. It will longitudinally assess the effectiveness of different forms of governance, and their consequences for socioeconomic development. It applies an innovative, multi-disciplinary focus on community governing bodies, mapping their cultural, local and regional governance environments, and analysing the role of State and national-level policy networks and objectives. The project will refine theoretical models of Indigenous governance; develop recommendations for improving governance capacity; and design options for sustainable arrangements that address inter-cultural matters of scale, autonomy, representation, and accountability.Read moreRead less