Sibling influence on development of children with autism spectrum disorder. This project aims to investigate how typically-developing siblings affect the development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD involves difficulties with language, executive functions and social understanding. For typically-developing children, growing up with siblings gives an advantage in these cognitive functions. Yet little is known about how having siblings’ impacts on cognitive development of childr ....Sibling influence on development of children with autism spectrum disorder. This project aims to investigate how typically-developing siblings affect the development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD involves difficulties with language, executive functions and social understanding. For typically-developing children, growing up with siblings gives an advantage in these cognitive functions. Yet little is known about how having siblings’ impacts on cognitive development of children with ASD. The project intends to longitudinally explore the mechanisms of sibling impact in families with and without a child with ASD. The outcomes will deepen understanding of child development, providing an evidence base for effective interventions to increase child competence and aiming ultimately to reduce the social costs of ASD.Read moreRead less
Furthering Positive Futures for Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Longitudinal Investigation. This project will address the paucity of empirical research on drivers of psychosocial and physical well-being (PPW; for example self-concept, depression, behavioural problems, physical fitness, weight) of children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). This proposal presents an extensive research program aimed at understanding the effects of school life and Physical Activity (PA) on PPW for Aust ....Furthering Positive Futures for Children with Intellectual Disabilities: A Longitudinal Investigation. This project will address the paucity of empirical research on drivers of psychosocial and physical well-being (PPW; for example self-concept, depression, behavioural problems, physical fitness, weight) of children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). This proposal presents an extensive research program aimed at understanding the effects of school life and Physical Activity (PA) on PPW for Australian children with ID. This program examines: the relations between school life and PPW; the benefits, barriers and predictors of PA; moderators (personal characteristics, educational settings). The overarching objective is to advance theory and research in this area, and to inform intervention strategies furthering more positive futures for children with ID.Read moreRead less
New Media and Public Communication: Mapping Australian User-Created Content in Online Social Networks. Understanding the ways people contribute to and use the Internet for a wide range of purposes is important to Australia's future from both a social and an economic perspective. Effective, evidence-based policy depends on developing a vastly improved understanding of the current level of Australians' online activities and interests. This project provides crucial, detailed baseline data on the so ....New Media and Public Communication: Mapping Australian User-Created Content in Online Social Networks. Understanding the ways people contribute to and use the Internet for a wide range of purposes is important to Australia's future from both a social and an economic perspective. Effective, evidence-based policy depends on developing a vastly improved understanding of the current level of Australians' online activities and interests. This project provides crucial, detailed baseline data on the social, cultural and technological dynamics of Australian online public communication, which can inform further government initiatives to strengthen the country's digital economy and to maximise civic engagement through media participation.Read moreRead less
Neurodevelopmental disorders and loneliness: School predictors & outcomes. This project aims to establish trajectories of loneliness across the 10-18 year developmental period in adolescents with neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs). This is significant because adolescence is the peak period for loneliness and the social communication difficulties experienced by adolescents with NDDs place them at greater risk of loneliness. Lower levels of school attendance, connectedness and mental well-being, ....Neurodevelopmental disorders and loneliness: School predictors & outcomes. This project aims to establish trajectories of loneliness across the 10-18 year developmental period in adolescents with neuro-developmental disorders (NDDs). This is significant because adolescence is the peak period for loneliness and the social communication difficulties experienced by adolescents with NDDs place them at greater risk of loneliness. Lower levels of school attendance, connectedness and mental well-being, and higher rates of disruptive behaviour, expulsion, drop-out, depression, social withdrawal, and suicide ideation are strongly linked to loneliness. Therefore predicting critical times in trajectories will enhance emotional, behavioural and school related outcomes and optimise economic, societal and quality of life benefits.Read moreRead less
Structural relations of loners' loneliness and antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents: building a conceptual model for effective intervention. This is the first research project to develop a conceptual model of loneliness and detached a-loneness to explain the contribution of loneliness to childhood and adolescent antisocial behaviour. The outcome will be a school-based web delivered program which will have a major impact on promoting the healthy development of young Australians.
Tracking the experiences of students enrolled in segregated settings for challenging behaviour and their reintegration to mainstream schools. The aim of this project is to better combat school exclusion by understanding the experiences and outcomes of students who have been referred to special schools for challenging behaviour. The project will contribute to the Commonwealth government's national agenda linking educational outcomes with enhanced social inclusion.
Understanding and Combatting 'Dark Political Communication'. This project examines an emergent series of tactics used by political actors (i.e. politicians, lobbyists, political groups, etc.) that we are calling 'Dark Political Communication' (DPC). DPC differs markedly from existing, well-established modes of political communication, as it often involves the deliberate spread of disinformation, use of highly inflammatory language, antagonism towards the press and democratic institutions, as wel ....Understanding and Combatting 'Dark Political Communication'. This project examines an emergent series of tactics used by political actors (i.e. politicians, lobbyists, political groups, etc.) that we are calling 'Dark Political Communication' (DPC). DPC differs markedly from existing, well-established modes of political communication, as it often involves the deliberate spread of disinformation, use of highly inflammatory language, antagonism towards the press and democratic institutions, as well as actions that seek to exacerbate social discord. In this project, we will provide the first-ever complete account of DPC tactics, and provide a series of recommendations to journalists about how their practice can best evolve to address this novel communication paradigm. Read moreRead less
Empire and Antipodes: Australian-New Zealand involvement in the Empire/Commonwealth Press Union (1909-1970). This project will investigate the role and changing significance of the Empire/Commonwealth Press Union (1909-1970) focussing on its regular international conferences and the communication issues raised by the Australian-New Zealand delegations which attended. Drawing on the work of Harold Innis on the history of communication across empires and using the E./C.P.U as a case study, the pr ....Empire and Antipodes: Australian-New Zealand involvement in the Empire/Commonwealth Press Union (1909-1970). This project will investigate the role and changing significance of the Empire/Commonwealth Press Union (1909-1970) focussing on its regular international conferences and the communication issues raised by the Australian-New Zealand delegations which attended. Drawing on the work of Harold Innis on the history of communication across empires and using the E./C.P.U as a case study, the project seeks to investigate the ascendancy and decline of British imperial communications in terms of old/new media and British/antipodean communications. Key debates and concerns of the A/NZ press delegations, including press freedom, cable technology and the advent of broadcast media, will be examined within the shifting contexts of private/public monopoly and imperial/national loyalty with reference to parallel developments in India.Read moreRead less
Economic, Legal and Cultural Dynamics of TV Format Flows in the Asia/Pacific Region. Globalisation affects all nation-states, especially through TV systems. Little is known about the extended circumstances of these changes, especially the role played by transfer of ideas and techniques, particularly program formats. This investigation of the international dimension of national TV systems in Asia and the Pacific develops a comparative analysis of complex patterns of contemporary economic, legal ....Economic, Legal and Cultural Dynamics of TV Format Flows in the Asia/Pacific Region. Globalisation affects all nation-states, especially through TV systems. Little is known about the extended circumstances of these changes, especially the role played by transfer of ideas and techniques, particularly program formats. This investigation of the international dimension of national TV systems in Asia and the Pacific develops a comparative analysis of complex patterns of contemporary economic, legal and cultural sovereignty. By studying national, sub-regional and regional currents in TV "copycatting", we will generate significant lessons for TV industries, media policy and legal protection. A book analysing the meaning of format flow will become a landmark in the field.Read moreRead less
The Culture of International TV Format Flows: Two studies in its development and genesis. Global movements of cultural knowhow affect all creative industries, especially TV. As 'recipes' for making programs, formats have reorganized this trade along lines familiar in service industries. What though are the institutions, atmosphere, rituals, presuppositions and so on that organise it worldwide? Little is actually known about how the format market works, how it was innovated and how it has deve ....The Culture of International TV Format Flows: Two studies in its development and genesis. Global movements of cultural knowhow affect all creative industries, especially TV. As 'recipes' for making programs, formats have reorganized this trade along lines familiar in service industries. What though are the institutions, atmosphere, rituals, presuppositions and so on that organise it worldwide? Little is actually known about how the format market works, how it was innovated and how it has developed. This pioneering investigation will clarify understanding of the complex patterns of commercial and cultural linkage operating in the business. Its major outcome will be to suggest how Australia can take greater future advantage of this development.Read moreRead less