Mobilising media for sustainable outcomes in the Pacific region. Almost 25 per cent of Australia's total aid budget will be spent in Pacific Island countries this year. In collaboration with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the project will research the use of media and communication for development in the Pacific to increase our understanding of the region and inform practices that will improve the development outcomes from Australia's aid funding.
Australian news media and Indigenous policymaking 1988-2008. Our research will enhance both journalistic and policymaking practice by providing comprehensive, contemporary data about the relationships between journalism practices and Indigenous policymaking processes. We will examine media texts, policy documents, public statements and journalists' and policymakers' local knowledge. The ways in which Indigenous issues are discussed through the public media have concrete policy outcomes that impa ....Australian news media and Indigenous policymaking 1988-2008. Our research will enhance both journalistic and policymaking practice by providing comprehensive, contemporary data about the relationships between journalism practices and Indigenous policymaking processes. We will examine media texts, policy documents, public statements and journalists' and policymakers' local knowledge. The ways in which Indigenous issues are discussed through the public media have concrete policy outcomes that impact on the lives of Indigenous Australians, on the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and ultimately on Australia as a nation. As such, the research falls within theNational Research Priority area of maintaining good health, by aiming to strengthen Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
China's Rural Migrant Workers: Social Transition and Cultural Practice. This project will help Australians understand some of the growing social tensions and conflicts in contemporary China, thereby enhancing Australia's already strong reputation as a leading research community on China. It will generate grass-roots knowledge of individuals' experiences and perspectives - particularly those of the rural migrant. This knowledge is crucial if Australia is to forge links with China, and develop a n ....China's Rural Migrant Workers: Social Transition and Cultural Practice. This project will help Australians understand some of the growing social tensions and conflicts in contemporary China, thereby enhancing Australia's already strong reputation as a leading research community on China. It will generate grass-roots knowledge of individuals' experiences and perspectives - particularly those of the rural migrant. This knowledge is crucial if Australia is to forge links with China, and develop a nuanced and penetrating grasp of the socio-economic realities of the region. In addition, the study will generate cross-cultural perspectives on media, work and family - all increasingly pressing issues in the formation of social policy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Australian screen content in primary, secondary and tertiary education: uses and potential. This project will investigate the educational market for Australian screen content and the ways students use and engage with that content. This will inform policy development, stimulate content production and distribution, and increase awareness of the availability and utility of Australian screen content in educational settings.
The reinvention of Indigenous media: Innovation, expansion and social development. Detailed examination of Remote Indigenous Media Organisations will provide much-needed evidence of the role that community media organisations play in communications uptake and use in remote communities. The success of RIMOs further suggests that investigation at the organisational level may yield lessons for social development more broadly. Content analysis will identify gaps and achievements in Indigenous media ....The reinvention of Indigenous media: Innovation, expansion and social development. Detailed examination of Remote Indigenous Media Organisations will provide much-needed evidence of the role that community media organisations play in communications uptake and use in remote communities. The success of RIMOs further suggests that investigation at the organisational level may yield lessons for social development more broadly. Content analysis will identify gaps and achievements in Indigenous media production, providing a deeper understanding of how local media interacts with and informs national textual systems. The project will also analyse communications innovations occurring in remote communities and assess the possibilities for Indigenous industry development.Read moreRead less
Transforming Drivers: Driving as Social, Cultural and Gendered Practice. Drawing on cultural studies, social psychology, philosophy and social studies of technology, this interdisciplinary project responds to industry calls for more in-depth alternatives to traditional models of driver psychology that rely on behaviour. A model of driving as a complex cultural practice and social activity will be elaborated through an innovative approach which explores the links between the experience of drivin ....Transforming Drivers: Driving as Social, Cultural and Gendered Practice. Drawing on cultural studies, social psychology, philosophy and social studies of technology, this interdisciplinary project responds to industry calls for more in-depth alternatives to traditional models of driver psychology that rely on behaviour. A model of driving as a complex cultural practice and social activity will be elaborated through an innovative approach which explores the links between the experience of driving, cultural identity and media representations. The focus is on young drivers, with a special emphasis on gender differences. The project will generate new approaches to road safety research and driver education campaigns.Read moreRead less
Young, Mobile, Networked: Mobile Media and Youth Culture in Australia. Mobiles are a common part of life for young Australians, yet there is very little reliable data about how these are used and their social and cultural implications - especially new services such as mobile music, cameras and television. The qualitative and quantitative data from this project will give a detailed, national picture of mobile media use, and will be highly valuable for Australian companies, policymakers, regulator ....Young, Mobile, Networked: Mobile Media and Youth Culture in Australia. Mobiles are a common part of life for young Australians, yet there is very little reliable data about how these are used and their social and cultural implications - especially new services such as mobile music, cameras and television. The qualitative and quantitative data from this project will give a detailed, national picture of mobile media use, and will be highly valuable for Australian companies, policymakers, regulators, non-governmental organizations as well as researchers. It will provide new knowledge to inform planning and innovation, and contribute to a better understanding of the social and cultural implications of mobile technologies.Read moreRead less
Liberal Machines: Information poverty, political culture and the uses of new communications technologies. This project examines two contentious issues in scholarly and policy debate: the nature and consequences of information poverty, and the consequences of new communications technologies for western political culture. Rather than focussing on the emancipatory potential of new technologies, we see these problems through the prism of liberal government, its history and prospects. In particular w ....Liberal Machines: Information poverty, political culture and the uses of new communications technologies. This project examines two contentious issues in scholarly and policy debate: the nature and consequences of information poverty, and the consequences of new communications technologies for western political culture. Rather than focussing on the emancipatory potential of new technologies, we see these problems through the prism of liberal government, its history and prospects. In particular we are concerned with liberalism's longstanding concerns with security, civil peace, freedom, and disadvantage. We explore contemporary developments in electronic government, digital media, online learning, cyber-democracy and wired communities. The result will contribute to our understanding of the political and intellectual uses of information technology.Read moreRead less
Investigating, prototyping and trialling interactive online youth counselling tools. This project prototypes and trials interactive online counselling tools and evaluates their effectiveness in partnership with Australia's largest youth counselling service, Kids Help Line. There is a demonstrable need for Internet counselling practice and theory to incorporate opportunities offered by new information and communication technologies, especially to engage with the multimedia literacies of young peo ....Investigating, prototyping and trialling interactive online youth counselling tools. This project prototypes and trials interactive online counselling tools and evaluates their effectiveness in partnership with Australia's largest youth counselling service, Kids Help Line. There is a demonstrable need for Internet counselling practice and theory to incorporate opportunities offered by new information and communication technologies, especially to engage with the multimedia literacies of young people. The project will investigate multi-user graphical interactivity in youth counselling and develop an evidence base for advances in online counselling worldwide. It will research and prototype graphical tools based on traditional counselling methods to improve service delivery, and benefit the wellbeing of young Australians.Read moreRead less
Toddlers and tablets: exploring the risks and benefits 0-5s face online. Children aged between zero and five are experiencing an extraordinary shift in media consumption. They intuitively swipe screens and press buttons on tablet computers and smartphones, using apps and accessing the internet. With an estimated five-fold increase in their tablet usage (2012 to 2013), there is an urgent need for research and policy development to maximise benefit and minimise risk. This project is intended to in ....Toddlers and tablets: exploring the risks and benefits 0-5s face online. Children aged between zero and five are experiencing an extraordinary shift in media consumption. They intuitively swipe screens and press buttons on tablet computers and smartphones, using apps and accessing the internet. With an estimated five-fold increase in their tablet usage (2012 to 2013), there is an urgent need for research and policy development to maximise benefit and minimise risk. This project is intended to investigate family practices and attitudes around very young children's internet use in Australia and the United Kingdom, and is expected to contribute to public debate and evidence-based policy in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland. It aims to develop recommendations for policy makers and offers guidelines for parents of three age groups: zero to one, two to three and four to five.Read moreRead less