Infertility, IVF and reproductive tourism in Thailand and the region. This project will deepen our knowledge of the cross-cultural issues involved in infertility and the transfer of assisted reproductive technologies in the Asian region. Australian IVF expertise and technology is exported overseas and the project will reflect upon the processes and dilemmas involved in this. Innovative work on reproductive tourism will develop new theoretical insights as well as describe a growing social phenome ....Infertility, IVF and reproductive tourism in Thailand and the region. This project will deepen our knowledge of the cross-cultural issues involved in infertility and the transfer of assisted reproductive technologies in the Asian region. Australian IVF expertise and technology is exported overseas and the project will reflect upon the processes and dilemmas involved in this. Innovative work on reproductive tourism will develop new theoretical insights as well as describe a growing social phenomenon in our region. Read moreRead less
Local responses to the threat of HIV/AIDS in the logging concessions in the Western Province, PNG. This research takes place in the logging concessions of the Western Province of PNG - a province that borders Australia. Our project will investigate some factors influencing people's sexual behaviour in the logging concessions. Because of their capacity to attract migrant labour these logging concessions are potential 'hot-spots' for the transmission of HIV/AIDS throughout PNG and towards Australi ....Local responses to the threat of HIV/AIDS in the logging concessions in the Western Province, PNG. This research takes place in the logging concessions of the Western Province of PNG - a province that borders Australia. Our project will investigate some factors influencing people's sexual behaviour in the logging concessions. Because of their capacity to attract migrant labour these logging concessions are potential 'hot-spots' for the transmission of HIV/AIDS throughout PNG and towards Australia. From our findings we will develop a community based risk-reduction intervention strategy that will help slow the spread of infections into the Western Province and Australia.Read moreRead less
Sisters and Sojourners: Stories of Rural Women in Urban China. A large increase in unofficial rural to urban migration has been one of the most significant aspects of social change in China in the last two decades. This project aims to advance our understanding of this phenomenon through a study of rural Chinese women's experiences of migration to the city, and in particular, the effects of migration upon their sense of identity, worldview and relationships with others. The project will involv ....Sisters and Sojourners: Stories of Rural Women in Urban China. A large increase in unofficial rural to urban migration has been one of the most significant aspects of social change in China in the last two decades. This project aims to advance our understanding of this phenomenon through a study of rural Chinese women's experiences of migration to the city, and in particular, the effects of migration upon their sense of identity, worldview and relationships with others. The project will involve ethnographic fieldwork, centring on the collection and analysis of rural migrant women's life stories. It will result in the publication of a book and three scholarly articles.Read moreRead less
Christianity, conflict, and culture: an anthropological investigation of the political role of churches in Solomon Islands. This project contributes to a better understanding of one of Australia's closest neighbours, Solomon Islands. This nation, the site of political turmoil in recent years, is now the focus of an Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission. Many scholars and policy makers have commented on the importance of Christian organizations during the crisis in Solomon Islands and the ne ....Christianity, conflict, and culture: an anthropological investigation of the political role of churches in Solomon Islands. This project contributes to a better understanding of one of Australia's closest neighbours, Solomon Islands. This nation, the site of political turmoil in recent years, is now the focus of an Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission. Many scholars and policy makers have commented on the importance of Christian organizations during the crisis in Solomon Islands and the need to incorporate them in current attempts to restore stability and prosperity. However, most discussions are not informed by an understanding indigenous Christian belief and practice, a lacuna that this project aims to fill by providing an ethnographic investigation of how church-linked groups engage with secular national and international organizations. Read moreRead less
Sexual contracts in Burma and Cambodia: Intersections of Desire, Duty and Debt. Prostitution, sex trafficking, and violence against women are global concerns. A better understanding of the underlying context that permits women and children to be abused in this manner in other cultures will allow Australia to assist in addressing these problems - in our own multicultural society and abroad - in a culturally appropriate manner that will prove far more effective than current approaches. Australia h ....Sexual contracts in Burma and Cambodia: Intersections of Desire, Duty and Debt. Prostitution, sex trafficking, and violence against women are global concerns. A better understanding of the underlying context that permits women and children to be abused in this manner in other cultures will allow Australia to assist in addressing these problems - in our own multicultural society and abroad - in a culturally appropriate manner that will prove far more effective than current approaches. Australia has long been regarded as a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, especially regarding crime prevention and protecting the rights of marginalised groups. The research outcomes of this project have practical applications that can only enhance our reputation.Read moreRead less
Vulnerability and resilience in Indonesian women suffering from cancer. This project aims to investigate the social processes shaping middle-aged women’s vulnerability and resilience to cervical cancer in Indonesia. This project will generate a new interdisciplinary approach to investigating how different factors such as age, socioeconomic status and gender intersect to influence women’s vulnerability across their life course. The project will provide significant research training for Australian ....Vulnerability and resilience in Indonesian women suffering from cancer. This project aims to investigate the social processes shaping middle-aged women’s vulnerability and resilience to cervical cancer in Indonesia. This project will generate a new interdisciplinary approach to investigating how different factors such as age, socioeconomic status and gender intersect to influence women’s vulnerability across their life course. The project will provide significant research training for Australians and Indonesians, extensive international collaboration, and a better understanding of how to reduce health disparities among vulnerable groups.Read moreRead less
Farmers of the Future: the Challenges of Feminised Agriculture in India. Neoliberal economic policies are fundamentally transforming the social landscapes of rural India, causing a deep agrarian crisis. The agrarian changes accentuate the unequal consequences for poor women and men in relation to: production (labour, tenure); livelihood and food security; access to and ownership of assets such as land and water and access to agricultural innovations and institutions. This multiscalar project inv ....Farmers of the Future: the Challenges of Feminised Agriculture in India. Neoliberal economic policies are fundamentally transforming the social landscapes of rural India, causing a deep agrarian crisis. The agrarian changes accentuate the unequal consequences for poor women and men in relation to: production (labour, tenure); livelihood and food security; access to and ownership of assets such as land and water and access to agricultural innovations and institutions. This multiscalar project investigates the causes and consequences of feminisation of agriculture in India’s transitioning economy in order to understand how gender roles and relations are being re-shaped in communities and households in diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts and agro-ecological areas.Read moreRead less
Immigration and parenting among Cambodian and Iraqi women in Australia. Immigration will continue to contribute to Australia's social, cultural and economic fabric. By provide immigrant women with the opportunity to articulate their lived experiences as immigrants and mothers, this study will contribute to our understanding of ways to enhance their social inclusion and resilience. By identifying ways to support newly settled women and their families, the study will contribute to policies and pro ....Immigration and parenting among Cambodian and Iraqi women in Australia. Immigration will continue to contribute to Australia's social, cultural and economic fabric. By provide immigrant women with the opportunity to articulate their lived experiences as immigrants and mothers, this study will contribute to our understanding of ways to enhance their social inclusion and resilience. By identifying ways to support newly settled women and their families, the study will contribute to policies and programs, ensuring a healthy start to life for their children and promoting and maintaining their health, with economic and social benefits to Australia as a whole.Read moreRead less