War, Literary Culture and Masculinity in Romantic Period Britain, 1750-1850. The Romantic period represents a formative moment in the history of Australia and my reconsideration of Romantic culture and war has relevance for understanding this history. Australia's own experience of war first originated with the frontier wars of 1788-1838. My research into British Romantic military and naval war writing will provide key insights into the military culture that dominated this formative moment of Aus ....War, Literary Culture and Masculinity in Romantic Period Britain, 1750-1850. The Romantic period represents a formative moment in the history of Australia and my reconsideration of Romantic culture and war has relevance for understanding this history. Australia's own experience of war first originated with the frontier wars of 1788-1838. My research into British Romantic military and naval war writing will provide key insights into the military culture that dominated this formative moment of Australian military history. War has, more broadly, been pivotal in the formation of Australian nationhood and identity. My project will contribute to our understanding of the role of war in Australian culture by providing fresh insight into the historical role of war writing in constructing modern forms of identity.Read moreRead less
A History of the Theatre in Late Georgian Britain: Spaces, Sociability and Cultural Networks. The Romantic period in Britain was formative in the history of Australia and the reconfiguring of Romantic period culture which this project entails will be of relevance to the understanding of our history. The ideologies and practices of Enlightenment sociability underpinned the early years of the colony, as much as they influenced metropolitan culture. In 2005, when many of the achievements of Enlig ....A History of the Theatre in Late Georgian Britain: Spaces, Sociability and Cultural Networks. The Romantic period in Britain was formative in the history of Australia and the reconfiguring of Romantic period culture which this project entails will be of relevance to the understanding of our history. The ideologies and practices of Enlightenment sociability underpinned the early years of the colony, as much as they influenced metropolitan culture. In 2005, when many of the achievements of Enlightenment modernity have been questioned or are perceived to be under threat, it is also worth re-examining the egalitarianism underlying the ideals if sometimes not the practice of Georgian sociability. This research will also enhance Australia's overseas reputation in the field of eighteenth-century and Romantic studies.Read moreRead less
Globalising Masculine Ideals: Chinese Men in Australia since 1980. This project explores how masculinity is constructed in present-day Australia amongst the Chinese diaspora and how these constructions have been and are being transformed. It follows from my recent research on the wen-wu (cultural attainment - martial valour) dyad as a Chinese masculinity ideal. My hypothesis in this project is that the traditional stereotypes continue their influence among the Chinese diaspora, but with salient ....Globalising Masculine Ideals: Chinese Men in Australia since 1980. This project explores how masculinity is constructed in present-day Australia amongst the Chinese diaspora and how these constructions have been and are being transformed. It follows from my recent research on the wen-wu (cultural attainment - martial valour) dyad as a Chinese masculinity ideal. My hypothesis in this project is that the traditional stereotypes continue their influence among the Chinese diaspora, but with salient modifications. The traditional primacy of wen is being contested when wen-wu is transplanted onto the Australian context. The findings, to be published as a book and articles, will shed new light on the evolving Chinese masculine identity.Read moreRead less