The Genie in the Bottle:Science, Politics and Diplomacy in Australia's Engagement with Chemical and Biological Weapons, 1915-1995. The threat of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) is attracting increasing attention worldwide. Australia's engagement with the CBW began during the First World War. Since then, Australia has been influential in promoting CBW control regimes. However, this experience has raised many questions. This project explores Australia's historical and current response to ....The Genie in the Bottle:Science, Politics and Diplomacy in Australia's Engagement with Chemical and Biological Weapons, 1915-1995. The threat of chemical and biological weapons (CBW) is attracting increasing attention worldwide. Australia's engagement with the CBW began during the First World War. Since then, Australia has been influential in promoting CBW control regimes. However, this experience has raised many questions. This project explores Australia's historical and current response to the central issues of CBW. Using archival and contemporary sources, it analyses the interplay between science, politics and diplomacy. Combining history and political science, it assesses the implications of recent developments in CBW for Australia's role in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.Read moreRead less
The Characterisation of Fires in Tunnels. A series of 22 fires ranging from 2 megawatt up to 20 megawatt intensity will be set under controlled conditions in unused tunnel facilities, in New South Wales. Instrumentation in the tunnel, donated by the State Rail Authority of New South Wales, will monitor the movement of particulates (smoke). This information is vital to tunnel design, and for passenger life safety. This information will be applicable to all tunnels worldwide.
From Emergence to Demise: Examining the Dynamic Life Cycle of Terrorist Campaigns. Australia has made a long term commitment to the global campaign against terrorism, under the sound premise that it will take a persistent investment of energy and resources to succeed, and the notion that success in this struggle will be contingent on the depth of our knowledge about the nature of the threat. This project will contribute to this effort by enhancing global understanding of the different stages of ....From Emergence to Demise: Examining the Dynamic Life Cycle of Terrorist Campaigns. Australia has made a long term commitment to the global campaign against terrorism, under the sound premise that it will take a persistent investment of energy and resources to succeed, and the notion that success in this struggle will be contingent on the depth of our knowledge about the nature of the threat. This project will contribute to this effort by enhancing global understanding of the different stages of the dynamic life cycle of terrorist campaigns, and by formulating empirically based policy recommendations that will move beyond flawed quick-fix solutions, toward the building of a consistent long-term incremental strategy for managing a threat that will never fully disappear.Read moreRead less
Development of a Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) Database. In recent years, incidents of fire flashover have caused considerable destruction to property and the loss of life. Fire prediction and understanding is an area of significance to both the Australian public and the firefighting profession. The NSW Fire Brigade has recently introduced Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT). To extend this scheme, a database of configurations will be developed using computational modelling, ....Development of a Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) Database. In recent years, incidents of fire flashover have caused considerable destruction to property and the loss of life. Fire prediction and understanding is an area of significance to both the Australian public and the firefighting profession. The NSW Fire Brigade has recently introduced Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT). To extend this scheme, a database of configurations will be developed using computational modelling, allowing firefighters the ability to experience virtually different situations. Detailed experimental studies will be conducted to validate the numerical model. This database will have use and significance beyond Australia and successful implementation promises reductions in the loss of life and property.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical study of sprinklers for improved fire safety. Fire sprinklers are a common method for extinguishing fires. Current lack of detailed knowledge about sprinklers can lead to conservative design and excessive cost, often limiting the installation of these proven life-saving devices. This project sees the involvement of Arup Pty Ltd and the NSW Fire Brigade in examining the behaviour of sprinklers using a custom-designed test-rig, laser based measurement and a numerical mod ....Experimental and numerical study of sprinklers for improved fire safety. Fire sprinklers are a common method for extinguishing fires. Current lack of detailed knowledge about sprinklers can lead to conservative design and excessive cost, often limiting the installation of these proven life-saving devices. This project sees the involvement of Arup Pty Ltd and the NSW Fire Brigade in examining the behaviour of sprinklers using a custom-designed test-rig, laser based measurement and a numerical model. This will result in improved confidence in sprinkler specification and installation and the project will have use and significance beyond Australia. Successful implementation promises reductions in the loss of life and property as well as financial savings.Read moreRead less
The Political Thought of European Women: 1400-1800. Women's political theory has so far received scant attention in the
history of political thought. Our research aims to address this problem by providing an introduction to the major political texts written by women during the period of 1400-1800. It will result in the first book-length analysis of the political theories of early modern European women and their influence on European political practice. It will highlight the work of many unjustl ....The Political Thought of European Women: 1400-1800. Women's political theory has so far received scant attention in the
history of political thought. Our research aims to address this problem by providing an introduction to the major political texts written by women during the period of 1400-1800. It will result in the first book-length analysis of the political theories of early modern European women and their influence on European political practice. It will highlight the work of many unjustly neglected female thinkers and contribute to the understanding of European traditions of political justice and the origins of our political institutions.Read moreRead less
Australia's Nuclear Choices. Australia's nuclear choices will be made in the context of a challenging and fluid international strategic environment characterised in Australia's immediate region by heightened global concerns regarding such transnational dilemmas as terrorism, energy security and nuclear proliferation. This project, through exploring the nature, evolution and consequences of contemporary strategic, military and civil nuclear developments impacting on the international non-prolifer ....Australia's Nuclear Choices. Australia's nuclear choices will be made in the context of a challenging and fluid international strategic environment characterised in Australia's immediate region by heightened global concerns regarding such transnational dilemmas as terrorism, energy security and nuclear proliferation. This project, through exploring the nature, evolution and consequences of contemporary strategic, military and civil nuclear developments impacting on the international non-proliferation regime will enable Australian policy-makers to better calibrate the costs and benefits of potential policy changes across these strategic, regime and market realms of Australia's nuclear interests.Read moreRead less
The Role of Naturalism in Ontology and Scientific Methodology. Naturalism is the philosophical doctrine perhaps best described as a respect for the methods of the natural sciences. Although most contemporary philosophers would describe themselves as naturalists, exactly how this important doctrine is spelled out is a matter of much controversy. What is more, many substantial issues in both philosophy of science and in metaphysics depend crucially on how we understand naturalism. This project ....The Role of Naturalism in Ontology and Scientific Methodology. Naturalism is the philosophical doctrine perhaps best described as a respect for the methods of the natural sciences. Although most contemporary philosophers would describe themselves as naturalists, exactly how this important doctrine is spelled out is a matter of much controversy. What is more, many substantial issues in both philosophy of science and in metaphysics depend crucially on how we understand naturalism. This project will investigate the various conceptions of naturalism, looking at both their motivations and their implications for philosophy and scientific and mathematical methodology.Read moreRead less
Science, Litigation and the Public Accountability of Vertically Integrated Expertise. The impetus for this research derives from concerns with tort law reform; the loss of public trust in science and legal process when expertise is perceived to be biased; the opportunity cost of inappropriate regulation from misunderstood expertise in litigation; and issues of social justice when regulators and courts disregard plaintiffs' legitimate claims because of a refusal to consider various forms of exper ....Science, Litigation and the Public Accountability of Vertically Integrated Expertise. The impetus for this research derives from concerns with tort law reform; the loss of public trust in science and legal process when expertise is perceived to be biased; the opportunity cost of inappropriate regulation from misunderstood expertise in litigation; and issues of social justice when regulators and courts disregard plaintiffs' legitimate claims because of a refusal to consider various forms of expertise. By offering a conceptually fresh look at science/law relations, the project will enrich public understanding of the management of controversial scientific issues by the legal system, and assist in the clearer framing of law reform and science policy.Read moreRead less
Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detaile ....Foundation remediation using resin injection. The aim of this research project is to explore the application of injected expanded polyurethane resins as a new option for the re-levelling and stabilisation of deflected foundations on reactive clay soils. It will identify the physical and behavioural characteristics of resin-injected reactive clay foundations, in the context of both shallow and deep injection, and will identify any limitations to the applicability of the approach. Based on detailed laboratory and field testing, and advanced numerical modelling, the outcome will be the ability to confidently assess various foundation remediation strategies in reactive clay soils, and provide much needed design guidance to the geotechnical profession and building industry.Read moreRead less