Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of posit ....Positrons in biosystems. This project aims to improve our understanding of the damage processes in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). PET is a widely used medical imaging technique, but there are gaps in our understanding of the underlying interactions, in particular in the case of the radiation damage induced during the process. By using new models incorporating accurate descriptions of interactions processes, verified by experimental measurement, this project will develop a new model of positron transport in PET. The project will allow validation of predictions from the model by undertaking experiments in liquid water.Read moreRead less
Universal quantum imaging. This project will integrate quantum technology with the rapidly advancing techniques of spatial light modulation utilised in LCD displays and video projectors. We will develop, for the first time, broadly versatile imaging technology based on quantum mechanics, enabling both important applications in future medical diagnostic devices and communication systems; and fundamental advances in the biological and quantum sciences. Quantum technologies offer the promise to rev ....Universal quantum imaging. This project will integrate quantum technology with the rapidly advancing techniques of spatial light modulation utilised in LCD displays and video projectors. We will develop, for the first time, broadly versatile imaging technology based on quantum mechanics, enabling both important applications in future medical diagnostic devices and communication systems; and fundamental advances in the biological and quantum sciences. Quantum technologies offer the promise to revolutionise many aspects of modern life, from computing and communications, to medical imaging and metrology. This project will put Australia at the international forefront of quantum imaging, enhancing Australia's already significant international presence in the area.Read moreRead less
Expectations and commitments in the Australia-USA alliance. This project aims to investigate the gap between the high expectations of mutual support and the lack of detailed security commitments in the Australia-US Alliance. The project intends to use a focused approach that captures thematic aspects of the alliance through project frames and historical slices across time. Expected outcomes can advance understanding of how alliances operate as security institutions. The outcomes can help to prom ....Expectations and commitments in the Australia-USA alliance. This project aims to investigate the gap between the high expectations of mutual support and the lack of detailed security commitments in the Australia-US Alliance. The project intends to use a focused approach that captures thematic aspects of the alliance through project frames and historical slices across time. Expected outcomes can advance understanding of how alliances operate as security institutions. The outcomes can help to promote a more informed national conversation about the costs and benefits of Australia's security relationship with the United States of America (USA) and contribute to debates over the future of the Australia-USA Alliance during a period of strategic uncertainty.Read moreRead less
Radical right populist parties. This project aims to explain why some radical right-wing populists in Western democracies enter governmental alliances with mainstream parties while others remain isolated. The emergence, spread and electoral success of radical right populists is a problem facing liberal democracy in the twenty-first century. While these parties’ policies, ideologies and rhetoric are similar, their relationships with mainstream parties are different. By examining explanatory facto ....Radical right populist parties. This project aims to explain why some radical right-wing populists in Western democracies enter governmental alliances with mainstream parties while others remain isolated. The emergence, spread and electoral success of radical right populists is a problem facing liberal democracy in the twenty-first century. While these parties’ policies, ideologies and rhetoric are similar, their relationships with mainstream parties are different. By examining explanatory factors that Political Science studies have so far been neglected, this project seeks to explain this variation and explore its implications for coalition theory.Read moreRead less
The impact of political reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific. Focusing on the cases of East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, this project will examine the contribution that political reconciliation processes, practices and events make to the pursuit of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific. Using a highly contextual, interpretive approach grounded in intensive in-country fieldwork, it will provide an empirically grounded assessment of regional reconciliation processes that not only co ....The impact of political reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific. Focusing on the cases of East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands, this project will examine the contribution that political reconciliation processes, practices and events make to the pursuit of peace and security in the Asia-Pacific. Using a highly contextual, interpretive approach grounded in intensive in-country fieldwork, it will provide an empirically grounded assessment of regional reconciliation processes that not only contributes to the development of scholarly literature on transitional justice, peacebuilding and security, but also to contemporary policy debates concerning Australia’s engagement with states within its immediate regional neighbourhood.Read moreRead less
Amnesties and peace accords in the Asia-Pacific. This project aims to produce a comprehensive empirical study of peace-settlement amnesties and their impact on democracy, human rights and long-term peace in the aftermath of violent con?ict. It combines a large-scale global study of all amnesties included in peace accords from 1980 to 2005 with four case studies drawn from the Asia-Paci?c region: Indonesia/Aceh; Papua New Guinea/Bougainville; East Timor; and the Solomon Islands. It will provide a ....Amnesties and peace accords in the Asia-Pacific. This project aims to produce a comprehensive empirical study of peace-settlement amnesties and their impact on democracy, human rights and long-term peace in the aftermath of violent con?ict. It combines a large-scale global study of all amnesties included in peace accords from 1980 to 2005 with four case studies drawn from the Asia-Paci?c region: Indonesia/Aceh; Papua New Guinea/Bougainville; East Timor; and the Solomon Islands. It will provide an original contribution to scholarship concerned with amnesties and peace- settlements as well as crucial and as yet unavailable insights into the effectiveness and broader rami?cations of offering amnesties in exchange for peace that will inform future peacemaking practice.Read moreRead less
Discovery and applications of circular proteins. The many national benefits that will flow from this program include (i) new knowledge in plant biochemistry, peptide chemistry and protein engineering protected by a strong intellectual property position that will give Australia a competitive edge in relevant biotechnology applications; (ii) the training of a new generation of skilled researchers to drive a sustainable biotechnology sector in Australia; (iii) economic benefits from royalty returns ....Discovery and applications of circular proteins. The many national benefits that will flow from this program include (i) new knowledge in plant biochemistry, peptide chemistry and protein engineering protected by a strong intellectual property position that will give Australia a competitive edge in relevant biotechnology applications; (ii) the training of a new generation of skilled researchers to drive a sustainable biotechnology sector in Australia; (iii) economic benefits from royalty returns on drugs and agricultural products that will likely arise from the program; (iv) environment benefits due to a reduced need for chemical insecticides; and (v) social benefits due to a reduction in suffering from diseases for which drugs are developed as a result of this program.Read moreRead less
Extended Nuclear Deterrence and the Restraint of Non-Nuclear Allies: Material Cooperation and Strategic Dialogue. Extended nuclear deterrence is central to the security commitments offered by the US to its European and Asian allies, but little is known about why non-nuclear allies ask for the nuclear assurances they do and how they influence the assurances they ultimately receive. Using the lenses of intra-alliance bargaining, the role and composition of assurances, and domestic and internationa ....Extended Nuclear Deterrence and the Restraint of Non-Nuclear Allies: Material Cooperation and Strategic Dialogue. Extended nuclear deterrence is central to the security commitments offered by the US to its European and Asian allies, but little is known about why non-nuclear allies ask for the nuclear assurances they do and how they influence the assurances they ultimately receive. Using the lenses of intra-alliance bargaining, the role and composition of assurances, and domestic and international interactions, the project investigates why non-nuclear allies often seek modest extended nuclear deterrence guarantees when they could push for more ambitious commitments. The outcomes of the project will advance theoretical understanding of alliances, assurance and nuclear strategy, with direct relevance to foreign policy and nuclear disarmament.Read moreRead less
The 2012/13 Australian Election Study: volatility and electoral change. The 2012/13 Australian Election Study will provide both an in-depth understanding of general patterns of voting behaviour and a detailed, objective account of how and why voters made up their minds in this federal election. The study adds to the unbroken series of national surveys conducted after each Australian federal election since 1987.
The 2004 Australian Election Study Survey: The Decline of Political Parties? Long renowned for the stability of its political party system, Australia is finally experiencing a sustained challenge to the dominance of the major parties, which is reflected in an increasing preference by voters for minor parties and independent candidates. This project will examine the implications of these developments by conducting a public-use, national sample survey of voters at the next federal election, likely ....The 2004 Australian Election Study Survey: The Decline of Political Parties? Long renowned for the stability of its political party system, Australia is finally experiencing a sustained challenge to the dominance of the major parties, which is reflected in an increasing preference by voters for minor parties and independent candidates. This project will examine the implications of these developments by conducting a public-use, national sample survey of voters at the next federal election, likely to be held in 2004. The outcomes generated by the project will enhance academic and community understanding of the nature of the changing partisan climate within the Australian electorate.Read moreRead less