Islam and the Politics of Memory and Identity in Post-Authoritarian Indonesia. This project will make a vital contribution to understanding the past and present of Indonesia, Australia's most significant neighbour. The project investigates the legacy of competition between two of the most influential ideological and political forces in Indonesian history, communism and Islam, and examines their continuing significance to contemporary Indonesian identities. My analysis will profile the diverse ra ....Islam and the Politics of Memory and Identity in Post-Authoritarian Indonesia. This project will make a vital contribution to understanding the past and present of Indonesia, Australia's most significant neighbour. The project investigates the legacy of competition between two of the most influential ideological and political forces in Indonesian history, communism and Islam, and examines their continuing significance to contemporary Indonesian identities. My analysis will profile the diverse range of Islamic opinions in Indonesia on reconciliation and provide broader comparative insights into the processes of dealing with traumatic pasts.Read moreRead less
A Historical and Cultural Analysis of Qigong in Contemporary China. This project will assist Australians to understand important developments in contemporary Chinese society, enhancing the basis of our bilateral relationship, especially in discussions of human rights and refugee issues. A better knowledge of qigong will also promote social and religious understanding in Australia where qigong practice is a significant feature of some sectors of society. This project will complement and enhance ....A Historical and Cultural Analysis of Qigong in Contemporary China. This project will assist Australians to understand important developments in contemporary Chinese society, enhancing the basis of our bilateral relationship, especially in discussions of human rights and refugee issues. A better knowledge of qigong will also promote social and religious understanding in Australia where qigong practice is a significant feature of some sectors of society. This project will complement and enhance Australia's already strong international reputation in contemporary Chinese Studies and foster future collaborations and networks. Finally, it will also give unique insights, from a particular Australian perspective, on the impact of the international media on the creation of China issues in a global context.Read moreRead less
The Christian Culture of the Early Middle Ages. The 'Fall of the Roman Empire' has traditionally been seen as marking a major develpment in western history. Against such an interpretation, this project seeks to establish the importance of intellectual and cultural traditions associated with the coming to dominance in society of Christian ways. It will suggest that a largely new set of cultural practices and attitudes laid the foundation for a very different culture. The outcome will be a major ....The Christian Culture of the Early Middle Ages. The 'Fall of the Roman Empire' has traditionally been seen as marking a major develpment in western history. Against such an interpretation, this project seeks to establish the importance of intellectual and cultural traditions associated with the coming to dominance in society of Christian ways. It will suggest that a largely new set of cultural practices and attitudes laid the foundation for a very different culture. The outcome will be a major monograph and various shorter studies.Read moreRead less
Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which r ....Philosophy, the Religious Life, and the Making of Modern Science. This project will enhance our understanding of unique features of Western society-in particular the success and prestige of the sciences and the waning influence of religion and philosophy. This will in turn provide fresh insights into science-religion controversies within the West and will shed light on the distinctive nature of the secular ethos of the West in comparison with cultures (such as some Islamic societies) in which religious considerations play a dominant role in public life and international affairs. Aside from its intrinsic merits, this project will also further promote Australia's growing reputation as a centre for excellence in the field of early modern intellectual history.Read moreRead less
The Indian Roots of Modern Chinese Thought. The Project will strengthen Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with our regional and global environments by demonstrating the need for greater understanding of the nationalistic appeal that Yogâcâra thought has held for Chinese intellectuals; and the rise of New Confucianism as a philosophical movement associated with robust expressions of cultural nationalism. It will also further enhance Australia's international intellectual profile by bri ....The Indian Roots of Modern Chinese Thought. The Project will strengthen Australia's capacity to interpret and engage with our regional and global environments by demonstrating the need for greater understanding of the nationalistic appeal that Yogâcâra thought has held for Chinese intellectuals; and the rise of New Confucianism as a philosophical movement associated with robust expressions of cultural nationalism. It will also further enhance Australia's international intellectual profile by bringing together leading researchers to forge innovative research networks and methodologies to advance the knowledge bases of Chinese intellectual history, Chinese Philosophy and Buddhist Studies, and contribute to building Australian research capacity in these three key areas.Read moreRead less
Under New Leadership: A study of the composition, behaviour and interactions of cultural, religious and political elites in democratic Indonesia. Good communication, mutual understanding and sound working relationships between Indonesian and Australian elites are vital for maintaining fruitful diplomatic relations. Such relations, however, are often impeded by cultural differences and a lack of understanding of informal political processes in Indonesia, all the more so in the current context of ....Under New Leadership: A study of the composition, behaviour and interactions of cultural, religious and political elites in democratic Indonesia. Good communication, mutual understanding and sound working relationships between Indonesian and Australian elites are vital for maintaining fruitful diplomatic relations. Such relations, however, are often impeded by cultural differences and a lack of understanding of informal political processes in Indonesia, all the more so in the current context of tensions between Muslim and Western nations. This study explores religious and other cultural factors that shape aspects of behaviour of Indonesian leaders that puzzle their Australian counterparts. It will shed light on the visions that direct Indonesia's most influential people in their thinking about the future of their nation and its relations with Australia.Read moreRead less
On Whose Authority? The Contest to Define Tibetan Buddhism. As our third largest trading partner, China is of immense importance to Australia, and the problem of Tibet is a contentious aspect of Australia-China relations. The presentation of a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the subtleties of Sino-Tibetan tensions relating to the core issue of religious belief and practice will provide Australian policy-makers with key tools and insights for more effectively managing this important fore ....On Whose Authority? The Contest to Define Tibetan Buddhism. As our third largest trading partner, China is of immense importance to Australia, and the problem of Tibet is a contentious aspect of Australia-China relations. The presentation of a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the subtleties of Sino-Tibetan tensions relating to the core issue of religious belief and practice will provide Australian policy-makers with key tools and insights for more effectively managing this important foreign policy matter, which can aid in preventing military instability in the region. The Tibet problem has ramifications for both China and India, and it is vital for Australian leaders to be equipped with the best information about it. Read moreRead less
Managing ethnic tensions and developing religious tolerance in South India and Sri Lanka. The enhanced knowledge of Australia's neighbours, specifically two countries that have provided significant contributions to Australia's multicultural complexion, as well as an enhanced sense of the issues involved in managing ethnic tensions in a secular state will be the benefits of the study. Both sites have been the objects of previous social and cultural studies, but not compared together in terms of r ....Managing ethnic tensions and developing religious tolerance in South India and Sri Lanka. The enhanced knowledge of Australia's neighbours, specifically two countries that have provided significant contributions to Australia's multicultural complexion, as well as an enhanced sense of the issues involved in managing ethnic tensions in a secular state will be the benefits of the study. Both sites have been the objects of previous social and cultural studies, but not compared together in terms of religious tolerance and state control. The research will also strengthen ties between scholars in Australia, India and Sri Lanka, while having application to issues of tolerance and mutual respect between communities in all three countries. Read moreRead less
Institutional Configurations, Religioisty and Public Influence of Religious Institutions Muslim Societies: A Comparative Study. Religious fundamentalism is a growing and important part of social change in Muslim countries. Using current religious, political, and social conditions as contrasting environments the proposed research will investigate the competing theories of Islamic fundamentalism, sociological correlates of Muslim religiosity and public influence of religious institutions in contra ....Institutional Configurations, Religioisty and Public Influence of Religious Institutions Muslim Societies: A Comparative Study. Religious fundamentalism is a growing and important part of social change in Muslim countries. Using current religious, political, and social conditions as contrasting environments the proposed research will investigate the competing theories of Islamic fundamentalism, sociological correlates of Muslim religiosity and public influence of religious institutions in contrasting institutional configurations by focusing on the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey and Nigeria. This will be achieved through a study of random/purposive samples of respondents in the three countries using survey methodology. The objective is to develop a theoretically and empirically grounded model of social, political and religious trajectories of Muslim societies.Read moreRead less
Revitalisation Movements in Contemporary Indonesia: Nativist Reworkings of Custom and Religion in Reaction to Decentralisation, Islamisation and Globalisation. Australia needs to understand the ethno-cultural diversity of its neighbour Indonesia to appreciate the wider pluralist context in which political Islam, including the terrorist fringe (e.g. JI), operates. Understanding of emergent social movements among Indonesian minorities highlights the constraints upon political Islam and divergent p ....Revitalisation Movements in Contemporary Indonesia: Nativist Reworkings of Custom and Religion in Reaction to Decentralisation, Islamisation and Globalisation. Australia needs to understand the ethno-cultural diversity of its neighbour Indonesia to appreciate the wider pluralist context in which political Islam, including the terrorist fringe (e.g. JI), operates. Understanding of emergent social movements among Indonesian minorities highlights the constraints upon political Islam and divergent pressures upon Indonesian national integrity, crucial issues for formulating foreign policy. It also provides comparative understanding of Indonesian movements parallel to those harnessing Indigenous and migrant aspirations in Australia, which is central to domestic policies insuring minority rights in a multiculturalist framework.Read moreRead less