Collaboration, Nationalism and Imperial Strategy: Japanese-trained Armies in Northeast Asia 1932-1949. This project analyses the political and military significance of three local armies developed by the Japanese in Manchuria and Mongolia between 1932 and 1945. The project examines archival material and newspapers, as well as conducting fresh interviews, to explain the reasons for Japan's creation of these armies, the reasons why local people took part in them, and the consequences of this parti ....Collaboration, Nationalism and Imperial Strategy: Japanese-trained Armies in Northeast Asia 1932-1949. This project analyses the political and military significance of three local armies developed by the Japanese in Manchuria and Mongolia between 1932 and 1945. The project examines archival material and newspapers, as well as conducting fresh interviews, to explain the reasons for Japan's creation of these armies, the reasons why local people took part in them, and the consequences of this participation for Japanese imperialist plans and local nationalist aspirations. The project sets this analysis in the broader context of Japanese imperialism and examines the continuing political role of the armies in the region.Read moreRead less
Borders and Empires: A Historical Atlas of Northeast Asia, 1636 - 2006. This historical atlas brings insights into the continuing tensions in Northeast Asia, both in the Korean Peninsula, and between China and Russia, where old antagonisms have repeatedly led to armed conflict and where border friction today is exacerbated by economic disparities, population movements and rival nationalist rhetorics. Our research deepens the understanding of decision-makers and of the Australian public concernin ....Borders and Empires: A Historical Atlas of Northeast Asia, 1636 - 2006. This historical atlas brings insights into the continuing tensions in Northeast Asia, both in the Korean Peninsula, and between China and Russia, where old antagonisms have repeatedly led to armed conflict and where border friction today is exacerbated by economic disparities, population movements and rival nationalist rhetorics. Our research deepens the understanding of decision-makers and of the Australian public concerning these issues. The project contributes important insights into the flexibility of borders at a time when they under new challenge. Our study of settler politics in Northeast Asia and the settler relations with indigenous political forces is also relevant to Australia's history and present. Read moreRead less
The Indonesian Killings of 1965-1966. This project analyses the immediate and long-term causes of the killing of perhaps 500,000 communists and others in Indonesia between October 1965 and March 1966. The project examines newly available archival and memoir material, as well as conducting fresh interviews, to explain the respective roles of the Indonesian armed forces, military-sponsored and independent militias, and civilian viglantes in initiating and carrying out the killings. The project ....The Indonesian Killings of 1965-1966. This project analyses the immediate and long-term causes of the killing of perhaps 500,000 communists and others in Indonesia between October 1965 and March 1966. The project examines newly available archival and memoir material, as well as conducting fresh interviews, to explain the respective roles of the Indonesian armed forces, military-sponsored and independent militias, and civilian viglantes in initiating and carrying out the killings. The project sets this detailed examination in the context of the extreme political tension in Indonesia in the early 1960s and more-deeply rooted patterns of violence in Indonesian society.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
Islam and identity in Java: the violent culmination and subsequent decline of communal conflict, c. 1920- present. This project analyses for the first time the culmination of politicised and bloody conflict along lines of Islamic religious identity within Javanese society - today 100-million strong and Indonesia's largest ethnic group - and the subsequent decline and depoliticisation of those religiously defined categories, c. 1920-present. This process has left Javanese society more deeply Isla ....Islam and identity in Java: the violent culmination and subsequent decline of communal conflict, c. 1920- present. This project analyses for the first time the culmination of politicised and bloody conflict along lines of Islamic religious identity within Javanese society - today 100-million strong and Indonesia's largest ethnic group - and the subsequent decline and depoliticisation of those religiously defined categories, c. 1920-present. This process has left Javanese society more deeply Islamised than at any time in its history. But conflicting categories might, in theory, be repoliticised. The 2004 election campaign will be crucial for this analysis. The resultant book will be the last of three analysing the Islamisation of the Javanese from the 14th century to the present.
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Settler society in the Australian colonies: The political and cultural changes of the 1830s - 1860s in imperial context. This project directly addresses issues identified as central by the national summit on the Australian history curriculum convened by the Federal Minister for Education in August 2006. Professor John Hirst reported in The Sydney Morning Herald on 21 August that the summit had agreed on a list of 'big questions' for school history curricula. The list includes the transition from ....Settler society in the Australian colonies: The political and cultural changes of the 1830s - 1860s in imperial context. This project directly addresses issues identified as central by the national summit on the Australian history curriculum convened by the Federal Minister for Education in August 2006. Professor John Hirst reported in The Sydney Morning Herald on 21 August that the summit had agreed on a list of 'big questions' for school history curricula. The list includes the transition from a convict to a free society, and relations between men and women. Current knowledge of these topics and their interconnection is limited. This project will advance our understanding of a key historical period, and the formation of Australian national identity.Read moreRead less
Spectacle and Multimedia in Late-Eighteenth-Century Europe: a programme of written and multi-media histories. I aim to demonstrate that Philippe de Loutherbourg, an eighteenth-century European artist and set-designer, pioneered revolutionary developments in the technology and culture of multi-media through the agency of 'spectacles.' These multi-sensory displays for entertainment and knowledge foreshadow the advent of modern cinema and multimedia, and suggest new ways of praticing history throug ....Spectacle and Multimedia in Late-Eighteenth-Century Europe: a programme of written and multi-media histories. I aim to demonstrate that Philippe de Loutherbourg, an eighteenth-century European artist and set-designer, pioneered revolutionary developments in the technology and culture of multi-media through the agency of 'spectacles.' These multi-sensory displays for entertainment and knowledge foreshadow the advent of modern cinema and multimedia, and suggest new ways of praticing history through multimedia re-creations.Read moreRead less
Economics, politics and culture in early post-independence Indonesia. Recent events in East Timor have highlighted the problems faced by new states after the initial honeymoon following independence is over. By examining the experience of Indonesia in the 1950s from the longer perspective of the 21st century, this project aims to better understand the significance of apparently simple but highly significant decisions made in the first years after decolonization and comparable major regime chang ....Economics, politics and culture in early post-independence Indonesia. Recent events in East Timor have highlighted the problems faced by new states after the initial honeymoon following independence is over. By examining the experience of Indonesia in the 1950s from the longer perspective of the 21st century, this project aims to better understand the significance of apparently simple but highly significant decisions made in the first years after decolonization and comparable major regime changes.Read moreRead less
'Puppet States' Revisited: Empire and Sovereign Subordination in Modern Asia. The term 'puppet state' is a part of public discourse in Australia. It is used by scholars, journalists, commentators and members of the public to characterize specific international relationships in the contemporary world. While being used as an analytical term, it carries a strong pejorative connotation. This project will contribute significantly to giving the term clarity and stability of meaning that will enhance t ....'Puppet States' Revisited: Empire and Sovereign Subordination in Modern Asia. The term 'puppet state' is a part of public discourse in Australia. It is used by scholars, journalists, commentators and members of the public to characterize specific international relationships in the contemporary world. While being used as an analytical term, it carries a strong pejorative connotation. This project will contribute significantly to giving the term clarity and stability of meaning that will enhance the quality of public discussion of international affairs and lead to a more informed approach to safeguarding Australia. The insights we generate by this comparison will illuminate the controversial contemporary issue of international intervention in the territory of sovereign states.Read moreRead less
Understanding the World: Domei Tsushin (United News Agency), the Japanese State and International Politics 1936 - 52. Domei tsushin (United News Agency) was arguably the most important source of overseas events for the Japanese public during the war time. A rigorous scholarly examination, however, has been yet to come. Using new materials, this project will first examine Domei's role and its relations with the state during the war, and assesses its over all impact in international politics. ....Understanding the World: Domei Tsushin (United News Agency), the Japanese State and International Politics 1936 - 52. Domei tsushin (United News Agency) was arguably the most important source of overseas events for the Japanese public during the war time. A rigorous scholarly examination, however, has been yet to come. Using new materials, this project will first examine Domei's role and its relations with the state during the war, and assesses its over all impact in international politics. Secondly, it will explore how its role, structure and relations with the state and the public changed (or unchanged) in the post-war peace time. I intend to produce a book manuscript at the end of the project.Read moreRead less