The Teaching Occupation in Learning Societies: A global ethnography of occupational boundary work. Education is a key instrument for governments and communities managing economic and social development. Yet the historical model of closed centralised national school and training systems cannot meet current government policy or community expectations in open global economies. This global ethnography contributes to knowledge about changes in teaching as an occupation; provides evidence about re-ord ....The Teaching Occupation in Learning Societies: A global ethnography of occupational boundary work. Education is a key instrument for governments and communities managing economic and social development. Yet the historical model of closed centralised national school and training systems cannot meet current government policy or community expectations in open global economies. This global ethnography contributes to knowledge about changes in teaching as an occupation; provides evidence about re-ordered relationships, cross-border demands and boundary work in teaching; suggests policy solutions to address occupational renewal and teacher workforce development; develops innovative global research methodologies and strategies; and consolidates expert global networks in education and human service work as a resource for Australian research.Read moreRead less
New Economy entrepreneurs: making the decision to stay in Australia or relocate overseas. This study examines information and bioscience technology entrepreneurs in Australia and the decision-making process concerning the location of their businesses. It arises from widespread concern that Australia's place in the world economy has become increasingly peripheral in the context of New Economy industries. The study examines the social characteristics of entrepreneurs in New Economy industries, the ....New Economy entrepreneurs: making the decision to stay in Australia or relocate overseas. This study examines information and bioscience technology entrepreneurs in Australia and the decision-making process concerning the location of their businesses. It arises from widespread concern that Australia's place in the world economy has become increasingly peripheral in the context of New Economy industries. The study examines the social characteristics of entrepreneurs in New Economy industries, the different types of social networks in which entrepreneurs are embedded, and how these networks inform locational decisions. More generally, the study will clarify theoretical debates about the dynamics of the New Economy, and will provide a basis for more informed public policy in Australia.Read moreRead less
Country practices: an analysis of factors affecting the wellbeing of general practitioners and their families in rural and remote WA. This project will analyse relationships between (1) the shortage of general practitioners in rural and remote Western Australia and (2) the wellbeing of practitioners and their families. The study will use an appropriate sociological framework, together with data drawn primarily from participant observation and intensive interviewing. It will deepen our understand ....Country practices: an analysis of factors affecting the wellbeing of general practitioners and their families in rural and remote WA. This project will analyse relationships between (1) the shortage of general practitioners in rural and remote Western Australia and (2) the wellbeing of practitioners and their families. The study will use an appropriate sociological framework, together with data drawn primarily from participant observation and intensive interviewing. It will deepen our understanding of problems in attracting and retaining general practitioners to work in rural and remote communities, and of ways in which these problems might be addressed. Innovative aspects of the study include the use of ethnographic research methods and the inclusion of family members in the analysis.Read moreRead less
Pathways then and now: new student transitions to adulthood in a comparative context. This project will generate new knowledge about young people's development and use of 'creative capital', which is crucial to their participation in the new labour markets in a post-industrial society. The research is designed to contribute directly to new policy frameworks in post-compulsory education and training that acknowledge the need for young people to make creative choices, develop positive pathways and ....Pathways then and now: new student transitions to adulthood in a comparative context. This project will generate new knowledge about young people's development and use of 'creative capital', which is crucial to their participation in the new labour markets in a post-industrial society. The research is designed to contribute directly to new policy frameworks in post-compulsory education and training that acknowledge the need for young people to make creative choices, develop positive pathways and to live within supportive family and community contexts. In this way, the project will support the Government's agenda of strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric in the fact of weaker traditional support structures.Read moreRead less
Parents, Time Pressure and Earnings. Parents of young children are time poor. They struggle to find the time to provide both income security and care for young children and themselves. This has become a pressing public policy issue, because an ageing society faces a critical labour shortage unless it mobilizes the underutilized capacity of mothers. The project has the potential to improve the well-being of all family members. Promoting the conditions for good parenting ensures that children have ....Parents, Time Pressure and Earnings. Parents of young children are time poor. They struggle to find the time to provide both income security and care for young children and themselves. This has become a pressing public policy issue, because an ageing society faces a critical labour shortage unless it mobilizes the underutilized capacity of mothers. The project has the potential to improve the well-being of all family members. Promoting the conditions for good parenting ensures that children have a healthy start to life in their early years. Facilitating parents' continuing employment promotes self esteem, self-reliance and the ability to save for a comfortable retirement.Read moreRead less
Flexible career patterns: graduate redefinitions of outcomes in the new labour market. The research will identify graduate redefinitions of the meaning of ?career? and the construction of flexible career patterns in response to changes in the labour market. The centrepiece of the research program is the extension of a ten-year cohort of 1300 Australian graduates who are now 5-7 years out from graduation. The wider significance of the emerging themes is tested through comparison with a Canadian ....Flexible career patterns: graduate redefinitions of outcomes in the new labour market. The research will identify graduate redefinitions of the meaning of ?career? and the construction of flexible career patterns in response to changes in the labour market. The centrepiece of the research program is the extension of a ten-year cohort of 1300 Australian graduates who are now 5-7 years out from graduation. The wider significance of the emerging themes is tested through comparison with a Canadian cohort and with a younger Australian cohort. The research findings are significant to the formation of responsive post-compulsory education and training policy and programs that meet the changing needs of young Australians.Read moreRead less
Domestic Technology and the Management of Time. This project will make a significant contribution to temporary debates about time poverty and work-family balance. It proposes to analyse under-utilised data sources to investigate whether time pressure can be alleviated through the application of information and communications technology, such as personal computers, mobile phones and programmable domestic equipment. It is a widespread assumption that domestic technologies simply save time. This pr ....Domestic Technology and the Management of Time. This project will make a significant contribution to temporary debates about time poverty and work-family balance. It proposes to analyse under-utilised data sources to investigate whether time pressure can be alleviated through the application of information and communications technology, such as personal computers, mobile phones and programmable domestic equipment. It is a widespread assumption that domestic technologies simply save time. This project explores the extent to which technologies in the home instead facilitate 'time-shifting- or the re-scheduling of tasks in a way that may reduce feelings of time pressure and enhance the quality of leisure time.Read moreRead less
Neoliberalism, Inequality and Politics: Public Policy and the Transformation of Australian Society. In 20 years since 1983 there has been a fundamental transformation of Australian public policy based on economic deregulation, an increasing emphasis on market processes and the privatisation and corporatisation of government businesses and services. This project examines the impact of these changes on social mobility and inequality, gender relations and politics and culture. The project uses high ....Neoliberalism, Inequality and Politics: Public Policy and the Transformation of Australian Society. In 20 years since 1983 there has been a fundamental transformation of Australian public policy based on economic deregulation, an increasing emphasis on market processes and the privatisation and corporatisation of government businesses and services. This project examines the impact of these changes on social mobility and inequality, gender relations and politics and culture. The project uses high-quality national sample surveys and leading-edge statistical methods to adjudicate on whether neoliberalism produces positive or negative social outcomes in these three areas of social life.Read moreRead less
Understanding low skilled men's access to jobs: An occupational case-study approach. The withdrawal of low skilled men from the labour force has been substantial over recent decades. As many as 40% of men without post-school qualifications do not have full-time jobs. This development has many negative social consequences. It damages the affected men's wellbeing, and that of their families. It reduces labour supply at a time of labour shortages. It increases dependency on the welfare system. ....Understanding low skilled men's access to jobs: An occupational case-study approach. The withdrawal of low skilled men from the labour force has been substantial over recent decades. As many as 40% of men without post-school qualifications do not have full-time jobs. This development has many negative social consequences. It damages the affected men's wellbeing, and that of their families. It reduces labour supply at a time of labour shortages. It increases dependency on the welfare system. This project will develop new understandings of the barriers low skill men face when they seek jobs in areas of rising employment, such as the service sector. It will provide an assessment of the possibilities of overcoming these barriers, and develop ideas about how best to enhance low skilled men's access to good jobs. Read moreRead less
The Quality of Part-Time Employment in Australia: Dimensions, Prospects and Policy. Part-time employment is an important and growing phenomenon in Australia, as in most OECD countries. While research has focused on the quantity of part-time employment, the key dimension of quality has been neglected. This project will develop a sophisticated conceptual framework for assessing the quality of part-time employment, drawing on cross-national comparisons and using a gender systems approach. It will ....The Quality of Part-Time Employment in Australia: Dimensions, Prospects and Policy. Part-time employment is an important and growing phenomenon in Australia, as in most OECD countries. While research has focused on the quantity of part-time employment, the key dimension of quality has been neglected. This project will develop a sophisticated conceptual framework for assessing the quality of part-time employment, drawing on cross-national comparisons and using a gender systems approach. It will produce a comprehensive and practical assessment of the quality of part-time employment in Australia, including two detailed industry case studies. Finally, the project will evaluate the main policy paths for improving the quality of part-time employment.Read moreRead less