Automatic detection and modelling of acoustic markers of speech timing. This project aims to create new automatic sensing, analysis and assessment of cognitive, affective, mental and physical state from voice for mobile and computing devices. This project expects to generate new understanding of the effects of these states on detailed timing indicators of speech motor control, and new signal processing and machine learning methods that best exploit it. Expected outcomes from this project include ....Automatic detection and modelling of acoustic markers of speech timing. This project aims to create new automatic sensing, analysis and assessment of cognitive, affective, mental and physical state from voice for mobile and computing devices. This project expects to generate new understanding of the effects of these states on detailed timing indicators of speech motor control, and new signal processing and machine learning methods that best exploit it. Expected outcomes from this project include a new and accurate deep neural network framework for learning, analysing and detecting human states from speech automatically using articulatory timing markers. This should provide significant benefits, such as individually-tailored, frequent and low-cost automatic detection, monitoring and analytics for adverse states.Read moreRead less
Breaking the cycle of intergenerational child maltreatment using 'big data'. This project aims to provide the first comprehensive investigation of inter-generational child maltreatment using over 50 years of linked data for a population cohort of children and their parents in New South Wales. The project will generate new knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of families in which child maltreatment is initiated, maintained across generations, or in which the trauma cycle is broken, ....Breaking the cycle of intergenerational child maltreatment using 'big data'. This project aims to provide the first comprehensive investigation of inter-generational child maltreatment using over 50 years of linked data for a population cohort of children and their parents in New South Wales. The project will generate new knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of families in which child maltreatment is initiated, maintained across generations, or in which the trauma cycle is broken, using innovative statistical techniques. Expected outcomes include new knowledge of the true prevalence of inter-generational family trauma that can only be known from combining inter-agency data, and enhanced capacity to identify cross-agency levers in an effort to break the cycle of inter-generational disadvantage.Read moreRead less
Recreational Fishing And Human Wellbeing: Insights From Existing Data And Development Of Best Practice Approaches To Future Measurement
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$46,000.00
Summary
This project is needed as there are knowledge gaps about the effect of recreational fishing on the health and wellbeing of recreational fishers. Recent years have seen many claims about the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing, as well as growing interest in nature connection and outdoor recreation as wellbeing interventions more generally. Measuring and valuing the wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing is not currently possible due to a lack of evidence, and limited method ....This project is needed as there are knowledge gaps about the effect of recreational fishing on the health and wellbeing of recreational fishers. Recent years have seen many claims about the health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing, as well as growing interest in nature connection and outdoor recreation as wellbeing interventions more generally. Measuring and valuing the wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing is not currently possible due to a lack of evidence, and limited methods for monitoring, measuring and reporting wellbeing effects. The FRDC’s RD&E Plan 2015-20 aims by 2020 to have robust community net benefit metrics that enable measurement of the benefits of fishing. This project will develop robust metrics related to health and wellbeing benefits of recreational fishing. Achieving this requires better understanding both (i) whether and under what circumstances engaging in recreational fishing has measurable impacts on health and wellbeing, and (ii) how to measure these benefits to produce readily accessible and understandable metrics. This will help achieve the FRDC’s national research strategy deliverable ‘Social contribution is supported by the fishing and aquaculture sector so it can capture the non-monetary value of activities across sectors.’ This work will also contribute to national science and research priorities in the health field, specifically the priority ‘Build healthy and resilient communities throughout Australia by developing … preventative strategies to improve physical and mental well-being’ (http://www.science.gov.au/scienceGov/ScienceAndResearchPriorities/Pages/Health.aspx). Nationally, this research priority aims to develop strategies for supporting wellbeing. This project contributes by identifying the role recreational fishing can play in building healthy and resilient communities through supporting physical and mental wellbeing. This research will also contribute to the overarching aims of Australia’s rural research, development and extension strategy, which include ‘develop a range of technologies and knowledge to contribute to healthy Australian lifestyles’ (http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ag-food/innovation2/nsrrdip-investment-plan1.pdf) Objectives: 1. Understand whether engaging in recreational fishing (or in particular types or frequency of fishing) is associated with improved health and wellbeing for individual recreational fishers using available datasets 2. Identify best practice methods for establishing a causal relationship between (i) engaging in fishing and (ii) health and wellbeing outcomes for individual recreational fishers 3. Produce proposed set of measures and associated methodology that can be used to robustly measure causal association between engaging in fishing and health & wellbeing for individual recreational fishers and that can be used to provide valuation of these benefits for the broader economy Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101177
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$456,607.00
Summary
Beyond Inclusion: Belonging and Racial dignity for Africans in Australia . This project aims to investigate why Black Africans in Australia experience significant challenges of integration in comparison to other migrant groups. This issue of national concern, exacerbated by ongoing negative public and media discourse, has prompted calls for deportations of community members due to failed integration. Applying a unique and innovative Afrocentric methodology, this project expects to generate a ne ....Beyond Inclusion: Belonging and Racial dignity for Africans in Australia . This project aims to investigate why Black Africans in Australia experience significant challenges of integration in comparison to other migrant groups. This issue of national concern, exacerbated by ongoing negative public and media discourse, has prompted calls for deportations of community members due to failed integration. Applying a unique and innovative Afrocentric methodology, this project expects to generate a new understanding of racial dignity as key to belonging for Black Africans in Australia. By linking racial dignity as core to integration and belonging, the project should expand cross-cultural understandings that may inform culturally appropriate practice approaches with members of this community. Read moreRead less
Improving The Effectiveness, Efficiency And Safety Of Mitigation Tools For Protected Species Interactions In The Eastern Tuna And Billfish Fishery
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$268,500.00
Summary
There is a need to explore new wildlife mitigation technologies and refine existing ones to focus on reducing WHS and further improve technology to minimise wildlife interactions.
This proposal is focused on crew safety associated with current mitigation and improving currently used mitigation tools.
Improving WHS Flyback prevention device - managing flyback from existing mitigation strategies is very important - this is when the line is bitten off and the lead weight re ....There is a need to explore new wildlife mitigation technologies and refine existing ones to focus on reducing WHS and further improve technology to minimise wildlife interactions.
This proposal is focused on crew safety associated with current mitigation and improving currently used mitigation tools.
Improving WHS Flyback prevention device - managing flyback from existing mitigation strategies is very important - this is when the line is bitten off and the lead weight required to sink the baited hook quickly during the longline set recoils back at the operator hauling the line. There have already been several serious injuries in Australian longline fisheries due to line weights, including some significant recent injuries.
Side setting - the longline is set from the side of a vessel allowing the baited hook more time to sink out of reach of scavenging seabirds. This technology needs to be explored in context of Australian on-water environmental conditions and WHS risks
Line weighting - there are current line weighting requirements specified in ACAP guidelines, Conservation Management Measures of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, and the ETBF Management arrangements. There is a need to remove weights from lines due to recoil while maintaining line sinking efficiency. Furthermore, fishers are very concerned that extra line weighting reduces catch rates as it restricts bait movement.
Technical improvements Other technical improvements to existing mitigation equipment will also be tested including
Tori line improvements - A Tori line is deployed from a high point on the vessel to a drogue 100m astern to create tension in the line where streamers hang loosely at predetermined intervals. The streamers act as deterrent to scavenging seabirds by creating an obstacle in the way of baited hooks being set. There is a need to refine the Tori line so that it is easier to deploy and retrieve, is readily made or purchased, meets specifications of the Agreement of the Conservation of Albatross and Petrel (ACAP) guidelines, is suitable for all areas of the fishery, and configurations are explored for species specific applications.
Objectives: 1. To trial several new and/or modified protected species mitigation tools and processes in the Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery to further reduce the rate of protected species interactions. 2. To demonstrate whether new and/or modified mitigation tools and processes are cost-effective and easy to use than the current suite 3. To improve crew safety through revising the design and deployment of protected species mitigation equipment. 4. To provide Eastern Tuna and Billfish Fishery vessels with an improved protected species toolkit including better data gathering, greater analysis capability and enhanced information sharing capabilities Read moreRead less
Enhancing outcomes for young people in out-of-home care who self-place. This project aims to enhance the safety and well-being of young people in out-of-home care who leave formal placements to stay in unapproved locations. The significance lies in the development of new knowledge with this group of young people about their needs and of factors shaping effective responses to them. Expected outcomes include the generation of policies and practices to reduce the drivers of young people leaving a ....Enhancing outcomes for young people in out-of-home care who self-place. This project aims to enhance the safety and well-being of young people in out-of-home care who leave formal placements to stay in unapproved locations. The significance lies in the development of new knowledge with this group of young people about their needs and of factors shaping effective responses to them. Expected outcomes include the generation of policies and practices to reduce the drivers of young people leaving approved placements and to address the support and protective needs of young people when staying in unapproved locations. The benefits include improved social and economic inclusion of young people in out-of-home care and reduced socio-economic burdens on health and justice systems associated with placement breakdown. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100532
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$477,165.00
Summary
Inclusive community planning for a just transition to net zero emissions. This project aims to understand how a just transition to net zero emissions can support First Nations peoples' self-determination with the case study of Collie on Wilman Noongar Country (WA), a community phasing out coal-fired power. The project expects to generate significant new theoretical and applied understandings about community practice for climate justice. With the support and engagement of Wilman Elders, this proj ....Inclusive community planning for a just transition to net zero emissions. This project aims to understand how a just transition to net zero emissions can support First Nations peoples' self-determination with the case study of Collie on Wilman Noongar Country (WA), a community phasing out coal-fired power. The project expects to generate significant new theoretical and applied understandings about community practice for climate justice. With the support and engagement of Wilman Elders, this project expects to generate outcomes of guidance for the field of community development about just transition planning with First Nations peoples. As Australia transitions to net zero emissions by 2050, this project should provide significant benefits such as greater understanding of, and capacity in, just transition planning.Read moreRead less
Improving the mental health of young adults in Australia's universities. This project aims to contribute to national efforts to address high rates of depression and anxiety among 18-25 year-olds by investigating alterable factors that impact student mental health in Australia’s universities. With one in two young adults now engaged in post-secondary education, the research expects to generate critical new knowledge about educational conditions, practices and experiences that support (or thwart) ....Improving the mental health of young adults in Australia's universities. This project aims to contribute to national efforts to address high rates of depression and anxiety among 18-25 year-olds by investigating alterable factors that impact student mental health in Australia’s universities. With one in two young adults now engaged in post-secondary education, the research expects to generate critical new knowledge about educational conditions, practices and experiences that support (or thwart) the wellbeing-needs of students with diverse backgrounds. This knowledge will be translated into actionable, evidence-based recommendations for policy and innovation. Improving university student wellbeing should benefit the health, educational and employment trajectories of young adults in both the short-and longer-term.Read moreRead less
A parenting program to improve Aboriginal parent and child wellbeing. This project aims to develop and implement a culturally safe, trauma-informed parenting program that can interrupt the intergenerational transmission of trauma and help improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, parenting, and parent-child relationships.
There is a lack of parenting programs that address the issue, and the project will bring light to that.
The expected outcomes are to encourage the ....A parenting program to improve Aboriginal parent and child wellbeing. This project aims to develop and implement a culturally safe, trauma-informed parenting program that can interrupt the intergenerational transmission of trauma and help improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing, parenting, and parent-child relationships.
There is a lack of parenting programs that address the issue, and the project will bring light to that.
The expected outcomes are to encourage the connection to culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
This program can provide a positive shift in parenting, with significant implications in improving life outcomes for indigenous communities in Australia and internationally who also deal with the impact of intergenerational trauma.Read moreRead less
Trust in Pacific Healthcare: Transforming research, policy and practice. Medical trust is vital to building positive healthcare engagement and improving health outcomes, yet is poorly understood in non-Western contexts. Focusing on crises of trust related to type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 interventions in the Pacific, this collaborative project aims to examine the social and cultural dynamics of medical (mis)trust in Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa. Providing the first cross-cultural study of medical tru ....Trust in Pacific Healthcare: Transforming research, policy and practice. Medical trust is vital to building positive healthcare engagement and improving health outcomes, yet is poorly understood in non-Western contexts. Focusing on crises of trust related to type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 interventions in the Pacific, this collaborative project aims to examine the social and cultural dynamics of medical (mis)trust in Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa. Providing the first cross-cultural study of medical trust, an international team of researchers will generate interdisciplinary scholarly outputs, policy resources and a documentary film. Findings will assist healthcare professionals and communities strengthen trust relationships and ultimately achieve improved health engagement and delivery in the Pacific and beyond.Read moreRead less