Sonic practice in Japan: sound in everyday life. This anthropological project focuses on 'sonic practice' - a way of understanding how sound is made significant to people in their everyday life - and its impact on social relations in Japan.
Divine power in Indigenous Christianity: translation, theology, and Pacific politics. This project analyses missionary activities and theological education in Oceania to understand how Indigenous political activity is shaped by Christian theological principles. Oceania has politically influential Christian churches and increasingly fragile governments. An understanding of their interconnections is needed for Australia's benefit.
The art of Albert Namatjira: cultural legacy and artistic mediation. This project is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural study that will assess the impact of Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. The project will use the expertise of the partners to interrogate interconnections between the aesthetics of the natural world and its representation by Namatjira. It will examine the nexus between art and life and their ideological constructions in specific cross-cultural encounters. The basis for the ....The art of Albert Namatjira: cultural legacy and artistic mediation. This project is an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural study that will assess the impact of Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. The project will use the expertise of the partners to interrogate interconnections between the aesthetics of the natural world and its representation by Namatjira. It will examine the nexus between art and life and their ideological constructions in specific cross-cultural encounters. The basis for the project's success will be a productive exchange between the Indigenous communities, represented by the Industry Partner, and researchers. The outcomes will include a doctoral dissertation, publications, exhibitions and a digital archive.Read moreRead less
Community rights in an age of footloose capital: mining in decentralised Indonesia. Indonesia is in the midst of a mining boom. In the islands closest to Australia, mining holds out the promise to eradicate poverty. Changed political and legal frameworks have led to increased foreign investment but created new challenges for local populations struggling to assert their rights, maximise benefit and minimise harm.
Intercommunal and Translocal Space in Fairfield: Tracking Indochinese Australian Lives. While providing important socio-cultural information about Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese communities in western Sydney, this project takes an innovative approach to the study of 'minority' communities in multicultural societies. By locating itself at the points of contact between communities, the proposed research recognises that subjects are often members of multiple social groups, and that they shift back a ....Intercommunal and Translocal Space in Fairfield: Tracking Indochinese Australian Lives. While providing important socio-cultural information about Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese communities in western Sydney, this project takes an innovative approach to the study of 'minority' communities in multicultural societies. By locating itself at the points of contact between communities, the proposed research recognises that subjects are often members of multiple social groups, and that they shift back and forth across their boundaries. Such a perspective enables one to avoid the fallacy of locating 'the multicultural' in minority subjects/cultures, and thus 'multicultural problems' within particular 'problem communities'. Rather, it situates the multicultural in the interstices between 'mainstream' and 'minority' AustraliaRead moreRead less
The Commercialization of Ritual and Transformation of Kinship in Urban China. This project analyses transformations in the practice of kinship in urban China by examining the commercial enterprises that conduct funerals and weddings. Through a focus on the imagination of kinship performed in these rituals, it will address major scholarly debates on three topics: the relationship between urbanisation and practices of kinship; the wider social ramifications of the commercialisation of ritual; and ....The Commercialization of Ritual and Transformation of Kinship in Urban China. This project analyses transformations in the practice of kinship in urban China by examining the commercial enterprises that conduct funerals and weddings. Through a focus on the imagination of kinship performed in these rituals, it will address major scholarly debates on three topics: the relationship between urbanisation and practices of kinship; the wider social ramifications of the commercialisation of ritual; and how to theorise Chinese modernity. In addition to contributing to theoretical debates, the project will make a major empirical contribution to China studies by providing the first systematic depiction of contemporary urban funerals.Read moreRead less
Chieftainship and social change in the Trobriand islands: A new theory of leadership and sub-state political dynamics for the Pacific. Australia's closest neighbours to the north and east are Pacific nation-states where in many instances 'chieftainship' has been a dominant locus of social organisation and change from pre-colonial times to the present. While these systems in their modern forms have appeared to outsiders as 'weak', 'unstable' or 'failing', the real problem is that they have been p ....Chieftainship and social change in the Trobriand islands: A new theory of leadership and sub-state political dynamics for the Pacific. Australia's closest neighbours to the north and east are Pacific nation-states where in many instances 'chieftainship' has been a dominant locus of social organisation and change from pre-colonial times to the present. While these systems in their modern forms have appeared to outsiders as 'weak', 'unstable' or 'failing', the real problem is that they have been poorly understood by social scientists, policy-makers and others. This research will develop a more accurate theory of the dynamics of Pacific chieftainship that will enhance Australia's understanding of its neighbours and the effectiveness of our policies and approach to the region. Read moreRead less
Indigenous Diaspora: a new direction in the ethnographic study of the migration of Australian Aboriginal people from remote areas. This project relates directly to current policy debates about the future of Aboriginal populations in remote Australia and proposals for encouraging mobility between homeland centres and distant jobs and education. It seeks to understand the process and the social and cultural implications of the urbanisation of remote Aboriginal people. As such, it addresses the pri ....Indigenous Diaspora: a new direction in the ethnographic study of the migration of Australian Aboriginal people from remote areas. This project relates directly to current policy debates about the future of Aboriginal populations in remote Australia and proposals for encouraging mobility between homeland centres and distant jobs and education. It seeks to understand the process and the social and cultural implications of the urbanisation of remote Aboriginal people. As such, it addresses the priority goal of understanding and strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric to help families and individuals lead healthy, productive and fulfilling lives (Research Priority 2). It will also provide a model for the extension of existing anthropological research on remote Aboriginal communities.Read moreRead less
Ethnic, Religious and Social Bases of Community in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. This project will promote understanding of a fast developing region of Vietnam in which large amounts of Australian development aid resources have been spent and with which Australian companies have growing trade and investment activities. The Mekong delta is a multicultural and religiously diverse area, very different from other parts of the country. Yet we know very little about why the delta is so economically pro ....Ethnic, Religious and Social Bases of Community in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. This project will promote understanding of a fast developing region of Vietnam in which large amounts of Australian development aid resources have been spent and with which Australian companies have growing trade and investment activities. The Mekong delta is a multicultural and religiously diverse area, very different from other parts of the country. Yet we know very little about why the delta is so economically productive and why there has been little conflict between its many ethnic and religious groups. This project will advance Australia's reputation as a world leader in social scientific research on Vietnam.Read moreRead less
Handbooks and Environmental Knowledge in Thailand. This project will contribute to maintaining Australian scholars at the forefront of innovative research in Southeast Asia. The project will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of attitudes towards the environment within the region. Australia has a significant aid investment in the region and this is likely to grow as a result of the White Paper on overseas development aid. In Southeast Asia much of the aid effort addresses issues of susta ....Handbooks and Environmental Knowledge in Thailand. This project will contribute to maintaining Australian scholars at the forefront of innovative research in Southeast Asia. The project will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of attitudes towards the environment within the region. Australia has a significant aid investment in the region and this is likely to grow as a result of the White Paper on overseas development aid. In Southeast Asia much of the aid effort addresses issues of sustainable resource management. Australian businesses have also indicated that deeper insights into local perspectives on sustainability and resource management will be useful in enhancing economic cooperation.Read moreRead less