Insect societies and social butterflies: natural history and sociability in the Romantic period. During the eighteenth century, the Pacific islands and New Holland replaced America as the testing ground for ideas about the state of natural man and the origins of society. In looking at Enlightenment ideas about the natural, the human, and the social, this project will help us to learn more about ourselves as the dominant species.
Complexions of Empire: racial ideology, West Indian slavery and British romanticism. The aim is to undertake a major interdisciplinary study of British culture and colonialism in the 18th century, with a particular focus on identity formation, the development of racial ideology, and the rhetoric of abolitionism. By focussing on the representation of the West Indies and West Indian social identity and customs, in the context of social conditions in England, the project will advance our current un ....Complexions of Empire: racial ideology, West Indian slavery and British romanticism. The aim is to undertake a major interdisciplinary study of British culture and colonialism in the 18th century, with a particular focus on identity formation, the development of racial ideology, and the rhetoric of abolitionism. By focussing on the representation of the West Indies and West Indian social identity and customs, in the context of social conditions in England, the project will advance our current understanding of the dynamic of metropolitan/colonial relations.Read moreRead less
War, Literary Culture and Masculinity in Romantic Period Britain, 1750-1850. The Romantic period represents a formative moment in the history of Australia and my reconsideration of Romantic culture and war has relevance for understanding this history. Australia's own experience of war first originated with the frontier wars of 1788-1838. My research into British Romantic military and naval war writing will provide key insights into the military culture that dominated this formative moment of Aus ....War, Literary Culture and Masculinity in Romantic Period Britain, 1750-1850. The Romantic period represents a formative moment in the history of Australia and my reconsideration of Romantic culture and war has relevance for understanding this history. Australia's own experience of war first originated with the frontier wars of 1788-1838. My research into British Romantic military and naval war writing will provide key insights into the military culture that dominated this formative moment of Australian military history. War has, more broadly, been pivotal in the formation of Australian nationhood and identity. My project will contribute to our understanding of the role of war in Australian culture by providing fresh insight into the historical role of war writing in constructing modern forms of identity.Read moreRead less
SPEAKING WOMEN: ACTRESSES' ROLES IN ENGLISH DRAMA, 1737-1800. This project continues the internationally celebrated tradition of Australian scholarship in English Restoration and eighteenth-century drama, a period which is of particular interest because it coincides with the originary moment of our modern nation. As a mode of popular culture, drama offers a rich source of common ideas and attitudes (for example, about gender and class), which the project will explore. Many popular eighteenth-cen ....SPEAKING WOMEN: ACTRESSES' ROLES IN ENGLISH DRAMA, 1737-1800. This project continues the internationally celebrated tradition of Australian scholarship in English Restoration and eighteenth-century drama, a period which is of particular interest because it coincides with the originary moment of our modern nation. As a mode of popular culture, drama offers a rich source of common ideas and attitudes (for example, about gender and class), which the project will explore. Many popular eighteenth-century plays were performed in the early days of white settlement, and this project will, among other more general outcomes, investigate whether these works might be capable of successful and illuminating revival on modern Australian stages. Read moreRead less