New Directions in Information Economics and Environmental Policy. Recent developments in economic theory, experimental economics, information systems and biophysical modelling have made possible a new generation of policy instruments that can be applied in environmental economics. A recent pilot study of biodiversity preservation auctions in Victoria has demonstrated the practicality in principle of these techniques. We will build on this pilot study to develop practical policy instruments based ....New Directions in Information Economics and Environmental Policy. Recent developments in economic theory, experimental economics, information systems and biophysical modelling have made possible a new generation of policy instruments that can be applied in environmental economics. A recent pilot study of biodiversity preservation auctions in Victoria has demonstrated the practicality in principle of these techniques. We will build on this pilot study to develop practical policy instruments based on these principles.Read moreRead less
Unions and Regional Regeneration. Unions face many challenges in older industrial regions, where they previously have had a strong presence. Successful regeneration of such regions depends on the active involvement of unions and their members as well as business. In some places, however, unions have remained marginal to these processes. Not only does this project extend theory on union purpose, capacities and organisation in support of economic, political and environmental change towards sustain ....Unions and Regional Regeneration. Unions face many challenges in older industrial regions, where they previously have had a strong presence. Successful regeneration of such regions depends on the active involvement of unions and their members as well as business. In some places, however, unions have remained marginal to these processes. Not only does this project extend theory on union purpose, capacities and organisation in support of economic, political and environmental change towards sustainable futures, it applies a novel combination of methods. This application examines the consequences of involvement and non-involvement in these processes. The project seeks to extend theories of social change and social mobilisation.Read moreRead less
A Great and Crying Need: A History of Kew Residential Services, 1887-2007, through Innovative Textual, Oral, Aural and Experiential Media. This original history of Kew Residential Services (KRS), formerly known as Kew Cottages, will trace the lives of its residents from 1887, analysing the changing discourses, policies and practices for people with intellectual disability. It will analyse the history of Kew Residential Services in terms of a modern society's shifting response to difference. Th ....A Great and Crying Need: A History of Kew Residential Services, 1887-2007, through Innovative Textual, Oral, Aural and Experiential Media. This original history of Kew Residential Services (KRS), formerly known as Kew Cottages, will trace the lives of its residents from 1887, analysing the changing discourses, policies and practices for people with intellectual disability. It will analyse the history of Kew Residential Services in terms of a modern society's shifting response to difference. The Project is internationally innovative, researching with and for people with intellectual disability and giving voice to their experiences. It will produce an academic monograph and scholarly articles, a unique non-verbal representation of residents' experiences, an oral history, radio documentary and photographic research.Read moreRead less
Between State and World: A History of the National Council of Women of Australia 1931-2006. This project brings together academic historians and women active in the National Council of Women of Australia to write its history. The Council and the broad community of women whom it represents benefit by the validation of their shared memories and their sense of common purpose. The Australian community benefits from the renewal of social capital and the culture of political participation pursued by t ....Between State and World: A History of the National Council of Women of Australia 1931-2006. This project brings together academic historians and women active in the National Council of Women of Australia to write its history. The Council and the broad community of women whom it represents benefit by the validation of their shared memories and their sense of common purpose. The Australian community benefits from the renewal of social capital and the culture of political participation pursued by the Council and now celebrated in its history. And the nation benefits from a new knowledge of the role in national and international policy-making played by the largest coalition of its women citizens.Read moreRead less
A study of the ABC in Asia and its role in cultural exchange. Technological and cultural exchange with Asia through the Australian Broadcasting Commission/Corporation has been critical in building cross-cultural awareness in both Australia and Asia. Recording and assessing the breadth and character of this exchange will assist Australia's capacity to interpret itself to the world. Analysing the interaction of a liberal-democratic broadcasting model with social organisation in Asia will enhance o ....A study of the ABC in Asia and its role in cultural exchange. Technological and cultural exchange with Asia through the Australian Broadcasting Commission/Corporation has been critical in building cross-cultural awareness in both Australia and Asia. Recording and assessing the breadth and character of this exchange will assist Australia's capacity to interpret itself to the world. Analysing the interaction of a liberal-democratic broadcasting model with social organisation in Asia will enhance our capacity to engage with a changing regional media environment. A critical assessment of the ABC's international role will contribute to debates on the value of public broadcasting. The outcomes (book, database, oral histories) provide a permanent resource for researching media and Australia-Asian relations.Read moreRead less
Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future. The concept of sustainability has been proposed as a practical and useful concept capable of providing solutions to social, environmental and economic problems. Global interest in the concept also stems from the advantages that organisational change for sustainability can impart, including improved efficiency and profitability. The project will develop sustainability capabilities of graduates entering a diverse range of industries, enhancing the nation ....Building Capacity for a Sustainable Future. The concept of sustainability has been proposed as a practical and useful concept capable of providing solutions to social, environmental and economic problems. Global interest in the concept also stems from the advantages that organisational change for sustainability can impart, including improved efficiency and profitability. The project will develop sustainability capabilities of graduates entering a diverse range of industries, enhancing the national skills base. The models and processes of institutional change developed in this project can be adopted by universities, governments and corporations throughout the world, enhancing Australia's reputation as a world leader in institutional and corporate sustainability.Read moreRead less
History of the Victorian Women's Refuge Movement, 1974-2004. Using a rich archive of source material and in-depth interviews, this PhD project will trace the unique history of the women's refuge movement in Victoria, from its initiation in 1974 through to a period of significant change in 2004. In doing so, the project will consider the ways that a diverse range of organisations worked together to achieve significant social change. These changes will be located within the wider domestic violence ....History of the Victorian Women's Refuge Movement, 1974-2004. Using a rich archive of source material and in-depth interviews, this PhD project will trace the unique history of the women's refuge movement in Victoria, from its initiation in 1974 through to a period of significant change in 2004. In doing so, the project will consider the ways that a diverse range of organisations worked together to achieve significant social change. These changes will be located within the wider domestic violence policy context and the research will inform future policy development through the careful consideration of services provided in the past.Read moreRead less
The Social Sciences and the Making of Postwar Australia. This project explores the foundational significance of the social sciences in the creation of modern Australia. Using the history of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia as a focus, it will provide the first broad historical analysis of the various social scientific fields in Australia since WWII. In doing so it will highlight the previously under-examined but critical influence these fields of knowledge exerted over civil socie ....The Social Sciences and the Making of Postwar Australia. This project explores the foundational significance of the social sciences in the creation of modern Australia. Using the history of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia as a focus, it will provide the first broad historical analysis of the various social scientific fields in Australia since WWII. In doing so it will highlight the previously under-examined but critical influence these fields of knowledge exerted over civil society and public policy. Its finding will be of great significance both to our industry partner, in fulfilling its role as advocate for the social sciences, and to an understanding of the development of post-war Australian society.Read moreRead less
Reshaping employment discrimination law: towards substantive equality at work? The Australian employment discrimination law system comprises long standing anti-discrimination law and novel discrimination provisions from the Fair Work Act 2009. This project studies the operation and effectiveness of the reshaped system, to assess whether it is likely to be effective in supporting a more substantive version of equality at work.
The face of the poor: a history of poverty through the eyes of the St Vincent de Paul Society. This project will develop a detailed understanding of the changing role of the church sector in the provision of 'front-line' social welfare. It will train a postgraduate student in the skills of archival and policy analysis, at a time when many welfare agencies are employing staff in research and policy functions. By focusing on a voluntary organisation, it will provide insight into the historical rol ....The face of the poor: a history of poverty through the eyes of the St Vincent de Paul Society. This project will develop a detailed understanding of the changing role of the church sector in the provision of 'front-line' social welfare. It will train a postgraduate student in the skills of archival and policy analysis, at a time when many welfare agencies are employing staff in research and policy functions. By focusing on a voluntary organisation, it will provide insight into the historical role of volunteers in Australian welfare. By illuminating how the roles of the church agencies in the mixed economy of welfare have changed over time, the project will contribute to the goal of strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric. Read moreRead less