Avatars and Identities. The avatar, a virtual representation of its user, is the key element of interface technology for everyday computer use in the twenty-first century. While specialist aspects of the avatar have received intensive attention from the technology industries and scholars, the focus of the work to date has been on the technical efficiency of the interface, rather than understanding the full social implications of its use. Through a historical, ethnographic and critical analysis o ....Avatars and Identities. The avatar, a virtual representation of its user, is the key element of interface technology for everyday computer use in the twenty-first century. While specialist aspects of the avatar have received intensive attention from the technology industries and scholars, the focus of the work to date has been on the technical efficiency of the interface, rather than understanding the full social implications of its use. Through a historical, ethnographic and critical analysis of the role of the avatar, in consultation with industry, this project offers a unique opportunity to develop a wider perspective that will contribute to an understanding of the uses and policies for the digital economy.Read moreRead less
After the apocalypse: the mediasphere, global crisis and violent ecologies. This project examines the ways in which the media shapes our thinking and practices around crisis. The study focuses particularly on the evolution of a 'crisis consciousness' and the ways in which human desires are implicated in the cultural politics of violence. The study focuses specifically on Australia's participation in post-9/11 conflicts.
Improving digital sexual literacy in Australia. This project aims to theorise digital sexual literacy in Australia and identify useful interventions aimed at increasing this literacy. We will map the ecosystem of digital Sexually Explicit Material (SEM) in Australia, identifying the ways in which Australians both consume sexual images and represent themselves as sexual beings in digital contexts. This data will be used to theorise digital sexual literacy, including both the "reading" and "writin ....Improving digital sexual literacy in Australia. This project aims to theorise digital sexual literacy in Australia and identify useful interventions aimed at increasing this literacy. We will map the ecosystem of digital Sexually Explicit Material (SEM) in Australia, identifying the ways in which Australians both consume sexual images and represent themselves as sexual beings in digital contexts. This data will be used to theorise digital sexual literacy, including both the "reading" and "writing" of sexual representations. The data will inform the formulation of useful interventions to support increases in digital sexual literacy in Australia.
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Australian Film Theory and Criticism. Australian film theory and criticism has burgeoned over the past thirty years, but there is no dedicated book-length study of the field. This research project will fill the gap, not only tracing the specificity of Australian film theory and criticism but also reasserting its place on the international scholarly agenda. In tracing the critical positions, personalities and institutions that have shaped film theory and criticism in this country, this project wi ....Australian Film Theory and Criticism. Australian film theory and criticism has burgeoned over the past thirty years, but there is no dedicated book-length study of the field. This research project will fill the gap, not only tracing the specificity of Australian film theory and criticism but also reasserting its place on the international scholarly agenda. In tracing the critical positions, personalities and institutions that have shaped film theory and criticism in this country, this project will at once disseminate and preserve (for scholars and the general public alike) the legacy of those critical intellectuals who have striven to understand the nation's most popular art and entertainment form, the cinema. Read moreRead less
Performing authorship in the digital literary sphere. This project undertakes the first detailed analysis of literary authorship in the digital era to understand how networked communication technologies have made authorship both more accessible and more elite than ever before. Research findings will be disseminated internationally throughout the project via an interactive weblog open to the public.
Digital dissent in the People's Republic: the language of protest and criticism in Sino-cyberspace. As Australia's relations with China continue to deepen, it is vital for Australia to acquire in-depth knowledge of how rapidly China is changing as a consequence of digital information flows. The project provides that knowledge through its analysis of digital dissent. The project explores how non-state players in the People's Republic respond and react to urgent problems in their midst. It will ....Digital dissent in the People's Republic: the language of protest and criticism in Sino-cyberspace. As Australia's relations with China continue to deepen, it is vital for Australia to acquire in-depth knowledge of how rapidly China is changing as a consequence of digital information flows. The project provides that knowledge through its analysis of digital dissent. The project explores how non-state players in the People's Republic respond and react to urgent problems in their midst. It will also shed light on present-day tensions in China between state and civil society. More specifically, the project will deepen Australia's critical engagement with China by focussing on such issues of consequence as censorship, corruption, environmental pollution, governance reform and calls for democracy and human rights.Read moreRead less
Print Manager: Jonathan Swift and Anglo-Irish Print Culture 1680-1750. In Swift studies Australia has both a leading position and a key group of internationally recognised scholars (David Woolley at Perth, Harold Love at Monash, Ian Higgins at ANU , Robert Phiddian at Flinders, myself at Monash). Monash also has the internationally significant Swift Collection of manuscripts, books and associated material, all of the digital databases and microfilms, and is the leading centre for Swift research ....Print Manager: Jonathan Swift and Anglo-Irish Print Culture 1680-1750. In Swift studies Australia has both a leading position and a key group of internationally recognised scholars (David Woolley at Perth, Harold Love at Monash, Ian Higgins at ANU , Robert Phiddian at Flinders, myself at Monash). Monash also has the internationally significant Swift Collection of manuscripts, books and associated material, all of the digital databases and microfilms, and is the leading centre for Swift research and eighteenth-century literary research in Australia. This project will enhance Australian strength in and contribution to the world-wide study of Swift and his work, deepen Australian awareness of its Anglo-Irish colonial heritage, and reveal new dimensions to its Irish-Australian heritage. Read moreRead less
Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both ....Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both eras, the project will theoretically evaluate the cultural significance of our current fascination with spectacle environments. In comparing the C17th and late C20th/C21st attraction with such spectacular spaces, it is proposed that we are witnessing a return to a culture of the baroque.Read moreRead less
The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of ....The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of the baroque (and its delight in spectacular spaces). In turn, the social and cultural implications of such a return will be a central concern.Read moreRead less
Challenging the stigmatisation of poverty and place-based disadvantage. There is widespread community tolerance for using demeaning and derisory stereotypes to describe individuals experiencing poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage. This negative stereotyping, which also attaches to neighbourhoods with high proportions of disadvantaged households, has many adverse effects and undermines poverty reduction efforts. The proposed research will examine the influence of the media on wider community a ....Challenging the stigmatisation of poverty and place-based disadvantage. There is widespread community tolerance for using demeaning and derisory stereotypes to describe individuals experiencing poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage. This negative stereotyping, which also attaches to neighbourhoods with high proportions of disadvantaged households, has many adverse effects and undermines poverty reduction efforts. The proposed research will examine the influence of the media on wider community attitudes to poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage in Australia and the United Kingdom, develop an innovative method for research involving populations vulnerable to being stigmatised, and generate new knowledge of the effects of poverty stigma. Findings will inform strategies for challenging stigma. Read moreRead less