Australian Volunteers Abroad in Communities in the Asia/Pacific Region. Each year over 300 Australian volunteers work abroad in communities in the Asia Pacific region. This project researches key questions about the role of volunteers in contributing to regional stability, community capacity building and poverty alleviation. The research also explores questions about the preparation and knowledge required for overseas volunteers working in local communities in the future. The project aims to ana ....Australian Volunteers Abroad in Communities in the Asia/Pacific Region. Each year over 300 Australian volunteers work abroad in communities in the Asia Pacific region. This project researches key questions about the role of volunteers in contributing to regional stability, community capacity building and poverty alleviation. The research also explores questions about the preparation and knowledge required for overseas volunteers working in local communities in the future. The project aims to analyse an important aspect of Australia's interaction with the Asia Pacific region; identify key features of volunteering from the perspective of volunteers, volunteer organisations, host communities and government; and develop up-to-date research material and procedures for preparing Australian volunteers.Read moreRead less
The implications of welfare reform for single parent families in their transition to paid work. The study will clarify the policy and practice implications of welfare reform by focussing on its implementation and impacts. These findings will: provide single parents with insight into the experience of returning to work; enable social welfare agencies to design programs and services to meet the changing needs of single parents; provide data for welfare policy review and development; and contribute ....The implications of welfare reform for single parent families in their transition to paid work. The study will clarify the policy and practice implications of welfare reform by focussing on its implementation and impacts. These findings will: provide single parents with insight into the experience of returning to work; enable social welfare agencies to design programs and services to meet the changing needs of single parents; provide data for welfare policy review and development; and contribute to the theory and evidence base for ongoing debates such as the effect of combining multiple roles (for example work and parenting) on single parents and the implications of voluntary versus mandatory welfare to work programs.Read moreRead less
Determining the individual, community and societal impacts of compensable injury in Australia. This project will enhance our understanding of the individual, community and societal impacts of workplace and transport injury in Australia. The project will develop new impact measurement tools for application in workers' compensation and motor accident compensation schemes.
An action research project to strengthen inter-professional learning and practice across the ACT health system. There are 14 beneficial reasons why this project is vital to the fabric of our nation. These include: the economic benefits of a more efficient health-care system; the social benefits of more responsive and resilient workplaces; the research benefits of better knowledge about how professionals can work together effectively; the consumer benefits of improved patient care; health sector ....An action research project to strengthen inter-professional learning and practice across the ACT health system. There are 14 beneficial reasons why this project is vital to the fabric of our nation. These include: the economic benefits of a more efficient health-care system; the social benefits of more responsive and resilient workplaces; the research benefits of better knowledge about how professionals can work together effectively; the consumer benefits of improved patient care; health sector benefits in assisting health reforms to be more effective; and education sector benefits in understanding how professionals from different disciplines can learn together more collaboratively. The benefits are transferable to other industries and professional groups, as well as to Australia's international partners.Read moreRead less
Human Oöcytes for Stem Cell Research: donation and regulation in Australia. This study will contribute to the development of workable, ethical guidelines and practices for Australian research oöcyte donation. It will contribute to the protection of women's health and autonomy and the design of sound donation practices and support services. It will contribute to the national and international debate about the ethics of stem cell research, and improve the knowledge base available to regulators and ....Human Oöcytes for Stem Cell Research: donation and regulation in Australia. This study will contribute to the development of workable, ethical guidelines and practices for Australian research oöcyte donation. It will contribute to the protection of women's health and autonomy and the design of sound donation practices and support services. It will contribute to the national and international debate about the ethics of stem cell research, and improve the knowledge base available to regulators and other stakeholders to frame adequate and comprehensive regulation.Read moreRead less
Mapping Social Services Provision for Diverse Communities. Although the provision of social services in multicultural societies is one of the major factors that affect immigrants’ integration experiences, it surprisingly remains under-researched. This project will systematically map the provision and impact of different service-delivery modes in three areas of interest to migrant groups - health, social and employment services. By using mixed-methods design, the project will assess the experienc ....Mapping Social Services Provision for Diverse Communities. Although the provision of social services in multicultural societies is one of the major factors that affect immigrants’ integration experiences, it surprisingly remains under-researched. This project will systematically map the provision and impact of different service-delivery modes in three areas of interest to migrant groups - health, social and employment services. By using mixed-methods design, the project will assess the experiences and impact of the mainstreaming of social services on social inclusion, citizenship and human rights among migrant communities. Outcomes will include robust empirical evidence to plan policies and improve social inclusion of migrant communities through the effective provision of social services.Read moreRead less
The Development and Evaluation of an Online Support System for Mental Health Workers in Rural, Remote and Regional Areas. Suicide has been estimated to cost Australia over $460 million/year. Rural suicide workers have mulitfaceted roles pivotal to their communities' social well being, yet suffer professional isolation and inadequate access to resources and expertise through geographic remoteness.
Online technologies potentially offer effective support mechanisms. This research will increase fu ....The Development and Evaluation of an Online Support System for Mental Health Workers in Rural, Remote and Regional Areas. Suicide has been estimated to cost Australia over $460 million/year. Rural suicide workers have mulitfaceted roles pivotal to their communities' social well being, yet suffer professional isolation and inadequate access to resources and expertise through geographic remoteness.
Online technologies potentially offer effective support mechanisms. This research will increase fundamental knowledge by:
* developing, implementing and rigorously evaluating the effectiveness and transferability of an innovative online model for professional support and expertise; and
* systematically addressing the complex ethical, professional and technical issues associated with using online technology to assist suicide reduction.Read moreRead less
Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the ....Cross-cultural institution-building and development interventions: linking applied and critical approaches. This project will examine cross-cultural institutions created in the context of development, planning and management interventions. The proposed collaboration will support two APAI scholars to research the social and cultural processes whereby such institutions engage local communities in resource mapping, planning and decision-making. One scholar will work in East Timor, the other in the Northern Territory. A key objective is to combine applied and critical approaches in expanding our understanding of the interactions that takes place between external agencies and local communities. The research will contribute to the improved design and implementation of initiatives for managing local resources.Read moreRead less
A Regional Perspective on Work & Family Balance and Changes in Employment Regulation. Work/family balance is a focus of significant attention at the community, national and international level. This project will generate new knowledge about the ways in which employment regulation directly and indirectly impacts on employee work/family balance outcomes within different regional and industry contexts. A growing body of research recognises the linkages between employment regulation and effects on c ....A Regional Perspective on Work & Family Balance and Changes in Employment Regulation. Work/family balance is a focus of significant attention at the community, national and international level. This project will generate new knowledge about the ways in which employment regulation directly and indirectly impacts on employee work/family balance outcomes within different regional and industry contexts. A growing body of research recognises the linkages between employment regulation and effects on child and parent well-being and health, labour force supply and economic outcomes. However, little is known about how geographical location shapes work/family balance. The research will thus contribute to improved understandings and to better social policy at the local, state and federal levels.Read moreRead less
Natural Hazard Vulnerability: A study of risk, vulnerability, behaviour, attitudes and perceptions of warnings. This project builds on original research into community vulnerability, awareness and preparedness for natural hazards. During the second half of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, the trend in emergency management and disaster mitigation research has been towards the social and community impacts of natural disasters. The aim of the project is to exa ....Natural Hazard Vulnerability: A study of risk, vulnerability, behaviour, attitudes and perceptions of warnings. This project builds on original research into community vulnerability, awareness and preparedness for natural hazards. During the second half of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, the trend in emergency management and disaster mitigation research has been towards the social and community impacts of natural disasters. The aim of the project is to examine risk perception amongst hazard vulnerable communities. The expected outcomes include an improved awareness campaign and a better understanding of the ways in which warnings and forecasts are filtered and distorted by the public.Read moreRead less