The sociocultural construction of early childhood science learning: Learning of scientific concepts within situated playful encounters in early childhood contexts. As a result of large-scale international and intensive neuroscientific research, it is now widely recognized that the early childhood period is one of the most critical periods of a child's development and education. Quality educational input within the first five years of a child's life has been shown to have sustained long term so ....The sociocultural construction of early childhood science learning: Learning of scientific concepts within situated playful encounters in early childhood contexts. As a result of large-scale international and intensive neuroscientific research, it is now widely recognized that the early childhood period is one of the most critical periods of a child's development and education. Quality educational input within the first five years of a child's life has been shown to have sustained long term social and emotional outcomes, and to result in improved educational opportunities and life chances for all children. Gaining a better understanding about how scientific learning can be organized within playful early childhood contexts would lead to more appropriate models for science teaching for Australian early childhood teachers, more science being taught, and a more scientific literate population. Read moreRead less
High hopes, high risk? A sociological study of stem cell tourism. This project investigates the phenomenon of stem cell tourism, particularly the factors shaping patients’ expectations and decisions in relation to the promising new field of stem cell research. As the first in-depth study on this form of medical travel, the project will provide valuable information to policy makers.
How expectations shape testing in healthcare. This project aims to understand the sociocultural processes underpinning optimism for the use of testing technologies in healthcare. Australians are using more tests, which increases healthcare costs. This project will use the Australian national cancer screening programmes and routine clinical practice as case studies to determine human decision-making traits in sociological terms. The project expects to increase understanding of the sociocultural f ....How expectations shape testing in healthcare. This project aims to understand the sociocultural processes underpinning optimism for the use of testing technologies in healthcare. Australians are using more tests, which increases healthcare costs. This project will use the Australian national cancer screening programmes and routine clinical practice as case studies to determine human decision-making traits in sociological terms. The project expects to increase understanding of the sociocultural factors that influence decision-making and behaviour in healthcare settings, and help formulate effective social and economic policies.Read moreRead less
Patients’ use of digital media. This project aims to determine how Australians use digital media and how this influences the development and availability of treatments and the sociocultural factors underlying this digital media use. Patients can use digital media to manage their own health, but this may result in patient harm and a loss of public confidence in the underlying science. The intended outcome is to gain insights into this recent and fast-growing sociological phenomenon, and provide a ....Patients’ use of digital media. This project aims to determine how Australians use digital media and how this influences the development and availability of treatments and the sociocultural factors underlying this digital media use. Patients can use digital media to manage their own health, but this may result in patient harm and a loss of public confidence in the underlying science. The intended outcome is to gain insights into this recent and fast-growing sociological phenomenon, and provide a scientific basis for formulating public policy strategies to ensure that healthcare resources are used efficiently and cost-effectively.Read moreRead less
A sociological analysis of the anti-ageing treatment market: the dynamics of expectations. Public expectations of new medical treatments are often high, indeed higher than warranted by medical evidence. This project will reveal how expectations arise and function in the market of so-called anti-ageing treatments and will explore the implications for treatment practices and decisions. It will clarify the socio-cultural factors sustaining expectations of treatments, including the respective roles ....A sociological analysis of the anti-ageing treatment market: the dynamics of expectations. Public expectations of new medical treatments are often high, indeed higher than warranted by medical evidence. This project will reveal how expectations arise and function in the market of so-called anti-ageing treatments and will explore the implications for treatment practices and decisions. It will clarify the socio-cultural factors sustaining expectations of treatments, including the respective roles played by those who produce, sell, regulate and consume them. The project will offer a new perspective on the dynamics of emerging medical treatment markets that will assist regulatory efforts.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE200100767
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,401.00
Summary
Australian Public Hospitals of the Future: A Sociological Study. This project aims to investigate the effects on Australian public hospitals of major technological innovations in healthcare. Using newly built hospitals as case studies, the project expects to generate new knowledge in health sociology and science and technology studies. Expected outcomes include the development and dissemination of policy able to address emerging pressure on public health care systems. The anticipated benefits in ....Australian Public Hospitals of the Future: A Sociological Study. This project aims to investigate the effects on Australian public hospitals of major technological innovations in healthcare. Using newly built hospitals as case studies, the project expects to generate new knowledge in health sociology and science and technology studies. Expected outcomes include the development and dissemination of policy able to address emerging pressure on public health care systems. The anticipated benefits include significant new knowledge on how public hospitals can adopt and develop technological innovations in a cost-effective manner that aligns with the values of Australian communities.Read moreRead less
Epigenetic models of plasticity in the global south. This project aims to investigate how epigenetics, the science of how environmental factors switch genes on or off, is reshaping notions of the body, heredity and biological plasticity in the global South., Using case studies in Australia, India and South Africa this project comparatively analyses how epigenetics is mobilised in public debates on responsibility, risk and the amelioration of disadvantage. This project expects to ensure the polic ....Epigenetic models of plasticity in the global south. This project aims to investigate how epigenetics, the science of how environmental factors switch genes on or off, is reshaping notions of the body, heredity and biological plasticity in the global South., Using case studies in Australia, India and South Africa this project comparatively analyses how epigenetics is mobilised in public debates on responsibility, risk and the amelioration of disadvantage. This project expects to ensure the policy translation of epigenetics maximises social benefits and reduces risks of social harm, particularly to vulnerable minority groups.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354538
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Enabling Sciences Education (EnSE) Research Network. The Network aims to ensure the long-term ability of Australians to excel in scientific and technological innovation at all levels of community activity. This will be achieved by establishing significant and ambitious research agendas for improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology in primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors. Of significance will be the productive synergies flowing from uniting, across ....Enabling Sciences Education (EnSE) Research Network. The Network aims to ensure the long-term ability of Australians to excel in scientific and technological innovation at all levels of community activity. This will be achieved by establishing significant and ambitious research agendas for improving the teaching and learning of Mathematics, Science and Technology in primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors. Of significance will be the productive synergies flowing from uniting, across the three disciplines, Australia's most outstanding, experienced and dedicated researchers with new and mid-career colleagues. Expected outcomes include a diverse but cohesive and collaborative research community that provides international leadership in helping students achieve their full potential. Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453810
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,045.00
Summary
Australian Policy Online Archive Project. The project will significantly upgrade Australian Policy Online (http://www.apo.org.au), a Swinburne-based online archive of social science research from over ninety centres, institutes and departments, to create a national, searchable electronic gateway for academic researchers, librarians, public servants, journalists and students. The project will:
-deepen the APO archive by adding key reports from the past five years;
-establish thematic resource ....Australian Policy Online Archive Project. The project will significantly upgrade Australian Policy Online (http://www.apo.org.au), a Swinburne-based online archive of social science research from over ninety centres, institutes and departments, to create a national, searchable electronic gateway for academic researchers, librarians, public servants, journalists and students. The project will:
-deepen the APO archive by adding key reports from the past five years;
-establish thematic resource pages on key policy-oriented research projects, providing previously inaccessible primary and secondary material online;
-upgrade the accessibility and searchability of APO by improving our metadata protocol;
-broaden our membership; and
-incorporate archival material from several new sources.
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Building the Australian response to the ‘superbugs’ crisis. This project aims to investigate the Australian public’s engagement with communications and media on antimicrobial resistance, examine the public’s trust in expert knowledge and study how the public enacts expert advice about antimicrobial drugs in everyday life. The resistance of common infections to antibiotics and other drugs (the ‘superbugs’ crisis) jeopardises health worldwide. The ‘superbugs’ crisis means that individuals and care ....Building the Australian response to the ‘superbugs’ crisis. This project aims to investigate the Australian public’s engagement with communications and media on antimicrobial resistance, examine the public’s trust in expert knowledge and study how the public enacts expert advice about antimicrobial drugs in everyday life. The resistance of common infections to antibiotics and other drugs (the ‘superbugs’ crisis) jeopardises health worldwide. The ‘superbugs’ crisis means that individuals and care givers need to use drugs as prescribed and reduce their expectations for drug treatments. Research findings are expected to underpin Australia’s public health policy and communications response to ‘superbugs’, improving national and international health outcomes.Read moreRead less