Research Projects
ARC Linkage Grants
Connecting younger second language learners and older bilinguals: Intergenerational, intercultural encounters and second language development
Prof Michael G Clyne, Prof Colette J Browning, Dr Marisa Cordella, Dr Hui Huang
2010 – 2012: $322104
Partner Organisations:
Association of Independent Schools of Victoria, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria, Department of Education and Childhood Development, Victorian Multicultural Commission
This project brings together upper secondary school learners of Chinese, German or Spanish and older speakers of the language, promoting mutually beneficial inter-cultural, intergenerational encounters. Valuable community language resources will be tapped to motivate and enhance the second language learning for the social, cultural and economic benefits. The model promises to make senior secondary second language learning more effective. Australia's social fabric will be enhanced by interactions between cultures and between generations. The project addresses two important goals of the research Priority II --- It is strengthening the Australian social and economic fabric and ageing well, ageing productively.
ARC Discovery Grants
A History of Taiwan
Prof Bruce Jacobs
2010 – 2012: $86,000
Taiwan, a middle-sized Asian nation with a population about twenty per cent greater than Australia, is one of four stable democracies in Asia along with India, Japan and South Korea. As such, it shares democratic values with Australia. We also have strong trade and investment relationships with Taiwan. China's claim that Taiwan belongs to China has made our relationship with Taiwan difficult, though in fact we have a strong 'officially unofficial' relationship with the island. This history will substantially strengthen our understanding of this key Asia-Pacific partner both in government and among Australia's citizens.
Bilingualism and Multilingualism in a National Movement: Ukrainian Writers in the Nineteenth Century
A/Prof Marko Pavlyshyn
2010 – 2012: $110,000
This analysis of the role of languages with different social and political roles in the formation of a modern Ukrainian literature will advance the study of Eastern Europe in Australia, foster international research links and open avenues for collaboration between humanities and social science scholars in Australia and countries of the former Soviet Union. It will contribute to research training and enhance the standing of Australian scholarship in Slavic and East European Studies. By contributing to knowledge about the gestation of nations - political and cultural units into which most people today believe themselves to belong - the project will advance the national priority goal of understanding our region and the world.
Digital dissent in the People's Republic: the language of protest and criticism in Sino cyberspace
Associate Professor Gloria Davies
2009 - 2011: $200,000
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.
Aboriginal-English speaking students' (mis)understanding of school literacy materials in Australian English
Associate Professor Farzad Sharifian
2008-2010: $144,000
Aboriginal students have a right to quality education that gives them skills for full participation in Australian society. However, in the past the education system in Australia has largely failed to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and has to a large extent failed to equip teachers of Aboriginal children with the relevant professional development that they need. This project will directly focus on this issue of highest national priority and will make an attempt to explore Aboriginal-English speaking students' understanding of school materials. The results will be used in Aboriginal teacher education.
The Post Mao Transition in China: From the Ashes of Revolution toward Reform, 1976 1978
Professor FC Teiwes, Dr Warren Sun
2008-2010: $163,000
The project contributes to national benefit by deepening understanding of a regional powerhouse, the People's Republic of China. While the study is historical, it has relevance for Australia's contemporary dealings with China since key aspects of Chinese leadership politics such as the tension between formal and informal authority derive from the period under examination. As such it furthers the national research priority of 'Understanding our region and the world'. In addition, the study will further enhance the reputation of Australian scholarship on China, thus sustaining its world standing as second only to that of the United States.
Music and modernity in Osaka during the interwar years
Associate Professor Hugh de Ferranti, Associate Professor Alison Tokita, Prof S Hosokawa
2007-2009: $302,000
Japan continues to be among our paramount trading partners, and is Australia's proven ally in many contexts. Both Australia and Japan have sought to carve out distinctive musical identities while striving for acceptance according to international standards. Osaka in the interwar period was host to multiple musical subcultures, a situation that is relevant for Australia in its ongoing quest to become a culturally diverse society. Australia stands to benefit from comparative perspective on the construction of national musical identity, the interplay between global and local musical cultures, the balance between modernity and tradition, and the emergence of hybrid cultural phenomena.