Research Grants Awarded 2009
- ARC Linkage Round 2
- ARC Discovery
- ARC Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development
- ARC Linkage Round 1
ARC Linkage Round 2
Centre for Educational Research
EDUCATION STUDIES
Prof RG Craven; Prof MH Vickers; Dr K Barker; Dr K Watson; Dr A Power; Dr M Mooney; Dr B Dobia; Mr PM Whitefield; Ms JM Schofield
Enabling schooling success: Psycho social drivers & impact of Positive Behaviour for Learning intervention on behaviour, well being, academic engagement & achievement
2009 : $ 71 000
2010 : $ 126 000
2011 : $ 123 500
2012 : $ 68 500
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): NSW Department of Education and Training
Project Summary
Reducing behavioural & emotional difficulties in schools is vital given their pervasiveness & long term consequences for academic failure, mental health & anti social behaviour. Consistent with National Research Priorities to promote proactive health & wellbeing effective research based positive behaviour for learning interventions will yield important educational & socio economic benefits by enriching learning, psychosocial adjustment, schooling success & life potential of young Australians. Research outcomes have the potential to seed success by generating new solutions to strengthen schooling; enable students to reach potential; build capacity at individual & community levels & contribute to national socio economic wellbeing.
School of Social Sciences
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Prof M Mitchell; Prof SR Miller; Prof TJ Prenzler; Mr P Gallagher; Prof J Kleinig; Mr GT Chilvers; Prof SL Grover; Dr V Hughes
Police Leadership in the 21st Century: Redesigning Roles and Practices
2009 : $ 77 500
2010 : $ 152 000
2011 : $ 136 500
2012 : $ 62 000
APA(I) Award(s): 2
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): New South Wales Police Force; Western Australia Police; University of Otago
Project Summary
Leaders are seen as exemplifying and guiding the climate of police organisations. This project will deliver comprehensive, comparative, and internationally relevant empirical data on the relationship between leaders' approach and behaviours and the achievement of outcomes in these significant, high profile public sector organisations. On this foundation the project will make recommendations on innovative institutional design to achieve ethical, effective and efficient policing capable of withstanding the challenges of the future. This will increase public confidence in policing, resulting in safer communities and improved crime control. This proposal contributes to the ARC research priority of Safeguarding Australia.
School of Management
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Prof SB Banerjee; Dr F Duarte; Dr JH Troughton
Environmental and Social Responsibility in the Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Sector: Challenges and Prospects
2009 : $ 13 070
2010 : $ 26 140
2011 : $ 13 070
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Business Associates Network
Project Summary
The proposed research addressed two of the National Research Priorities, viz., promoting an environmentally sustainable Australia (Goal 2: Transforming existing industries), and promoting and maintaining good health (Goal 4: strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric). The research findings will identify best practices in the areas of environmental and social responsibility in the SME sector thus contributing to the creation of environmentally and socially sustainable workplaces. By integrating perspectives from multiple stakeholders the research also addresses community environmental and social concerns.
Centre for Plant and Food Science
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
Prof DS Ellsworth; Dr BE Medlyn; Mrs DE Drewry; Dr EC Morris
Forest ecosystem water use: Does species diversity matter?
2009 : $ 43 500
2010 : $ 76 500
2011 : $ 66 000
2012 : $ 33 000
APA(I) Award(s): 2
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Penrith Lakes Development Corporation
Project Summary
Forest water use and susceptibility to drought are major concerns for forest plantation establishment in Australia. This research will provide fundamental information about how plantation water use and drought tolerance are modified by species diversity. This work has the potential to transform tree plantation establishment practices toward inclusion of greater species diversity or toward species with particular complementary traits. It has significant potential to enhance benefits from reforestation projects, including better drought survival, reduced water use, soil bioremediation and enhanced biodiversity.
Family and Community Heath Research Group (FaCH)
NURSING
A/Prof VA Schmied; Dr LA Kemp; Dr T Covic; Prof BE Barnett; Mr RJ Mills; Mrs DA Nemeth; Mrs MM Hughes
The perinatal journey: the process and impact of psychosocial assessment
2009 : $ 16 428
2010 : $ 37 985
2011 : $ 34 627
2012 : $ 13 070
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Karitane
Project Summary
This study of the process and impact of psychosocial assessment and depression screening during pregnancy and after birth will have immediate national application and benefit as Australian governments prepare policy to implement universal psychosocial assessment. Findings will provide evidence based approaches to assessment and service delivery impacting positively on large numbers of Australian women who use maternity and early childhood nursing services. Most importantly, skillful early identification of women in distress or 'at risk' is the first step in providing appropriate services and support to ensure better child outcomes. The research will be at the cutting edge internationally and directly addresses National Research Priorities.
Family and Community Heath Research Group (FaCH)
PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
A/Prof VA Schmied; Dr JH Fenwick; Dr K Gribble; Mrs D McGrath; Dr A Sheehan; Prof FC Dykes
A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices
2009 : $ 13 070
2010 : $ 26 140
2011 : $ 26 140
2012 : $ 13 070
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation; Avondale College; University of Central Lancashire
Project Summary
Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision making in first time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed for longer particularly in communities where breastfeeding is not the norm. Increased support for breastfeeding women from family, community and health professionals is likely to reduce the distress reported by many new mothers. Strategic application of findings will lead to health gains from increased breastfeeding and translate into significant cost savings for the Australian health system.
School of Engineering
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
Dr G Fang; Dr JJ Zou; Prof Dr S Chen; Mr JA Cameron
A Vision Controlled Autonomous Multi Robot Welding System
2009 : $ 17 500
2010 : $ 32 500
2011 : $ 28 070
2012 : $ 13 070
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Lincoln Electric (Australia)
Project Summary
This developed system will increase the application of robotic welding in more Australian industries thereby increaseing the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. The system will provide a safer work environment for workers by reducing and potentially eliminating direct exposure of workers to the welding process. This fully automated welding system will give the Lincoln a significant advantage in commercialise this technology both in Australia and overseas. Therefore, this will reap considerable economic benefit for the company, and the nation. This project will also provide a realistic industrial environment for PhD student training.
School of Engineering
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Dr G Ranzi; Prof B Uy; Dr S Gowripalan; Dr P Gabor
Behaviour of post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs
2009 : $ 50 000
2010 : $ 100 000
2011 : $ 100 000
2012 : $ 50 000
APA(I) Award(s): 2
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Stramit Building Products; Arup
Administering Organisation: The University of Sydney
Project Summary
Post-tensioned composite steel-concrete slabs represent an attractive and novel form of construction capable of
combining the advantages of the two most commonly used flooring systems in the Australian building industry
which consist of post-tensioned slabs in the case of concrete structures and of composite slabs for steel structures. The advantages of this novel system cannot be exploited as yet as no design guidelines are currently available. The proposed research team embraces all the construction building industry and will investigate the structural behaviour of post-tensioned composite slabs, producing valuable design guidance to keep Australian research and practice at the forefront internationally.
Social Justice Social Change Research
CentrePOLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
Dr S Bessell; Prof J Mason; Dr AV Nevile; Ms A Michaux
Children, Community and Social Capital in Australia
2009 : $ 13 500
2010 : $ 30 861
2011 : $ 32 361
2012 : $ 15 000
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): The Benevolent Society; NAPCAN
Administering Organisation: The Australian National University
Project Summary
Contributing to our understanding of children's roles and contributions to their communities in Australia, this research will strengthen the basis for policies and interventions relating to social inclusion, community strengthening, children's well-being and family policy. Currently, there is a strong policy focus on children's issues in Australia, but children's own experiences and perspectives are often missing from policy deliberations. This research will provide the foundation for policy and interventions that are inclusive of children and value children as community members and citizens.
ARC Discovery
Centre for Educational Research
EDUCATION STUDIES
Prof RG Craven; Prof I Wilson; Dr AS Yeung
Keeping Pace: A Critical Longitudinal Analysis of the Psychosocial Determinants of Seeding Success in Educating Home Grown Doctors for Regional Communities
2009 : $ 85 000
2010 : $ 80 000
2011 : $ 80 000
Project Summary
Australia currently has a medical workforce situation which, if unchecked, will see a deepening of the shortage of doctors in rural & regional communities. Elucidating the impact of psychosocial drivers on medical education outcomes will identify potent practical strategies that seed success. The outcomes of this research have the potential to 'break the cycle' of doctor shortages in underserved areas by generating new solutions to: improve Australia's capacity to strengthen home grown medical education; address doctor shortages regionally; and build capacity at community and individual levels. This research has important implications for the future of home grown medical education nationally and internationally.
Centre for Educational Research
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS
Extending the capabilities of argumentative Chinese students: Enhancing Australia's pedagogical capacity for engaging China through internationalising research education
2009 : $ 70 000
2010 : $ 40 000
2011 : $ 50 000
Project Summary
In 2007, 90,000 students from China were studying in Australia. This represents 23% of Australia's international students. This project will improve Australia's capacity for engaging China by producing an innovative framework for teaching mainland Chinese research students. It will explore the educational value of engaging these students' Chinese intellectual heritage; their communicative abilities in English and Chinese, and the knowledge they access via digital technologies. Australia's knowledge about the internationalisation of its research education and developmental, cooperative approaches to research will be increased. This will enhance Australia's capacity for research based engagement with the educational culture of China.
School of Computing and Mathematics
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SIGNAL AND IMAGE PROCESSING
Dr D Zhang; Prof Y Zhang; Prof N Foo; Prof M Thielscher
Logical Foundation and Implementation Technology for Automated Negotiation
2009 : $ 95 000
2010 : $ 65 000
2011 : $ 65 000
Project Summary
The logic of bargaining is fundamental to understanding human negotiation and multiagent interaction. This project provides a new paradigm of negotiation with the integration of qualitative and quantitative analysis of bargaining processes and enhancement of implementation technologies for negotiation automation and trading agent design. The theoretic approach can be applied to a wide range of areas for the analysis of economic, political and social phenomena. The techniques, algorithms and possible patents generated by the project can be directly used by the Australian IT industry for the development of efficient e trading systems, allowing Australian business to take advantage of new e market territories.
School of Computing and Mathematics
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND SIGNAL AND IMAGE PROCESSING
Prof Y Zhang
Model Update with Localisation, Constraints and Abstraction
2009 : $ 80 000
2010 : $ 75 000
2011 : $ 70 000
Project Summary
This project will fundamentally provide a new paradigm and a system prototype for advanced computer aided system modification. It will significantly enhance Australia's leading role in the cutting edge research in computer aided system development. By applying the new methodology and technology, Australian IT industry will significantly improve its capacity for developing highly complex hardware and software systems for various applications. With a strong research program across different areas such as knowledge system update, model checking and software development, and a collaborative research training environment, this project will strengthen Australia's international reputation as a leader in computing and IT research.
Dean's Unit - College of Health and Science
PSYCHOLOGY
Prof BL Hesketh; Dr BN Griffin
Retirement transition: a longitudinal P E fit approach within a 'life expectancy' time framework
2009 : $ 85 000
2010 : $ 60 000
2011 : $ 60 000
2012 : $ 35 500
Project Summary
Retirement is an important career milestone, heralding the onset of potentially significant changes in health, finance, and activity. Australia's largest birth cohort, the baby boomers, is ageing and beginning the transition into retirement and yet little is known about how the shifts in culture and attitude will affect their ability to adjust. This research will identify the dominant needs of this group, the resources required to fulfil them, and the factors associated with successful adjustment behaviours. Greater understanding on how self rated longevity, health, finance and values interact to affect decision making will have important implications for public policy and individual planning.
School of Humanities and Languages
CULTURAL STUDIES
Dr G Morgan; Dr G Noble
The Just in Time Self: Young Men, Skill and Narratives of Aspiration in the New Economy
2009 : $ 62 000
2010 : $ 60 000
2011 : $ 26 000
Project Summary
Employers and policy makers frequently lament the 'skills gap': the shortage of workers with the skills required to perform the available jobs. This cannot be solved simply by funding more vocational training courses. To improve participation in training it is important to understand how vocational aspirations are formed. This research will demonstrate how, through their involvement in collective creative projects, young men from poor backgrounds, develop skills and inclinations that might move them beyond the traditional model of manual labour to develop the flexibility required of workers in the 'new economy'.
School of Humanities and Languages
CULTURAL STUDIES
A/Prof BM Neilson; Prof M Ang; Dr N Rossiter; Prof ME Morris; Prof R Samaddar; Prof H Wang; Prof S Mezzadra
Culture in Transition: Creative Labour and Social Mobilities in the Asian Century
2009 : $ 159 000
2010 : $ 100 000
2011 : $ 110 000
Project Summary
Australia's role in the Asian region is changing with the rise of China and India. This Project will benefit Australian communities by increasing knowledge about how the emergence of these nations impacts upon economic growth and innovation, intercultural relations and efforts of social inclusion. The Project will develop new media strategies to inform citizens about how labour relations and mobilities are shifting in this regional context. It will also increase public awareness of the changing forms of global urbanism in Chinese and Indian cities and reposition Australian cultural research and policy in ways adequate to the economic and social challenges posed by the so called Asian century.
MARCS Auditory Laboratories
PSYCHOLOGY
Prof DK Burnham; Dr T Kuratate; Prof C McBride Chang; Dr K Mattock
Making speech three dimensional: Adding tone to consonant and vowel based speech perception and language acquisition research, quantification and theory
2009 : $ 140 000
2010 : $ 80 000
2011 : $ 135 000
Project Summary
Children learn the intricacies of human language in just a few years because they tune into their native language well before they start to speak. We now have a good understanding of this process and how it might affect learning difficulties but only for a limited number of European languages. Here we will investigate face to face speech and language learning for components used across the world's languages, most particularly lexical tone used in many Asian languages, with significant implications for language acquisition, language learning difficulties, machines that speak, learning foreign languages, aids for the Deaf and hearing impaired, and multilingualism.
School of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
A/Prof CJ Stevens; Dr B Tillmann; Dr PE Keller
Expecting the Unexpected: Learning Complex Temporal and Rhythmic Relations
2009 : $ 61 000
2010 : $ 62 000
2011 : $ 63 000
Project Summary
Music is one of the most accessible routes to experience, and to learn about, cultures other than our own. A new implicit method for learning complex rhythm and underlying metre promotes inter group understanding and communication. We hypothesize that implicit learning (IL) of unfamiliar complex metres through music generalizes to spoken language built on similar metres; IL facilitates segmentation of previously unfamiliar spoken language and enhances recognition of English spoken with the stress pattern of a 'foreign' metre. Future intervention programs based on implicit learning of temporal relations will benefit people with reading difficulties or timing problems characteristic of cerebellar and basal ganglia patients.
School of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
Prof JM Ussher; Dr J Perz; Dr E Weisberg
Evaluation of the relative efficacy and mechanisms of a couple based intervention for Premenstrual Syndrome through a randomised control trial using mixed methods
2009 : $ 150 000
2010 : $ 160 000
2011 : $ 110 000
Project Summary
Of 9,689 Australian women recently surveyed nationally, 33% reported moderate or severe premenstrual symptoms (PMS). Whilst relationships have been identified as a significant factor in the experience of premenstrual distress, to date there has been no systematic description or evaluation of couple based PMS interventions. This research study will do this, helping health care providers understand the experience and treatment of PMS in the context of family relationships, thereby reducing PMS, and the physical and psychological distress associated with it. This will lead to improved psychological wellbeing and quality of life for women and their families.
Urban Research Centre
ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT
A/Prof C Martinez Fernandez; Dr S Fol; Prof E Deakin; Prof Dr T Wiechmann; Dr I Audirac; Prof H Yahagi
Achieving urban vitality: skills & employment development in shrinking cities
2009 : $ 97 000
2010 : $ 110 000
2011 : $ 119 000
Project Summary
The study will provide a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of shrinking cities, its typology, and the trajectories of these cities in Australia, Europe, USA and Japan. The study questions traditional paradigms of growth and decline and demographic change. At a policy and strategic level, the project will provide a review and assessment of policies, programs and regeneration strategies in areas in decline in Australia as well as a database of best practices in terms of skills and employment programs in shrinking cities as per the typology developed in the study. The study will provide an international environment for research students to participate in a highly innovative transnational debate.
ARC Discovery - Indigenous Researchers Development
Centre for Educational Research
EDUCATION STUDIES
Mr AW Dillon; Prof RG Craven; Dr AS Yeung; Prof I Wilson
Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder: A critical analysis elucidating constructs that influence parental acceptance/rejection of diagnosis and response
2009 : $ 60 000
2010 : $ 30 000
Project Summary
Part of the controversy surrounding ADHD is the increasing use of stimulant medication to deal with children who have been given a diagnosis of ADHD. Given the absence of scientific evidence that demonstrates an underlying causal physical pathology for ADHD, many claim that medication is inappropriate, with some suggesting that it is harmful. This research seeks to explicate parents' perceptions of ADHD & the impact of psycho social constructs on parents' decisions to accept/reject a diagnosis & respond. This research offers important educational & social benefits. The outcomes of this research have the potential to 'break the cycle' of increasing medication; build parents' capacity to respond; & contribute to a healthy start to life.
ARC Linkage Round 1
Centre for Industry and Innovation Studies (CInIS)
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Dr JA Fitzgerald; Prof SJ Simoff; Dr TR Sloan; Dr P Samaranayake; Mr M Johnston; Ms A Larkin
Visual optimisation of patient flow in Hospital Emergency Departments
2009 : $ 45 000
2010 : $ 30 000
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Campbelltown Hospital
Project Summary
Recent policy announcements by the State and Federal Governments have centred on the need to explore the use of process management principles, normally applied to manufacturing industry, to health services management. This multidisciplinary project addresses one of the most pressing needs in health services provision of methods to reduce patient queues and waiting times in emergency departments through interactive computing simulation to visualise and plan work process improvements. This smart use of information will benefit hospital managers, patients and their carers, is transferable to other health contexts, and by optimising resource usage has the potential to help build Australian (health) business.
Centre for Educational Research
EDUCATION STUDIES
Prof MH Vickers; Dr K Barker; A/Prof RW Perry; Prof SB Dockett; Mr M Hyam
Staying on at school: strategies for increasing high school completion rates in low retention regions of NSW
2009 : $ 141 000
2010 : $ 127 000
2011 : $ 133 000
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): NSW Department of Education and Training
Project Summary
Leaving school early has been shown to have detrimental effects on the life chances, well being and health of young people and their communities. Despite this, a significant portion of today's youth chooses to leave school early. Unfortunately, little is understood about the processes and factors involved in the decision to leave school, and hence schools and systems are uncertain about how to decrease dropping out. Understanding the processes and factors involved in the decision to leave school early, and identifying the basis for between school differences, will assist in the development of programs and curricula that will be more successful in increasing retention rates, hence enhancing the skill base of Australia's youth.
School of Engineering
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Dr CJ Leo; Prof BN Indraratna; Dr JJ Zou; Dr C Rujikiatkamjorn; Mr R Golaszewski; Mr TD McWilliam; Dr H Wong; Prof DT Bergado
Geotechnical characterisation of compacted ground based on passive ambient noise techniques
2009 : $ 77 000
2010 : $ 69 000
2011 : $ 65 000
APA(I) Award(s): 2
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Penrith Lakes Development Corporation; Coffey Geotechnics
Project Summary
The proposed research will provide our local construction and mining industries with a much needed fast and low cost technology for geotechnical investigation of very large sites which is currently not available. The project will help steer Australia to the forefront of ambient noise research for geotechnical site investigation, in the characterisation of unsaturated compacted soil and in the determination of dynamic site characteristics which are required for seismic risk assessment. Two postgraduate students will benefit from this research by receiving research training at the highest level and it will also pave the way for exporting the technology developed overseas, particularly to our near neighbours in Asia and the Pacific.
School of Nursing and Midwifery
PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Dr EJ Halcomb; Prof R Griffiths; Dr S Sloggett
A Model of Integrated Care for Dependant Older People Living in the Community
2009 : $ 26 140
2010 : $ 27 000
2011 : $ 27 000
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Carrington Centennial Care; Tunstall Australasia Pty Ltd; Schwarz Family Practice
Project Summary
This research offers significant economic, health and social benefits. Promoting and maintaining good health and ageing well, ageing productively are national priority areas. Case management and telemedicine are both recognised strategies to support chronic disease self management. Early intervention can offer significant benefits in morbidity and mortality. Enhanced service delivery using an integrated model encompassing general practitioners, practice nurses and community carers, could improve chronic and complex disease management and reduce health costs.
School of Nursing and Midwifery
NURSING
Prof DE Jackson; Ms L Luck; Prof LM Wilkes; Mrs M Clarke
Violence in the hospital setting: Testing the predictive validity of a violence assessment tool for nurses
2009 : $ 26 140
2010 : $ 26 140
2011 : $ 26 140
APA(I) Award(s): 1
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Sydney West Area Health Service
Project Summary
Violence against nurses persists as an ongoing problem in the Australian health care settings. This form of violence negatively impacts on nurses' job satisfaction, performance and productivity, morale, retention and recruitment and may cause physical and/or psychological injury. By developing a violence assessment tool, this project will enable nurses to routinely assess individuals for potential violence and address the issue before violence occurs. In addition, this project will provide evidence for policy makers and health care professionals to encourage a more pro active approach to support vulnerable nursing staff against potential violence in the emergency and general ward area.
School of Psychology
PSYCHOLOGY
Dr T Covic; Dr A Sharpe; A/Prof J Pallant; A/Prof N Manolios; Mrs D Aspinall
Motherhood choices: a decision aid for women with rheumatoid arthritis
2009 : $ 35 000
2010 : $ 40 000
Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s): Arthritis NSW
Project Summary
Decisions about pregnancy in the context of debilitating rheumatoid arthritis impact directly on both the mother and the child as well as their family and wider social unit. Providing evidence based information to support women in making informed decisions about motherhood is critical in maximizing the well being of the mother and ensuring a healthy start to life for a baby. The project will contribute to the national research priority area of promoting and maintaining good health, addressing the goal of supporting a healthy start to life.
