Research Projects
ARC Linkage Grants
Connecting younger second language learners and older bilinguals: Intergenerational, intercultural encounters and second language development
Professor Colette J Browning, Dr Marisa Cordella, Dr Hui Huang, the late Professor Michael Clyne
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.
For more information about this project see the ‘Connecting younger second language learners and older bilinguals’ website.
ARC Discovery Grants
Repatriation and release of Japanese war criminals 1946 1958: Southeast Asia, Japan and the Great Powers
Dr Beatrice Trefalt, Prof Sandra S Wilson, Prof Robert B Cribb
2011 – 2013: $265,000
Japanese war criminals held in Southeast Asia were repatriated and released in Japan from the late 1940s. Releases were negotiated between Japan and the nation that had convicted the prisoner. The project provides new understandings of the emergence of Southeast Asian states in regional diplomacy and of Japan's re-emergence as a regional power.
A History of Taiwan
Professsor 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
Professor 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.
Other Grants
Australia-Japan Foundation Grant Program
Perceptions of Australia in Japan through translation
Dr Leah Gerber, Dr Shani Tobias, Associate Professor Rita Wilson, Dr Brigid Maher
2010: $5,000 2011: $15,000
Group of Eight-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme
The Actuality of Romanticism
Professor Andrew Benjamin, Associate Professor Franz-Josef Deiters
2010-2011: $24,000
Copyright Agency Limited - CAL's Culture Fund
Windows on Australia: Perceptions in and trough translation
Associate Professor Rita Wilson
2010: $10,000
Go8 European Fellowship Scheme
Repetitions which are not repetitions – the non-redundant nature of tautological compounds
Dr Reka Benczes
2010: $20,000
Ministry of Culture of Spain and the ANU
The "New Spaniards": Artistic Expression and National Identities in Spain's Transactions (1968-2007)
Dr Stewart King, Dr Ramón López-Castellano
2010: $5,350
The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Project for the Digitization of the Records of the Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria
Professor Wallace Kirsop
2010: $5,000 US
Collier Charitable Fund
Intergenerational Language Learning
Professor Michael Clyne, Dr Marisa Cordella, Dr Hui Hang, Dr Heinz Kreutz
2009: $2,000
Ukrainian Studies Foundation in Australia
Educational Legacy of Vasil' Sukhomlyns'kyi
Dr Alan Cockerill
2009: $4,025