Professor Greg Barton - Research
Current Australian Research Council Funded Research
Prof GJ Barton; Dr JP Millie; Prof M Moriyama (mid-2010-mid-2013)
Glocalisation and sub-national Islams in Indonesia: neo-traditionalism, local Islam and
the commemoration of regional Islamic legacies.Monash University
Australia is both directly and indirectly affected by dynamics within Indonesian Islamic society, but we have limited understanding of how Indonesian Islam maintains its local character, which is generally tolerant and peaceable, in the face of persistent globalizing forces that challenge the legitimacy of local traditions and tend to undermine healthy inter-communal relations by promoting confrontation and intolerance. This study will make a vital contribution to our understanding of the forces that are shaping the future character of Indonesian Islam and inform how we should best engage with Indonesia though government and social initiatives, including aid, education and media activities.
Dr TA Reuter; Prof GJ Barton (mid-2010-mid-2013)
Under New Leadership: A study of the composition, behaviour and interactions of
cultural, religious and political elites in democratic IndonesiaUniversity of Melbourne and Monash University
Good communication, mutual understanding and sound working relationships between Indonesian and Australian elites are vital for maintaining fruitful diplomatic relations. Such relations, however, are often impeded by cultural differences and a lack of understanding of informal political processes in Indonesia, all the more so in the current context of tensions between Muslim and Western nations. This study explores religious and other cultural factors that shape aspects of behaviour of Indonesian leaders that puzzle their Australian counterparts. It will shed light on the visions that direct Indonesia's most influential people in their thinking about the future of their nation and its relations with Australia.
Prof GJ Barton; Dr PN Lentini; Dr SA Moss; Dr GJ Ilardi (2010-2013)
Radicalisation, Counter-Radicalisation, and De-Radicalisation: Developing a New Understanding of Terrorism in the Australian ContextAn ARC Linkage project based at Monash University in partnership with Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria; Victoria Police; Australian Federal Police; and Department of Justice, Victoria
This study seeks to generate new understandings of radicalisation, de-radicalisation and counter-radicalisation by developing the country's first cross-disciplinary study (politics and psychology) of how some Australians become Islamist extremists. while also proposing counter-radicalisation strategies. Scholars and industry stake-holders will analyse: 1. the relative influence of familial, community, national and international drivers of radicalisation; 2. the interplay between the social and psychological forces of radicalisation; 3. how this differs from overseas experiences and; 4. the challenges this poses to Australia's counter-terrorism stake-holders in combating radicalisation, and developing appropriate counter and de-radicalisation measures.
Other Funded Research
Dr Ian Chalmers; Dr Zifirdaus Adnan; Prof Greg Barton; A/Prof John Horgan
The Making and Unmaking of Indonesian MujahidinA US Ambassadors Fund for Counterterrorism funded project with Curtin University in partnership with the University of New England and Monash University
This project aims to produce a comprehensive account of how various individuals in Indonesia became involved in terrorist activities, and how some later disengaged. Through an examination of the life stories of members and former members of terrorist organizations, the research group aims to develop a better framework for analyzing the factors that have led to terrorism in Indonesia. Research undertaken in this project relates closely to research undertaken in the ARC Linkage project: Radicalisation, Counter-Radicalisation, and De-Radicalisation: Developing a New Understanding of Terrorism in the Australian Context.
The study uses a multidisciplinary approach carried out by a research team consisting of Australian, Indonesian and American academics. The research team consists of Dr Ian Chalmers, Dr Zifirdaus Adnan (University of New England, New South Wales), Dr Greg Fealy (Australian National University, Canberra), A/P John Horgan (Director, International Center for the Study of Terrorism, Pennsylvania State University); Dr Syafii Anwar (ICIP, Jakarta), Noor Huda Ismail (Institute for International Peace Building, Jakarta) and Dr Mas’ud Said and Dr Habib (Muhammadiyah University of Malang, East Java).
Previous Research Grants
2004 – 2007
ARC Discovery Grant, “Capacity-building in Indonesian Islamic NGOs”, (DP451499)
First named Chief Investigator: Dr Greg Barton, other CI: Prof Sue Kenny
($200,000 over four years)2003
Deakin Central Research Grant, “Capacity-building in Indonesian Islamic NGOs”,
First named Chief Investigator: Dr Greg Barton, other CI: Prof Sue Kenny
($25,000 over one year)1999 - 2001
ARC Large Grant, “Islam and Civil Society in Indonesia: Muslim NGOs, public intellectuals and generational change in a society in crisis”
First named Chief Investigator: Dr Greg Barton, other CI: Prof Arief Budiman
($110,000 over three years)1997 – 1999
ARC Large Grant, “The Influence of Islamic neo-Modernism on Islamic thought and social attitudes in Indonesia”
First named Chief Investigator: Dr Greg Barton, other CI: Dr Abdullah Saeed
($90,000 over three years)1998
ARC Small Grant
Islam and Civil Society in Indonesia: Nahdlatul Ulama, NGOs, intellectuals and generational change
($13,000)1997
Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights (CCHR) Initiative Grant
Islamic intellectuals and civil society in Indonesia and Malaysia
($2,350)
Deakin Near-Miss Small Grant
Two generations of Indonesian Intellectuals: Modernization, Citizenship and Muslim Society ($12,252)