Australian Research Council 2017 Grants Announced

Congratulations to ICS researchers on the award of three new Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project grants. The Institute's winning projects are 'Assembling and Governing Habits' led by Professor Tony Bennett, 'The China-Australia Heritage Corridor' led by Dr Denis Byrne and 'Volumetric Urbanism' led by Professor Donald McNeil.

Congratulations also to Dr Shanthi Robertson for her role on the project The Effects of Transnational Mobility on Youth Transitions administered by Deakin University.

Institute for Culture and Society 2017 Discovery Grants

Assembling and Governing of Habits

Researchers: Professor Tony Bennett; Professor Gay Hawkins; Professor Gregory Noble; Professor Nikolas Rose
Funding: $360,500

This project aims to examine how modern Western disciplines conceived of habits, and how these conceptions informed the techniques of mundane governance which managed habits. As cities face increasing pressures, the challenges of governing everyday habits prompt urgent questions about how habits are understood and managed. This project will study the governance of 'city habits' from the late 19th century to the present. The project will apply and deepen its description of habit through case studies focused on contemporary Sydney. Its findings are expected to benefit city planners and policy makers by informing the organisation and regulation of habits.

The China-Australia Heritage Corridor

Researchers: Dr Denis Byrne; Professor Ien Ang
Funding: $298,500

This project aims to show how buildings and places created by Chinese migrants in Australia and home places in China testify, beyond the narrative of arrival and settlement, to Australian connections with China and the Chinese diaspora. Using the 'heritage corridor' concept, it aims to develop a transnational approach to migration heritage and will provide tools and concepts for broadly documenting, analysing and interpreting Australia's migration heritage. The project aims to help a more cosmopolitan 21st century Australia capitalise on its legacy of regional linkages through Chinese migration.

Volumetric Urbanism

Researchers: Professor Donald McNeill; Professor Simon Marvin
Funding: $403,500

This project aims to explain how global built environment and development firms 'push the envelope' of urban space. In cities worldwide, governments are faced with the problem and possibilities of 'volume': stacking and moving people within booming central business districts, especially around mass public transport nodes. This project will examine the prototypes, calculative devices and mediating technologies that are used to redefine cities and maximise development values. It will analyse the justifications for high volume urban development projects, and assess how transnational business and design models shape city redevelopment. This project expects to provide insights into interpreting complex urban megaprojects in Australia and internationally.

Projects Administered by Other Institutions

The Effects of Transnational Mobility on Youth Transitions

Researchers: Professor Anita Harris; Associate Professor Loretta Baldassar; Dr Shanthi Robertson
Funding: $613,000

This project aims to examine transnational mobility amongst young people and to understand its effects on their economic opportunities, social and familial ties, capacity for citizenship and transitions to adulthood. Young people increasingly migrate abroad for work and education, and Australia is a significant hub for sending and receiving. Migration and education policies encourage this mobility, which is expected to provide youth with enhanced competitive skills. Outcomes of this project include a significant dataset and online research database on how youth from various cultural backgrounds manage mobility and develop economic, social and civic benefits for themselves and the broader community.

Further information:

• Western Sydney University media release
• Australian Research Council November 2016 ARC Major Grants Announcement (opens in a new window).

Posted: 2 November 2016.