ARC Discovery Awards for 2010
Faculty of Arts and Education
School of History Heritage and Society
Alfred Deakin Research Institute
Faculty of Business and Law
School of Management and Marketing
Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Faculty of Science & Technology
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Institute for Technology Research & Innovation
Centre for Material & Fibre Innovation
Faculty of Arts and Education
School of History Heritage and Society
DP1094418 Prof WS Logan; Prof JE Beaumont; A/Prof A Witcomb; Dr B Ziino
Title: Australian Heritage Abroad: Managing Australia's Extraterritorial War Heritage
2010 : $ 80,000
2011 : $ 60,000
2012 : $ 40,000
Primary RFCD 3101 ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
This project is groundbreaking in its focus on the implications of interpreting and managing sites of significance in
Australia's experience of war beyond Australian territory. Addressing the problems of extraterritorial heritage in
this study will open a new and rich field of inquiry in heritage studies, and help to place Australia at the forefront of
debates about international heritage management. In seeking to understand the multiple stories that surround
those sites, from Australian, local, and international perspectives, this project exposes the potential for enriched
understanding, interpretation and preservation of these crucial sites in Australia's cultural heritage and in the
heritage of our neighbours.
DP1095121 Prof WS Logan; Dr CD Long
Title: Vietnam: heritage of a nation
2010 : $ 32,000
2011 : $ 31,000
Primary RFCD 3101 ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
This project will contribute to our understanding of Vietnam's cultural history and to protection of Vietnamese
cultural heritage. The findings will be relevant to the work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) and national industry bodies and to professional organizations such the International
Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The project may lead to the addition of new items to UNESCO and
Vietnamese heritage registers (both tangible and intangible) for the benefit of the global community at large. The
project will enhance Australia's reputation in the region as a producer of innovative approaches to heritage
conservation and will strengthen the 'Asia literacy' of Australian heritage professionals. The project fits the ARC's
research priority goal 'Understanding Our Region'.
Alfred Deakin Research Institute
DP1094114 Prof DM Lowe; Prof JA Walter
Title: Australian politicians and the uses of history: from Federation to the present
2010 : $ 51,000
2011 : $ 49,000
2012 : $ 50,000
Primary RFCD 4301 HISTORICAL STUDIES
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
While competing interpretations of Australian history occasionally attract controversy, there is a need for a
comprehensive analysis, over time, of the significance of histories and history making for Australian politicians. In
taking the longer view of Australian political speech and thought since the Federation, this study will provide a
stronger foundation for both political engagement with historical themes and public appreciation of the continuing
role of history in contemporary policy debates. It will add depth to public understanding of political dialogue and
how it is informed by national and international histories.
Faculty of Business and Law
School of Management and Marketing
DP1092722 Dr MA Parris; Dr UD Jogulu
Title: Career aspirations of Australia's immigrant managers from the Asia Pacific region: Developing a cross cultural framework
2010 : $ 31,000
2011 : $ 20,000
2012 : $ 25,000
Primary RFCD 3502 BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
For over a decade, Asian migration has dominated Australia's expanding skilled migration intake. However, there
has been little appreciation of cross cultural influences on career management, which have implications for
employees' personal fulfilment and job satisfaction. This project, in advancing understanding of the interplays of
cultural background and managerial career aspirations of the newcomers, will assist Australian organisations in
developing culturally sensitive policies and programs in the workplace.It will aid both organisations and
government authorities in furthering their goals of promoting regional economic partnerships through increased
understanding and engagement with our Asia Pacific neighbours.
Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
DP1095595 Dr SA McNaughton; Prof DA Crawford; A/Prof K Ball; A/Prof J Salmon
Title: Understanding personal, social and environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity among older adults living in urban and rural areas
2010 : $ 90,000
2011 : $ 60,000
2012 : $ 60,000
Primary RFCD 3212 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
There are negative impacts of obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity on physical, psychological and social
wellbeing and national economic costs associated with these burdens are substantial. Obesity and its associated
illnesses are estimated to cost Australian health services $1.2 billion a year. An understanding of the modifiable
determinants of nutrition and physical activity behaviours is required in order to develop effective interventions to
promote health and well being. Promoting physical activity and a healthy diet thus has the potential to
substantially reduce the burden of disease in Australia and improve quality of life.
School of Medicine
DP1095998 Mr H Chen; Prof W Duan
Title: Functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes: preparation, underlying mechanism and potential sensor applications
2010 : $ 100,000
2011 : $ 90,000
2012 : $ 90,000
Primary RFCD 2918 INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEERING
APD Mr H Chen
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
Building on Australian expertise in synthesis and characterisations of nanomaterials, this project will carry out
comprehensive and systematic research in functionalisation of boron nitride nanotubes and explore their potential
applications. The success of this project will enhance Australian international reputation in nanotechnology
development and ensure our leading position in this highly competitive area. The outcome of this project will
promote the potentially functional applications of boron nitride nanotubes in various nanodevices and
nanosensors. It will also offer trainings for Australia's future scientists and will further strengthen international
scientific collaboration in these fields.
School of Psychology
DP1095744 Dr SA Hemphill; Prof JW Toumbourou; Dr PJ Kremer
Title: Antisocial behaviour in young Australian adults: Social and economic influences
2010 : $ 189,201
2011 : $ 192,374
2012 : $ 290,000
Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
Antisocial behaviour is prevalent in Australia and imposes large social and economic costs. Currently, much of the
crime prevention research has been conducted overseas. The findings of this study will provide important insights
into the development of antisocial behaviour from childhood and adolescence through into young adulthood in the
Australian context. By better understanding how factors such as unemployment, alcohol related entertainment,
and sporting participation influence antisocial behaviour in young adulthood, prevention and early intervention
programs can be developed to target specific subgroups. In this way spending on criminal justice systems can be
reduced and a safer, more harmonious community can be fostered.
DP1095509 Prof MB Powell; Dr JA Lum; Dr PC Snow
Title: Understanding the relationship between child maltreatment and language competence: An evidential interviewing perspective.
2010 : $ 40,000
2011 : $ 40,000
2012 : $ 26,000
Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
This research aims to develop the first comprehensive and controlled examination of the oral language profiles of
maltreated children and how these impact performance in an investigative interview paradigm. This examination is
essential for developing strategies for improving the elicitation of evidence from child abuse witnesses. By
improving child witness evidence, this research will improve the prosecution and conviction rates of child abuse
offences, which will have a deterrent effect on potential offenders. Finally, this research will reduce the stress of
witnesses involved in the legal process and provide better screening of children in need of specialised language
intervention.
DP1094546 A/Prof LA Ricciardelli; A/Prof DJ Mellor; Prof MP McCabe; A/Prof AJ Mussap
Title: Promoting fit bodies, healthy eating and physical activity among Indigenous Australian
2010 : $ 83,000
2011 : $ 75,000
2012 : $ 75,000
Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
Overall, the physical and emotional health of our Indigenous people is the worst in Australia. A major contributing
factor is the significant lifestyle changes that have eroded traditional ways of life. These include the adoption of
diets that are high in fat, sugar and salt, and a decline of physical activity. As these determinants of poor health
are preventable, we will work with Indigenous men and their communities to target cultural factors and develop
health promotion strategies that can be used to improve their health.
DP1092804 Dr H Skouteris; Prof MP McCabe; A/Prof LA Ricciardelli; Prof J Milgrom; Prof LA Baur
Title: How do parenting and parent child interactions impact on preschool children's eating, physical activity habits, and subsequent patterns of weight gain?
2010 : $ 50,000
2011 : $ 50,000
2012 : $ 50,000
Primary RFCD 3801 PSYCHOLOGY
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
The cost to society of obesity is high from both a financial and psychosocial perspective. Australian researchers
can take a lead in the prevention of obesity during the formative preschool years, when models of risk factors are
examined systematically and rigorously. This research will be the first prospective study to evaluate the impact of
parental cognitions and behaviours, parent child interactions, family/demographic characteristics and child
characteristics on child risk factors (dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours) during the preschool
years. The findings will assist in developing evidence based intervention strategies for maintenance of healthy
weight gain in preschool children.
Deakin Population Health SRC
DP1094661 Dr AM Renzaho; Prof BA Swinburn; Prof SK Lo; A/Prof DJ Mellor; Dr JB Green
Title: African youth and obesity: The role of the intergenerational acculturation gap
2010 : $ 100,000
2011 : $ 82,000
2012 : $ 70,000
2013 : $ 42,000
Primary RFCD 3212 PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
The financial cost of obesity to the Australian community is estimated to be $21.9 billion when the costs borne by
individuals are taken into account. Understanding and addressing factors that extenuate health inequalities and
reduce obesity will lead to a reduction in the burden of diseases and healthier ageing population. Our study will be
the first to apply acculturation theories to examine the family environment and family dynamics that predispose
adolescents from one of the fastest growing immigrant populations, Africans, to obesity, and to produce culturally
competent and tested models to inform large scale, population level obesity prevention programs and policies.
Faculty of Science & Technology
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
DP1093570 Dr GM Turchini; Prof AJ Sinclair; A/Prof ML Ackland
Title: Triggering the dormant capacity of fish to make omega 3 fatty acids
2010 : $ 80,000
2011 : $ 80,000
2012 : $ 80,000
2013 : $ 50,283
2014 : $ 50,283
Primary RFCD 3007 FISHERIES SCIENCES
ARF Dr GM Turchini
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
Marine fisheries cannot expand further, leaving aquaculture (fish farming) with the challenge of meeting the
growing demand for fish, whose consumption is known to enhance human health. Fish oil is an essential
component of the feed used in aquaculture, but there is a decreasing global supply of this commodity. This
innovative nutritional biochemistry project boosts the capacity of fish to produce their own fish oil from vegetable
oils in their diet. Therefore, this project will enable the expansion of aquaculture as an economically and
environmentally sustainable means to produce the highest quality, nourishing fish for human consumption.
Institute for Technology Research & Innovation
Centre for Material & Fibre Innovation
DP1094979 Prof X Wang; Dr T Tsuzuki; Dr SV Smith; Prof D Kaplan
Title: Protein Fibre Powders: Production, Characterisation and Applications
2010 : $ 140,000
2011 : $ 150,000
2012 : $ 160,000
Primary RFCD 2914 MATERIALS ENGINEERING
Administering Organisation Deakin University
Project Summary
Australia leads the world in the production of protein fibres such as wool. Traditionally, these fibres are used
primarily for textile related applications, which have been increasingly relying on the much cheaper synthetic
fibres. The outcome from this research will be very significant in that it will underpin the future development of a
sustainable protein fibre industry, through value added and high end applications. It will further strengthen our
world leading position in the production, characterisation and application of protein powder materials.
