ISSCI
The Institute of Social Change & Critical Inquiry
The Institute of Social Change & Critical Inquiry was established in
1997 as a foundation Research Institute of the University. It is the principal
research unit for the Faculty of Arts.
ISCCI carries out internationally recognised research in selected areas
of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The Institute's work examines the
meanings and locations of social responsibility in social, cultural, communication
and political contexts at community, societal and international levels.
ISCCI aims to become a leading national research unit for qualitative
social and cultural research focusing on questions of social justice and
the complex interactions of freedom, regulation and responsibility.
A key objective is to utilise our growing reputation and expertise in
critical policy and social impact research to enhance the position of
these areas of research and development, making the University of Wollongong
a leading national centre for these specialisations.
The Institute encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary work in
its chosen areas and gives priority to developing strategic alliances
with both national and international research bodies in these selected
areas of recognised excellence.
The major programs and projects of ISCCI are built on interdisciplinary
bases which draw together work in humanities, social sciences and other
policy oriented disciplines.
The Institute's research is organised through specific projects and into
thematic collaborative programs which bring together recognised, experienced
researchers, early career researchers and doctoral candidates. Research
is supported by University, Australian Research Council and other external
funding.
ISCCI currently has five thematic research programs and the University
Centre for Canadian Australian Studies:
Communication, Media and Culture: Analyses
the technologies, media, texts and cultural practices which constitute
the field of communication. This program looks at how cultural values,
beliefs, habits and systems of classification shape institutions and affect
policy. Current projects examine gender, language use and social change,
especially in terms of masculinity; and the effect of new communication
technologies on popular, regulatory and corporate practices.
Labour and Society: Carries out social
research from the perspective of labour and workers, combining theoretical
investigation with empirical studies, and connecting global trends to
specific instances in Asia and the Pacific. Current projects examine subjectivity,
production and consumption, and the contest over labour in the Asia-Pacific.
Policy and Ethics - Community and Society:
Examines issues of public policy assessment from different disciplines
linking social, legal, ethical and political theory with a critical understanding
of the implications of public policies. A project on indigenous governmentality
is engaging with the policy debates surrounding education, health and
social service provision. The South East Arnhem Land Collaborative Research
Project is a three-year project funded by Rio Tinto Ltd and supported
by the local Aboriginal community, to conduct a social impact study prior
to any development of mining interests in the region. The other key project
coordinated by this program is concerned with state regulation and social
welfare.
Identity and Cultural Difference: Researches
how social meanings are constructed through textual representations. This
group focuses on meanings of identity configured in relation to class,
nation, gender, sexuality and postcoloniality. Current projects are: 'Performing
Post Colonialisms' and 'Texts and Gender/Sexuality.'
War and State Development: Is
concerned with the role of warfare and its accompanying effects as a motor
of social change at global, regional and local levels. Particular concerns
are with the concept of nation and challenges to the nation-state arising
from communism and fascism. The emphasis is on critical examination of
the place of warfare in human social development.
The Canadian-Australian Studies Centre: The
Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies is affiliated with the Institute
of Social Change and Critical Inquiry and is dedicated to comparative
and interdisciplinary study related to Canada and particularly to comparative
study between Australia and Canada. It is only the second Canadian Studies
Centre to be established in Australia.
The Centre was established on Canada Day, July 1st 2000 and was officially
launched by Senator Vivienne Poy who presented the inaugural Nortel Networks'
Canadian Studies Address. This is now an annual event which features a
prominent Canadian speaker.
Despite its youth, the Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies has already
established a variety of industry, community and government partnerships
and been involved with a diverse array of events and publications. The
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Nortel
Networks are particularly important supporters of the Centre and its activities.
One of the Centre's first guests was Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood
who visited Wollongong in 2000 to speak on her Booker Prize-winning novel,
The Blind Assassin.
ISCCI membership consists of the active researchers of the University
undertaking research and postgraduate training in the core areas outlined
above. Members are drawn from four Faculties (Arts, Health and Behavioural
Science, Law, Science), though most are academics within the Faculty of
Arts. ISCCI members supervise almost 100 postgraduate research students.
Research Student Training
ISCCI works in close cooperation with the Faculty of Arts Research Committee,
and the two have jointly prepared a Faculty research student training
policy.
The process of integrating research students into the program areas of
ISCCI commenced, in earnest, in 1998, through the Faculty scholarship
award recommendations and beginning to incorporate research students more
fully into ISCCI program activities. This process is proceeding with some
interesting developments. There is a trend toward more scholarship holders,
more students working in areas directly related to ISCCI's programs and
more peer interaction across discipline boundaries. These are early trends
which will be increasingly apparent as the emphasis on timely completion,
increasing scholarship opportunities and recruitment to ISCCI's research
strengths are apparent.
The research student management strategy is a joint development of ISCCI
and the Faculty of Arts. Comprehensive guidelines have recently been produced
for prospective and current postgraduate research students which will
standardise management practices for research student training across
the Faculty. These include:
- an updated information website coordinated with the University Research
Committee;
- development of an information kit to be supplied to all beginning
postgraduate students;
- provision of dedicated workspaces, common room and dedicated computer
equipment.
Specific activities developed for our research students include:
- a regular seminar series in which both research students and visiting
researchers present their work to postgraduates and staff.
- dedicated postgraduate seminar days and plans for 'master classes'
for research students using distinguished visitors.
- establishing a pool of funds to supplement the existing University
postgraduate allowance, so that postgraduates can realistically afford
fieldwork and conference attendance.
- Acquiring industry sponsored scholarships and funding matching scholarships
for postgraduate research in areas of research strength.
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