Research Themes

Behind contemporary Australian society and culture lie long European histories. The research agenda of the Network focuses on this relationship between the European past and the Australian present.

Five unifying themes have been identified, which build on existing innovative Australian research of international significance - and especially on projects recently funded by the Australian Research Council. The Network's activities are structured around these themes.

Each theme area is coordinated by a member of the Network's Management Committee.

Cultural Memory

This theme groups together a series of related research programmes into early European culture. It focuses particularly on the persistence of this culture into the opresent as the major component of Australia's cultural memory.

Social Fabric

This theme draws together and builds on a wide range of research into aspects of social structures in early Europe, and their relationship to contemporary social issues. Among the topics of particular emphasis are family, gender and social structures; war, peace and conflict; and poverty.

Intellectual Formations: Science, Medicine and Philosophy

A scientific culture in the contemporary sense first emerged in early modern Europe, which also marked the initial development of the scientific and medical professions. This theme brings together a range of major research programmes into aspects of science and medicine. It also covers research into environmental and climatic conditions in early Europe.

Early European/Australasian Connections

This theme focuses on the significance of early European contacts with the peoples of the Australasian region. A major aspect of this research programme is the changing and varied nature of European perceptions of "Australia" during the era of European voyages and encounters, and the significance of the positioning of Australia in relation to Asia and the Pacific.

Religion and Spirituality

This theme brings together research projects that relate in one way or another to the diversity of religious practice, thought and spirituality that shape European identity from late antiquity to the early modern period. Religion and spirituality can never be separated from the cultural and intellectual framework in which they emerge. While European culture has been shaped by a complex interaction of different Christian traditions, it has also been significantly influenced by Jewish and Islamic traditions, as well as by elements of pagan belief deriving from pre-Christian culture.

site design by Arts Multimedia Centre

Last updated 29 May 2006 14:50
Location: http://www.neer.arts.uwa.edu.au/page/1701
Page Information | Printer Friendly Version