NEW RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN CAIRNS
The University has prioritised development of a new research Institute, providing leadership on issues and themes of direct relevance to human populations in the tropics, worldwide, most particularly northern Australia, the Pacific and Asia. It is scheduled to launch in Jan 2009. The Institute will be located at the Cairns Campus of James Cook University and will be a vital centre for national and international scholars, providing excellent research facilities and context for the development of collective and individual projects of excellence and innovation in the social sciences, business, education and the humanities as they inform and potentially enhance life in the tropics. It will undertake advanced studies of human life in the tropics and will deliver the people, identity and place elements of the University’s core strategic commitment to enhancing life in the tropics in global context.
The Institute will focus, leverage and enhance the rich intellectual resources of JCU disciplines whose work has direct impact on the lives of communities in the region, adding a vital human, social and cultural dimension to the University’s tropical vision. These include anthropology, archaeology, business, community welfare, creative arts, criminology, education, history, indigenous Australian studies, journalism and communication, law, literary and cultural studies, management, modern languages, political science, psychology, social work and sociology.
The Institute’s mission is to become the outstanding socio-cultural research, consulting, training and teaching presence in the region, distinguished by strong international linkages and a truly global perspective. An eminent International Advisory Board is to be appointed.
The new Institute will advance four broad research themes:
Peoples, Societies and Quality of Life
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Current research interests include, but are not limited to: environmental history and the social implications of climate and ecological changes; urbanisation and migration; education for sustainability; regional economic development; entrepreneurship and innovation; inter-ethnic relations; issues affecting indigenous and minority populations; state sovereignty and supra-national political and economic realignments; social and educational policy; socio-economic sustainability; crime and criminal justice; social justice, inequality and poverty; human services; health, productive ageing and quality of life; psychological processes; cultural heritage; and the arts.
JCU is seeking six experienced senior researchers to fill six foundation research leadership positions at the new Institute. These appointments will be integral to building the Institute and realising its potential.
Find out more about the positions:
Research Leader – People and Societies of the Tropics
Research Leader – Quality of Life in the Tropics
Research Leader – Education for Sustainability(Social)
Research Leader – Education for Sustainability (Environmental)
