- Authors: Barty, Simon
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: This research is the incorporation and melding of classical and Bayesian statistical techniques into an iterative methodology aimed at reducing two major confounding issues in Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs), confounding by association (drug therapy) and confounding by indication (medical condition) to assist in the detection of signals. [...] This study highlights the ability of the STATFILE algorithm to detect drugs that are potential signals. More importantly, it also flags those drugs that are considered to be bystander drugs or noise, consequently reducing confounding by association. [...] This work highlights the significance and viability of an automated signal detection system and its practical application for the Australian spontaneous reporting of ADRs scene and potentially the international scene.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The impacts of climate change on trade and foreign direct investment flows
- Authors: Barua, Suborna
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: A growing body of climate economics research suggests that climate change affects production, prices, distribution structures, investments and national income. Studies further describe international trade and climate related investments as key activities in climate impact mitigation and adaptation. However, despite its increasing relevance, the empirical link between climate change and international trade and investment remains largely unexplored. This thesis investigates the climate change impacts on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows using static and dynamic panel estimations covering 102 countries. The modelling uses temperature and precipitation variability to separately evaluate changes in international trade from 1962 to 2014, and in FDI inflows from 1995 to 2014. The trade impacts estimations consider exports of total merchandise, agriculture and six agricultural sectors; while controlling for income, comparative advantage, productivity, domestic and trade policies, and climate zones. The FDI impacts modelling evaluates total and sectoral inflows, while controlling for income, market size, infrastructure, openness, financial development, the global financial crisis and climate zones. Results show that climate change significantly affects both exports and FDI inflows. In particular, temperature affects merchandise exports, negatively at the global and developing country level, and positively in high-income countries. Agricultural exports are negatively affected by temperature. At the sectoral level, oil-seeds and dairy are mostly affected. Precipitation effects are limited and mostly negative for agriculture. The FDI world aggregate flows respond mostly positively to both temperature and precipitation, and static estimations indicate a FDI positive response in developing countries. Furthermore, FDI sectoral estimations indicate a differentiated response. Findings could inform the formulation of trade and investment policies, at the national and global level, in consideration to the differential impacts of climate change across sectors, regions and economic status. Furthermore, these estimates could be used in projections considering climate change as a determinant of trade and investment flows.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Barua, Suborna
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: A growing body of climate economics research suggests that climate change affects production, prices, distribution structures, investments and national income. Studies further describe international trade and climate related investments as key activities in climate impact mitigation and adaptation. However, despite its increasing relevance, the empirical link between climate change and international trade and investment remains largely unexplored. This thesis investigates the climate change impacts on trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows using static and dynamic panel estimations covering 102 countries. The modelling uses temperature and precipitation variability to separately evaluate changes in international trade from 1962 to 2014, and in FDI inflows from 1995 to 2014. The trade impacts estimations consider exports of total merchandise, agriculture and six agricultural sectors; while controlling for income, comparative advantage, productivity, domestic and trade policies, and climate zones. The FDI impacts modelling evaluates total and sectoral inflows, while controlling for income, market size, infrastructure, openness, financial development, the global financial crisis and climate zones. Results show that climate change significantly affects both exports and FDI inflows. In particular, temperature affects merchandise exports, negatively at the global and developing country level, and positively in high-income countries. Agricultural exports are negatively affected by temperature. At the sectoral level, oil-seeds and dairy are mostly affected. Precipitation effects are limited and mostly negative for agriculture. The FDI world aggregate flows respond mostly positively to both temperature and precipitation, and static estimations indicate a FDI positive response in developing countries. Furthermore, FDI sectoral estimations indicate a differentiated response. Findings could inform the formulation of trade and investment policies, at the national and global level, in consideration to the differential impacts of climate change across sectors, regions and economic status. Furthermore, these estimates could be used in projections considering climate change as a determinant of trade and investment flows.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Effects of a 12 hour shift roster on physiological heat strain: a case study
- Authors: Batterson, Andrew
- Date: 1993
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study investigated whether there was an increased physiological thermal stress on a group of smelter operators working a 12 hour shift roster.
- Authors: Batterson, Andrew
- Date: 1993
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: The study investigated whether there was an increased physiological thermal stress on a group of smelter operators working a 12 hour shift roster.
History of the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council 1856-2000
- Authors: Beacham, Jennifer
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The Ballarat Trades and Labour Council (BT&LC) is the second oldest trades and labour council in the world, founded in 1883, although it has existed in various forms since 1856. This thesis examines the history of the BT&LC in terms of five related themes – ideological conflict, solidarity, labourism, masculinity, and spatiality. I approached this research project from the perspective of a labour historian, which also included issues of gender. While being resolute in writing the history of this institution, my aim was also to capture an aspect of Ballarat history that had not been examined before – the role of workers and their families. The BT&LC sets the parameters of its history from the Eureka Rebellion and gaining the Eight Hour Day for Ballarat stonemasons in 1856 a fortnight after their Melbourne counterparts. Since that time, the BT&LC has built the substantial Trades Hall in Camp Street, which it still occupies and hosted the Seventh Intercolonial Trade Union Congress in 1891 when the decision to seek political representation was formally endorsed. It witnessed the emergence of the new elites and the ideological struggle that became more bitter as the Catholic Church, Protestant Freemasons, and the very active Communist Party battled for supremacy, with it ending inevitably in a divisive public separation in 1955. The Whitlam years saw their resurgence with a new face to unionism as public sector workers, teachers and nurses became militant and women began to take significant roles. In Ballarat while this has meant political ascendancy since 1980, the success of the political wing has not necessarily been mirrored in the fortunes of the peak union organisation. Ballarat’s overall union membership has declined. The old loyalties have been difficult to maintain and the capacity to build new alliances is challenging. However, one thing remains clear: strong individuals who understand the underpinnings of solidarity and unity have ensured that the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council has remained a significant feature of the Ballarat public landscape.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Beacham, Jennifer
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The Ballarat Trades and Labour Council (BT&LC) is the second oldest trades and labour council in the world, founded in 1883, although it has existed in various forms since 1856. This thesis examines the history of the BT&LC in terms of five related themes – ideological conflict, solidarity, labourism, masculinity, and spatiality. I approached this research project from the perspective of a labour historian, which also included issues of gender. While being resolute in writing the history of this institution, my aim was also to capture an aspect of Ballarat history that had not been examined before – the role of workers and their families. The BT&LC sets the parameters of its history from the Eureka Rebellion and gaining the Eight Hour Day for Ballarat stonemasons in 1856 a fortnight after their Melbourne counterparts. Since that time, the BT&LC has built the substantial Trades Hall in Camp Street, which it still occupies and hosted the Seventh Intercolonial Trade Union Congress in 1891 when the decision to seek political representation was formally endorsed. It witnessed the emergence of the new elites and the ideological struggle that became more bitter as the Catholic Church, Protestant Freemasons, and the very active Communist Party battled for supremacy, with it ending inevitably in a divisive public separation in 1955. The Whitlam years saw their resurgence with a new face to unionism as public sector workers, teachers and nurses became militant and women began to take significant roles. In Ballarat while this has meant political ascendancy since 1980, the success of the political wing has not necessarily been mirrored in the fortunes of the peak union organisation. Ballarat’s overall union membership has declined. The old loyalties have been difficult to maintain and the capacity to build new alliances is challenging. However, one thing remains clear: strong individuals who understand the underpinnings of solidarity and unity have ensured that the Ballarat Trades and Labour Council has remained a significant feature of the Ballarat public landscape.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Ernabella Rules football : Australian Rules football at the Ernabella Mission, 1937-1974
- Authors: Beck, Adam
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The experience of sport for First Nations peoples on missions and government settlements in Australia, and on comparable missions in other settler colonial societies, has become a growing field of scholarly study. This thesis aims to build on insights from current sports historiography by examining the origins and significance of Australian Rules football to the people of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia. In particular, it investigates their historical engagement with the game at the Ernabella mission (now known as Pukatja) during the years of its operation from 1937 to 1974. It traces the spread of the game from Ernabella to other nearby communities in the 1960s and investigates the conception that football originated in the town of Alice Springs during the Second World War and gradually spread outward into the hinterland where most Aboriginal people lived. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted on the APY Lands, this thesis draws on Anangu oral histories, and a careful examination of local historical materials and photographs held in the Ara Irititja Archive to produce detailed descriptions and portrayals of Australian football at the Ernabella mission from the perspectives of those who lived, worked and played the game at the mission. It argues that a focus on the agency of Anangu at Ernabella is crucial to understanding how the game of Australian football took off and became embedded in local society and culture.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Beck, Adam
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The experience of sport for First Nations peoples on missions and government settlements in Australia, and on comparable missions in other settler colonial societies, has become a growing field of scholarly study. This thesis aims to build on insights from current sports historiography by examining the origins and significance of Australian Rules football to the people of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia. In particular, it investigates their historical engagement with the game at the Ernabella mission (now known as Pukatja) during the years of its operation from 1937 to 1974. It traces the spread of the game from Ernabella to other nearby communities in the 1960s and investigates the conception that football originated in the town of Alice Springs during the Second World War and gradually spread outward into the hinterland where most Aboriginal people lived. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted on the APY Lands, this thesis draws on Anangu oral histories, and a careful examination of local historical materials and photographs held in the Ara Irititja Archive to produce detailed descriptions and portrayals of Australian football at the Ernabella mission from the perspectives of those who lived, worked and played the game at the mission. It argues that a focus on the agency of Anangu at Ernabella is crucial to understanding how the game of Australian football took off and became embedded in local society and culture.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Create, curate, cooperate : Exploring the process of sport safety resource development
- Authors: Bekker, Sheree
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Sports injuries are a significant public health burden both in Australia, and worldwide. Preventing injuries in sports settings is thus an important public health goal. It is now generally accepted that sports injuries are, like other unintentional injuries, largely preventable. Yet intractable problems remain. Complexity theory is harnessed in this research as a means of understanding such problems. To provide new insights into the complexity of sports safety promotion, this research consisted of a qualitative case study design underpinned by constructivist assumptions. Study A documented sports injury prevention and safety promotion resources available from the websites of key sporting organisations. A thematic document analysis approach was used to identify and describe how many, and what types of, resources were available, as well as the sports injury prevention and safety promotion issues addressed. The findings of Study A suggest that sport settings have access to a proliferation of rival resources, which reflects a potentially inefficient and ineffective manner in which to influence policy/practice. Study B determined the process that key intermediary organisations used to develop and disseminate the resources identified in Study A. Interviews with key participants about organisational processes of knowledge translation were undertaken, and a qualitative description approach was used to examine their accounts. The findings of Study B suggest that intermediary organisations can, and do, take on knowledge translation roles in order to make research knowledge more relevant (timely, salient, actionable), accessible (formatted and available), and legitimate (credible) for end-users. A complexity approach was applied to this study to assist in recognising that open systems (stratification and fluidity), non-linearity (emergent properties and feedback loops), and improbability (demi-regularities and the ability to evolve, learn, and adapt) underscore sports safety. This study explicates and examines key insights and implications of adopting a complexity approach to the prevention of injury in sport settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bekker, Sheree
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Sports injuries are a significant public health burden both in Australia, and worldwide. Preventing injuries in sports settings is thus an important public health goal. It is now generally accepted that sports injuries are, like other unintentional injuries, largely preventable. Yet intractable problems remain. Complexity theory is harnessed in this research as a means of understanding such problems. To provide new insights into the complexity of sports safety promotion, this research consisted of a qualitative case study design underpinned by constructivist assumptions. Study A documented sports injury prevention and safety promotion resources available from the websites of key sporting organisations. A thematic document analysis approach was used to identify and describe how many, and what types of, resources were available, as well as the sports injury prevention and safety promotion issues addressed. The findings of Study A suggest that sport settings have access to a proliferation of rival resources, which reflects a potentially inefficient and ineffective manner in which to influence policy/practice. Study B determined the process that key intermediary organisations used to develop and disseminate the resources identified in Study A. Interviews with key participants about organisational processes of knowledge translation were undertaken, and a qualitative description approach was used to examine their accounts. The findings of Study B suggest that intermediary organisations can, and do, take on knowledge translation roles in order to make research knowledge more relevant (timely, salient, actionable), accessible (formatted and available), and legitimate (credible) for end-users. A complexity approach was applied to this study to assist in recognising that open systems (stratification and fluidity), non-linearity (emergent properties and feedback loops), and improbability (demi-regularities and the ability to evolve, learn, and adapt) underscore sports safety. This study explicates and examines key insights and implications of adopting a complexity approach to the prevention of injury in sport settings.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
A region-based progressive image compression technique : RePic
- Authors: Bell, Daniel
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "This thesis is concerned with the development of RePIC, a new method for the representation and compression of images in such a way that allows the image to be progressively reconstructed."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bell, Daniel
- Date: 2000
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: "This thesis is concerned with the development of RePIC, a new method for the representation and compression of images in such a way that allows the image to be progressively reconstructed."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The contribution of poker machines to reduced community wellbeing : A pre and post study
- Authors: Bell, Diana
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis reports on a study of the impacts of poker machines on community wellbeing, using a pre and post survey method. The study used a variety of indicators to test community wellbeing and gambling attitudes and behaviours before and after a hotel venue with 40 poker machines opened in a new suburb in the designated growth area of Melbourne’s northern fringe. There was a higher proportion of respondents who met the criteria for ‘problem gambling’ after the poker machines were installed, compared to before, particularly when considered as a proportion of people who gambled on poker machines (5.3% compared to 3.6%). A proportion of respondents reported reduced levels of personal happiness, contentment and wellbeing as a result of the introduction of poker machines (16.5%, 12.3% and 16.1% respectively) and 41.5% reported there had been a detrimental impact on the community, in terms of social character. Mean scores on sense of community indexes and social cohesion showed a small decline in the post sample on every measure. Overall, the community reported reduced wellbeing on all measures after the introduction of poker machines. The significance of this study is that measures of community wellbeing and attitudes towards poker machines were measured before their introduction so that this baseline data could be compared with reported wellbeing 18 months after their installation within the suburban area. The substantial proportion of respondents who reported detrimental impact on social character, along with many negatively expressed opinions of poker machines, and a higher rate of problem gambling provide support for the notion that the introduction of poker machines at least contributed to the reduction in community wellbeing. This research provides some suggestions for the use of indicators for measuring the impact of poker machines on community wellbeing.
- Description: Masters by Research
- Authors: Bell, Diana
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: This thesis reports on a study of the impacts of poker machines on community wellbeing, using a pre and post survey method. The study used a variety of indicators to test community wellbeing and gambling attitudes and behaviours before and after a hotel venue with 40 poker machines opened in a new suburb in the designated growth area of Melbourne’s northern fringe. There was a higher proportion of respondents who met the criteria for ‘problem gambling’ after the poker machines were installed, compared to before, particularly when considered as a proportion of people who gambled on poker machines (5.3% compared to 3.6%). A proportion of respondents reported reduced levels of personal happiness, contentment and wellbeing as a result of the introduction of poker machines (16.5%, 12.3% and 16.1% respectively) and 41.5% reported there had been a detrimental impact on the community, in terms of social character. Mean scores on sense of community indexes and social cohesion showed a small decline in the post sample on every measure. Overall, the community reported reduced wellbeing on all measures after the introduction of poker machines. The significance of this study is that measures of community wellbeing and attitudes towards poker machines were measured before their introduction so that this baseline data could be compared with reported wellbeing 18 months after their installation within the suburban area. The substantial proportion of respondents who reported detrimental impact on social character, along with many negatively expressed opinions of poker machines, and a higher rate of problem gambling provide support for the notion that the introduction of poker machines at least contributed to the reduction in community wellbeing. This research provides some suggestions for the use of indicators for measuring the impact of poker machines on community wellbeing.
- Description: Masters by Research
Tropical cyclone tracks in CMIP5 models : statistical assessment and future projections
- Authors: Bell, Samuel
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) can have devastating social and economic impacts on coastal communities situated all around the globe. The impact of anthropogenic induced climate change on TC activity has attracted widespread scientific interest over the past decade, resulting in the development of a variety of approaches for TC projection in climate models. However, many uncertainties remain, including those associated with the TC detection algorithm and climate model inter-dependencies that impact projection results. This thesis seeks to address these uncertainties, as well as filling several knowledge gaps in the literature such as limited TC projection studies in the Southern Hemisphere and a global need for regional-scale TC track density projections. The independent TC detection and tracking algorithm utilised in this thesis is first evaluated to determine if it can simulate a realistic TC track climatology in reanalysis data. By way of cluster analysis, model-detected and observed TC tracks are compared and objective criteria for a consistent “TC track” definition are established. Regional-scale TC track projections are then examined in each TC basin around the globe. The exact methodology of cluster analysis in each basin is slightly modified to accommodate basin-scale differences in track climatology but generally follows a cluster assessment of TC tracks in observations, historical climate simulations and future climate projections using results from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. Regional impacts of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on TC tracks are also examined in current- and future-climates. Projection results are found to be supportive of existing studies, especially in the North Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere. Isolation of TC tracks into clusters indicated that the regional dominance of ENSO is well simulated by the CMIP5 models. Several regional changes in TC activity are noted and attributed to projected changes in the large-scale environment, and changes in ENSO-specific conditions.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bell, Samuel
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Tropical cyclones (TCs) can have devastating social and economic impacts on coastal communities situated all around the globe. The impact of anthropogenic induced climate change on TC activity has attracted widespread scientific interest over the past decade, resulting in the development of a variety of approaches for TC projection in climate models. However, many uncertainties remain, including those associated with the TC detection algorithm and climate model inter-dependencies that impact projection results. This thesis seeks to address these uncertainties, as well as filling several knowledge gaps in the literature such as limited TC projection studies in the Southern Hemisphere and a global need for regional-scale TC track density projections. The independent TC detection and tracking algorithm utilised in this thesis is first evaluated to determine if it can simulate a realistic TC track climatology in reanalysis data. By way of cluster analysis, model-detected and observed TC tracks are compared and objective criteria for a consistent “TC track” definition are established. Regional-scale TC track projections are then examined in each TC basin around the globe. The exact methodology of cluster analysis in each basin is slightly modified to accommodate basin-scale differences in track climatology but generally follows a cluster assessment of TC tracks in observations, historical climate simulations and future climate projections using results from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. Regional impacts of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on TC tracks are also examined in current- and future-climates. Projection results are found to be supportive of existing studies, especially in the North Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere. Isolation of TC tracks into clusters indicated that the regional dominance of ENSO is well simulated by the CMIP5 models. Several regional changes in TC activity are noted and attributed to projected changes in the large-scale environment, and changes in ENSO-specific conditions.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Sources of severe occupational injury in a major Australian water authority
- Authors: Bellchambers, Brenton
- Date: 1992
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: An analysis of occuptational accidents (n=587) was completed for the years 1989/90/91 for a major Australian water authority for injuries of five or more days lost time.
- Description: Masters of Applied Science, Occupational Health and Safety
- Authors: Bellchambers, Brenton
- Date: 1992
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: An analysis of occuptational accidents (n=587) was completed for the years 1989/90/91 for a major Australian water authority for injuries of five or more days lost time.
- Description: Masters of Applied Science, Occupational Health and Safety
Integrated project-based curriculum: A case study in a Victorian School.
- Authors: Bendall, Derek
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Leaders of research in the field of effective education have recognised that in the late twentieth century traditional styles of teaching were no longer sustaining student interest, nor helping students achieve their fullest potential. Sir Ken Robinson, a leading commentator, has spoken about the problems with the current Western educational system that was designed during the Industrial Revolution to accommodate the needs of that time. Education reform has been broadly researched and discussed and a wide range of strategies and theories have been developed, including integrated Project-Based Curriculum. This study investigates the development of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program, what this type of program involves, the implementation of the program and an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected throughout the program highlighting its potential benefits. Making use of a mixed method approach, this project examined the outcomes of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program case study consisting of six teachers and fifty Year 7 students. The context of the study involves a private Christian school located in a suburban outer fringe area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The study investigated the overarching question of whether integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are constructive and beneficial to today’s schools. The research showed three key findings: that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are set up to allow students to make choices in their own education, which creates an appreciation of each discipline and a connection to the ‘real world’; that integrated Project- Based Curriculum involves a great deal of group work which develops a number of ‘lifelong’ 21st century work related skills, including collaboration, communication and creative and critical thinking; and most significantly, that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs engage students to self-learn and come to class with a greater prior knowledge, enabling teachers to teach a more in-depth content that creates a deeper learning.
- Description: Masters in Education
- Authors: Bendall, Derek
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: Leaders of research in the field of effective education have recognised that in the late twentieth century traditional styles of teaching were no longer sustaining student interest, nor helping students achieve their fullest potential. Sir Ken Robinson, a leading commentator, has spoken about the problems with the current Western educational system that was designed during the Industrial Revolution to accommodate the needs of that time. Education reform has been broadly researched and discussed and a wide range of strategies and theories have been developed, including integrated Project-Based Curriculum. This study investigates the development of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program, what this type of program involves, the implementation of the program and an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected throughout the program highlighting its potential benefits. Making use of a mixed method approach, this project examined the outcomes of an integrated Project-Based Curriculum program case study consisting of six teachers and fifty Year 7 students. The context of the study involves a private Christian school located in a suburban outer fringe area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The study investigated the overarching question of whether integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are constructive and beneficial to today’s schools. The research showed three key findings: that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs are set up to allow students to make choices in their own education, which creates an appreciation of each discipline and a connection to the ‘real world’; that integrated Project- Based Curriculum involves a great deal of group work which develops a number of ‘lifelong’ 21st century work related skills, including collaboration, communication and creative and critical thinking; and most significantly, that integrated Project-Based Curriculum programs engage students to self-learn and come to class with a greater prior knowledge, enabling teachers to teach a more in-depth content that creates a deeper learning.
- Description: Masters in Education
Where the sun has fallen to earth : A studio investigation of the nature of place, and the place of nature in visual art practice
- Authors: Bennett, Julie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: My work involves the insertion of a structure into a landscape - a particular landscape, one I have contemplated for many years. In my landscape, 'my place', time is seen through the change of farming and weather seasons. We think we know and understand the landscape that immediately surrounds us, the place in which we live, but in the event of even a small change within that familiar place, our understanding and perceptions are called into question and our sense of time and space are rearranged.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
- Authors: Bennett, Julie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: My work involves the insertion of a structure into a landscape - a particular landscape, one I have contemplated for many years. In my landscape, 'my place', time is seen through the change of farming and weather seasons. We think we know and understand the landscape that immediately surrounds us, the place in which we live, but in the event of even a small change within that familiar place, our understanding and perceptions are called into question and our sense of time and space are rearranged.
- Description: Master of Arts (Visual Arts)
Bi what means : Paratextual and filmic representations of bisexuality in contemporary cinema
- Authors: Benson, Chloe
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The question of how bisexuality, which is predominantly nonvisual and lacks a coherent cinematic code, can be represented in film remains a consistent concern within bisexual cinema studies. Scholars have tended to approach this problem by concentrating on the ways that the film text itself codes bisexuality or encourages a bisexual reading. This approach can offer important insights into the potential for and problems of screening bisexuality. However, this thesis argues that in order to more fully explore how bisexual meaning is constructed, critical attention must extend beyond the confines of the film text to engage in what Jonathon Gray describes as a form of “off-screen studies” (7). By developing a sustained engagement between paratextual theory and bisexual cinema studies this project develops a new methodological approach to filmic representations of bisexuality. Two samples of bisexual films and the official entryway paratexts - such as posters, trailers, and festival program notes - used to promote them are examined. These samples comprise films screened in the period from 2012-2014 on either the Melbourne general release circuit or at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival that have been identified online by viewers as incorporating bisexual meanings. Considering these texts in relation to their exhibition contexts, the thesis demonstrates that bisexual films can be found in diverse settings. It also establishes the impact that these settings have on the ways the films are framed paratextually. Close textual readings illustrate that paratexts can function as discrete texts that circulate bisexual meanings, as well as framings with the potential to prime viewers’ receptivity to onscreen bisexuality. The thesis reveals that the promotional impetus of paratexts can lead to the amplifying or subduing of bisexual readings across exhibition contexts and argues that an understanding of filmic bisexuality must acknowledge this. In sum, the thesis proposes that paratexts play a formative role in the production and circulation of bisexual meanings both on screen and off, within the niche realm of the queer film festival and on the general release circuit.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Benson, Chloe
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The question of how bisexuality, which is predominantly nonvisual and lacks a coherent cinematic code, can be represented in film remains a consistent concern within bisexual cinema studies. Scholars have tended to approach this problem by concentrating on the ways that the film text itself codes bisexuality or encourages a bisexual reading. This approach can offer important insights into the potential for and problems of screening bisexuality. However, this thesis argues that in order to more fully explore how bisexual meaning is constructed, critical attention must extend beyond the confines of the film text to engage in what Jonathon Gray describes as a form of “off-screen studies” (7). By developing a sustained engagement between paratextual theory and bisexual cinema studies this project develops a new methodological approach to filmic representations of bisexuality. Two samples of bisexual films and the official entryway paratexts - such as posters, trailers, and festival program notes - used to promote them are examined. These samples comprise films screened in the period from 2012-2014 on either the Melbourne general release circuit or at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival that have been identified online by viewers as incorporating bisexual meanings. Considering these texts in relation to their exhibition contexts, the thesis demonstrates that bisexual films can be found in diverse settings. It also establishes the impact that these settings have on the ways the films are framed paratextually. Close textual readings illustrate that paratexts can function as discrete texts that circulate bisexual meanings, as well as framings with the potential to prime viewers’ receptivity to onscreen bisexuality. The thesis reveals that the promotional impetus of paratexts can lead to the amplifying or subduing of bisexual readings across exhibition contexts and argues that an understanding of filmic bisexuality must acknowledge this. In sum, the thesis proposes that paratexts play a formative role in the production and circulation of bisexual meanings both on screen and off, within the niche realm of the queer film festival and on the general release circuit.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Exploring the interior : performing situated responsibility in postcolonising Australia
- Authors: Berger, Karen
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Theatre is a powerful way to investigate the operation of borders due to its live, immediate focus on representation and its potential to test a society’s boundaries. This practice-led research incorporates a performance and an exegesis to ask, ‘How can site-specific theatre that investigates the performance of borders and heterotopia enhance understanding of individual responsibility in postcolonising Australia?’ I take the term postcolonising from Aileen Moreton-Robinson, who argues that the beneficiaries of settler-colonialism (such as myself) must accept responsibility for the past before attempting to address its injustices. As an artist, I am inspired by anthropologist, Deborah Bird Rose, who privileges storytelling as a way of breaking boundaries between the past and present. Michel Foucault coined the term heterotopia (other place) to denote a single real space that juxtaposes several sites that are incompatible. This evokes the contemporary Australian situation of contested sovereignty. As Joanne Tompkins argues, heterotopic theatre can enact such a space in order to raise awareness and work towards societal change. My research demonstrates this both theoretically and practically. My exegesis crosses borders to create a heterotopia by juxtaposing past, present and possible futures, stories and theoretical understandings from diverse sources. The performance created at my home, rather than in a theatre, layers family, local, Australian and international histories to highlight the continuum between the personal and political, and to question current structures of power and knowledge. I use site-specific theatre to diminish the boundaries between performer and audience, creating a visceral heterotopia that facilitates a deeper understanding of personal responsibility in the context of postcolonising Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Berger, Karen
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Theatre is a powerful way to investigate the operation of borders due to its live, immediate focus on representation and its potential to test a society’s boundaries. This practice-led research incorporates a performance and an exegesis to ask, ‘How can site-specific theatre that investigates the performance of borders and heterotopia enhance understanding of individual responsibility in postcolonising Australia?’ I take the term postcolonising from Aileen Moreton-Robinson, who argues that the beneficiaries of settler-colonialism (such as myself) must accept responsibility for the past before attempting to address its injustices. As an artist, I am inspired by anthropologist, Deborah Bird Rose, who privileges storytelling as a way of breaking boundaries between the past and present. Michel Foucault coined the term heterotopia (other place) to denote a single real space that juxtaposes several sites that are incompatible. This evokes the contemporary Australian situation of contested sovereignty. As Joanne Tompkins argues, heterotopic theatre can enact such a space in order to raise awareness and work towards societal change. My research demonstrates this both theoretically and practically. My exegesis crosses borders to create a heterotopia by juxtaposing past, present and possible futures, stories and theoretical understandings from diverse sources. The performance created at my home, rather than in a theatre, layers family, local, Australian and international histories to highlight the continuum between the personal and political, and to question current structures of power and knowledge. I use site-specific theatre to diminish the boundaries between performer and audience, creating a visceral heterotopia that facilitates a deeper understanding of personal responsibility in the context of postcolonising Australia.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Examining the assessment and development of a fundamental motor skill and the efficacy of peer teaching instructional approaches
- Authors: Beseler, Bradley
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine the process of assessing and developing the Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) of overarm throwing. This dissertation involved two foci: qualitative assessment of FMS and the efficacy of peer teaching approaches. The first focus was to contribute to qualitative assessment of FMS research by examining an assessment system commonly used to assess overarm throwing development. The second focus was to examine the efficacy of peer teaching instructional approaches on improving overarm throwing performance of pre-service physical education (PE) teachers to determine whether these approaches could facilitate pre-service PE teachers to efficiently develop FMS proficiency. PE teachers who can proficiently perform FMS are better equipped to teach these skills; their demonstrations provide the learners a “blueprint” of the skill they are trying to acquire. The research includes four separate studies. The first two studies examined Roberton’s levels (Roberton & Halverson, 1984), a qualitative assessment system used extensively for over four decades to research overarm throwing development, primarily examining the technique of children and older throwers. Study 1 attempted to validate one of the backswing sequences (Haywood et al., 1991) to authenticate it for assessing the backswing component of university-aged throwers. The findings provided preliminary support that the Haywood et al. backswing sequence, previously only validated for assessing the backswing technique of older throwers, was suitable for assessing the backswing of the university-aged throwers. Study 2 examined the impact of the follow-through on throwing velocity. Findings showed the follow-through had the second largest impact on throwing velocity of all the six components, providing preliminary support for the inclusion of the follow-through component to the existing five components of Roberton’s (Roberton & Halverson, 1984) levels, making this system more accurate and comprehensive. Study 3 and 4 both utilised a quasi-experimenal between-subjects pre-test, intervention, post-test, and retention test designs. The participants were allocated to one of three experimental groups: a Video Analysis Group (VAG), a Verbal Group (VG), and a Control Group (CG). During the interventions the VAG and VG worked in pairs in a Reciprocal style of peer teaching (Mosston & Ashworth, 2002). The VAG and VG interventions were identical except the VAG had access to video analysis technology and the CG completed unrelated course work. Study 3, a single session intervention, and Study 4, a three-session intervention, attempted to ascertain whether video analysis affects throwing technique of participants working in reciprocal peer teaching settings. The findings indicated the impact of video analysis may be dependent on the number of intervention sessions. In Study 3, video analysis in a single session intervention appeared to accelerate the participants throwing improvement. Study 4 revealed video analysis was not vital over the course of the three sessions. The VAG and VG achieved similar throwing improvements that were superior to the CG who did not experience the peer teaching intervention. The findings from this dissertation have identified scope for the Roberton’s levels (Roberton & Halverson, 1984) to be refined and the two peer teaching instructional approaches examined have been shown to be effective when trying to develop overarm throwing. Furthermore, these findings can inform Physical Education Teacher Education Programs, potentially preparing graduate PE teachers more effectively to develop their students’ FMS, which may increase the involvement of children and adolescents in sport and physical activity because they will have the necessary skills to successfully engage in these activities.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Beseler, Bradley
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The overall purpose of this dissertation was to examine the process of assessing and developing the Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) of overarm throwing. This dissertation involved two foci: qualitative assessment of FMS and the efficacy of peer teaching approaches. The first focus was to contribute to qualitative assessment of FMS research by examining an assessment system commonly used to assess overarm throwing development. The second focus was to examine the efficacy of peer teaching instructional approaches on improving overarm throwing performance of pre-service physical education (PE) teachers to determine whether these approaches could facilitate pre-service PE teachers to efficiently develop FMS proficiency. PE teachers who can proficiently perform FMS are better equipped to teach these skills; their demonstrations provide the learners a “blueprint” of the skill they are trying to acquire. The research includes four separate studies. The first two studies examined Roberton’s levels (Roberton & Halverson, 1984), a qualitative assessment system used extensively for over four decades to research overarm throwing development, primarily examining the technique of children and older throwers. Study 1 attempted to validate one of the backswing sequences (Haywood et al., 1991) to authenticate it for assessing the backswing component of university-aged throwers. The findings provided preliminary support that the Haywood et al. backswing sequence, previously only validated for assessing the backswing technique of older throwers, was suitable for assessing the backswing of the university-aged throwers. Study 2 examined the impact of the follow-through on throwing velocity. Findings showed the follow-through had the second largest impact on throwing velocity of all the six components, providing preliminary support for the inclusion of the follow-through component to the existing five components of Roberton’s (Roberton & Halverson, 1984) levels, making this system more accurate and comprehensive. Study 3 and 4 both utilised a quasi-experimenal between-subjects pre-test, intervention, post-test, and retention test designs. The participants were allocated to one of three experimental groups: a Video Analysis Group (VAG), a Verbal Group (VG), and a Control Group (CG). During the interventions the VAG and VG worked in pairs in a Reciprocal style of peer teaching (Mosston & Ashworth, 2002). The VAG and VG interventions were identical except the VAG had access to video analysis technology and the CG completed unrelated course work. Study 3, a single session intervention, and Study 4, a three-session intervention, attempted to ascertain whether video analysis affects throwing technique of participants working in reciprocal peer teaching settings. The findings indicated the impact of video analysis may be dependent on the number of intervention sessions. In Study 3, video analysis in a single session intervention appeared to accelerate the participants throwing improvement. Study 4 revealed video analysis was not vital over the course of the three sessions. The VAG and VG achieved similar throwing improvements that were superior to the CG who did not experience the peer teaching intervention. The findings from this dissertation have identified scope for the Roberton’s levels (Roberton & Halverson, 1984) to be refined and the two peer teaching instructional approaches examined have been shown to be effective when trying to develop overarm throwing. Furthermore, these findings can inform Physical Education Teacher Education Programs, potentially preparing graduate PE teachers more effectively to develop their students’ FMS, which may increase the involvement of children and adolescents in sport and physical activity because they will have the necessary skills to successfully engage in these activities.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
The psychological and physical health benefits associated with the human-pet bond
- Authors: Best, Christina Rose
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: A sample of adults was surveyed to investigate the physical and psychological health benefits of pets.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)
- Authors: Best, Christina Rose
- Date: 1997
- Type: Text , Thesis , Masters
- Full Text:
- Description: A sample of adults was surveyed to investigate the physical and psychological health benefits of pets.
- Description: Master of Applied Science (Psychology)
Manifestation of token behaviours on corporate boards; a qualitative study
- Authors: Bhardwaj, Sneh
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text: false
- Description: As boards are central to organisational performance, an ineffective board functioning has long remained a matter of concern among corporate governance researchers, board practitioners, policy makers and the media not only in India – the context of this study – but also across the regions of Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. An important aspect of boards’ ineffective working concerns directors’ token board behaviours. This debate in corporate governance circles however continuously adheres to a gender/minority-focused approach, attributing token board behaviours to the gender of minority directors on corporate boards (i.e., women directors). The study aims to examine, firstly, the selection process and criteria for corporate board directors’ appointments in India. Secondly, this thesis examines how the quota appointees are being recruited, integrated, and treated by corporate boards in India, to explain the ensuing participation of quota appointees. The third contribution is (from the third and fourth study aims) a more nuanced explanation of token board behaviours of Indian men and women directors (beyond the commonplace explanation of token board behaviours based on the number of minority directors on corporate boards) from an in-depth examination of directors’ board conduct. The research draws on three theories. Firstly, the resource dependence theory (RDT) lens is used to review the literature on board appointments. RDT supports an argument that board composition impacts board processes, dynamics, and culture, and vice versa. Secondly, the token theory, which identifies the inclusion of minority groups as a perfunctory gesture, is used as a putative explanation for effective/ineffective board participation of directors. Thirdly, the institutional theory is applied to examine the findings related to directors’ quota-based board appointments in response to institutional pressures, namely, coercive, normative, and mimetic. An interpretative phenomenological approach informs this study’s research design. I developed four research questions and, to answer these, conducted twenty-seven semi-structured interviews with Indian board directors to obtain first-hand narration of lived experiences in this context. The findings indicate that a majority of directors consider the pre-, during and post-meeting board dis-engagement, impaired board culture, poorly structured board processes, lacunae in director selection including those of the law-supported women directors and board inexperience of directors as determinants of token behaviour on boards, rather than attributing this understanding to the gender of board minorities alone. These results provide an enhanced understanding of token behaviours manifested by board directors. In so doing, new proposals for restructuring directors’ selection processes, quota law’s implementation, directors’ board roles and boards’ internal functioning are offered. The research has implications for regulators, companies, and governments attempting to enhance the corporate governance effectiveness of corporate boards by putting an end to directors’ token behaviours.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Conflict and conservation : sharing the costs and benefits of tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation in communities adjacent to tiger reserves in Nepal
- Authors: Bhattarai, Babu
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Human wildlife conflict (HWC) is a highly studied but unresolved aspect of wildlife management. To further knowledge on HWC, this study used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate HWC implications for local people living adjacent to two key tiger conservation reserves in Nepal. The study also assessed the potential to redistribute financial benefits accruing from predator conservation to those bearing costs through associated HWC. Secondary data and anecdotal reports suggest that local people experience significant direct and indirect costs from predator conservation through livestock losses following attacks by common leopards and Bengal tigers, and additionally, crop losses due to their prey species plus two mega herbivores (elephant and one-horned rhinoceros). To investigate this situation, data regarding HWC incidents and costs were sourced through interviews with 422 local households, direct observations, and stakeholder interviews. Collected data included livestock loss (5-year time-period) and crop loss (1-year time-period). Complementary direct observation data collated livestock loss and crop damage for 12 months. Interviews were conducted also with park visitors (N=387) and tourism business owners (N=74). Results showed that tigers are involved in significantly fewer depredation events compared to leopards. Leopards predominantly killed small to medium livestock whereas tigers selected both small to medium and large sized livestock. Livestock depredation events occurred more frequently in livestock corrals relative to forest zones or crop fields. Rates of livestock losses per household per year self-reported during interviews with local people were found higher when compared to those observed by direct measurement. Prey species of tigers and leopards (most often wild boar and chital) were involved in more frequently in crop raiding events, and caused more crop damage, when compared that caused by mega herbivores. Quantities of crops lost per household were lowest in communities where effective physical barriers to wildlife were present. Park visitors and tourism business owners indicated willingness to pay for conservation of tigers and for compensation of farmers for the losses caused by tigers and their prey species. Study findings support several key recommendations proposed to mitigate negative HWC effects in the study area. These include financial support for local communities to build predator proof livestock corrals and establishment of effective physical barriers at the park borders. A dedicated tariff for park visitors and a levy for tourism business owners are also recommended to fund ongoing predator conservation and support financial compensation for local farmers affected by HWC.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Bhattarai, Babu
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Human wildlife conflict (HWC) is a highly studied but unresolved aspect of wildlife management. To further knowledge on HWC, this study used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate HWC implications for local people living adjacent to two key tiger conservation reserves in Nepal. The study also assessed the potential to redistribute financial benefits accruing from predator conservation to those bearing costs through associated HWC. Secondary data and anecdotal reports suggest that local people experience significant direct and indirect costs from predator conservation through livestock losses following attacks by common leopards and Bengal tigers, and additionally, crop losses due to their prey species plus two mega herbivores (elephant and one-horned rhinoceros). To investigate this situation, data regarding HWC incidents and costs were sourced through interviews with 422 local households, direct observations, and stakeholder interviews. Collected data included livestock loss (5-year time-period) and crop loss (1-year time-period). Complementary direct observation data collated livestock loss and crop damage for 12 months. Interviews were conducted also with park visitors (N=387) and tourism business owners (N=74). Results showed that tigers are involved in significantly fewer depredation events compared to leopards. Leopards predominantly killed small to medium livestock whereas tigers selected both small to medium and large sized livestock. Livestock depredation events occurred more frequently in livestock corrals relative to forest zones or crop fields. Rates of livestock losses per household per year self-reported during interviews with local people were found higher when compared to those observed by direct measurement. Prey species of tigers and leopards (most often wild boar and chital) were involved in more frequently in crop raiding events, and caused more crop damage, when compared that caused by mega herbivores. Quantities of crops lost per household were lowest in communities where effective physical barriers to wildlife were present. Park visitors and tourism business owners indicated willingness to pay for conservation of tigers and for compensation of farmers for the losses caused by tigers and their prey species. Study findings support several key recommendations proposed to mitigate negative HWC effects in the study area. These include financial support for local communities to build predator proof livestock corrals and establishment of effective physical barriers at the park borders. A dedicated tariff for park visitors and a levy for tourism business owners are also recommended to fund ongoing predator conservation and support financial compensation for local farmers affected by HWC.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Rule-based interactive assisted reinforcement learning
- Authors: Bignold, Adam
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Reinforcement Learning (RL) has seen increasing interest over the past few years, partially owing to breakthroughs in the digestion and application of external information. The use of external information results in improved learning speeds and solutions to more complex domains. This thesis, a collection of five key contributions, demonstrates that comparable performance gains to existing Interactive Reinforcement Learning methods can be achieved using less data, sourced during operation, and without prior verifcation and validation of the information's integrity. First, this thesis introduces Assisted Reinforcement Learning (ARL), a collective term referring to RL methods that utilise external information to leverage the learning process, and provides a non-exhaustive review of current ARL methods. Second, two advice delivery methods common in ARL, evaluative and informative, are compared through human trials. The comparison highlights how human engagement, accuracy of advice, agent performance, and advice utility differ between the two methods. Third, this thesis introduces simulated users as a methodology for testing and comparing ARL methods. Simulated users enable testing and comparing of ARL systems without costly and time-consuming human trials. While not a replacement for well-designed human trials, simulated users offer a cheap and robust approach to ARL design and comparison. Fourth, the concept of persistence is introduced to Interactive Reinforcement Learning. The retention and reuse of advice maximises utility and can lead to improved performance and reduced human demand. Finally, this thesis presents rule-based interactive RL, an iterative method for providing advice to an agent. Existing interactive RL methods rely on constant human supervision and evaluation, requiring a substantial commitment from the advice-giver. Rule-based advice can be provided proactively and be generalised over the state-space while remaining flexible enough to handle potentially inaccurate or irrelevant information. Ultimately, the thesis contributions are validated empirically and clearly show that rule-based advice signicantly reduces human guidance requirements while improving agent performance.
- Description: Doctor of Pholosophy
- Authors: Bignold, Adam
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: Reinforcement Learning (RL) has seen increasing interest over the past few years, partially owing to breakthroughs in the digestion and application of external information. The use of external information results in improved learning speeds and solutions to more complex domains. This thesis, a collection of five key contributions, demonstrates that comparable performance gains to existing Interactive Reinforcement Learning methods can be achieved using less data, sourced during operation, and without prior verifcation and validation of the information's integrity. First, this thesis introduces Assisted Reinforcement Learning (ARL), a collective term referring to RL methods that utilise external information to leverage the learning process, and provides a non-exhaustive review of current ARL methods. Second, two advice delivery methods common in ARL, evaluative and informative, are compared through human trials. The comparison highlights how human engagement, accuracy of advice, agent performance, and advice utility differ between the two methods. Third, this thesis introduces simulated users as a methodology for testing and comparing ARL methods. Simulated users enable testing and comparing of ARL systems without costly and time-consuming human trials. While not a replacement for well-designed human trials, simulated users offer a cheap and robust approach to ARL design and comparison. Fourth, the concept of persistence is introduced to Interactive Reinforcement Learning. The retention and reuse of advice maximises utility and can lead to improved performance and reduced human demand. Finally, this thesis presents rule-based interactive RL, an iterative method for providing advice to an agent. Existing interactive RL methods rely on constant human supervision and evaluation, requiring a substantial commitment from the advice-giver. Rule-based advice can be provided proactively and be generalised over the state-space while remaining flexible enough to handle potentially inaccurate or irrelevant information. Ultimately, the thesis contributions are validated empirically and clearly show that rule-based advice signicantly reduces human guidance requirements while improving agent performance.
- Description: Doctor of Pholosophy
Statistical assessment of Australian bushfire conditions : long-term changes and variability
- Authors: Biswas, Soubhik
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In the wake of increasing bushfire impacts in recent decades across the Australian landscape, questions arise regarding the role played by weather conditions, climate variability and long-term climate change. This thesis seeks to quantify the following components that can influence fire risk: (1) the effects of weather and mean climate conditions, (2) large-scale drivers of natural climate variability, (3) the influence of extreme weather events and (4) the contribution of long-term anthropogenic climate change. Bushfire risks associated with weather and climate factors in Australia are generally assessed using indices such as the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). The FFDI is used in this study, calculated from daily values of rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed, providing a generalised approach for combining those four weather factors known to influence fire behaviour. This study also aims to fill several knowledge gaps in the literature. For example, a comprehensive study of climatology, variability and trends in Australia's fire weather conditions was never attempted before using a high-resolution and a very long-term fire weather dataset. The fire weather conditions were analysed using a long-term FFDI dataset constructed from 20th Century reanalysis climatic data with bias correction applied because reconstructed weather datasets like 20th Century reanalysis products often show systemic biases. Various statistical bias correction approaches based on quantile-quantile matching were compared, and a spline-based method was selected due to its higher precision in correcting a distribution for the purposes of this study. The relationship of this calibrated FFDI dataset with the climate drivers of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) was analysed. Results are mapped to show the regional and seasonal fluctuations in the severe fire weather across Australia during different combinations of ENSO, IOD, and SAM phases. During the austral spring and summer seasons, the highest frequency of severe fire weather conditions occurred for the combination of positive ENSO (i.e., El Nino), positive IOD and negative SAM. The calibrated FFDI dataset derived from bias-corrected Twentieth Century Reanalysis data was further used to study the long-term climate change trends in Australian fire weather conditions. A general positive trend in the number of extreme FFDI days was reported across Australia, except for New South Wales in Spring where a statistically non-significant negative trend was observed. Temperature and relative humidity were found to be the most critical climatic variables influencing fire weather trends across the country, noting that relative humidity is partly based on temperature. The applications of this work range from being useful for various stakeholders in framing new climate change adaptation policies to being used for seasonal outlooks and planning by fire management teams.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Biswas, Soubhik
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: In the wake of increasing bushfire impacts in recent decades across the Australian landscape, questions arise regarding the role played by weather conditions, climate variability and long-term climate change. This thesis seeks to quantify the following components that can influence fire risk: (1) the effects of weather and mean climate conditions, (2) large-scale drivers of natural climate variability, (3) the influence of extreme weather events and (4) the contribution of long-term anthropogenic climate change. Bushfire risks associated with weather and climate factors in Australia are generally assessed using indices such as the Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI). The FFDI is used in this study, calculated from daily values of rainfall, relative humidity, temperature and wind speed, providing a generalised approach for combining those four weather factors known to influence fire behaviour. This study also aims to fill several knowledge gaps in the literature. For example, a comprehensive study of climatology, variability and trends in Australia's fire weather conditions was never attempted before using a high-resolution and a very long-term fire weather dataset. The fire weather conditions were analysed using a long-term FFDI dataset constructed from 20th Century reanalysis climatic data with bias correction applied because reconstructed weather datasets like 20th Century reanalysis products often show systemic biases. Various statistical bias correction approaches based on quantile-quantile matching were compared, and a spline-based method was selected due to its higher precision in correcting a distribution for the purposes of this study. The relationship of this calibrated FFDI dataset with the climate drivers of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Southern Annular Mode (SAM) and Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) was analysed. Results are mapped to show the regional and seasonal fluctuations in the severe fire weather across Australia during different combinations of ENSO, IOD, and SAM phases. During the austral spring and summer seasons, the highest frequency of severe fire weather conditions occurred for the combination of positive ENSO (i.e., El Nino), positive IOD and negative SAM. The calibrated FFDI dataset derived from bias-corrected Twentieth Century Reanalysis data was further used to study the long-term climate change trends in Australian fire weather conditions. A general positive trend in the number of extreme FFDI days was reported across Australia, except for New South Wales in Spring where a statistically non-significant negative trend was observed. Temperature and relative humidity were found to be the most critical climatic variables influencing fire weather trends across the country, noting that relative humidity is partly based on temperature. The applications of this work range from being useful for various stakeholders in framing new climate change adaptation policies to being used for seasonal outlooks and planning by fire management teams.
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy