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The School of Social and Political Sciences Magazine [#10, 2019] SSPS Review Western Sahara - Africa’s Why the future is Asian Reconstructing Ukrainian Is our obsession with true last colony identity crime a problem?
From the Head of School
—
Welcome to our latest SSPS review. This Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), campaigning
issue catalogues some of the extraordinary for the justice, rights, and respect for First
achievements of our staff and students. Nations Australians, and a PhD project
Foremost amongst these is the election of considering identity construction in Ukraine
Professor David Schlosberg to Fellow of the that honours the legacies of those involved in
Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. two recent Ukrainian revolutions – the Orange
Becoming a Fellow of the Academy is the Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity.
highest honour for social scientists in Australia
and his election is testament to the enormous This edition also highlights the outstanding
impact of David’s research in environmental quality and rigour of the research of our
politics and environmental movements. academic staff. Through her research on
international adoption, Associate Professor
In this issue we also welcome our newest Sonja van Wichelen has demonstrated how the
recruit to the School, Professor Alex Broom. legal regulation of international adoption is out
Alex is a world leader in the sociology of of step with the profound changes inhabiting
health, medicine and care. He and his that domain and is especially unable to engage
research team are working on a number of with contemporary kinship structures such
critical projects. These include projects on as single parent families, extended families,
the social, economic and political dimensions LGBTIQ+ families and ‘blended’ families.
of precision medicine and of antimicrobial I hope you enjoy this latest SSPS Review.
resistance. In his interview, Alex explains
exactly how and why ostensibly medical issues Professor Lisa Adkins
are also always sociological problems. He even Head of School of Social and Political
illustrates this with cartoons (‘Broom Toons’). Sciences
In these pages you’ll also find some of the
remarkable contributions our students are
making to society. This includes a masters
work placement with Australians for Native
B
In this edition
—
02 News in brief 12 Sustainability at Sydney 30 Why intercountry adoption
Highlights from the School of A look at the key goals set out in needs a rethink
Social and Political Sciences the University’s new sustainability In a globalising world where new
strategy family structures are emerging
05 Events and evolving, A/Prof Sonja
A snapshot of what’s coming up 16 The future is Asian Van Wichelen is calling for a
later this year The Centre for International reassessment of the regulations
Security Studies explores the around intercountry adoption
06 Leading health sociologist world and the future from an
joins school Asian point-of-view 32 Grants
Meet internationally renowned Key academic achievements in
sociologist Prof Alex Broom, 20 5 things we learned in ‘Making 2019
specialising in the social a Killing: The ethics of true
dynamics of cancer crime’ 33 Select publications
Is our obsession with true crime The latest book releases from
08 Carnegie Corp awards funding a problem? our social and political science
for quantum project scholars
Research into the social, 22 Western Sahara - Africa’s last
strategic and ethical implications colony
of quantum technologies Visiting human rights activist
Tecber Ahmed Saleh highlights
10 Campaigning for the justice the human rights situation and
and rights of Indigenous decolonisation process in her
Australians homeland
Master of Development Studies
student Luckylyn Wallace 26 Reconstructing Ukrainian
discusses her role in the identity
nationwide campaign for Treaty PhD candidate Anastasiya
with our First Nations Peoples Byesyedina discusses how
Ukraine’s recent revolutions are
shaping a new generation and
national identity
©2019 SSPS Review. All rights reserved. All material Contact us
in this magazine may not be reproduced, transmitted or The School of Social and Political Sciences
distributed in any form without the written permission +61 9351 2650
of The School of Social and Political Sciences. ssps.communications@sydney.edu.au
The articles published reflect the opinions of the /Usyd_ssps
respective authors and do not necessarily represent the
views of the publishers and editorial team. @Usyd.ssps
01
News in brief
Australian Politics and focus on student needs and build to it, and provide easy updating of
curriculum content and other tools content to ensure the currency
Policy open access textbook
around them.” students expect.
launched
Part of the open access movement, The volume was a collaboration of
the book is licensed as a creative 88 academics and independent
commons work, meaning that it scholars across Australia, and is
is free and can be modified and anticipated to have significant
adapted by any user. impact on teaching and learning in
the fields of Australian politics and
Open access has become public policy.
increasingly significant as
academics attempt to ensure the View the textbook:
widest possible distribution of their
research and other publications. - tiny.cc/ot_sampler
Research in recent years has found
that the cost of commercial
textbooks serves as a barrier to
students, with many opting not to
buy expensive commercial volumes.
Staff from the School have launched
a new Australian politics and public Sydney-based member of the
policy open access textbook at the editorial team, Dr Peter Chen of the
Australian Political Studies Department of Government and
Conference this September. International Relations
sees considerable potential in
This new volume, produced by customisable textbooks to improve
Sydney University Press (SUP) with teaching.
sponsorship from the University
of Sydney Library, is the first of its
“Rather than making the curriculum
kind, featuring over forty chapters
fit a textbook, the textbook can
in an online database from which
support what the instructor wants
instructors can build bespoke
to do.”
textbooks customised to their
teaching needs.
Each substantive chapter in the
database comes in junior and senior
SUP publishing manager, Dr
versions, permitting the volume to
Agata Mrva-Montoya (PhD 05’
be used across different teaching
GradCertPublishing ‘10), sees this as
levels. The chapters were written by
an example of the way technology
experts and underwent anonymous
can improve the fit between
and rigorous peer-review to ensure
published curriculum content and
the highest standards.
student needs.
Dr Chen notes that the ongoing
“New publishing platforms
relationship with the publisher
increasingly allow us to go beyond
allows the volume to expand every
traditionally defined ‘books’ to
year by simply adding new chapters
02
David Schlosberg elected to Professor and Australian Research
Council Federation Fellow, John
the Academy of the Social
Dryzek.
Sciences in Australia
“It’s really an incredible honor to be
recognized like this by the leading
figures in Australian social science.
I look forward to working with the
academy to engage and provide
opportunities for outstanding
scholars across the country,”said
Professor Schlosberg.
Known internationally for his
pioneering work in environmental
politics, environmental movements,
justice and political theory,
Professor Schlosberg’s other
research interests lie in climate
justice, climate adaptation and
David Schlosberg, Professor of resilience, and environmental
Environmental Politics in the movements and the practices of
Department of Government and everyday life.
International Relations, Payne-Scott
Professor, and Director of the Sydney His applied work includes public
Environment Institute at the perceptions of adaptation and
University of Sydney, has been resilience, the health and social
elected this month a Fellow of the impacts of climate change, and
Academy of the Social Sciences in community-based responses to
Australia. food insecurity, themes which are
all explored through research and
Founded as the Social Science in praxis at the Sydney Environment
Research Council of Australia in Institute, under his leadership as
1942, this prestigious organisation Director.
aims to further the reach of the
social sciences within Australia and He is the author, co-author, and
beyond. Professor Schlosberg’s co-editor of eight books with
election recognises his contributions Oxford University Press, including
to the advancement of social science Defining Environmental Justice
knowledge and the impact that his (2007); Climate-Challenged Society
decades of research have made. (2013); The Oxford Handbook
of Climate Change and Society
Election to the Academy is based (2011); The Oxford Handbook of
on the commendations of peers Environmental Political Theory
and requires a majority vote by (2016) and Sustainable Materialism:
current Academy fellows. Professor Environmental Movements and the
Schlosberg was nominated by Politics of Everyday Life (2019).
03
2019 new starters
Mrs Estrella Pearce Dr Suneha Seetahul Dr Nicholas Bromfield
What is your research area? What is your research focus? (PhD ‘17)
My main area of research is the I have a background in Development What is your research focus?
exploration of restorative justice Economics with a labour and gender I broadly research and teach into
practices, particularly in the context focus. In my PhD I studied religion, political science, public policy and
of youth justice. My PhD thesis caste and gender inequalities in the international relations. I take a
explored the institutional factors and Indian labour market. My current particular interest in the politics
individual actors directly involved research in the Australian Women’s of nationalism and identity. I have
in the application of the Young Working Futures Project focuses on written extensively on how Australian
Offenders Act 1997 (NSW), to explain women’s wellbeing at work and their prime ministers have engaged with
the under-utilisation of diversion to concerns and aspirations about the ANZAC over time in journals like the
youth justice conferencing in NSW. future of work. Australian Journal of Political Science
and the Australian Journal of Politics
What were you doing before joining What are you most excited about in and History.
USYD? your new role?
I was at the School of Social Sciences The focus of my post-doc on the What were you doing before joining
and Psychology at Western Sydney future of work is a great opportunity USYD?
University, completing my PhD on to explore academic literature that I was a sessional lecturer and
criminology. During my time there, I includes studies about labour and teacher with both the Department
had the amazing opportunity to work wellbeing as much as it analyzes robots of Government and International
on delivering and designing some of and AI! Relations (GIR) at USyd and Macquarie
the criminology curriculum over the University. Prior to that, I completed
last six years. What are you binge watching or reading my PhD with GIR at USyd, very ably and
at the moment? gratefully supervised by Prof Rodney
Favourite spot on campus? I binge-watched Euphoria and Smith and Prof Ariadne Vromen.
Defintiely the Quadrangle. This Mindhunter which were both very
beautiful sandstone building is good shows! As for reading, I recently Biggest surprise about USYD?
unique in the Australian architectural started Permanent Record by Edward Not so much a surprise, but notable
landscape, but it reminds me of my Snowden. and gladdening, was the extremely
homeown, Madrid. It makes me feel warm welcome from my colleagues
nostalgic and excited at the same in GIR. So many of them dropped by
time. One of the things I love about to congratulate and welcome me,
spending time around this building is offer guidance and support. I was so
watching all the visitors take photos. grateful for their efforts!
0404
Who should govern
environmental
disasters, and how?
Thursday, 21 November
6-7.30pm
The Rise of
Veganism: The end
of animal farming?
Thursday, 28 November
6-8pm
Many commentators believe this is the year
veganism will finally go mainstream.
Driven mainly by mounting millennial
Bushfires, hurricanes, life-threatening awareness of animal and environmental
heatwaves and floods have ravaged our planet welfare, more than 2 million Australian adults
in recent years. There is a mounting pool of now live completely meat free.
evidence that climate change, including global
warming, is a major cause of these extreme With the health benefits of plant-based diets
weather events. endorsed by Hollywood stars and commissions
of scientists alike, the rise of synthetic ‘meat’
This Sydney Ideas event brings together and supermarkets selling vast ranges of vegan-
scholars working on environmental disasters friendly products, a lifestyle that was once
from a range of disciplines, issue areas, casually dismissed as “extreme” is now more
and countries to grapple with the following accessible and widely practised than ever.
questions: what we need to do to govern such
disasters effectively? Who should govern Is a vegan diet sustainable? Is an exclusively
environmental disasters and how? plant-based diet really better for the planet?
And does synthetic meat stand a chance?
- bit.ly/2Pd7D7y
Join a leading diet researcher, an agri-food
and environmental expert and a political
scientist committed to animal welfare as they
consider what the rise of veganism might mean
for us all.
- bit.ly/31BbpeO
05
Leading health
sociologist
joins school
Professor Alex Broom is an
internationally renowned
sociologist whose research
focuses on the social dynamics
of cancer, palliative and end-
of-life care, and the global
challenge of antimicrobial
resistance.
What is your professional background? I lead a team of sociologists, and we have active research
I am a sociologist and I have spent the last 15 years working projects in Australia, India and the United Kingdom,
with patients, families and health professionals to better largely funded by the Australian Research Council. I joined
understand and improve their experiences of health, illness the School of Social and Political Sciences because it is an
and care. I take an approach that privileges the person’s incredibly vibrant and cutting-edge environment for the
subjective experience of illness, healing or care, rather than social sciences.
focusing exclusively on disease outcomes.
Can you tell us about your research and how you
We use these understandings to improve health and developed an interest in this area?
community services, and over the years I have focused on One of my key interests is antimicrobial resistance
improving care for the dying, enhancing opportunities for (AMR) – the diminishing effectiveness of our available
survivorship in cancer and, most recently, contributing to antimicrobials in treating infections.
the response to antimicrobial resistance through innovative
strategies to counteract misuse of antibiotics. This global crisis is a sociological problem masquerading as
a medical issue. AMR looks like a drug-shortage issue, or a
As a sociologist one of my core concerns is to identify and matter of better control over medicines. But in fact, AMR
challenge social inequalities and reveal the constantly is a deeply social, political and economic issue, embedded
shifting implications they have for health. My job, as I see in our ways of life (for example, quick fixes, death denial,
it, is to explore how varied and often opaque social forces immediate gratification), and our systems of government
are fundamental to producing and solving emerging and (for example, institutional short-termism and the flows of
enduring health problems. political cycles).
06
Given this, one program I lead focuses on untangling the It was a privilege and a life-changing experience, but also an
complex social and political forces that produce AMR acute illustration of how our experiences are fundamentally
across place and context. This has involved working with shaped by a complex combination of our own desires and
people in settings as diverse as hospitals in metropolitan beliefs and those of our families and our institutions.
Sydney right through to those purchasing black-market
antimicrobials in the urban slums of India. After this experience I wrote Dying: A Social Perspective
on the End of Life, which works through how people
Further, our work has focused on how to mobilise elements manage the tensions between what they want, what others
of ‘the social’ to encourage Australian health professionals, want, and what our institutions allow them to do at the end
institutions and communities to act together in ways that of life.
can protect our collective antimicrobial futures.
What do you hope to achieve with your research?
One of the creative outcomes from this sociological work I aim to understand and transform, by working in a truly
on AMR has been a cartoon series we developed called interdisciplinary way with a broad range of people, such
the Broom Toons. In a humorous way, these work through as patients, families, health professionals, health service
the various social practices that result in misuse of our providers and communities. Sometimes transformation
diminishing antibiotic options. We have found humour a can be slow, partial and even unclear in terms of the
useful way of promoting change by disarming individuals full impact of what we do. As such, I value strategies
and groups and facilitating discussion of why they that encompass short-term and long-term change, and
continue to do what they do, despite evidence of a lack of environments which value both blue skies and more
effectiveness. interventional, applied scholarship.
What do you see as the two greatest health challenges of
the 21st century? Why?
The pursuit of profit and widening social inequality. These
intermingling problems will result in major reductions in
life expectancy over the next few decades.
For an issue such as antimicrobial resistance, for example,
the pursuit of short-term fixes is a fundamental barrier to
our collective futures. One of the key reasons big pharma
won’t invest in the antimicrobial pipeline is that profits are
not as high as they are for other drugs. This is merely one
example of why profit matters; but it speaks to how the
push for immediate return on investment is driving health
priorities, rather than the longer-term and climacteric
problem of proliferating AMR.
One of Professor Broom’s cartoons about antimicrobial resistance.
This work on these social levers of resistance (and potential
solutions therein) heavily influenced the World Health
Organization’s 2019 Policy Brief on AMR, and continues
to influence strategies in many Australian health services to
improve practices.
What is one of your most inspiring research moments?
Spending six months as a sociologist-in-residence in a
NSW hospice, exploring what constituted a “good enough”
death with people who were in the last few weeks and often
days of life.
07
Carnegie Corp
awards funding for
quantum project
The Centre for International Security Studies’ Project Q
has been awarded $US400,000 to complete research into
the social, strategic and ethical implications of quantum
technologies.
Written by Clare Hodgson
Since its inception in 2015, Project Q has received $US1.2 Over the past six years, Project Q has grown to become
million from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to the world’s leading social sciences research project into
lead world-first multidisciplinary research into the risks quantum technology. Noting the novelty of the topic, as
and benefits of quantum innovation. Now heading into well as the traditional separation between the natural
its third phase, Project Q’s research is more important and social sciences, Professor Der Derian expressed
than ever. appreciation for the foresight and support of the
Carnegie Corporation of New York for a multidisciplinary
“When we started Project Q the quantum revolution investigation such as Project Q.
was generally thought to be decades away. Since then
we’ve seen the pace of quantum innovation accelerate “One of the great achievements of Project Q is
exponentially,” said Professor James Der Derian, the amazing multinational network of academics,
Director of the Centre for International Security Studies policymakers and industry experts we have brought
and Chief Investigator of Project Q. “Just recently it together to inform our research,” said Der Derian.
was announced that Google had achieved ‘quantum “Over 220 people have participated in the project,
supremacy’ – meaning their quantum computer sharing their experience and insights, and helping us
surpassed the world’s most powerful supercomputers make an incredibly complex issue accessible to a broad
on a particular task.” audience.”
08Project Q has made its research available to the general on the road. We’re planning a series of boot camps,
public through an extensive, open-source multimedia workshops and conferences in the United States,
library of recorded interviews, lectures and panel Canada, the UK and eventually Armenia, whose President
discussions, featuring the biggest names in quantum is a former theoretical physicist and advocate of what he
physics and the social sciences. calls ‘quantum politics’.”
“Our emphasis on multimedia sets Project Q apart from Whether it’s in the field of technology, politics, or
traditional research projects,” Professor Der Derian international relations the quantum future is coming
said. “It means that when the grant comes to an end we faster than we thought – Project Q is preparing for this
will have produced not only research articles, but an exciting new world.
interactive e-book and a feature length documentary
about the quantum race.” Read about our research:
- bit.ly/CISSresearch
As the third and final phase of Project Q gets underway,
the project is going global. “Building on our networks
within the University of Sydney, including the Sydney
Nanoscience Institute and the new Sydney Quantum
Academy, we are now expanding and taking Project Q
09Photo: Julia Koefender
Campaigning for the justice and
rights of Indigenous Australians
Master of Development Studies student Luckylyn Wallace
(DipSocSc ‘16) discusses her role in the nationwide campaign
for Treaty with our First Nations Peoples.
As part of the Master of Development Studies, Luckylyn from the Heart, which calls for a ‘constitutionally enshrined
Wallace has spent the last 3 months on work placement Voice to Parliament’.
with Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
(ANTaR), an organisation that campaigns for the justice, Luckylyn explains what it’s like to be part of a community-
rights, and respect for First Nations Australians. led movement for Treaty between Government and First
Nations Peoples.
‘Treaty’, their current and biggest campaign to date, is
calling on the Federal Parliament to step up and take What’s been your role in the Treaty campaign?
responsibility for the Treaty with First Nations Peoples. ANTaR is preparing to co-host a landmark event – the
This call for Treaty is in line with the wishes articulated National Treaties Summit – in Melbourne in April 2020.
by Indigenous Asutralians in the 2017 Uluru Statement ANTaR is partnering with the National Native Title
10Council (NNTC) and the University of Melbourne to bring career goals. Who do you want to work for and what do
together diverse voices - Aboriginal and Torres Strait you want to do upon completion of your degree? Aim to
Islander leaders, treaty commissioners, international be placed with one of those organisations or, if that’s not
experts, community representatives, politicians and possible, with an organisation in the same policy space .
thinkers – to share ideas, experiences and expertise.
Members of the public are encouraged and invited to Also, think about the gaps in your skillset and roles where
attend. you can develop those skills. A placement is a great way
to upskill. Until your knowledge and skills have been
My role has primarily involved research and the production exercised in a ‘real world’ capacity, you cannot fully
of material for the purposes of advocacy and educating the understand their import and value in the workforce, and
broader community. This has included factsheets, content the wider world.
for ANTaR’s webpages, using social media to promote the
Summit, and blog articles. I really believe that educating What’s next for you?
the public on the issues is a major step in effecting change. Submitting my honours dissertation, which examines
time as an unproblematised construct in the field of
What made you choose ANTaR? development, with a particular focus on a government
I have been taking more of an active interest in the domestic initiative targeting Aboriginal communities.
political landscape, particularly in the (unrealised) rights
of our First Nations Peoples in Australia. I have also always When I finish my Masters, I will be pursuing a career
felt a strong pull towards social justice. The desire to help advocating for Indigenous rights and self-determination
others to reimagine their lives and to reshape societies for by combining research, policy and fieldwork. I want to
the better is, in fact, what drew me to my chosen field – explore, experience and eventually educate about other
anthropology. ways of being in the world. I eventually want to work with
grassroots Indigenous rights movements here in Australia
I first learnt about ANTaR when Paul, the National and with others around the world.
Director, spoke to our social justice class. Later that
semester, I wrote a report on treaty-making in Australia. It In the future, I would like to come back and complete a PhD
just so happened that ANTaR was mobilising a nation-wide in Anthropology.
campaign on Treaty in the next couple of months. When
the opportunity arose to be placed with the organisation I
had to say ‘yes’. It felt like fate.
What’s been the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Knowing that I’ve played a part in something greater than
myself. Australia, as a nation, has never signed a Treaty
with its First Nations Peoples. One day we will. I will
continue to be part of that grassroots movement for a better
Australia. Our First Nations Peoples deserve full respect
and recognition from their fellow Australians – and their
resilience, against all odds, is of continuing inspiration to
me.
It has been incredibly uplifting to witness the dedication
of those involved with ANTaR - from the board, to the
directors, to the volunteers who turn up every week. Non-
Indigenous Australians who support the aspirations of
First Nations Peoples do so based on the strength of their
convictions and a sense of what is right and just.
What advice would you give to others looking to do an
internship? Luckylyn Wallace at ANTaR HQ, Sydney
Think about how an internship can serve you and your
11New Hexbox structure at the School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Photo: Katherine Lu
Sustainability at Sydney
Helping ‘Generation Greta’ feel a sense of belonging on
campus.
Written by David Schlosberg and Lisa Heinze
Our University conducts world-class research on all of clear and ambitious targets alongside a reporting
aspects of sustainability, yet to look around our campus, system has stalled action in a larger sense.
you’d be forgiven for thinking that no one here knows
of the serious environmental and social threats facing The good news is that this year the University of Sydney
humanity today. is developing a new sustainability strategy, including
a new governance and reporting structure to ensure
This disconnect can be explained by a weak that we ‘walk the talk’ and put our plans into action in a
sustainability policy and lack of a coherent strategy for timely and transparent manner.
sustainability at the University of Sydney. In fact, the
University consistently ranks last on all sustainability The Sydney Environment Institute has been collaborating
indicators across Australia’s leading G08 Universities. with the Strategy office in a novel administrative/
There are a number of sustainability activities on academic partnership to work towards three key goals
campus that are starting to make progress, but the lack for the project:
12advise on the vision and targets, and to identify relevant
- Set ambitious sustainability targets research in these areas.
- Establish a Living Lab model to support putting
research into practice on campus and We’ve also gone out to the University community for
encourage sustainability teaching feedback and input, through a major survey conducted
- Use sustainability to change everyday life on of the community’s priorities, Idea Walls (both physical
campus and prioritise transformation and online), and a series of Table Talk events where
we brought students, academic staff and professional
This third goal has a number of flow-on impacts. First, staff into conversation to give us suggestions on what a
we can improve the sense of student belonging and sustainable campus would look like.
experience by demonstrating the University cares about
the future of its students by acting to curb climate Hundreds of ideas flowed out of these events, and while
change and address other sustainability issues. it’s too soon to say which projects will progress, there
will certainly be (and in some cases, there already are)
Visibly illustrating a sustainability transformation on projects addressing renewable energy, ethical goods
campus also has the potential to improve student and services on campus, investment and food system
experience by aligning more closely with students’ own waste (through composting food waste and eliminating
sustainability values and offering and supporting action. plastic food packaging).
Finally, these changes also offer the potential for greater
staff wellbeing through campus improvements and the
opportunity to participate in sustainability initiatives.
The way the strategy is being developed also warrants a
mention. We have attempted to ensure we incorporated
the expertise and passion that we know exists on
campus through various levels of engagement, and
that we understood what mattered to the University
community.
We engaged an Advisory committee comprised of
academics, professional staff and students early in the
year to provide advice, reflection and input into the
strategy development process. The advisory group
started with the development of a common vision,
an overarching statement to guide our work, that the Photo: Shutterstock, ID: 1428816011
University of Sydney will build and inspire communities
to create a culture of sustainability both locally and For us, the main issue in addition to leadership and
globally. governance is breaking down the divide between the
excellent research and the awful practice on campus.
In our responsibility to care for the land on which our Many of the people in our Advisory Committee, Working
campuses lie, we will enact change. By putting our Groups and in the Table Talks noted how dispirited they
research and education into practice, we will enrich and are by the contradiction between their individual values,
transform lives now and for future generations. the research on campus, and the institutional practices.
The group then developed specific guiding principles The driving force behind these initiatives is not simply
for some key areas: caring for country, resilient campus, to do the right thing, not simply striving to be a model
responsible footprint, education, and governance. for physical, social, and economic transformations of
the kind that will be absolutely required in the coming
During this process, additional working groups were also years. It’s not even getting the research elevated and
formed around a variety of categories (such as water, communicated — though of course all these factors are
energy, travel, waste, purchasing and more) to further important.
13Our core motivation is the students. And we don’t
mean just the activists or marchers, we mean students
who want their everyday actions to be in line with their
beliefs. This is generation Greta – a generation that is
tired of the kind of disconnect, or hypocrisy, between
what is stated by leaders (and research) and what is put
into practice everyday.
We know that there is much less political distance
among youth in this country on environmental values
than there is among older generations. Again, our own
political researchers on campus can tell us this.
In essence, this is about the student experience as well
as the staff’s. Over the coming years, students will see
research elevated on campus, which may motivate their
interest in sustainability.
They will be able to actively participate in research
linked to sustainability – emissions measurements,
supply chain analysis, food and nutrition on campus.
They can help with the evaluation of our targets, and
suggest new areas of practical implementation – again,
using the desire for a sense of belonging and efficacy on
campus to achieve the sustainability goals and targets.
But most importantly, students will see their values
reflected in the everyday workings of the university,
fostering a sense of place and a sense of belonging here
on campus. Sustainability is not just about doing what
is right or what is the responsible thing. It is also about
nurturing wellbeing – through food, nature, and value
aligned practices, for students and staff alike.
Learn more about the Sydney Environment Institute:
Lisa Heinze
- sydney.edu.au/environment-institute/ Dr Lisa Heinze (PhD ‘18 M.C.S
‘09) is the Project Lead for the
University of Sydney Sustainability
Strategy. Lisa is a sustainable
lifestyle advocate, researcher and
author. She completed her PhD
at the University of Sydney and
her work considers fashion as a
social practice, in particular the
entanglements between design,
retail, consumption and activism,
with an aim to re-think fashion for
an environmentally and socially just
future.
1415
The future is Asian
The Centre for International Security Studies’ annual Michael
Hintze Lecture explores the world and the future from an
Asian point-of-view.
Written by Clare Hodgson
The future is Asian. Not just Chinese, Deliberately provocative, Khanna’s believes that Asia’s strength lies in
but Iranian, Indian, Kazakh, Thai talk explored the complexity of the its history as a multipolar region.
and Indonesian. The future is half idea of ‘Asia’. For many in the West, This multipolarity is characterised
the global population linked by a Asia is simply synonymous with simultaneously by independence
complex web of diplomacy, trade, China and the notion of the ‘Asian and interdependence – by strong
finance, entrepreneurship and Century’ is taken to mean Chinese identities which inform national
infrastructure projects stretching global dominance and a new world interests, and strong links between
across a vast region, from Saudi order. By others the term ‘Asian’ is nations which reinforce trade,
Arabia to Japan, from Russia to incorrectly used as an ethnic rather investment and diplomacy.
Australia. than geographic descriptor.
So while Asian cultures will not bow
The flagship event of the Centre For example, describing the diverse down to one another, Asian nations
for International Security Studies Australian population as ethnically trade more with each other than
(CISS), the 2019 Michael Hintze Asian would be nonsensical; but with outsiders and are developing
Lecture was presented by Dr Parag viewing Australia as geographically increasingly self-sufficient networks,
Khanna on 5 November, who shared and geopolitically Asian is essential uniting a growing proportion of the
to a full house themes from his for understanding its role in global world’s population.
book The Future is Asian. This year affairs.
CISS, established in 2006 through A point of contention that Khanna
a gift from Sir Michael Hintze, was If the 20th century was defined often encounters is the idea that
fortunate to have Lady Dorothy by the bipolarity of the Cold War the rise of Asia necessarily means
Hintze at the lecture. followed by the unipolarity of the decline of the West, but he is
American global dominance, Khanna adamant that this is not a zero-
16Photo: Erik Eastman 17
Eastside Radio 89.7FM host Siobhán Moran-McFarlane in conversation with Dr Parag Khanna. Photo: Jose Torrealba
sum game. In fact he goes further, themselves, rather than stretch Listen to a podcast of the event:
dismissing the notion of a zero-sum themselves thin trying to achieve an
- http://bit.ly/2qukAzE
game altogether for its limited vision old European or American style of
of the global system, grounded in old global dominance.
US- and Euro-centric ideas about
what makes a state a superpower. So, what does this Asian future look
like? Khanna believes that it presents
Instead, Khanna proposes a opportunities for all nations to
multipolar system with new frames establish genuinely global trade,
of reference that do not limit the diplomatic, economic and human
unique status of contemporary Asia networks.
to an understanding grounded in
antiquated historical analogies, such “People may not want to hear that
as Thucydides’ Trap, in which conflict they are not the centre of the
between a rising and an established universe, but what if they could
power is inevitable. understand that the fact we have
many constellations in the sky is
Asia today has different values actually good for them?”, he argues.
systems, different aspirations,
and different geography to the According to Khanna we are
superpowers and empires of the experiencing an unprecedented
past. Being home to the majority moment in human history, that
of the world’s population and of living in a ‘totally distributed
the bulk of the global economy, multipolar world’. ‘The future is an
opportunities for Asian nations are Asia that is more than the sum of
potentially much greater if they seek its parts,’ says Khanna, ‘but it won’t
to consolidate influence amongst necessarily speak with one voice.’
1819
5 things we learned in
‘Making a Killing: The
ethics of true crime’
The University of Sydney recently hosted criminologist
Rebecca Scott Bray, philosopher Samuel Shpall, and
Walkley Award-winning journalist Gina McKeon, in
a discussion on the ethical issues of true crime as
entertainment. This is what we learned.
Written by Nena Serafimovska
Is the true crime genre ever ethical? the story need to be told and are of write to government about injustices
Yes, but it depends on who is public interest. you’d like to see investigated. There
producing the content and why. are many ways to transform your
There are important factors that It’s a fine balancing act to ensure engagement into meaningful impact
come into play when constructing a the story doesn’t tip into pure so that it’s not just entertainment.
story out of what is usually a highly entertainment.
traumatising real-life event for the Why are we so attracted to true
families and victims. And this is something that audiences crime?
are aware of – a quick Google While there’s been a lot of
Digital editor of ABC’s Blood on the search on ‘ethics of true crime’ conjecture about the psychology
Tracks series, Gina McKeon argues shows dozens of articles published behind our obsession with true
that where investigative journalism is over the last 3 years, grappling with crime, Samuel Shpall believes it
involved, important decisions need the ethical issues of our growing comes down to the following:
to be made about the research and obsession with the true crime genre.
production process, who is going to 1. We believe that by engaging with
be involved, and who is going to be The main questions seem to be: why true crime works we’re supporting
at the centre of the story. are we listening to these stories important journalist endeavours that
and what is our responsibility as an may lead to exonerations of wrongful
Given that most stories centre audience? convictions.
around people it’s usually the
victim’s families that are involved, According to Rebecca Scott Bray, 2. Understanding how and why these
so journalists need to operate with due to the participatory nature of horrific crimes happen and what
strong ethical guidelines to ensure true crime in the digital space you we should do to preserve our lives
the families are heard, while also can now sign petitions, support makes us feel safer.
making the call about what parts of crowdfunding, hit the streets, and
20Photo: Ari Spada
3. As a society, we’ve always been Beware of what isn’t shown crime podcasts or shows and the
fascinated with abnormal psychology It’s important to be conscious of types of crimes we care about
– sociopaths, psychopaths, and what you’re consuming. Nowadays quickly become apparent.
murderers, and true crime plays to anyone can start a podcast, just look
this. at iTunes’ highly rated My Favourite Serial’s Adnan Syed case has been an
Murder, or Casefile, whose host is international obsession since 2014
4. We like mysteries. A detective anonymous. and countless petitions have lobbied
story is like a philosophical problem for his retrial, but how many people
and working through that to find a Samuel Shpall and Rebecca Scott care about the unsolved murders of
resolution is extremely satisfying. Bray argue that in a lot of these Indigenous women and children?
instances we don’t know who is
Is true crime undermining the legal creating the content and what It’s important to consider the wider
justice system? they’re leaving out. Even Netflix’s social issues that don’t get the same
Some might argue that an increased popular series Making a Murderer visibility via podcasts or TV shows
focus on the criminal justice system has come under fire for omitting and to understand what this says
can create a lack of confidence key evidence and for biased about our own social biases.
in the system. Rebecca Scott reporting aimed at increasing the
Bray points out that while these show’s entertainment value. All Listen to the podcast of the event:
productions might challenge the of this detracts from the main - bit.ly/2C11x24
system they also provide an insight argument and presents a dangerous,
into the criminal justice process, unrestrained form of justice.
which helps people understand
things like coronial inquests and how What we can learn about our own
things work behind the scenes and biases
the factors that lead to convictions. Look at a list of the top-rated true
21Western Sahara -
Africa’s last colony
The struggle for independence
Written by Kamal Fadel and Wendy Lambourne
22Western Sahara has been dubbed decolonisation, and its people to a proclaimed a protectorate over it
the last colony in Africa with a right of self-determination. In 1965 in 1884, since it ‘was inhabited by
44-year story of fighting for self- the UN called on Spain to start the peoples which, if nomadic, were
determination that has some striking process of decolonisation. socially and politically organized in
similarities with the history of Timor tribes and under chiefs competent
Leste, which finally achieved its Initially Spain resisted this call, to represent them’.
independence in May 2002 after but in August 1974 the Spanish
a United Nations (UN) sponsored government informed the UN The Court’s conclusion was that the
referendum. Both countries were that it was prepared to organise a materials and information presented
invaded and occupied by more referendum on self-determination to it did not establish any tie of
powerful neighbouring countries in the territory. In order to postpone territorial sovereignty between the
following the departure of the the referendum, Morocco, with the territory of Western Sahara and
colonial powers in the 1970s. support of Mauritania, asked the UN the Kingdom of Morocco or the
General Assembly for an arbitration Mauritanian entity. Thus the ICJ did
Unlike the East Timorese, however, on the matter from the International not find legal ties of such a nature
the people of Western Sahara are Court of Justice (ICJ). as might affect the application
still waiting for the promised UN of Resolution 1514 (XV) in the
referendum when they will get Decolonization of Western Sahara
to choose whether to stay under and, in particular, of the principle of
Moroccan rule, or to become self-determination through the free
independent. and genuine expression of the will of
the peoples of the Territory.
In September this year, Tecber
Ahmed Saleh, a human rights And yet, immediately following
activist from Western Sahara, visited the publication of the ICJ opinion,
Australia to raise awareness about the King of Morocco sent his
the plight of her people. Tecber troops and 350,000 Moroccans to
visited the University of Sydney and occupy Western Sahara. And on
gave a public talk on 5 September 14 November 1975, under a covert
for the Department of Peace and treaty now known as the ‘Madrid
Conflict Studies on the human rights Accords’, the Spanish Sahara (as the
situation and decolonisation process territory of Western Sahara was then
in Western Sahara. called) was partitioned between
Morocco and Mauritania.
Tecber related how her family Demonstrations in Ausred, Western Sahara.
Photo: UN Photo/Yutaka Nagata
fled Western Sahara when it was However, as the UN Under-Secretary
invaded and occupied by Morocco On 13 December 1974, the United of Legal Affairs stated in 2002:
and Mauritania in 1975. She also Nations General Assembly requested
explained about life in the Saharawi an advisory opinion from the ICJ “The Madrid Agreement did not
refugee camps and her hope to on: (1) whether or not the Western transfer sovereignty over the
return with her family to their Sahara had been terra nullius - a territory, nor did it confer upon
homeland. But what is the story territory belonging to no one - at the any of the signatories the status
of Western Sahara and what is time of Spanish colonisation; and of an administering Power - a
preventing her return? (2) if it was not terra nullius at the status which Spain alone could not
time of Spanish colonisation, what have unilaterally transferred. The
Located on the Atlantic coast of was the legal relationship between transfer of administrative authority
northwest Africa, Western Sahara is Western Sahara and Morocco, and over the territory to Morocco and
a large territory with an abundance Western Sahara and Mauritania? Mauritania in 1975, did not affect
of natural resources. In 1963 the international status of Western
Western Sahara was included in On 15 October 1975, the ICJ decided Sahara as Non-Self-Governing
the UN list of non-self-governing unanimously that Western Sahara Territory.”
territories, entitled to a process of was not terra nullius when Spain
Harbour of El Aiun, Western Sahara. Photo:
Alexander Gerst 23Saharawi refugee camp near Tindouf, Algeria. Photo: UN Photo/Martine Perrety
The partition and occupation of Despite its various efforts and the During her visit to the University
Western Sahara provoked a long and significant costs incurred – more of Sydney, Tecber challenged her
bloody war with the Saharawi people than USD 2 billion – the UN has so audience to reflect on this situation
under the leadership of the Polisario far failed to accomplish the task and asked why the international
Front, the movement that had fought of organising a referendum on community has been unable to
for independence from Spain. Soon self-determination. Political and resolve the case of Africa’s last
Mauritania gave up its claim and economic interests in relation to colony.
withdrew from the part it occupied. Morocco have affected the potential
And more than 170,000 Saharawis for UN Security Council agreement Despite all this, Tecber lives in hope
fled their homeland to live in refugee on a way forward, especially the role for her people and their struggle
camps situated in the desert of of France in defending the Moroccan for freedom. The finalisation of
southwest Algeria, to become position. the decolonisation process for
dependent on foreign assistance for Western Sahara would not only help
their community’s survival. Western Sahara thus remains on Tecber and her fellow Saharawis
the UN list of non-self-governing to determine their own future – as
After 16 years of war, Morocco territories. No country recognises happened for the East Timorese - it
and the Polisario accepted a UN the occupation while the could also contribute significantly to
Settlement Plan based on the government of Western Sahara, the peace and stability of the volatile
organisation of a referendum. known as the Sahrawi Republic, is Maghreb region of northwest Africa.
A ceasefire was declared on 6 recognised by 80 countries and is a
September 1991 and the UN Mission member of the African Union. Learn more about Western Sahara:
for the Referendum in Western
- bit.ly/2KwIlhr
Sahara (MINURSO) was dispatched There are 140,000 Moroccan military
to the Territory to supervise and para-military personnel in
the ceasefire and organise the Western Sahara aided by one of the
referendum. But Morocco reneged world’s largest minefields alongside
on its agreement and the Settlement a massive wall that runs through
Plan was never implemented. communities and extended families.
2425
Reconstructing
Ukrainian identity
PhD candidate Anastasiya Byesyedina discusses
how Ukraine’s recent revolutions are shaping a
new generation and national identity.
26Can you tell us about your research? in recontesting, redefining and modern history is Yanukovych’s
I’m looking at how social movements reconstructing Ukrainian identity. sudden resort to violence, anti-
help construct national identity by protest laws and mass shootings - we
drawing a comparison between the Why has Ukraine had two significant witness a bottom-up upheaval.
two recent Ukrainian revolutions – revolutions in a single decade?
the 2004 Orange Revolution and the While both revolutions happened Who played a part in the revolution?
2013-14 Revolution of Dignity. largely in Kyiv’s Independence In 2013-14, I witnessed the events
Square (referred to as Maidan) they first-hand and met a variety of
It builds on the idea that revolutions differed in terms of opportunity and people. It felt like the whole of
are sites of identity construction, mobilisation. Ukraine came out on the streets of
given identity’s malleable nature, Kyiv to stand against corruption and
which makes it susceptible to change
during such turbulent times.
I think that identity can be contested
and reconstructed in a process
which is rooted in a historical
environment and which can be seen
through the inspection of collective
memory, religion and language.
What I’m doing is placing identity at
the centre of revolutionary action
and tracing its constant changes
as a way of understanding whether
Ukrainian identity becomes more
visible in the events that follow 2013-
14, rather than 2004.
Khreshchatyk Street, Kyiv during the 2013 revolution. Photo: Anastasiya Byesyedina
Why is revolution so important in the In 2004, we see a fraudulent Yanukovych’s resort to violence.
construction of Ukrainian identity? presidential election that triggers I met students, teachers,
Revolutions trigger a process of a top-down outpour, with pensioners, doctors, nurses,
identity re-construction. It is protestors divided into Orange university professors. Ukrainians
important because during the (pro-Yushchenko) and Blue (pro- from all over the country put up
phases of social revolt, we see a Yanukovych) presidential camps. tents. I was under the impression
revival of Ukrainian patriotism, as In contrast, the 2013-14 movements that the middle-class of Ukrainian
well as civic attempts that challenge experience several points society was finally revived.
the state’s use of corruption and of accumulative tension and
violence. opportunity. What does your research involve?
I’m doing a comparative case study
To put it simply, the study of On November 21st 2013 Victor analysis and I’m combining process-
revolutions in Ukraine is significant Yanukovych declined Ukraine’s tracing and discourse analysis.
because we can see identity erupt alliance with the EU – siding with a
in front of our eyes and we have pro-Russian policy – which resulted I received a research grant to travel
an exciting opportunity to trace in the Euromaidan movement, to Kyiv and do archival work, as well
its effects through things like the predominately propelled by as photographical documentation.
toppling of Soviet monuments, university students.
the Tomos decree grant, and the I got back from Kyiv in late August
narrative changes in school history What dramatically shifts the of this year with some interesting
books. This inevitably means that mobilisation from a small students’ findings on one of the three
revolutions and the contingent protest rally to one of the largest dimensions of identity: collective
events that follow are consequential social movements in Ukrainian memory.
Photo:Robert Anasch
27For example, in order to trace shifts They seem thrilled to know that understudied, and I presume due to
in collective memory, I turn to the there is someone writing about their this one-dimensional thought that
investigation of Soviet monuments. legacy. For instance, the director of post-Soviet identities have somehow
If you look at the monument of the Holodomor Genocide Museum become fixed since the collapse of
Lenin before and after the 2013- put her work aside just to help me the Soviet-Union.
14 revolution (below), this physical find the materials I needed. This
‘make-over’ suggests Ukraine’s generosity definitely makes the
dismissal of Soviet symbolism, and by challenge of gathering information
extension, identity re-construction. so much easier!
Lenin monument, before and after the 2013-2014 revolution. Photo: Anastasiya Byesyedina
However, in contrast, a contested What are you hoping to achieve? Anastasiya Byesyedina
Soviet figure, General Vatutin, is left Looking at a wide range of literature, Anastasiya Byesyedina (BA BA Hons
untouched – standing tall in an exact there is a predominantly simplistic ‘04) is a PhD candidate and tutor
location where once stood a Greek thought that national identity is in the Department of Government
Orthodox church until 1934. seamless and fixed – its either ethnic and International Relations.
or civic, or its solidified in the past,
I find these two different instances or moulded by elites – however, what She is a Student Writing Fellow
fascinating because they mirror the my research hopes to bring to light is at The Writing Hub, which helps
fluid and complex reality of identity that up-close and on the ground, the undergraduate and postgraduate
construction. construction of identity is far from students develop their arguments
static. and ideas in writing. She has
What’s been the biggest surprise recieved the Vice-Chancellor’s
about the research process? Identity is malleable, complex and Award for Excellence for her work
To my surprise I found that no messy. My study aims to capture with the Hub.
matter where I went – the library, this messy process of identity
museums, or churches – Ukrainian reconstruction by looking at the case
people have been very open and study of Ukraine, because like many
willing to help me with my research. post-Soviet states, Ukraine has been
2829
Why intercountry
adoption needs a
rethink
In a globalising world where new family structures are
emerging and evolving, a University of Sydney scholar
is calling for a reassessment of the regulations around
intercountry adoption.
Written by Jennifer Peterson-Ward
Associate Professor Sonja Van Adoption, which was established in questions of whether it serves
Wichelen, sociologist and leader of 1993 and sets out the international wealthy childless couples in
the Biohumanity FutureFix research principles that govern intercountry economically developed societies in
project in the Faculty of Arts and adoption. the Global North at the cost of birth
Social Sciences made the call in a families in developing countries in
paper published in the latest issue of “The Convention does have an the Global South.
Law and Society Review. important role to play in ensuring
the protection of the child and Associate Professor Van Wichelen’s
In the paper, Associate Professor combating illegal and unethical research also found that only a
Van Wichelen argues that the world adoptions,” Associate Professor Van certain kind of kinship knowledge
of international adoption today is Wichelen said. becomes known through current
undergoing profound changes and international laws, screening out
that legal systems and processes “However, it also operates as other kinds.
have been unable to catch up. justification within the institutional
domain, allowing adoption agencies “Essentially, the Convention has
Over a period of five years, Associate to make distinctions between what been helping to mainstream Euro-
Professor Van Wichelen conducted they perceive to be ‘legitimate’ and American adoption knowledge
fieldwork in the United States and ‘illegitimate’ adoptions and enacting and practices, sometimes to the
the Netherlands, where she visited particular norms and values that disadvantage of local adoption or
a number of adoption agencies and meet the needs of only some groups fostering practice,” she said.
conducted in-depth interviews and – particularly prospective adoptive
ethnographic research. parents in the Global North.” Moreover, “with the emergence of
new ‘post-modern’ ways of family life
One key aspect of her research was To date, many debates around that challenge the Euro-American
an examination of the impact of the international adoption have nuclear family unit – such as single
Hague Convention on Intercountry necessarily focused on postcolonial parent families, extended families,
30You can also read
