Populism, nationalism, and the elite: A weekend at Cumberland Lodge

MSc student Rob Macquarie reflects on the Department of Government’s annual visit to Cumberland Lodge from the 28-30 April 2017, with the theme ‘‘The Rise of Populism? Resurgent Nationalism in an Internationalised World’

Searching for trust in the voluntary carbon markets

Voluntary carbon markets are growing rapidly but where credits or the claims made by buyers lack integrity and quality, this could undermine global climate action and development. Rob Macquarie explains how companies and policymakers who want VCMs to succeed can make them a meaningful contribution to sustainable development and a just global transition

Company disclosures and metrics as tools for just transition monitoring: investor, rightsholder and policy perspectives

This report seeks to identify how monitoring and scrutiny can be an effective tool for enhancing just transition finance. Its aim is to identify gaps and use cases for the metrics and monitoring space. The report presents the different needs for just transition metrics of investors and rightsholders – i.e. stakeholder groups impacted by company activities under transition plans in ways that affect their human rights. It explores policy options that can meet both groups’ needs while also remaining feasible and viable – including for companies, which will need to provide much of this information. The research focuses on large, listed companies and their assets while acknowledging that there are different considerations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and privately-owned entities. The report draws on engagement-led research focused on the users of company plans and data. The report concludes that while substantial progress has been made, current frameworks have not been clear enough about the form best practice should take for information to promote a just transition. Furthermore, some initiatives have been led by company and investor needs with insufficient incorporation of systemic risks and of the needs of rightsholders

Public History in Australia

This article charts the peaks and troughs of public history inside and outside academia in Australia and the promise of the establishment of a new network of public historians in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It reveals the value of Australian creative engagements with the past. It concludes by suggesting that networks and team-based work are vital for the successful practice of public history in Australasia and elsewhere

Durability properties of high volume fly ash concretes containing nano particles

This study presents the effect of nano silica (NS) and nano calcium carbonate (NC) on the compressive strength and durability properties of concretes containing high volume fly ash (HVFA). Results show that nanoparticles accelerate the hydration process and improves the microstructure of the cement and HVFA concretes for better mechanical and durability properties

AAF Shibboleth operational requirements: Implications for enterprise identity management. Workshop presentation 19 Aug 2008

Presentation at the MAPS/QUESTnet identity management workshop, Emmanuel College, The University of Queensland, 18-19 August 2008

Conceptualizing a Social Sustainability Framework for Energy Infrastructure Decisions

The concept of social sustainability is discussed in a wide range of literatures, from urban planning to international development. Authors agree a notion of social sustainability is difficult to define, comprising numerous component parts (criteria), such as community cohesion, human wellbeing, effective dialogue and the access that citizens have to those that make important decisions on their behalf. The definition and measurement of these criteria and the role of social sustainability in energy decision making is a contentious issue. We argue that a community led, asset based approach is required to achieve any sense of how social sustainability can be defined in a community setting within the context of energy developments. We propose a conceptual framework based on a process of community group prioritization and visioning. Our earlier research on public participation and the role of dialogue for nuclear energy development in the UK, US and Japan is used to demonstrate barriers to be overcome if our systemic model of social sustainability is to become a reality. We highlight the importance of fairness and justice, place based approaches and socio-energy systems, concluding that these are necessary to promote a community and institutional awareness of social sustainability for large energy developments