Making sure Australia can build socially vibrant communities will be part of the work of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions.
The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said that in 2007, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that almost half of Australians aged 16 to 85 years had suffered a mental disorder at some point in their life.
“That is why it is critical that we fund research into the way we deal with everyday problems,” Senator Kim Carr said.
“More than $24 million has been awarded to the Centre to help further our understanding and improve emotional and mental health among all Australians.
“Under the leadership of Professor Philippa Maddern, the research conducted at this centre will focus on what shapes us mentally, physically and socially.
“Through collaborations with Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, Australia’s international reputation for excellence in research in this field will be enhanced.”
The centre will focus on interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences, an important part of Australia’s push to ensure that we have the skills not just in the traditional sciences, but in the humanities as well.
The University of Western Australia is receiving $24.25 million over seven years for the Centre.
ARC Centres of Excellence are typically funded over a period of up to seven years, allowing them the flexibility to undertake comprehensive research programs that tackle Australia’s big challenges, as well as short-term projects that answer emerging issues or questions.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions is part of a cohort of 13 new ARC Centres of Excellence that will receive funding from 2011. For more information on the Centres, visit www.arc.gov.au.
For more information on the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio, visit www.innovation.gov.au.
Media contacts: Sheena Ireland, Minister's Office, 0427 092 100
Dinah Bryant, ARC, 0412 623 056