People, place and power

Abstract

Recognising that there are times of radical breakthrough and change within all societies, this book uses the concepts of people, place and power to probe the depths of such transformation. The chapters in the book argue that it is no longer sufficient to study factors associated with the success or failure of transformation, reform, innovation or policy. It is no longer acceptable to separate planned change from seemingly spontaneous transformations. It is only by raising our consciousness and seeking insights into the totality of the change process that we can begin to understand and contextualise change (Fullan, 1998).Starting with an introduction to the research themes and foci of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Australia, Asia and Pacific (CASAAP) at Curtin University of Technology, this first chapter provides the context for the book and discusses the place of academic research, dialogue and theory building relating to Australia, Asia and the Pacific. We then introduce the chapters, which represent the interdisciplinary work of Centre members and associates within the key research themes of cultural identities, regional transformations, and international and inter-regional relations. Our chapter concludes with a discussion of the role of the CASAAP group in facilitating and encouraging interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and collaborative research within the evolving Australian research paradigm.