Department of Social and Philosophical Inquiry

Our research explores the experiences and issues associated with particular events and points in history and how these have influenced society and culture today. Our current research includes:

• Alcohol, gender and violence: Though men are understood to be central to the problem of violence in Australia’s night time economy (they compose the majority of perpetrators and victims of night-time assault), alcohol supply and intoxication are routinely identified in public health, regulatory and legislative measures as the nominal sources of, and practical solutions to, violence. In addition to displacing or ignoring the role of men and masculinities, this project argues that these research and policy responses reify female vulnerability; reproduce familiar associations between masculinity, independence and reason; and stabilise the pharmacological effects of alcohol while rendering the question of change for men unthinkable. Lead researcher: Dr Duane Duncan, Sociology.

• Muscling up: This projects explores the changing meanings of men’s body modification practices, particularly those related to self-improvement, health and sexual life, and their implications for the gender order more broadly. In particular, the project seeks insight into men's negotiation of shifts in acceptable masculine behaviours in relation to the increased visibility of male sexuality in Australian society. Lead researcher: Dr Duane Duncan, Sociology.

Our researchers explore the underlying causes of tension and conflict around the world and seek to work with governments and communities on long-term solutions for peaceful and resilient communities. Our research includes:

• Youth and environmental activism in Myanmar - a long-term project assisting farmers in Myanmar to manage localised environmental degradation and food security issues, while developing educational opportunities and leadership skills for local youth. This project is co-managed by Dr Johanna Garnett and the Network for Environment and Economic Development (NEED).

Partnering with the NSW Police

Through our close collaboration with NSW Police, we are able to ensure our research, data and initiatives in criminology directly contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.

Through research and data collection on issues such as stock theft, illegal hunting, drug and alcohol use and others, we provide the insights into crime issues and perceptions that can help understand and deter criminal activity, better protect individuals and property, or lead to the development of new solutions and initiatives.

This partnership has led to some unique developments, and also enables our students to graduate with real-world experience through their contribution to our projects and initiatives.

Interpol: Systematic review on forensic imaging

Every three years, the forensic managers committee of Interpol invite Internationally recognised forensic experts to report on new innovations within 16 different forensic categories. Presentations are made to managers of forensic laboratories across more than 160 members of the Interpol community. Associate Professor Glenn Porter from UNE has been invited to report to the forensic laboratory managers on innovations involving forensic imaging. The project involves a systematic review of imaging publications between 2019 and 2022. Associate Professor Porter will be presenting his report at the Interpol Headquarters in Lyon, France in 2022.

Project lead: Associate Professor Glenn Porter, VEIL (Visual Evidence & Imaging Laboratory)
Project partner: INTERPOL (International Forensic Science Managers Committee).

AFP forensic face identification training

Associate Professor Glenn Porter is engaged with the Australian Federal Police, Face Identification Team with ongoing training on understanding the complexities of image artefacts and quality within face identification. Training is conducted at the recently purpose-built Forensic Facility in Canberra.

More about the forensic face identification training

Project lead: Associate Professor Glenn Porter, VEIL (Visual Evidence & Imaging Laboratory)
Project partner: Australian Federal Police

Clinical forensic medicine evidence methodologies

This project embarks on improving current forensic evidence capture methods within clinical forensic medical environments. The work especially focuses on forensic evidence within sexual assault and violence against women cases.

Chief Investigator: Associate Professor Glenn Porter, VEIL (Visual Evidence & Imaging Laboratory).

Project Partner: Western Sydney Local Health, Forensic Medical Unit.

Animal smart tags to prevent stock theft

We've been working on an innovative project to create new smart animal ear tags for farmers to use on their stock that moves beyond a basic identity purpose to being able to detect agitation and track stock movement using GPS data. This new technology will be able to help interrupt criminal activity, such as stock theft, and enable stolen stock to be returned to their owner. This is a new initiative to help prevent one of Australia's costliest farm crime problems.

Project lead: Dr Kyle Mulrooney, Co-director, UNE Centre for Rural Criminology

COVID-19 and its impact on alcohol and other drugs services

Our research is helping provide insight into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand and delivery of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment services in Australia. 

The project looks at the impact of the pandemic on factors such as the number of people seeking treatment, changes to service delivery modalities, workforce training and the financial impacts for the AOD sector. The researchers will also specifically examine the unique barriers and challenges for regional, rural and remote services.

The research will consider the implications of these impacts for the non-government organisation AOD treatment sector in NSW and other jurisdictions moving forward, as well as on service delivery modes, treatment funders, and treatment recipients.

Researchers: This project is being conducted by the Drug Policy Modelling Program led by Professor Alison Ritter (UNSW) and Dr Katinka van de Ven (UNE), commissioned by the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA).

Spectral sensitive of night-vision CCTV on face identification

This project involves the empirical testing and analysis of CCTV night vision (infrared) cameras to understand how this recording range affects the appearance of facial identification features and the recording of tattoos (face and body). This research will aid in the understanding of how technology integrates with new and emerging fields of forensic identification within law enforcement agencies, forensic services and intelligence support.

Project lead: Associate Professor Glenn Porter, VEIL (Visual Evidence & Imaging Laboratory)
Project partner: NSW Police Force, State Intelligence Command