A Call to Arms at the End of History: A Discourse-Historical Analysis of George W. Bush's Declaration of War on Terror

In this paper we take a discourse-historical approach to illustrate the significance of George W. Bush’s (2001) declaration of a "war on terror". We present four exemplary "all to arms" speeches by Pope Urban II (1095), Queen Elizabeth I (1588), Adolf Hitler (1938) and George W. Bush (2001) to exemplify the structure, function, and historical significance of such texts in western societies over the last millennium. We identify four generic features that have endured in such texts throughout this period: (1) an appeal to a legitimate power source that is external to the orator, and which is presented as inherently good; (2) an appeal to the historical importance of the culture in which the discourse is situated; (3) the construction of a thoroughly evil Other; and, (4) an appeal for unification behind the legitimating external power source. We argue further that such texts typically appear in historical contexts characterised by deep crises in political legitimacy

Combining measures of group cohesion: A longitudinal study

Over many decades, researchers from a diverse number of disciplines have developed theoretical and methodological approaches to the systematic study of small groups, in particular the construct of group cohesion. A considerable amount of empirical and conceptual work has been published on group cohesion but controversy still remains as to its definition and measurement due to the diverse range of theoretical and methodological perspectives generated from research conducted within disciplinary silos. The research reported in this thesis adopts a multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional approach to investigate group cohesion. The integration of insights derived from three different perspectives (functional, social network and temporal) as well as multiple construct dimensions (task vs. social cohesion and individual vs. group variables) has the potential to enhance the understanding of group cohesion, more so than past investigations of the construct limited by the boundaries of particular disciplines. The longitudinal investigation increase knowledge of influential drivers of change in group cohesion but in combining traditional survey research with social network analysis, the research also enables a greater understanding of the connection between the cognitive, behavioural and structural elements of cohesiveness in small groups. The research addresses three major areas of cohesion research: • perceptions versus behaviour related to task and social cohesion; • network structure (the longitudinal evolution of network structure); and • network dynamics (mechanisms that lead to tie formation). In particular the following research questions were addressed: RQ1: To what extent do group member perceptions of task and social cohesion change over time? RQ2: To what extent do group members’ task and social networks change over time, which in turn affects task and social cohesion? RQ3: What generative mechanisms drive change in both task and social networks that reflect the field of forces affecting task and social cohesion over time? To address research question one, the first study utilised a survey design to identify and compare multi-dimensional levels of group cohesion over five points in time. The second study addressed research question two by longitudinally investigating group members’ task and social networks using various social network measures of group cohesion. To address research question three, the research used actor-orientated longitudinal network analysis to determine the generative mechanisms driving change in cohesion within both task and social networks. Two analytical programs were used for analysing change in both separate and joint networks over time. The modelling tools included endogenous and exogenous effects to identify the generative mechanisms driving change in the networks. The stochastic modelling occurs in two stages: firstly, structural modelling of both networks separately over time, and secondly, joint modelling of multivariate networks over time. Both approaches are based on exponential random graph models. The results in Study 1 determined a significant change in perceptions of group cohesion over time. The measures for individual attraction to the group due to both task and social aspects and group integration based on social attraction exhibited significant change over time while the group integration based on task attraction did not. The changes that occurred were varied in direction for each of the variables. The change in perceptions of cohesion from Study 1 was contradicted by the changes identified in cohesive network behaviour in Study 2. For example, participants indicated a decrease in perceptions of cohesion in the traditional survey method in time three, yet network data showed cohesive behaviour was at its peak, indicating a difference between how group members perceived levels of cohesion and their cohesive behaviour over time. In Study 3, social network analysis was used to examine the statistical models for both longitudinal univariate and multivariate network structures and the influence of attributes on tie formation. Separately, the social network analysis over time found the reciprocity estimate significant and positive, which indicates that people tend to interact with one another at a social level and the interaction, tends to be mutual. Similar findings were found for the task network, except the changes were less frequent. When both networks are analysed jointly, the analysis suggest that decisions by individuals to form ties in task and social networks are interconnected. This connection demonstrates the cohesive strength of the network, also known as multiplexity. In addition, attributes such as tenure, gender and position also proved to be significant influences on the separate and joint networks. The research demonstrates new contributions to theory, methods and practice not only by combining three small group research disciplines but also through longitudinal multivariate network analysis. The combination of a traditional survey approach and network analysis to measure and model multi-dimensional group cohesion over time is unique. Even though one group of 30 people was used in this analysis, the current research stands as a pilot for this type of approach. The prospect of future expansion of this work into evaluating multiple levels of cohesion with multiple types of groups is promising

Social Science Insights for the BioCCS Industry

BioCCS is a technology gaining support as a possible emissions reduction policy option to address climate change. The process entails the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide produced during energy production from biomass. Globally, the most optimistic energy efficiency scenarios cannot avoid an average temperature increase of +2 °C without bioCCS. Although very much at the commencement stage, bioCCS demonstration projects can provide opportunity to garner knowledge, achieve consensus and build support around the technology’s properties. Yet many challenges face the bioCCS industry, including no guarantee biomass will always be from sustainable sources or potentially result in carbon stock losses. The operating environment also has no or limited policies, regulations and legal frameworks, and risk and safety concerns abound. Some state the key problem for bioCCS is cultural, lacking in a ‘community of support’, awareness and credibility amongst its own key stakeholders and the wider public. Therefore, the industry can benefit from the growing social science literature, drawing upon other energy and resource based industries with regard to social choice for future energy options. To this end, the following scoping review was conducted in order to ascertain gaps in existing public perception and acceptance research focusing on bioCCS

Social Science Insights for the BioCCS Industry

BioCCS is a technology gaining support as a possible emissions reduction policy option to address climate change. The process entails the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide produced during energy production from biomass. Globally, the most optimistic energy efficiency scenarios cannot avoid an average temperature increase of +2 °C without bioCCS. Although very much at the commencement stage, bioCCS demonstration projects can provide opportunity to garner knowledge, achieve consensus and build support around the technology’s properties. Yet many challenges face the bioCCS industry, including no guarantee biomass will always be from sustainable sources or potentially result in carbon stock losses. The operating environment also has no or limited policies, regulations and legal frameworks, and risk and safety concerns abound. Some state the key problem for bioCCS is cultural, lacking in a ‘community of support’, awareness and credibility amongst its own key stakeholders and the wider public. Therefore, the industry can benefit from the growing social science literature, drawing upon other energy and resource based industries with regard to social choice for future energy options. To this end, the following scoping review was conducted in order to ascertain gaps in existing public perception and acceptance research focusing on bioCCS

Exploring the value proposition for RRI in Australia

Until recently, ‘Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)’ was very much a nascent concept in Australia. This research, examining RRI in the Australian context, created both expectations and scepticism about the value it might bring to Australia. Such responses are not surprising as many Australian research institutions are under increasing pressure from stakeholders to improve the performance, effectiveness, and accountability of their research. A series of interviews revealed that ‘research integrity’ and ‘innovation’ are considered central to Australia’s research agenda. However, while exploring the meaning of RRI, different notions of ‘responsibility’ emerged. Such differences appear to be influenced by the organisation type within the context of Australia’s innovation system and the individual's position within that organisation. With the Australian government now focusing on impact, whether RRI becomes an accepted ‘practice’ will be contingent on the value it can return. Through this lens we explore conceptualisations of RRI in the Australian context

CCS in the media: an analysis of international coverage

Internationally, the level of public awareness of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology remains low. The mainstream media have a salient influence in shaping the debate on CCS's implementation and its risks. This paper presents the results of analysis of print media coverage of CCS worldwide between August 2009 and June 2010. A total of 1138 articles from the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum were reviewed and analysed. The majority of these articles were balanced or neutral in tone and lacking in technical detail. Fifteen key themes were identified. Two of these emerged the most frequently across all sources: CCS pilot and demonstration projects, and funding issues. This suggests a pattern of media curiosity over how financial support for CCS is provided and what results are occurring at pilot and demonstration efforts. Cross-regional key risks included: Time, cost, and implementation issues; technical validity; and storage capacity issues

Informed adaptation: ethical considerations for adaptation researchers and decision-makers

Given the significant and irreversible impacts of climate change on communities and the environment, there is increasing focus on how to best support decision-makers to adapt to climate change. Generally, the research on this tends to focus on assessing how decision-makers navigate elements of risk and uncertainty in deciding to what extent they should adapt their practice if at all, however, scientific researchers also have a key role to play in supporting these adaptation decisions. Given the applied nature of adaptation research, we argue that an examination of the roles and responsibilities of researchers is critical to understanding the ethical aspects of professional research practice in the adaptation context. This includes identifying how researchers can best support adaptation, and exploring the responsibilities that researchers have, not only to decision-makers but also to the broader membership of the adaptation community. In this paper we examine the ethical responsibility of researchers in supporting decision-makers to adapt to climate change, using agricultural producers as a case-study and focal group. Specifically, in undertaking this examination of risk and responsibility in adaptation research and decision-making, we use the lens of professional ethics to outline how research might better contribute to informed adaptation. We argue that clarifying the distinction between the research and operational aspects of agricultural adaptation, and how the interface between the two is disclosed, is critical. We also describe and explore the ethical considerations of researchers associated with stakeholder engagement in relation to adaptation science, and identify the need for institutional innovation for more effective engagement. In doing so, we seek to demonstrate how ethical research practice can support greater alignment of science and public values in agricultural adaptation, thus increasing the likely success of decisions.This research was funded by CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship

Social licence to operate: understanding how a concept has been translated into practice in energy industries

The emergence of the ‘social licence to operate’ concept reflects increasing awareness by industries of the need to negotiate with communities and other stakeholders regarding the costs and benefits associated with industrial development. It has been assumed that all industries understand and apply the social licence to operate concept in a similar way, as previous research has tended to adopt a single-industry focus. This article is one of the first known cross-industry examinations of social licence to operate, comparing the use of this concept in four Australian energy industry contexts: mining, wind, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and geothermal. Semi-structured interviews with industry representatives were conducted to provide a comparison of views on the understanding and application of social licence to operate in these industries. The findings identified shared expectations of increasing stakeholder engagement in energy project development, and a view that a social licence to operate could guide this engagement. Yet the duration of use, the maturity of the industry, and the ways in which the industries related to the concept influenced the understanding and application of this concept. This research provides evidence of how the meaning and application of social licence to operate does vary between industries. Further exploration of community and government perspectives on social licence to operate is recommended in order to broaden the findings of this research. Such research will provide an emerging platform for encouraging discerning use of the concept by industries, and also practitioners who may be engaged across multiple industries

Geothermal technology in Australia: Investigating social acceptance

Issues of social acceptance, such as lack of awareness and negative community perceptions and reactions, can affect low emission energy technology development, despite general support observed for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. Negative community reactions and lack of understanding have affected geothermal developments, as demonstrated by the fearful community reactions and negative media experienced in response to seismic disturbances caused by "hot rock" geothermal energy generation in Switzerland and Germany. Focusing on geothermal energy, this paper presents the results of using a participatory action research methodology to engage diverse groups within the Australian public. A key finding is that the majority of the Australian public report limited the knowledge or understanding of geothermal technology and have various concerns including water usage and seismic activity instigated by geothermal drilling. However, geothermal energy receives general support due to a common trend to champion renewable energy sources in preference to traditional forms of energy generation and controversial technologies. This paper also demonstrates the effectiveness of using an engagement process to explore public understanding of energy technologies in the context of climate change, and suggests a way forward for governments and industry to allocate resources for greatest impact when communicating about geothermal technology.Societal acceptance Participatory action research Geothermal technology

"Climate change is the least of my worries":Stress limitations on adaptive capacity

The wine industry in southern Australia faces potential threats from climate change. This article examines how grape growers in this region perceive and prioritize climate change adaptation as an issue for their industry. Analysis of a survey of 50 growers reveals themes contributing to stress and worry overshadow planning for climate change. Growers are constrained by current economic, social and environmental stresses, not climate change. We relate these findings and the literature on stress to the adaptive capacity and general wellbeing of individual farmers. Projected future climate change means stress in the farming community is likely to worsen and practitioners working with farmers need to recognize the complex causes of stress, in addition to the practical need to facilitate climate change adaptation. A useful approach is to understand both the types and causes of stress, and the way individuals cope