23 November 2010

Australia’s biggest-ever humanities research grant will lead to a number of new postdoctoral research fellowships and PhD “top-up” scholarships at UQ, says Professor Peter Holbrook.

The Australian Research Council’s huge Centre of Excellence in the History of Emotions will be headquartered at the University of Western Australia, and nodes are being established at the universities of Queensland, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

More than $24 million in ARC funding will flow to the centre over seven years, and collaborating institutions and industry partners will contribute more than $6 million.

As a chief investigator in the centre, UQ’s Professor Holbrook — who specialises in Shakespeare and English Renaissance literature — will direct the UQ node.

The project focuses on Medieval and Renaissance Europe, from 1100 to 1800.

“We will explore how the opposition between reason and the passions operated in European literary, philosophical, and theological discourse from the Middle Ages to the 18th century,” Professor Holbrook said.

“People tend to think particular emotional states don’t vary much across history — this new project asks whether that is true.

“Perhaps culture and history play fundamental roles in the emotions so that, for example, sadness and happiness had a different meaning and value in the past than they do today.

“The exciting thing about the Centre is that brings a range of humanities disciplines to bear on this question.”

The centre would boost Australia’s already-strong reputation in medieval and early modern studies, Professor Holbrook said.

“Humanities scholars in all fields can take encouragement from the success of our grant application,” he said.

“This project shows that what is sometimes called ‘curiosity-based’ research really can still find support, and to very significant levels.”

Professor Holbrook said anyone interested in applying for a scholarship or fellowship through the Centre’s UQ node should contact him as soon as possible (p.holbrook@uq.edu.au)

UQ academics working on the project include:

· Dr Marina Bollinger, a scholar of early modern European thought, in UQ’s Centre for the History of European Discourses · Dr Andrea Bubenik, an expert in Renaissance and Baroque art in UQ’s School of English, Media Studies and Art History (EMSAH) · Dr Lisa O’Connell, a specialist in 18th Century British literature, especially the early novel (EMSAH) · Dr Samantha Owens, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Music who works on historical performance practices of late 17th and early 18th century Europe · Dr Alison Scott (EMSAH), a specialist in early modern English literature, particularly the work of Ben Jonson

International investigators are joining the centre from Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK (London and Newcastle).

Industry partners include the National Gallery of Victoria, ABC TV and WA Opera.

Media: Fiona Cameron, UQ Communications, ph +61 7 3346 7086