ANU Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/1885/26

The Australian National University's Research Publications collection is an online location for collecting, preserving and disseminating the scholarly output of the University. This service allows members of the University to share their research with the wider community. ANU Open Research accepts journal articles, conference papers, book chapters, working or technical papers and other forms of scholarly communication.

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The Unexamined Gift: Australia’s Aid Relationship with Indonesia
(Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018-01-01) Davies, Robin
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Le son empathique au cinéma: le paysage sonore sourd de Sound of Metal
(2026-07-28) King, Gemma
This article proposes the concept of "empathic sound" as a subcategory of point-of-audition sound, whereby diegetic sound is manipulated (ex. muffled, distorted, cut out entirely) to emulate a character's experience of hearing loss. It explores the didactic and "empathic" potential of this approach to sound design, read through the Deaf Crit framework of Deaf Gain. However, it also calls into question the audiocentric practice of recentring sound in narratives of deafness, through analysis of the 2019 film Sound of Metal.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Life in the Tall Eucalypt Forests (2nd ed.)
(New Holland Publishers, 2006) Lindenmayer, David; Beaton, Esther
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring Web-Based Information and Resources That Support Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer to Resume Study and Work: Environmental Scan Study
(2024) Schilstra, Clarissa E.; Ellis, Sarah J.; Cohen, Jennifer; Gall, Alana; Diaz, Abbey; Clarke, Kristina; Dumlao, Gadiel; Chard, Jennifer; Cumming, Therese M.; Davis, Esther; Dhillon, Haryana; Burns, Mary Anne; Docking, Kimberley; Koh, Eng Siew; O'Reilly, Josephine; Sansom-Daly, Ursula M.; Shaw, Joanne; Speers, Nicole; Taylor, Natalie; Warne, Anthea; Fardell, Joanna E.
Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer experience physical, cognitive, and psychosocial effects from cancer treatment that can negatively affect their ability to remain engaged in education or work through cancer treatment and in the long term. Disengagement from education or work can have lasting implications for AYAs' financial independence, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. Australian AYAs with cancer lack access to adequate specialist support for their education and work needs and report a preference for web-based support that they can access from anywhere, in their own time. However, it remains unclear what web-based resources exist that are tailored to support AYAs with cancer in reaching their educational or work goals. Objective: This study aimed to determine what web-based resources exist for Australian AYAs with cancer to (1) support return to education or work and (2) identify the degree to which existing resources are age-specific, cancer-specific, culturally inclusive, and evidence-based; are co-designed with AYAs; use age-appropriate language; and are easy to find. Methods: We conducted an environmental scan by searching Google with English search terms in August 2022 to identify information resources about employment and education for AYAs ever diagnosed with cancer. Data extraction was conducted in Microsoft Excel, and the following were assessed: understandability and actionability (using the Patient Education and Materials Tool), readability (using the Sydney Health Literacy Laboratory Health Literacy Editor), and whether the resource was easy to locate, evidence-based, co-designed with AYAs, and culturally inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The latter was assessed using 7 criteria previously developed by members of the research team. Results: We identified 24 web-based resources, comprising 22 written text resources and 12 video resources. Most resources (21/24, 88%) were published by nongovernmental organizations in Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. A total of 7 resources focused on education, 8 focused on work, and 9 focused on both education and work. The evaluation of resources demonstrated poor understandability and actionability. Resources were rarely evidence-based or co-designed by AYAs, difficult to locate on the internet, and largely not inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Conclusions: Although web-based resources for AYAs with cancer are often available through the websites of hospitals or nongovernmental organizations, this environmental scan suggests they would benefit from more evidence-based and actionable resources that are available in multiple formats (eg, text and audio-visual) and tailored to be age-appropriate and culturally inclusive.
Access status: Open Access ,
Exploring traditional and complementary medicine use by Indigenous Australian women undergoing gynaecological cancer investigations
(2019) Gall, A.; Anderson, K.; Diaz, A.; Matthews, V.; Adams, J.; Taylor, T.; Garvey, G.
Background: Indigenous Australian women experience worse gynaecological cancer outcomes than non-Indigenous women. While traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is increasingly used by cancer patients alongside conventional treatments, little is known about T&CM use by Indigenous women. This study aimed to explore the beliefs, attitudes and experiences related to T&CM use and disclosure among Indigenous women undergoing gynaecological cancer investigations. Methods: A mixed-methods design explored T&CM use among Indigenous women who presented for gynaecological cancer investigation at an urban Queensland hospital (September 2016 and January 2018). Results: Fourteen women participated. The reported use (86%) and perceived value of T&CM was high among the participants, however, women reported major challenges in communicating with healthcare providers about T&CM, commonly associated with trust and rapport. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for strategies to facilitate culturally-appropriate doctor-patient communication around T&CM to foster trust and transparency in gynaecological cancer care for Indigenous women.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Quantifying the hospital and emergency department costs for women diagnosed with breast cancer in Queensland
(2022) Lindsay, Daniel; Bates, Nicole; Diaz, Abbey; Watt, Kerrianne; Callander, Emily
Purpose: With increasing rates of cancer survival due to advances in screening and treatment options, the costs of breast cancer diagnoses are attracting interest. However, limited research has explored the costs to the Australian healthcare system associated with breast cancer. We aimed to describe the cost to hospital funders for hospital episodes and emergency department (ED) presentations for Queensland women with breast cancer, and whether costs varied by demographic characteristics. Methods: We used a linked administrative dataset, CancerCostMod, limited to all breast cancer diagnoses aged 18 years or over in Queensland between July 2011 and June 2015 (n = 13,285). Each record was linked to Queensland Health Admitted Patient Data Collection and Emergency Department Information Systems records between July 2011 and June 2018. The cost of hospital episodes and ED presentations were determined, with mean costs per patient modelled using generalised linear models with a gamma distribution and log link function. Results: The total cost to the Queensland healthcare system from hospital episodes for female breast cancer was AUD$309 million and AUD$12.6 million for ED presentations during the first 3 years following diagnosis. High levels of costs and service use were identified in the first 6 months following diagnosis. Some significant differences in cost of hospital and ED episodes were identified based on demographic characteristics, with Indigenous women and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds having higher costs. Conclusion: Hospitalisation costs for breast cancer in Queensland exert a high burden on the healthcare system. Costs are higher for women during the first 6 months from diagnosis and for Indigenous women, as well as those with underlying comorbidities and lower socioeconomic position.
Access status: Metadata only ,
The Suitability and Acceptability of the Think-Aloud Method to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adults
(2023-01-01) Gall, Alana; Howard, Kirsten; Anderson, Kate; Diaz, Abbey; Garvey, Gail
Background: There is a long history of research being conducted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that has offered questionable benefit but occasioned great distress and distrust. Using research methods that are suitable and acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is a critically important step towards restoring trust and improving the accessibility and relevancy of research that better addresses the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The current research aims to qualitatively evaluate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perceptions of the suitability and acceptability of engaging in a think-aloud interview embedded in an individual yarn; a think-aloud yarn. Methods: We employed the think-aloud method as part of the larger What Matters 2Adults study. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants were engaged in a think-aloud yarn, then immediately following, a follow-up yarn to explore the acceptability of the think-aloud method. The follow-up yarns were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed utilising reflexive thematic analysis with an Indigenous epistemological lens. Results: A total of 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults participated in our study. Participants reported that taking part in the think-aloud yarn was acceptable, not difficult and was less onerous than writing down their thoughts. Engaging participants in a social yarn before the think-aloud research yarn ensured they were comfortable verbalising and assured them that the process was confidential. Thinking out loud gave participants the opportunity to reflect and to think critically about their responses. Some found that by thinking out loud they were able to better understand the statements in their own mind and felt they were therefore able to provide a more authentic response. Because of these benefits, participants conveyed that the think-aloud yarn is a vitally important component in testing items and developing measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Conclusions: Overall, our study found that the think-aloud yarn is acceptable to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and therefore a suitable method for use in studies that involve them.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Accessibility of cancer treatment services for Indigenous Australians in the Northern Territory: perspectives of patients and care providers
(2021) Anderson, Kate; Diaz, Abbey; Parikh, Darshit Rajeshkumar; Garvey, Gail
Background: Poorer cancer outcomes of Indigenous Australians in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts are partially due to diminished access to cancer treatment services (CTS). Accessibility of health care is a multidimensional construct, including physical, logistical, psychosocial and cultural dimensions. While previous research has identified specific areas of reduced access to CTS for Indigenous Australians, the higher burden of cancer borne by Indigenous Australians warrants a more comprehensive understanding of access to CTS in the NT. The purpose of this study was to explore and map the accessibility of CTS for Indigenous Australians in the NT and to identify key access barriers. Methods: This predominantly qualitative study, complemented by a descriptive quantitative component, explored and mapped the accessibility of one CTS (CTS-NT) that services a large number of Indigenous Australians in the NT. Patient perspectives were obtained via secondary analysis of data from 75 face-to-face interviews with Indigenous Australian adults attending the CTS-NT. Care provider perspectives were obtained via primary analysis of data from 29 face-to-face interviews with care providers and staff working at CTS-NT. Data were analysed to identify issues of accessibility informed by Leveque and colleagues’ conceptual framework of access to health care, which comprises five dimensions of accessibility of the health service and the ability of Indigenous patients to interact with these dimensions to generate access. Applied thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data and descriptive analysis was conducted on the quantitative data. Results: The analysis of the patient and care provider reports identified multiple access barriers across all dimensions including: inadequate preparation of Indigenous patients for treatment; delayed and complicated commencement of treatment; dislocation from home; competing priorities; scarcity of Indigenous care providers and staff; lack of culturally-relevant care; challenges associated with language, accommodation, transport and finance; and disjointed and fraught relationships with care providers. These barriers posed significant challenges to Indigenous patients maintaining their engagement with treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a valuable snapshot of the barriers facing this population across the dimensions of health care access. Urgent action in addressing these issues is required at individual, service and state levels.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Can evidence drive health equity in the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond?
(2024) Bell, Katy; White, Sam; Diaz, Abbey; Bahria, Priya; Sima, Fiona; Al-Delaimy, Wael K.; dosReis, Susan; Hassan, Omar; Drabarek, Dorothy; Nisha, Monjura; Baptiste-Roberts, Kesha; Gwiazdon, Katy; Raynes-Greenow, Camille; Taylor Wilson, Robin; Gaudino, James A.; da Silveira Moreira, Rafael; Jennings, Bruce; Gulliver, Pauline
Using scoping review methods, we systematically searched multiple online databases for publications in the first year of the pandemic that proposed pragmatic population or health system-level solutions to health inequities. We found 77 publications with proposed solutions to pandemic-related health inequities. Most were commentaries, letters, or editorials from the USA, offering untested solutions, and no robust evidence on effectiveness. Some of the proposed solutions could unintentionally exacerbate health inequities. We call on health policymakers to co-create, co-design, and co-produce equity-focussed, evidence-based interventions with communities, focussing on those most at risk to protect the population as a whole. Epidemiologists collaborating with people from other relevant disciplines may provide methodological expertise for these processes. As epidemiologists, we must interrogate our own methods to avoid propagating any unscientific biases we may hold. Epidemiology must be used to address, and never exacerbate, health inequities—in the pandemic and beyond.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Unmet supportive care needs among Indigenous cancer patients across Australia
(2019) Bernardes, Christina M.; Diaz, Abbey; Valery, Patricia C.; Sabesan, Sabe; Baxi, Siddhartha; Aoun, Samar; Thompson, Sandra C.; Lashbrook, Mari; Garvey, Gail
Introduction: Indigenous Australians with cancer tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive and advanced-stage disease, receive less treatment, have poorer survival and lower quality of life than other Australians. Reducing these inequalities requires an understanding of the supportive care needs of this cancer group. This study aims to describe the type and extent of unmet supportive care needs of Indigenous Australian cancer patients. Method: A multicentre, cross-sectional study recruited 145 Indigenous adults diagnosed with cancer in the previous 5 years in four Australian states and territories. Using a culturally specific tool, unmet needs were assessed in four domains: 'physical and psychological', 'hospital care', 'information and communication' and 'practical and cultural'. Moderate to high unmet need is that which requires some or a lot more help to be addressed. Results: Two-thirds (65%) of patients reported at least one moderate to high unmet need and 20% of patients had moderate to high unmet needs with five or more items. Overall, patients most commonly reported moderate to high unmet needs in the physical/psychological (46%) and practical/cultural domains (34%), than the information/communication (23%) and hospital care domains (16%). More specifically, 'money worries' was the most frequently reported moderate to high unmet need (20%). Conclusion: Most Indigenous Australians living with cancer experience unmet supportive care needs. Physical/psychological and practical/cultural concerns were identified as priority areas for Indigenous cancer patients. These findings may inform priority areas for intervention towards optimal care pathways for Indigenous Australians diagnosed and living with cancer.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Utilisation of endocrine therapy for cancer in Indigenous peoples: a systematic review and meta-analysis
(2024) Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie; Belachew, Sewunet Admasu; Jahan, Shafkat; Diaz, Abbey; Baxi, Siddhartha; Griffiths, Kalinda; Garvey, Gail
Background: Indigenous peoples worldwide experience inequitable cancer outcomes, and it is unclear if this is underpinned by differences in or inadequate use of endocrine treatment (ET), often used in conjunction with other cancer treatments. Previous studies examining ET use in Indigenous peoples have predominately focused on the sub-national level, often resulting in small sample sizes with limited statistical power. This systematic review aimed to collate the findings ofarticles on ET utilisation for Indigenous cancer patients and describe relevant factors that may influence ET use. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting ET use for cancer among Indigenous populations worldwide. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for relevant articles. A random-effect meta-analysis was used to pool proportions of ET use. We also performed a subgroup analysis (such as with sample sizes) and a meta-regression to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. A socio-ecological model was used to present relevant factors that could impact ET use. Results: Thirteen articles reported ET utilisation among Indigenous populations, yielding a pooled estimate of 67% (95% CI:54 − 80), which is comparable to that of Indigenous populations 67% (95% CI: 53 − 81). However, among studies with sufficiently sized study sample/cohorts (≥ 500), Indigenous populations had a 14% (62%; 95% CI:43 − 82) lower ET utilisation than non-Indigenous populations (76%; 95% CI: 60 − 92). The ET rate in Indigenous peoples of the USA (e.g., American Indian) and New Zealand (e.g., Māori) was 72% (95% CI:56–88) and 60% (95% CI:49–71), respectively. Compared to non-Indigenous populations, a higher proportion of Indigenous populations were diagnosed with advanced cancer, at younger age, had limited access to health services, lower socio-economic status, and a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Conclusions: Indigenous cancer patients have lower ET utilisation than non-Indigenous cancer patients, despite the higher rate of advanced cancer at diagnosis. While reasons for these disparities are unclear, they are likely reflecting, at least to some degree, inequitable access to cancer treatment services. Strengthening the provision of and access to culturally appropriate cancer care and treatment services may enhance ET utilisation in Indigenous population. This study protocol was registered on Prospero (CRD42023403562).
Access status: Open Access ,
Evaluation of online text-based information resources of gynaecological cancer symptoms
(2024) DiSipio, Tracey; Scholte, Cate; Diaz, Abbey
Background: Gynaecological cancer symptoms are often vague and non-specific. Quality health information is central to timely cancer diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the quality of online text-based patient information resources regarding gynaecological cancer symptoms. Methods: A targeted website search and Google search were conducted to identify health information resources published by the Australian government and non-government health organisations. Resources were classified by topic (gynaecological health, gynaecological cancers, cancer, general health); assessed for reading level (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, SMOG) and difficulty (Flesch Reading Ease, FRE); understandability and actionability (Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, PEMAT, 0–100), whereby higher scores indicate better understandability/actionability. Seven criteria were used to assess cultural inclusivity specific for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; resources which met 3–5 items were deemed to be moderately inclusive and 6+ items as inclusive. Results: A total of 109 resources were identified and 76% provided information on symptoms in the context of gynaecological cancers. The average readability was equivalent to a grade 10 reading level on the SMOG and classified as ‘difficult to read’ on the FRE. The mean PEMAT scores were 95% (range 58–100) for understandability and 13% (range 0–80) for actionability. Five resources were evaluated as being moderately culturally inclusive. No resource met all the benchmarks. Conclusions: This study highlights the inadequate quality of online resources available on pre-diagnosis gynaecological cancer symptom information. Resources should be revised in line with the recommended standards for readability, understandability and actionability and to meet the needs of a culturally diverse population.
Access status: Metadata only ,
Association between comorbidity and participation in breast and cervical cancer screening: A systematic review and meta-analysis
(2017-04-01) Diaz, Abbey; Kang, Jimin; Moore, Suzanne P.; Baade, Peter; Langbecker, Danette; Condon, John R.; Valery, Patricia C.
Background Comorbidity is associated with poor outcomes for cancer patients but it is less clear how it influences cancer prevention and early detection. This review synthesizes evidence from studies that have quantified the association between comorbidity and participation in breast and cervical screening. Methods PubMed, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were systematically searched using key terms related to cancer screening and comorbidity for original research articles published between 1 January 1991 and 21 March 2016. Two reviewers independently screened 1283 studies that met eligibility criteria related to Population (adult, non-cancer populations), Exposure (comorbidity), Comparison (a ‘no comorbidity’ group), and Outcome (participation in breast cancer or cervical screening). Data was extracted and risk of bias assessed using a standardised tool from the 22 studies identified for inclusion (17 breast; 13 cervical). Meta-analyses were performed for participation in breast and cervical screening, stratified by important study characteristics. Results The majority of studies were conducted in the United States. Results of individual studies were variable. Most had medium to high risk of bias. Based on the three “low risk of bias” studies, mammography screening was less common among those with comorbidity (pooled Odds Ratio 0.66, 95%CI 0.44–0.88). The one “low risk of bias” study of cervical screening reported a negative association between comorbidity and participation. Conclusion While a definitive conclusion could not be drawn, the results from high quality studies suggest that women with comorbidity are less likely to participate in breast, and possibly cervical, cancer screening.
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Electoral Competition and Election Pledges in Ukraine
(Routledge, 2026) Chaisty, Paul; Chernykh, Svitlana
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Information, Technology and Control in a Changing World: Understanding Power Structures in the 21st Century
(Palgrave Macmillan, 2026) Haggart, Blayne; Tusikov, Natasha; Henne, Kate
This book explores the interconnected ways in which the control of knowledge has become central to the exercise of political, economic, and social power. Building on the work of International Political Economy scholar Susan Strange, this multidisciplinary volume features experts from political science, anthropology, law, criminology, women’s and gender studies, and Science and Technology Studies, who consider how the control of knowledge is shaping our everyday lives. From “weaponised copyright” as a censorship tool, to the battle over control of the internet’s “guts,” to the effects of state surveillance at the Mexico–U.S. border, this book offers a coherent way to understand the nature of power in the twenty-first century.
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Gallipoli has 4 lessons for the Strait of Hormuz crisis
(2026-04-17) McCrae, Meighen
Access status: Metadata only ,
Timescales of Transnational Social Reproduction
(2026) Withers, Matt; Liu, Jessie
Social reproduction encompasses multiple time-bound processes: from the everyday political economy of caring, to cumulative investments in embodied individuals across their life course, and the longue durèé of social and ecological transformation. A growing literature on transnational social reproduction has emphasized the spatial reorganization of these processes during migration, with less attention paid to the temporal dimension. Drawing on extensive interviews with households participating in the Pacific Australia labor Mobility scheme, this article interrogates the discordant timescales of socially reproductive aspirations and outcomes implicit in guestworker migration. A common theme is the trade-off between present realities and future aspirations: the acceptance of depleted socially reproductive capacities, often narrated as “sacrifice,” to achieve longer-term goals that hinge on housing and education. Findings suggest the transient benefits of remittances obfuscate the cumulative undermining of longer-term socially reproductive processes essential to life-making among communities on the periphery of capitalist social relations.
Access status: Open Access ,
Computer Says, "War": AI and Resort-to-Force Decision Making in a Context of Rapid Change and Global Uncertainty
(2025) Erskine, Toni; Miller, Steven
This article prefaces our Special Issue on “AI and the Decision to Go to War.” We begin by introducing the prospect of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled systems increasingly infiltrating state-level decision making on the resort to force, clarifying that our focus is on existing technologies, and outlining the two general ways that this can conceivably occur: through automated self-defense and AI-enabled decision-support systems. We then highlight recent, on-going developments that create a backdrop of rapid change and global uncertainty against which AI-enabled systems will inform such deliberations: (i) the widespread tendency to misperceive the latest AI-enabled technologies as increasingly “human”; (ii) the changing role of “Big Tech” in the global competition over military applications of AI; (iii) a conspicuous blind spot in current discussions surrounding international regulation; and (iv) the emerging reality of an AI-nuclear weapons nexus. We suggest that each factor will affect the trajectory of AI-informed war initiation and must be addressed as scholars and policymakers determine how best to prepare for, direct, and respond to this anticipated change. Finally, turning to the pressing legal, ethical, sociotechnical, political, and geopolitical challenges that will accompany this transformation, we revisit four “complications” that have framed the broader project from which this Special Issue has emerged. Within this framework, we preview the other 13 multidisciplinary research articles that make up this collection. Together, these articles explore the risks and opportunities that will follow AI into the war-room.
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Incremental Forming Simulation of Dimples for Solar Mirror Supports using Isogeometric Analysis
(2023-10-18) Evans, W; Pottas, Johannes; Leidinger, L; Nair, Amit; Knieps, F; Liebscher, Benjamin; Holmes, John; Coventry, Joe
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Impact of heat transfer fluid on thermal characteristics of packed bed thermal energy storage (vol 278, 127239, 2025)
(2026) Birhanu, Birlie; Mozafari, Ryan; Coventry, Joe; Rosengarten, Gary; Mojiri, Ahmad

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