Thesis
A qualitative inquiry into the evolving professionalisation of the Australian Humanitarian Sector
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.236
Metrics
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Abstract
The business of humanitarian response is infinitely complex, with deliberate attacks against humanitarian workers in conflict, disasters, and other complex emergencies. (1) Most reported attacks are orchestrated by non-state armed groups seeking to dominate populations and territories and delegitimise the government in power. (2) As a result, the humanitarian sector is increasingly accepting the need to professionalise. Theoretical analysis and policy guidelines concerning Australian humanitarian professionalisation is, however, limited. Hence, the significant contribution that this research brings to a qualitative inquiry of the evolving professionalisation of the Australian humanitarian sector. Underpinning this inquiry is a thematic analysis of empirical data generated by semi-structured interviews. The insights of 26 key informants support a constructivist epistemological methodology, whereby the co-construction of the researcher’s interpretation of the meanings they attribute to their experiences and knowledge, advance understandings of issues around humanitarian professionalisation. An overarching research question and five corollary questions arise from an extensive review of the literature: <em>Does the Australian humanitarian sector need a minor reform or a major shift to its present humanitarian architecture?</em> In response, this study concludes that the Australian humanitarian sector is a unique environment where ideas of professionalisation could arguably be more easily implemented given its relatively small architecture, robust governmental and legal frameworks, organisational networks and social capital that is increasingly invoked within humanitarian discourse, particularly in community resilience and recovery. The Australian humanitarian sector may not yet have decided on a blueprint for professionalisation, however, it could lead the international humanitarian sector in exploring professionalisation since the sector is well on the way to becoming a fully-fledged profession.
(1) Kristian Hoelscher, Miklian Jason and Nygård Mokleiv Håvard, 'Understanding Attacks on Humanitarian Aid Workers.' (2015) Peace Research Institute.
(2) Aid Worker Security Database, 'Highest Incident Contexts (2007-2017)', Humanitarian Outcomes (Research, 2020) <https://www.humanitarianoutcomes.org/>.
Details
- Title
- A qualitative inquiry into the evolving professionalisation of the Australian Humanitarian Sector
- Creators
- Kay F Danes
- Contributors
- William MacNeil (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityAlessandro Pelizzon (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- 320
- Identifiers
- 991013074813502368
- Copyright
- © KF Danes 2020
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Business, Law and Arts; School of Law and Justice
- Resource Type
- Thesis