Evonne Miller | Queensland University of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Evonne Miller

Proceedings for the CIE Conference Lighting Quality and Energy Efficiency, 2010

Light Transport Systems (LTS)(eg lightpipes, fibre optics) can illuminate core areas within build... more Light Transport Systems (LTS)(eg lightpipes, fibre optics) can illuminate core areas within buildings with great potential for energy savings. However, they do not provide a clear connection to the outside like windows do, and their effects on people's physiological and psychological health are not well understood. Furthermore, how people perceive LTS affects users' acceptance of the device and its performance. The purpose of this research is to understand how occupants perceive and experience spaces illuminated by LTS. Two ...

Regional Environmental Change

Public engagement and support is essential for ensuring adaptation to climate change. The first s... more Public engagement and support is essential for ensuring adaptation to climate change. The first step in achieving engagement is documenting how the general public currently perceive and understand climate change issues, specifically the importance they place on this global problem and identifying any unique challenges for individual communities. For rural communities, which rely heavily on local agriculture industries, climate change brings both potential impacts and opportunities. Yet, to date, our knowledge about how rural residents conceptualise climate change is limited. Thus, this research explores how the broader rural community—not only farmers—conceptualises climate change and responsive activities, focussing on documenting the understandings and risk perceptions of local residents from two small Australian rural communities. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted in communities in the Eden/Gippsland region on the border of New South Wales and Victoria and the north-east of Tasmania. There are conflicting views on how climate change is conceptualised, the degree of concern and need for action, the role of local industry, who will ‘win’ and ‘lose’, and the willingness of rural communities to adapt. In particular, residents who believed in anthropogenic or human-induced factors described the changing climate as evidence of ‘climate change’, whereas those who were more sceptical termed it ‘weather variability’, suggesting that there is a divide in rural Australia that, unless urgently addressed, will hinder local and national policy responses to this global issue. Engaging these communities in the twenty-first-century climate change debate will require a significant change in terminology and communication strategies.

Australian Planner, 2011

Despite playing an extremely important role in shaping communities, the role and contribution of ... more Despite playing an extremely important role in shaping communities, the role and contribution of planners is not widely understood or acknowledged. At the same time, there is a shortage of planners in Australia, especially in non-urban areas. Thus, though an online survey of 185 rural and regional planners, this research explores their motivations, expectations and experiences. Most enjoyed and felt confident in their role, explaining that they valued the relaxed family orientated rural lifestyle and the varied nature of the planning work. Although they sometimes felt isolated, the non-urban location provided quicker progression to senior roles, the ability to engage directly with the community and to see the consequences of their decisions. Only half felt their education had prepared them well for their role, citing gaps in terms of computerised modelling, team leadership and conflict resolution skills. Their feedback centred on providing a more practical course, focussing more on regional planning, and encouraging urban and rural experience placements. As the first study to quantifiably explore rural and regional Australian planners' perceptions of their role and challenges, the findings illustrate current experiences, key planning challenges, perceived educational gaps and future priorities.

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2012

Increasing the population density of urban areas is a key policy strategy to sustainably manage g... more Increasing the population density of urban areas is a key policy strategy to sustainably manage growth, but many residents often view higher-density living as an undesirable long-term housing option. Thus, this research explores the predictors of residential satisfaction in inner urban higher-density (IUHD) environments, surveying 636 IUHD residents in Brisbane, Australia about the importance of dwelling design (34 specific attributes, assessing satisfaction with facilities, upkeep, size, cost, design, surroundings, location, climate and environmental management) and neighbourhood (73 specific attributes, assessing satisfaction with noise, odours, pollution, safety, growth, neighbourhood characteristics, facilities). Ordinal regression modelling identified the specific features of the neighbourhood and dwelling that were critical in predicting residential satisfaction: satisfaction with dwelling position, design and facilities, noise, walkability, safety and condition of local area and social contacts (family, friends, familiar faces) in the neighbourhood. Identifying the factors that influence residential satisfaction in IUHD will assist with both planning and design of such developments, enhancing quality and appeal to help ensure a lower resident turnover rate and facilitate acceptance and uptake of high-density living.

Despite increasing awareness and acceptance of sustainability, relatively little is known about t... more Despite increasing awareness and acceptance of sustainability, relatively little is known about the motivations, viewpoints and experiences of people who choose to lead extremely sustainable lives. Through in-depth interviews with seven sustainability leaders, residing in an ecovillage or traditional suburban community in South-East Queensland in Australia, this qualitative research explores their sustainability motivations, experiences and whether residing in a sustainable ecovillage makes leading a sustainable life easier. All shared a strong commitment to sustainability from early childhood and enjoyed being early adopters and leaders in sustainability, explaining that they felt this leadership role was “their calling”. Ecovillage residents felt living there made it easier to stay motivated and maintain a sustainable lifestyle due to the support and shared knowledge from ‘like-minded’ neighbours, whilst participants residing in a traditional suburban community valued not being bound by a community code and the challenge of leading a sustainable lifestyle in a ‘non-sustainable world’.

This research explores the quality and importance of the physical environment of two early learni... more This research explores the quality and importance of the physical environment of two early learning centres on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, utilising qualitative interviews with parents (n=4) and educators (n=4) to understand how design might impact on children’s development and a quantitative rating (the Early Childhood Physical Environment Rating Scale; ECPERS) to assess the quality of the physical built environment and infrastructure. With an average ECPERS quality rating, thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that educators and parents viewed the physical environment as important to a child’s development, although the quality of staff was predominant. Early learning centres should be ‘homely’, inviting, bright and linked to the outdoors, with participants describing how space “welcomes the child, makes them feel safe and encourages learning”. Four key themes characterised views: Emotional Connection (quality of staff and physical environment), Experiencing Design (impact of design on child development), Hub for Community Integration (relationships and resources) and Future Vision (ideal physical environment, technology and ratings). With participants often struggling to clearly articulate their thoughts on design issues, a collaborative and jargon-free approach to designing space is required. These findings will help facilitate discussion about the role and design of the physical environment in early childhood centres, with the tangible examples of ‘ideal space’ enhancing communication between architects and educators about how best to design and reconfigure space to enhance learning outcomes

Society & natural resources, Jan 1, 2008

Australians report the second highest rate of water consumption in the industrialised world, desp... more Australians report the second highest rate of water consumption in the industrialised world, despite the continent's generally dry conditions. With researchers suggesting that fostering social capital may encourage people to work together on environmental and sustainable initiatives, this article explores whether social capital, environmental responsibility, and socio-demographic lifestyle factors might predict environmentally-friendly or unfriendly home water use behaviours, specifically gardening and

Australian Journal of …, Jan 1, 2008

What This Study Adds: By utilising a cross-cultural and cross-national perspective, this research... more What This Study Adds: By utilising a cross-cultural and cross-national perspective, this research extends knowledge about the prevalence and predictors of rural late-life depressive symptoms in Australia and America.

International Journal of Emerging …, Jan 1, 2007

This article explores the extent to which socio-demographic characteristics influence knowledge, ... more This article explores the extent to which socio-demographic characteristics influence knowledge, trust, risk perception and acceptance of an emerging scientific technology, geosequestration or carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) in geological formations, which is positioned as a possible response to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. An online survey of 1273 Australian adults highlighted the general public's lack of knowledge about CCS yet willingness to engage and learn about this technology. Compared to men, women were less accepting of CCS and more concerned about safety, risk and effectiveness. Those with a higher education were more aware of the greenhouse gas debate and supportive of CCS, whilst younger Australians were more trusting of information providers to "tell the truth" about CCS. By identifying key attitudes, expectations and fears of specific sub-groups towards CCS, this research provides an initial basis for developing effective public policy and community engagement, risk communication and education strategies for this emerging technology in Australia.

Australian Journal of …, Jan 1, 2005

New Zealand Journal of Psychology, Jan 1, 2005

This study investigated the relationships among awareness and internalisation of societal ideals,... more This study investigated the relationships among awareness and internalisation of societal ideals, body perception and media consumption for young adult New Zealand men (n=62) and women (n=119) attending the University of Otago. This survey confirms that young New Zealand women, but not men, experience the body image dissatisfaction deemed normative for women living in Westernised cultures. Women, but not men, selected significantly smaller ideal figures than the figures they thought and felt their bodies looked like. Both men and women were equally aware of the importance society places on physical attractiveness and being thin, but women reported significantly greater internalisation of thinness norms. Total media consumption, which did not significantly differ as a function of gender, was correlated with increased awareness and internalisation of thinness ideals for both men and women but only predicted body perceptions in the latter. Overall, these results suggest that New Zealand women, but not men, are unhappy with their bodies and want to be thinner.

Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Jan 1, 2008

This paper investigates the extent to which social capital and participation in community activit... more This paper investigates the extent to which social capital and participation in community activities predicts happiness, health, and life satisfaction in australia. residents of a Gold Coast suburb completed a random door-to-door survey, with a 74% response rate (n = 249). ordinal regression analyses revealed that only two elements of social capital-value of life and Feelings of Trust and Safety-predicted happiness (β = 0.4, P = 0.00; β = 0.12, P = 0.00), life satisfaction (β = 0.46, P = 0.00; β = 0.09, P = 0.02), and health (β = 0.29, P = 0.00; β = 0.11, P = 0.00). in terms of community activities, not participating in social activities predicted both unhappiness (β = -0.16, P = 0.05) and reduced life satisfaction (β = -0.20, P = 0.01). Such findings suggest that how social capital is defined and measured is important, as only two of the seven elements-life satisfaction and health-predicted happiness. The key implication is that implementing strategies, initiatives, and urban designs that facilitate feelings of trust and safety may foster health, happiness, and life satisfaction.

International Journal of Global …, Jan 1, 2008

Ageing International, Jan 1, 2006

Older men have been described as relatively invisible in gerontological research, with knowledge ... more Older men have been described as relatively invisible in gerontological research, with knowledge about the wellbeing of older men in a rural and cross-cultural context limited. Thus, this research investigated the prevalence and predictors of mild depression, or "the blues", among older married Australian and American men living in rural areas. Comparable data from two separate studies, phone interviews for Americans (n=118) and a self-complete postal questionnaire for Australians (n=53), was integrated to determine whether the prevalence and predictors of mild depression, specifically demographic factors, health, pain, functional limitations and social networks, differed according to nationality. Approximately 20% of older rural men described themselves as recently "feeling blue" or "down in the dumps". Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that, for both older Australian and American men, mild depression was predicted by functional limitations and not having someone to trust and confide in. These findings emphasise the importance of friendships beyond the marital relationship for older married rural men. Unfortunately, the remoteness and isolation of rural life, combined with the "masculine culture of the bush" and men's resistance to share their feelings, may impede the formation of close friendships. As the first study to identify the predictors of mild depression for older married men in a rural cross-cultural context, this research highlights the importance of friendships for male wellbeing in rural Australia and America.

International Journal of Business …, Jan 1, 2007

Triple bottom line (TBL) reports, outlining the economic, environmental and social impact of orga... more Triple bottom line (TBL) reports, outlining the economic, environmental and social impact of organisations, are increasingly viewed as a business requirement.

International Journal of …, Jan 1, 2006

Rural Society, Jan 1, 2008

In January 2007, South-East Queensland became the first region in Australia to formally decide to... more In January 2007, South-East Queensland became the first region in Australia to formally decide to introduce recycled water into the drinking supplies. Internationally, although water recycling occurs in the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore and Belgium, surprisingly little is known about public perceptions. This article explores gender differences in knowledge and acceptance of water recycling as a solution to the water crisis in Australia. A postal survey of Pine Rivers Shire residents showed that both men and women attempted to use water responsibly and had deliberately made changes to reduce their household's water consumption in the past year. All believed that the general community did not have adequate knowledge to vote on water recycling and were supportive of the government's decision to implement it without a referendum. Women were more dubious about the trustworthiness and science of the technology, while men were more knowledgeable and followed the debate more closely. Men were more supportive of building dams and increasing the price of water, whereas women prioritised desalination and greywater. By highlighting the similarities and differences between men and women on the water crisis and water recycling in South-East Queensland, this research will inform the development of risk communication, education and engagement strategies.