Two pioneering studies published in the journal Animals have explored how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options.
Co-led by Griffith University Adjunct Professor Andrew Knight, the research sheds new light on the potential for alternative proteins and plant-based diets in the companion animal sector.
In the first study, the team surveyed 2,639 dog guardians worldwide.
Professor Andrew Knight.
About 84 per cent of respondents were currently feeding their dogs either conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, a substantial 43 per cent of this group reported they would nevertheless consider at least one type of more sustainable dog food (such as vegan, vegetarian or cultivated-meat formulations).
Among the alternative options, the most acceptable was cultivated meat-based dog food which was real animal meat produced by growing animal cells in a controlled environment (chosen by 24 per cent of these respondents), compared with vegetarian (17 per cent) and vegan (13 per cent) dog diets.
When asked what characteristics would be needed for these alternatives to be chosen, the top choices were nutritional soundness (chosen by 85 per cent) followed by good pet health (83 per cent).
The companion study gathered responses from 1,380 cat guardians.
In total, 89 per cent of these guardians fed their cats conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, more than half – 51 per cent – of this group considered at least one of the more sustainable options to be acceptable.
The most popular alternatives were those based on cultivated meat (chosen by 33 per cent of this group) followed by vegan diets (18 per cent).
Similarly to dogs, the most important characteristics alternative diets would need to offer to be chosen were good pet health outcomes (chosen by 83 per cent) and nutritional soundness (80 per cent).
Differences among consumers
Both studies found guardians who themselves reduced or avoided meat were significantly more open to alternative diets for their pets, as were those with higher educational qualifications.
Age and regional differences were also apparent, with older consumers, and those from the UK, often less open to alternatives than those in other European nations, North America or Oceania, although differences were often not significant.
What this means
Professor Knight said the studies came at a time when the environmental and ethical footprint of conventional pet food production was growing in public consciousness.
“Recent studies have demonstrated our dogs and cats collectively consume a substantial proportion of all-farmed animals. Pet diets such as those based on plant-based ingredients or cultivated meat could transform the pet food system, lowering adverse impacts for farmed animals and the environment.”
Professor Andrew Knight
Dr Tim Piatkowski
Lead and arsenic, which are known for their cancer-causing properties, have been found in an analysis of 15 anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) with some levels well above safe exposure thresholds.
Dr Tim Piatkowski from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology tested 28 AAS as part of his research into the chemical composition of AAS sold in Australia.
He tested for active ingredients, contaminants, cutting agents, residues or heavy metals.
“Unregulated anabolic–androgenic steroid markets are a global phenomenon with significant variability in product composition and purity,” Dr Piatkowski said.
“Alarmingly, heavy metals were found in all product types, especially in oral AAS, raising concerns about the long-term health impacts including organ damage and cancer.
“Twelve heavy metals were quantifiable in both injectable and oral formulations, while seven metals were detected in raw powders.
“The variability and contamination of AAS products pose significant health risks prompting the need to implement a comprehensive surveillance and testing system.
“This approach would track trends, identify contaminants, and provide consumers with real-time, accurate information to support informed decision-making and harm reduction.”
AAS, commonly used for enhancing appearance, performance and wellbeing, were often obtained from unregulated sources, leading to substantial variability in product composition.
While the active ingredients may align with labelled content, the possibility of alteration, substitution and contamination with harmful substances remained a pressing concern.
With the increasing prevalence of AAS use globally, estimated to have grown from 1.6 per cent to 4 per cent in the last 10 years among women, there was a critical need to better understand the quality and safety of these substances.
Dr Piatkowski said the gap in knowledge surrounding the full spectrum of substances found in unregulated AAS products presented an urgent challenge for harm reduction strategies, with the only documented trial in the world providing evidence for presence and purity, but not other contaminants.
“Without such information, consumers remain vulnerable to adverse health effects, some of which may be long-term and irreversible,” he said.
“To address the evolving challenges in AAS manufacturing, establishing a robust surveillance and testing system would ensure the latest trends in illicit AAS products are continuously monitored, enabling real-time updates on potential contaminants and hazards.
Such a system could support informed decision-making and strengthen harm reduction efforts.”
Alcohol-related diseases and injuries have the potential to cost the Australian healthcare system a staggering $68 billion over 60 years if nothing is done to stop the impact.
The new Griffith University developed The Alcohol Policy (TAP) model is an epidemiological model used to estimate the avoidable alcohol-related disease, injury and healthcare cost burden in the Australian population aged over 15 years.
Dr Mary Wanjau
Dr Mary Wanjau from Griffith’s School of Medicine and Dentistry said if we eliminated alcohol consumption over the first 25 years, we could prevent more than 25 million cases of diseases and injuries and more than 200 thousand deaths, of which the majority would be from cancers.
“If we act now and eliminate alcohol consumption to zero, we could save the healthcare system $55 billion in the first 25 years,” Dr Wanjau said.
“These findings can help policymakers understand the scale of the future alcohol burden which can be prevented.”
Excessive use of alcohol was one of the leading risks for mortality and disability globally with the evidence suggesting there is no safe level of alcohol-use for overall health.
The risk of cancers and mortality rises with increased levels of drinking.
Young adults aged 15-39 years bear most of the acute consequences due to high rates of injuries leading to death and disability.
Even minor decreases in alcohol consumption across the population could significantly reduce health burdens for individuals and the healthcare system while also lowering costs for individuals, communities, and governments.
Professor Lennert Veerman
Professor Lennert Veerman said the findings support prioritisation of investment in alcohol harm reduction.
“Policies and interventions which reduce consumption at the population level are likely to offer favourable impact as they create environments which support and allow for an increase in the number of people who abstain from drinking, a delay in the age when people start drinking, and reductions in alcohol consumption for those who drink,” he said.
“The research findings underscore the consequences of inaction and reinforce the health and economic case for preventive measures, especially for Australia, where alcohol is the most widely used drug.
“Stronger alcohol control policies are needed to realise these gains in the reduction of alcohol harm and related healthcare costs.”
Griffith University honoured the exceptional sporting achievements of 81 Griffith athletes and celebrated their outstanding contributions to sport at the 2025 Blues Awards on 12 November 2025.
Recently named an Australian Olympic Pathway University, Griffith produced more Olympians than any other Australian university across the past three Olympic Games.
Vice President (Industry and External Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Harch, Bronwen Knox OLY and Director Griffith Sports College Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY.
The Blues Awards celebrated the talent and drive of athletes across a wide spectrum of sporting disciplines.
Thirty-one Griffith athletes received a Half Blue Award for representing their nation at a junior level or in regional international competitions, and 38 Griffith athletes received a Full Blue Award for representing their country at a senior level during their studies.
The Griffith Sporting Hall of Fame award honoured an exceptional legacy of athletic achievement and celebrated an enduring commitment to nurturing world-class sporting excellence.
This prestigious award was presented to Griffith alumnus Bronwen Knox OLY (Bachelor of Biomedical Science) for her outstanding contributions to water polo and representing Australia on the world stage.
Excellence in Action awardee, Harris Andrews.
Ms Knox is Australia’s only female water polo athlete to compete in four Olympics, and represented Australia in 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 Rio, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, earning bronze medals in both 2008 and 2012.
Director Griffith Sports College Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the number of international athletes achieving incredible results was astonishing.
“It’s been another exceptional year for Griffith student athletes competing on the world stage,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It speaks to not only their dedication to their sport, but the support our athletes receive from Griffith to balance their academic and sporting careers.”
Griffith University Swim Club award recipients.
One of two new categories in 2025 included the Excellence in Action award which recognised an individual who demonstrated outstanding achievement both on and off the sporting field.
This award was presented to Harris Andrews (Bachelor of Education), co-captain of the Brisbane Lions AFL team, who led his team to back-to-back Premiership victories in 2024 and 2025.
Beyond the field, Mr Andrews was honoured for his advocacy in addressing domestic and family violence, and received a Griffith Award for Academic Excellence.
The second new category in 2025 highlighted 13 members of the Griffith University Swim Club who proudly represented their country at varying levels of international competition including Zac Stubblety-Cook OAM OLY (Bachelor of Business) who will graduate from Griffith University in 2025.
Sports Engagement Manager, Tom Fields, Meg Harris OAM OLY and Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
Achieving the highest results of the year in sport and receiving the Athlete of the Year award, Meg Harris OAM OLY (Bachelor of Nursing) was honoured for her incredible effort at the 2025 World Aquatic Championships where she won gold in the 50 metre freestyle and the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay.
Recognised for a stunning year of achievements including a gold medal at the 2025 Taranto World Triathlon Para Series and two silver medals at the 2025 Para World Triathlon Championships both in the PTS5 Men’s and Mixed Para Team Relay, Para-triathlete Jack Howell (Bachelor of Education) received the Para Athlete of the Year award.
Sports Engagement Manager Tom Fields, Tara Sosinski and Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
The First Peoples Athlete of the Year was presented to Mikayla Hinkley (Bachelor of Psychology – Honours), a professional cricketer with the Perth Scorchers and selected for the Australian First Nations cricket team.
Achieving the highest grade point average out of all Griffith athletes, Jackson Harvey (Dual Bachelor in Environment and Science and Business) competed internationally in freestyle mogul skiing, and was awarded the Academic Athlete of the Year.
Griffith student and triathlete Tara Sosinski (Bachelor of Biomedical Science) received the Junior Athlete of the Year award for representing Australia at an international underage level.
Ms Sosinski recently returned from the Triathlon World Championships where she won a bronze medal in the U23 mixed relay team.
She also won silver in the Asia Triathlon Cup, and placed 15th in the U23 World Triathlon Cup.
Griffith University Half Blue Award recipients
On Quandamooka Sea Country (Moreton Bay), a team of multi-disciplinary scientists has captured unique footage that cements the popular bayside site’s importance as a humpback whale nursing and resting area.
PhD Candidate Stephanie Stack and Professor Susan Bengston Nash.
The team of Griffith University researchers has captured the first known underwater video footage of humpback whale calves nursing in Moreton Bay.
Footage was captured using suction camera tags which revealed frequent bouts of nursing in around half of the individuals tagged.
These findings build evidence surrounding the critical importance of the bay as a key nursery and rest area for humpbacks.
“To our knowledge, this is the first documented use of camera-equipped suction-cup tags on humpback whale calves in Australia, and one of few datasets globally that combines video, fine-scale movement, and acoustic data for humpback whale calves,” Griffith University researcher and PhD Candidate Stephanie Stack said.
This sighting formed part of Ms Stack’s doctoral research at Griffith University and contributed to Professor Susan Bengston Nash’s ARC Linkage project ‘Life in the Shipping Lane’, which investigated humpback whale shipping disturbance risks on Quandamooka Sea Country.
Field footage shows the moment a humpback calf nurses from its mother in Moreton Bay.
Other related findings from the team’s field work included consistently high numbers of mother-calf pairs across both 2024/25 seasons; several lone adult whales using the Bay; and groups that included multiple mother-calf pairs socialising together which was not previously documented for Moreton Bay.
Suction camera tags were deployed during the field work.
“Across both seasons, we achieved 13 successful CATS camera tag deployments, with approximately half of these capturing nursing behaviour between mothers and calves,” Ms Stack said.
“In total, we now have 35 hours and 37 minutes of fine-scale movement, acoustic, and video data focusing on humpback whale calves.”
Professor Bengston Nash said the project’s findings were of direct relevance to planned State Government re-zoning of Moreton Bay.
“Our growing understanding of the critical role that the bay plays in the life-history of the whales warrants a holistic assessment of the true ecological, social, and cultural value of the bay so that these values are not degraded or lost in favour of short-term financial gain,” said Professor Bengtson Nash.
“Both years, we observed high levels of recreational vessel traffic throughout the Bay, including in areas where whales were resting at the surface or in shallow waters, and often in direct transit zones for boats.”
Professor Susan Bengston Nash
“We also documented multiple whales with propeller mark scars, underscoring the need for increased awareness and caution from boaters during the migration season.”
The black and white flags have come down on the inaugural SuperGEMS (Girls Engaged in Motorsport and STEM) program, celebrating the unique ride these passionate high school participants have been on in 2025.
SuperGEMS Stand Out Award winner Sophie Hansen.
The team from Benowa State High School took home the first place trophy for their group project and presentation, with the SuperGEMS Stand Out Award going to Clairvaux MacKillop College’s Sophie Hansen, presented by Supercars Senior Government and Stakeholder Relations Manager Renee Shawcross.
“This whole program and past year has been such an incredible experience and opportunity,” Ms Hansen said.
“Being able to meet so many influential women within the industry has been amazing.
“As much as I’ve always loved motorsport, opportunities like this would not be possible without this program.”
Established in partnership between Supercars and Griffith University, SuperGEMS has engaged Year 9 and 10 female students from the southeast Queensland region via several experience days throughout 2025, immersing more than 50 young women in the world of Supercars.
Anita Brant, Griffith University STEM Outreach Manager.
Students visited racetracks, team workshops, supplier facilities, and taken mentorship from leading experts in the sport, while facing real-world STEM-related problem-solving projects.
Anita Brant, STEM Outreach Manager for the Science on the Go program at Griffith said: “SuperGEMS creates real-world connections between education and industry.
“By engaging students in hands-on, motorsport-focused STEM activities, we aimed to ignite their passion for science and technology while showcasing the exciting career pathways available in motorsport.
“Through the SuperGEMS program, we provided young women with direct access to the Supercars industry and inspired the next generation of STEM leaders who will drive the future of STEM and Supercars.
“A big thank you to our Supercars team, our teachers, industry supporters, and most importantly our wonderful young women who took place in this program.”
The SuperGEMS Finals day celebrated the students’ learnings from the program and featured a Q&A panel featuring Romy Mayer from PremiAir Racing, Sara Wiley from iEDM, Alice Buckley from Chevrolet, and Summer Rintoule from GT4.
The inaugural SuperGEMS cohort leaves with valuable insights into what a career in motorsport entails.
New research has found a simple sit-stand routine at work significantly reduces lower back pain, offering a high-impact solution for employees in sedentary work environments.
While the Griffith University-led study focused on individuals with recent lower back pain, the recommended ratio of 30 minutes sitting followed by 15 minutes standing (30:15) could benefit all desk-based workers by improving focus, reducing stress, and encouraging regular movement patterns throughout the day.
In collaboration with co-authors from University of Queensland, the study compared the effectiveness of a prescribed 30:15 sit-stand ratio with a self-prescribed approach, where individuals chose a ratio based on comfort or preference.
Participants were desk-based workers who had experienced lower back pain within the month before the study and already used a sit-stand desk.
Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing Research Fellow Dr Charlotte Brakenridge.
Lead author from the Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Dr Charlotte Brakenridge said participants using the recommended 30:15 sit-stand ratio showed greater reductions in worst lower back pain than those using their own personalised ratio.
“Both prescribed and self-prescribed ratios were effective at reducing lower back pain after three months,” Dr Brakenridge said.
“However, those using the fixed ratio had greater reductions in pain and reported additional benefits such as lowered levels of stress and improved concentration.”
Dr Brakenridge said participants found the 30:15 sit-stand ratio easy to follow and adhered to it more consistently than participants using the self-prescribed ratio.
“Those on the fixed 30:15 schedule stuck to it more consistently, which is likely due to a clear structure and sense of routine it provided,” she said.
“The adherence may explain the greater impact the 30:15 ratio had on lower back pain.
“In contrast, the personalised approach offered more flexibility, which may have led to less consistent engagement.”
We often hear about workplace stress affecting frontline police officers, but it is important to understand how different types of stress experienced by staff in specialist roles such as forensic services impact their wellbeing.
New Griffith University research investigated the types of stress factors which affect police staff working in forensic services who typically examined crime scenes, analysed evidence, and often encountered distressing material.
Dr Jacob Keech
Dr Jacob Keech from Griffith’s School of Applied Psychology said while police agencies had commonly focused on the impact of trauma exposure, our study aimed to see how broader organisational and occupational demands affected forensic staff wellbeing and identified the workplace resources to help protect against stress and burnout.
“Examples of organisational stressors included unequal sharing of work responsibilities, bureaucratic red tape, and excessive administrative duties,” Dr Keech said.
“We also found working alone at night, risk of being injured on the job, and shift work were also contributing factors.”
The research found organisational and operational pressures, not trauma exposure, were the strongest predictors of poor wellbeing outcomes such as burnout and distress.
Staff conveyed they felt overwhelmed by administrative obligations, and that they may let the team down due to their work pace.
They reported stress due to doubting their own thoroughness in investigations, hours of work impacted balancing work-life balance, and concern about colleagues’ skills or drive impacting their work standard.
Conversely, supportive supervisors, peer support, and a psychosocial safety climate where staff felt their wellbeing was valued by the organisation were protective factors linked with lower burnout, and better engagement and job satisfaction.
Dr Keech said the findings highlighted improving wellbeing for police staff working in forensic services required a holistic approach which went beyond trauma support.
“Police agencies should focus on reducing organisational and administrative strain, building a psychosocial safety climate where wellbeing is prioritised across all levels of management, and uplifting supervisor and peer support capacity,” he said.
“We are working to support police agencies to do this. Associate Professor Jacqueline Drew and I have developed the EMPOWER Leaders Program aimed at uplifting capability of mid-level police leaders to improve their own health and that of their staff.”
The paper ‘Workplace demands, resources, and well-being among police staff working in forensic services’ has been published in Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Griffith University has again been recognised as a Millennium Fellowship Campus by the United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network, marking the fifth consecutive year.
The 2025 intake welcomed 18 Millennium Fellows, the highest number ever appointed to the prestigious global leadership program at Griffith, with students joining from Brisbane South (Nathan) and Gold Coast campuses.
The achievement placed Griffith amongst just four per cent of universities selected worldwide from more than 7,500 applicants, which made Griffith the only Millennium Fellowship Campus in Australia and Oceania.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the designation reflected Griffith’s values and purpose.
“We are proud to support our students as they lead innovative projects that contribute to a sustainable and inclusive world,” Professor Evans said.
“Their work exemplifies Griffith values and the transformative power of education.”
The Millennium Fellowship is a semester-long leadership development initiative which empowers undergraduate students to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through student-led social impact projects.
Fellows receive world-class training, mentorship, and access to a global network of changemakers.
With projects spanning health, sustainability, equity and innovation, the 2025 Millennium Fellows are set to make a lasting impact on campus, in communities, and across borders.
Griffith Honours College and Student Success Manager Rhys Cooper
Student Academy of Excellence Manager Rhys Cooper said the continued recognition demonstrated the University’s deep commitment to social impact and student leadership.
“Our students are passionate, driven, and ready to take action on the issues that matter,” Mr Cooper said.
“From climate resilience and mental health to food security and inclusive education, the 2025 cohort underscores the power of purpose-led learning and the strength of our community.”
Amongst the 2025 Fellows, Ashley Edgar is in the final year of a Bachelor of Arts (Chinese Language) and Bachelor of Business (Sustainable Business) and is committed to creating positive change and driving sustainability.
“I’m passionate about social enterprises and helping businesses integrate ethical and environmentally responsible practices into their operations,” Ms Edgar said.
“I hope to use my Chinese language skills to build meaningful connections and apply my cross-cultural understanding to strengthen international collaboration in sustainability.
“My group’s Millennium Fellowship project is the Sustainability Database, which focuses on helping consumers make more informed and sustainable choices.
“The database categorises businesses and highlights the sustainable actions they take, making it easier for people to shop consciously and support responsible brands.
“The goal is to empower consumers with knowledge and encourage businesses to be more transparent and accountable about their sustainability efforts.”
Congratulations to the 2025 Millennium Fellows who are leading the following projects:
The Prevention Project aims to remove barriers to healthcare by making it accessible to the community through local markets in the Gold Coast region.
Lindsey White (Gold Coast campus director)
Money Matters @ Griffith aims to create an accessible financial literacy platform to help university students with clear, easy-to-understand and relevant information.
Riley Sonter (Brisbane South (Nathan) campus director)
Sustainability Database aims to promote business transparency to help consumers make informed decisions about products and services.
Ashley Edgar (Brisbane South (Nathan) campus director)
Marcus Chandler
Conserve and Connect aims to connect Griffith students with local Landcare and Coastcare volunteer groups to promote social connection, and mental and physical health.
Ayaka Dunn (Gold Coast campus director)
Bianca Thatcher
Luca Foley
Natalia Drazek
Sarah Mahoney
Zara Hallett
Harmony in Health aims to improve access to music education and essential supplies for schools in lower socioeconomic areas through the Griffith University orchestra.
Chinara Lau
Big Sister aims to connect young women from refugee and migrant backgrounds with mentors who possess the skills and experience to guide them through challenges such as education and work.
Elizabeth Thomas
Period Positivity Project aims to address period poverty by educating university students and raising funds for student access to free period products.
Jenny Cheng
Language Without Borders aims to improve global cultural integration through a free language exchange and conversation program for young migrants and international students.
Ching Hon Nicholas Fung
Cultivating Community aims to address physical and mental health through the establishment of a community garden shared by aged care residents and students in low socioeconomic schools.
Lexi Helios
Clean Water and Bright Minds aims to address community water quality and water shortage through community education and collaboration with government and non-government organisations.
Sher Khan
Griffith Repair Network aims to promote a repair culture as a solution to overconsumption by teaching repair skills and providing repair resources such as repair kits and online repair tutorials.
Ashleigh Lawrence
Alphabet Soup aims to promote literacy in rural schools through storytelling and literacy workshops.
Ashley Leatch
Injuries not only cause physical harm to children but can also present psychosocial challenges for paediatric patients and their families.
Professor Bronwyn Griffin
Professor Bronwyn Griffin from Griffith University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery has led the co-design, pilot implementation, and evaluation of Australia’s first electronic post-injury psychosocial screening tool for carers of paediatric trauma patients, recently trialled at the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH).
“Often we’ll see children admitted after incidents such as a low-speed vehicle roll over, dog bite, burns, or even a playground injury,” Professor Griffith said.
“While we treat the physical injury, post-traumatic stress and emotional distress are common and can significantly impact a child’s quality of life for months, even years, after the event.
“Early identification and tailored support improve recovery outcomes, reinforcing the need for a validated, user-friendly screening tool.”
The electronic screening tool, co-designed with carers and health professionals, assesses a child’s emotional wellbeing across key domains including anger and irritability, anxiety, mood, sleep disturbance, pain, physical function, and peer relationships.
Piloted at QCH, the tool was introduced to families during hospital admission, with carers able to opt in via a QR Code or text reminders.
Participants then completed brief electronic surveys at follow-up intervals, automatically receiving evidence based/targeted psychosocial resources, crisis contacts, and GP referral information.
Professor Griffin said carers valued the accessibility and responsiveness of the system.
“They appreciated staying connected with the hospital and having reassurance about how their child was coping after discharge,” she said.
“The tool enhances visibility of children’s psychosocial recovery needs and helps hospitals direct trauma family support resources where they’re needed most.”
The pilot findings demonstrated digital psychosocial screening was both feasible and acceptable to families, paving the way for wider implementation across paediatric trauma services.
Professor Griffin said the research team hoped to adapt and share the tool with other health services locally in Queensland and more broadly across Australia which cared for children who sustained traumatic injuries, ensuring early emotional support becomes a routine part of recovery care.
