Two Winter Olympians have been awarded Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Griffith University Sports Scholarships as they balance sporting ambitions with higher education.
Snowboard cross athletes Mia Clift and James Johnstone are the latest recipients of the prestigious scholarships.
The athletes have been welcomed into the Griffith Sports College community, which has supported hundreds of student-athletes to combine elite training and competition with university studies.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM PLY
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the scholarship recipients were among four Griffith students who competed at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“The flexibility and support offered through Griffith Sports College helps athletes like Mia and James pursue their sporting ambitions while continuing their studies,” Ms McCarthy said.
Griffith University was the first institution recognised as an Australian Olympic Pathway University and has produced more Olympians than any other Australian university across the past three Olympic Games.
Studying a Bachelor of Business, Mia Clift began snow sports at age five and has established herself as one of Australia’s leading snowboard cross athletes.
She won silver at the 2025 FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships and represented Australia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
Mia Clift. Image credit: Chris Hocking, Olympic Winter Institute Australia
“I believe it is extremely important for athletes not to tie their identity solely to sport,” Ms Clift said.
“I’d like to have other opportunities outside of sport, and studying helps ensure I have another pathway for the future.
“The support provided by the AOC and Griffith University demonstrates the importance they place on developing athletes as individuals, both during and beyond their sporting careers.”
As one of Australia’s rising snowboard cross athletes, James Johnstone won gold in the mixed team event at the 2023 Junior World Championships and represented Australia at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
James Johnstone
He is studying a Bachelor of Communication and aspires to build a career in sports media after competition, drawing on his experience as an elite athlete.
“Juggling training and study isn’t always easy, especially in a season where I’m trying to push up the rankings, so having the AOC and Griffith back me like this takes a real bit of pressure off,” Mr Johnstone said.
“It lets me give both things a proper go instead of feeling like I have to sacrifice one for the other.
“The support for elite athletes from the sports college at Griffith is exceptional, and that was a massive part of why choosing to study here was a no brainer for me.
“After being solely focused on sport since finishing high school, I can start to work on my post-sport career while competing – which has been made incredibly easy thanks to this scholarship.”
Applications for the next round of Australian Olympic Committee and Griffith University Sports Scholarships are now open. More information is available here.
Australia has made significant strides in improving cancer survival, but new research from Griffith University finds far less progress in supporting a survivor’s return-to-work journey, which remains a major challenge for many.
Researchers interviewed 22 cancer survivors, healthcare professionals and employers within the return‑to‑work ecosystem, to identify barriers and gaps across the system, and delivered 13 recommendations.
Associate Professor Carys Chan from the Department of Management said return‑to‑work challenges for cancer survivors were becoming increasingly significant as advances in medical treatment continued to improve survival rates.
“Returning to work is an important part of recovery after cancer, helping survivors rebuild social connections, restore identity, improve quality of life, and achieve financial security,” Associate Professor Chan said.
“We found that fatigue was the single most significant physical barrier to returning to work – unlike ordinary tiredness, cancer-related fatigue is overwhelming, persistent, and unrelieved by rest.”
One survivor described the impact of fatigue: “I had my full four days a week last week, and I was cooked by the end of the week, by the end of the day, and really, really, really am pushing my body to the limit to try and get back to work.”
Other major barriers included cognitive impairment, unsupportive employers, financial pressure and social discomfort, as well as loss of confidence and fear about work capacity following treatment.
For many, the experience also involved a profound disruption to identity, as one survivor explained: “Well, I didn’t have an identity. When I left, I didn’t have an identity. My identity was I had cancer, that was it.”
“If we want cancer survivors to thrive, not just survive, we need systems and workplaces that understand their experiences and adapt to meet their needs,” Associate Professor Chan said.
Though employers held a genuine interest in supporting continued employment, without guidance on appropriate workplace adjustments, some held fast to inflexible workloads or didn’t understand their employee’s needs.
Health professionals felt frustrated by late insurer referrals, which often delayed patient rehabilitation, leading to prolonged recovery times and higher claim costs, despite evidence that earlier intervention during treatment could improve outcomes.
“Clinicians said there needed to be more communication with oncologists about return-to-work planning, which was a gap that left survivors to advocate for their own needs – a difficult task for those who are experiencing a lack of confidence and persistent fatigue,” Associate Professor Chan said.
The recommendations outlined a roadmap for supporting life after cancer by prioritising earlier access to rehabilitation, recognising fatigue and identity disruption as legitimate barriers, strengthening employer and clinician capability, and embedding survivorship support into health and policy systems.
Griffith University medical student Ryo Takamizawa has been named Queensland’s 2027 Rhodes Scholar.
The Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland and Chair of the Rhodes selection panel, announced the prestigious award at Government House in Brisbane.
Mr Takamizawa, 24, graduated with a Bachelor of Medical Science in 2022 and is due to complete a Doctor of Medicine in November 2026.
He ranked first in a cohort of 220 students in 2025, received a Sir Samuel Griffith Medical Scholarship and consecutive Griffith Awards for Academic Excellence.
He is currently working as a researcher in Griffith University’s Public Health and Economics Modelling Group and as a tutor in anatomy.
Mr Takamizawa will use his Rhodes Scholarship to undertake a Master of Science in Health Service Improvement and Evaluation.
“My mission is to help build Australian primary care that protects a person’s place in their community,” he said.
“We have never been better at saving people from disease, but far less adept at preserving a person’s place within it.”
Mr Takamizawa said his GP placement in rural Queensland further inspired him to advocate for chronically ill patients.
“I want to design and evaluate a risk-adjusted blended funding model for GP-led multidisciplinary care, paying for continuity to prevent deterioration,” he said.
“Medicare mostly pays a GP for each visit – I want to test paying them to look after you over time, with more support for those who need care most.
“My ambition is to make functional independence a funded responsibility of primary care, rather than an aspiration sustained by exceptional clinicians.”
Mr Takamizawa chairs the board of the Australian Medical Students’ Association and is an elected representative on the Griffith University Council.
He has co-authored two academic articles published in peer-reviewed journals.
Outside of academia, Mr Takamizawa is an accomplished musician, playing piano and cello.
He founded the Aurum Health Orchestra, a community organisation of 60 musicians who regularly perform for people in oncology, palliative-care and aged-care settings.
Mr Takamizawa said he aimed to draft an Australian GP-led chronic care model.
“My training lets me treat the patient before me,” he said.
“My research in policy analysis and meta-analysis showed me how decisions shape health beyond the consultation and how to evaluate those effects rigorously.”
Mr Takamizawa said the scholarship would give him the skills needed to make lasting change in Australian public health.
“Oxford’s Health Economics and Policy Evaluation Group specialises in evaluating primary-care policy and its outcomes,” he said.
“I could run analyses through the world’s largest primary-care database, while the department’s role as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Primary Health Care would help me distinguish what Australia can adapt from what it should not.”
About the Rhodes Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards, that started in 1903 under the will of the late Cecil John Rhodes.
This prestigious award recognises outstanding all-round students from diverse backgrounds, and enables them to study at the University of Oxford.
More than 100 scholars are selected each year from countries such as Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica and the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), United Arab Emirates, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The qualities Cecil Rhodes set out for those seeking Rhodes Scholarships include academic and intellectual excellence, integrity of character, respect for fellow beings, and a capacity for leadership.
More than 500 Australian Rhodes Scholars have been selected since the scheme began. A Rhodes Scholarship covers all University and College fees, a personal stipend and return airfare.
Griffith University has excelled in two rankings metrics jumping 24 places in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027 to be 266th in the world, and is first in Australia for nursing in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking for Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2026.
The rankings saw Griffith improve five places nationally to 15th, and was ranked third in Queensland.
The THE World University Rankings 2027 assessed 2,297 research-intensive institutions from 118 countries and territories based on teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.
The 17 performance indicators were grouped into five core pillars of evaluation:
Teaching (the learning environment)
Research environment (volume, income and reputation)
Research quality (citation impact, research strength, research excellence and research influence)
International outlook (staff, students and research)
Industry (income and patents)
Griffith has been recognised as a leader across a range of subjects in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026.
Nursing was listed as the best in Australia, with hospitality and tourism management earning second place nationally.
Several subjects were rated number one in Queensland including law, political sciences, economics, and marine and ocean engineering.
Business administration, artificial intelligence, and electrical and electronic engineering were ranked equal first.
GRAS assesses approximately 2,000 world universities from 100 countries and regions across 57 subjects including natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences, and social sciences.
Nine objective indicators were grouped into five categories:
World-class faculty
World-class research output
High-quality research
Research impact
International collaboration
A Griffith University graduate whose career has helped strengthen Laos’ relationships across Asia, the Pacific and Africa has been recognised with the 2026 Outstanding Alumnus Award from Griffith Business School.
Dr Bounthanongsack (Bo) Chanthalath, who completed a Doctor of Philosophy at Griffith in 2016 and was a HDR member of the Griffith Asia Institute during his time here, is the Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Over more than two decades in diplomacy, he has played a key role in building international partnerships, advancing regional cooperation and promoting mutual understanding between nations.
Dr Chanthalath recently returned to Griffith University as a guest of the Griffith Asia Institute (GAI), where he delivered a seminar examining contemporary relations between Australia and Laos. The visit provided students and researchers with valuable insights into diplomacy, regional cooperation and the evolving Australia-Laos relationship.
GAI Acting Director, Associate Professor Gloria Ge said hosting Dr Chanthalath was a valuable opportunity for the institute and wider Griffith community, stating that, “Bo’s seminar provided important perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping relations between Australia and Laos.”
“[Bo’s] insights helped deepen our understanding of a relationship that continues to grow in importance across diplomacy, education, development cooperation and people-to-people connections.”
Reflecting on his career, Dr Chanthalath said diplomacy offered an opportunity to foster cooperation across cultures and countries:
“I serve my country with pride and honour by building bridges between Laos and the international community through diplomacy and cooperation.”
Having worked with diplomats and officials from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds, Dr Chanthalath said every interaction had broadened his perspective and strengthened his commitment to international engagement.
“My work matters because it helps strengthen Laos’ relationships with the international community,” he said.
“Diplomacy is about more than representing a country. It is about building trust, fostering cooperation, and creating opportunities that support national development and improve people’s lives.”
Dr Chanthalath credits Griffith University with helping shape both his professional and personal development. As an international student arriving from Laos, he found a welcoming environment and strong support network that helped him succeed. He stated, his supervisor, former GAI Directors, Professor Andrew O’Neil and Professor Ian Hall, along with his lecturers and classmates, created a supportive environment that gave him the confidence to succeed.
“What I often share with friends and colleagues is that Griffith was much more than a place to earn a degree. It was where I built lifelong friendships with people from around the world, expanded my global perspective, and developed both personally and professionally.”
The experiences and relationships formed during his time at Griffith continue to influence his work today, where understanding different cultures and building lasting partnerships remain at the heart of effective diplomacy.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award recognises graduates whose professional achievements have made a significant contribution to their field and community. For Dr Chanthalath, the honour reflects a career dedicated to cooperation, dialogue and strengthening connections between Laos and the wider world. Our Griffith Asia Institute community congratulate him and all his success for the future.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Business), Professor Caitlin Byrne (right) with 2026 Outstanding Alumni recipients, (L-R): Seema Chauhan, Dr Bounthanongsack (Bo) Chanthalath, Ryan James and Joseph Hardy.
The human breath could help identify cancerous lung nodules negating the need for invasive testing.
New Griffith University research, funded by Tour de Cure, analysed exhaled breath to help doctors distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous lung nodules, supporting earlier lung cancer diagnosis.
Approximately 2.5 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year.
Professor Chamindie Punyadeera
Professor Chamindie Punyadeera from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics said the study evaluated two complementary technologies, with both showing promise.
“We studied an electronic nose, or eNose, which identifies patterns in breath chemicals,” Professor Punyadeera said.
“The second technology was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry which identified specific volatile organic compounds in breath.
“Both breath-based approaches showed substantially better discrimination between malignant and benign nodules than models using standard clinical information alone.”
The research could replace the need for invasive testing which currently entailed a CT-guided lung biopsy to obtain tissue for a diagnosis.
Other invasive techniques encompassed a bronchoscopy to sample suspicious nodules, or in some cases, surgery to remove or investigate nodules that may be cancerous.
Dr Xi Zhang
Sometimes patients underwent invasive techniques to later find out 95 per cent of pulmonary nodules identified on low-dose CT scans were ultimately found to be non-cancerous.
Co-author Dr Xi Zhang said: “Biopsying lung nodules can be technically challenging, particularly when lesions are small or difficult to access, and can cause complications such as pneumothorax or collapsed lung.”
“While a simple breath test is showing promise in identifying which nodules are most likely to be malignant, it is not intended to replace biopsies, but rather to help clinicians decide who needs invasive intervention most urgently.
“It is hoped it could also potentially reduce unnecessary procedures for patients with benign nodules by including the non-invasive test into routine clinical care.”
This research was conducted by PhD student Waqar Ahmed Afridi.
Professor Punyadeera and Dr Zhang worked in collaboration with Adjunct Associate Professor David Fielding, a staff thoracic physician at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, who provided clinical guidance and leadership throughout the research, was critical to the paper’s translation relevance.
This research was undertaken in collaboration with Dr David Paas from Queensland Health.
The paper ‘Complementary breath profiling using eNose and GC-MS for non-invasive triage of indeterminate pulmonary nodules’ has been published in MedComm.
Hostility between supporters of different political parties may be driven not only by political disagreements, but also by a belief that people on the other side are fundamentally different, Griffith University research has found.
Researchers examined how perceptions of differences in personality, values, socio-economic background and lifestyle influenced feelings towards supporters of other political parties.
Dr Fernando Feitosa from the School of Government and International Relations
While all four non-political dimensions influenced attitudes towards supporters of other parties, perceptions about personality and values had the strongest influence on people’s dislike and willingness to avoid interacting with them.
Contributing author from the School of Government and International Relations Dr Fernando Feitosa said it was particularly concerning when social diversity turned into hostile behaviour such as avoidance.
“Our research suggests people are responding not only to what they believe the other side stands for politically, but also to who they believe the other side is,” Dr Feitosa said.
“When people perceive supporters of other political parties as fundamentally different from themselves, they are more likely to dislike them and less willing to interact with them.”
The study also found stronger negative effects of perceived differences in regions where radical-right parties played a more prominent role in the political landscape, suggesting these parties may harm social cohesion through their polarising rhetoric.
“Our findings suggest political rhetoric may have broader social consequences when it emphasises division and encouraged people to see supporters of other parties as fundamentally different from themselves,” Dr Feitosa said.
“When political disagreements become assumptions about a person’s values or character, it becomes harder to find common ground.
“Political disagreement is a normal part of democracy, but problems emerge when people begin making broader assumptions about another person’s character, values or way of life.
“One way to reduce these divisions is to challenge exaggerated assumptions about people who hold different political views and highlight what they have in common.”
The research was conducted in Belgium and was part of Not Like Us, a large, nation-wide research initiative examining political polarisation.
The paper ‘Divided beyond politics: How perceptions of non-political differentness are linked to affective polarization among citizens’ was authored by researchers from the University of Antwerp, Tilburg University and Griffith University published in Electoral Studies.
New research reveals retailers are losing money through two very different kinds of problematic returns: deliberate fraud and opportunistic abuse of generous return policies.
The study, from Griffith University criminologists Professor Michael Townsley and Dr Andrew Childs with Professor Joseph Clare from The University of Western Australia, showed retailers needed to distinguish between outright deception, such as using fake receipts or returning stolen goods, and grey-area conduct such as wardrobing, where a customer buys an item to use once before returning it.
Lead author Professor Michael Townsley, from the Griffith Criminology Institute, said treating all returns misconduct as the same problem made it harder for retailers to respond effectively.
“Fraud involves deliberate deception whereas abuse is more often opportunistic behaviour where customers bend the rules and rationalise it as harmless,” Professor Townsley said.
“That distinction matters because the response needs to be different.
“Fraud prevention relies on better verification, joined-up data and clear escalation pathways. Abuse prevention depends more on clear policies, consistent staff practice and helping customers understand the real costs of these behaviours.”
The research examined the scale and nature of returns misconduct through a customer survey, a scan of online fraud communities, and a step-by-step analysis of how return fraud and abuse are carried out.
Professor Townsley said wardrobing was a useful example of return abuse because many customers did not see it as serious misconduct.
“Wardrobing is when someone buys an item, uses it once, and then returns it for a full refund,” he said.
“Customers often justify this by telling themselves the retailer can simply resell the item, or that it was only a one-off, but retailers carry the cost of processing, inspecting, discounting or writing off those returns.”
The study also highlighted the role of online fraud communities, where people shared methods, scripts and advice for carrying out fraudulent returns.
“We found online communities where people exchange detailed instructions for fraudulent returns, including what to say to retailers and how to avoid detection,” Dr Childs said.
“Some of these spaces also operate like informal mentorship markets, where less experienced offenders pay for advice from people who have already worked out which methods are most likely to succeed.”
The report recommended retailers build three core capabilities before adding more friction to the returns process: stronger governance of returns policy, joined-up data from purchase through to refund, and better support for frontline staff.
Once those foundations were in place, retailers could target fraud through stronger verification, risk scoring and escalation for repeat deception, while reducing abuse through clearer return rules, staff training and customer-facing education.
“Retailers do not need to make returns harder for every honest customer,” Professor Townsley said.
“The better approach is to know which problem they are dealing with.
“Fraud is mainly a verification and data problem: can the retailer link the customer, product, payment and return claim with enough confidence to spot deception?
“Abuse is different. It is often about ambiguous rules and customer rationalisations, so staff training, clearer policies and simple customer education can make a real difference.
“Once retailers have their data joined up and their staff supported, they are in a much better position to target deliberate fraud without punishing the customers who are using returns legitimately.”
A new podcast from Griffith Business School, made in association with the Blackmore Family Foundation, goes behind the scenes with some of Australia and New Zealand’s most influential CEOs to unpack what leadership really looks like today.
Griffith Business School has launched a new podcast series, Leadership Matters, featuring in-depth conversations with CEOs and senior leaders from across Australia and New Zealand about how leadership is practised in an ANZ context.
Professor Ruth McPhail, Dean (Engagement)
Hosted by Professor Ruth McPhail, Dean (Engagement) at Griffith Business School, the series is produced in association with the Blackmore Family Foundation and grew out of the Foundation’s annual Impact Leadership Retreat, which brings together senior leaders from Australia and New Zealand to reflect on purpose-driven leadership.
“We wanted to create a space where leaders could talk honestly about what it actually takes to lead— not the polished version, but the real one,” Professor McPhail said.
“Every guest in this first season has been generous enough to reflect on the moments that shaped them, the mistakes they’ve learned from, and the advice they’d give the next generation of leaders.”
The first three episodes feature:
Steve Chapman — Founder of Baron Partners and Chairman of the Blackmore Family Foundation, on more than 40 years in corporate advisory and why leadership isn’t about title or being the loudest voice in the room.
Steve Jurkovich — Chief Executive of Kiwibank, on the mentors who shaped his career and why great leadership starts with caring about people.
Lynn Kraus AM — CEO of Australian Payments Plus, on stepping into her power, building capable teams, and why great leaders don’t need to have all the answers.
Episodes are available on Spotify and YouTube, with new conversations to be released regularly.
“Leadership has never been more complex, or more human,” Professor McPhail said.
“Our hope is that current and emerging leaders listening in will walk away with something practical they can use straight away.”
A new initiative supporting Queensland women recovering from homelessness and domestic violence is rebuilding lives through music-making and songwriting.
Over 12 months, Griffith University’s Creative Transitions supported women transitioning out of homelessness following experiences of domestic and family violence (DFV) with 32 women and 20 children across four sites taking part in group songwriting, singing, drumming, guitar and ukelele-playing and listening as part of a series of co-designed music sessions.
Tangible creative outputs were generated, including three original songs released on streaming platforms.
Creative Transitions team (L to R) Karen, Sarah Dunston, Ali Crane, Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet and Dr Libby Myers at Peggy’s Place
Project Leader, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University’s Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet, a member of the Creative Arts Research Institute, said the program responded to a critical gap in services and demonstrated how strengths-based, trauma-informed music-making could play a vital role in supporting recovery, reconnection, and long-term social and emotional wellbeing.
“Women transitioning out of homelessness are often navigating trauma, isolation, financial insecurity, and immense pressure to rebuild their lives all at once,” Professor Bartleet said.
“What they need most is not only housing, but the support, community, and opportunities that help them reconnect with who they are, raise their voice, and imagine a future beyond crisis.
“That’s where lasting change begins.”
Lead music facilitator, Sarah Dunston, a trauma-informed registered music therapist who delivered the sessions across all four Brisbane locations, said creative expression was a powerful pathway to wellbeing, resilience, and agency.
“Research shows music-making can bring huge benefits to mental health, particularly for people who are suffering from the effects of trauma,” said Ms Dunston.
“We would start sessions with a rhythmic exercise, humming or drumming, which regulates the brain stem and calms the body.
“Once a sense of safety and trust has been established, it’s possible to work on other creative activities to help the women express themselves and reclaim autonomy.”
Kateryna escaped war-torn Ukraine and joined her partner in Australia, however, the relationship became unsafe and she found herself at Peggy’s Place, a Brisbane-based refuge and transitional accommodation service for women and children escaping DFV.
“Creative Transitions became the first safe space I had experienced in a long time,” Kateryna said.
“Outside the sessions, any emotional tension immediately brought me back into pain, but in the creative space of the group my body responded differently — softer, calmer, with the ability to return to balance.
“The program helped me stabilise my emotions, reconnect with myself, and feel supported.”
The findings provided compelling evidence that creative, trauma-informed approaches were not an optional extra, but a vital part of recovery, helping women reconnect with themselves and others, rebuild confidence, and create pathways towards long-term stability and wellbeing.
“What our research makes clear is that during this fragile period of transition, feeling seen, valued, connected, and hopeful can make all the difference in helping women and their children rebuild their lives,” Professor Bartleet said.
Creative Transitions was led by the team at Griffith University in partnership with Queensland Women and Girls’ Health Promotion Program and delivery partners Peggy’s Place, The Lady Musgrave Trust, and YFS.
