What if Queensland was home to not one but three “vegan Draculas”?
Thanks to new funding, a team of scientists is learning more about the mysterious, jawless, non-parasitic Australian brook lamprey with circular rows of teeth, while potentially confirming the taxonomy of two other undescribed species found in Queensland waters.
Working alongside DETSI Principal Scientist David Moffatt, Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo will conduct further field work and lab analyses to better understand one of Queensland’s newest and least-known threatened fish, the Australian brook Lamprey (Mordacia praecox).
“I knew that what we had found were lampreys, and my immediate thought was ‘what are they doing here?’,” he said.
“Nobody knew they were on the island, which wasn’t surprising either – this particular species of lamprey was 1,400km north of its previously documented location in streams near the border of New South Wales and Victoria.
“Lampreys are such a cryptic, ancient species.
“About 485 million years ago, we split off from them, and from about 150 million years ago, they don’t change – what we see as lampreys today pretty much existed then.
“They’re even more of a dinosaur fish than our Australian lungfish.
“It was always thought they couldn’t exist in warmer waters, but they’ve been here and as far north as Rockhampton for more than a decade.
“Technically, Queensland is home to the world’s first tropical lamprey.”
Cryptic creatures key to unlocking scientific secrets
New funding will allow the Griffith and DETSI research team to sample more sites to understand the lamprey’s range.
Despite the Australian brook lamprey’s distinctive, circular rows of sharp teeth, the researchers determined it to be a non-parasitic species, at the time earning it the moniker “vegan Dracula”.
Aside from their lifespans and growth progression, not much else is known about lampreys.
A process of metamorphosis ushers them to adulthood which is when they stop eating and focus everything on spawning, leading to death within about eight months.
Their first three to four years are spent sightless in larval form on the bottom of a creek, filtering microscopic algae from the water.
But the ancient, relatively simple biology of lampreys meant their physiology made them an ideal ‘model species’ for further scientific research into understanding human health and diseases.
“Studying lamprey DNA is a bit like looking back at an earlier edition of the vertebrate instruction manual, before hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary tinkering,” Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo said.
“Understanding them can help us understand more complex organisms, including humans.”
Hidden in plain sight
There are about 50 species of lamprey in the world, with the largest growing to 120cm.
Australia is home to three species, and the Australian brook lamprey is among the smallest, growing to just 15cm.
With possibly two other undescribed lampreys in the Griffith University labs, Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo and Mr Moffatt were confident these slightly smaller species were new to science and would bump Australia to five species, with Queensland being home to three.
DETSI Principal Scientist David Moffatt and Griffith University’s Dr Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo.
One of the reasons the Australian brook lamprey had gone largely undetected previously was because they buried themselves under the sand, so water-lovers need not have worried about swimming with the diminutive, prehistoric creatures.
However, their preference for remaining hidden from sight also presented a problem; without knowing where established populations were, decision and policymakers could not facilitate adequate protection and conservation programs for lampreys.
“This species was thought to be extinct in its original range, and now Queensland may be the only place it exists,” Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo said.
“This might be the last bastion of this endangered species.”
Back to the wild for answers
Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo studies the lamprey’s ‘vampire’ teeth.
Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo and Mr Moffatt said finding the Australian brook lamprey and the two other yet-to-be-named species in a “few little spots in Queensland was the tip of the iceberg”.
To fully understand its population and range, the team would return to K’gari and other Queensland sites in the hope they continue to find these “vegan Draculas”.
“An excellent way we can understand more is by going out and sampling all these remote and difficult-to-sample habitats,” Dr Carpenter-Bundhoo said.
“Luckily, our new Protecting Threatened Species Grant from the Queensland Government will allow us to go out there, sample all these remote locations that we think lampreys might be and confirm exactly where they are.
“Knowing their locations will help us create awareness and increase opportunities for their protection, while confirming Queensland as a southern hemisphere biodiversity hotspot for these incredibly cryptic and fascinating non-parasitic creatures.”
China remains one of Australia’s most valuable inbound tourism markets, yet today’s Chinese travellers are increasingly diverse in their motivations, expectations and travel behaviours.
At Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT), Associate Professor Xin Jin is helping destinations, governments and tourism operators better understand this evolving visitor market through research that informs strategy, policy and visitor experience design.
Originally from a coastal city near Beijing and now based on the Gold Coast, Associate Professor Jin combines industry experience with expertise in tourism, consumer behaviour, destination marketing and big data analytics.
“My research on Chinese international tourists’ travel behaviours has provided many destinations around the world with a greater understanding of visitor scale and behaviour.”
Looking beyond a single market
Associate Professor Jin’s research challenges the idea that Chinese visitors should be viewed as a single market segment.
Instead, her work highlights the different motivations, preferences and expectations that exist across generations, travel styles and visitor groups.
These insights have helped destinations move beyond broad assumptions and develop more targeted, evidence-based approaches to attracting and serving visitors.
“Successful destinations don’t market to ‘Chinese travellers’ as one group. Understanding the diversity within the market is essential.”
Her research has provided valuable insights into how Chinese travellers make decisions, what influences their travel experiences and how destinations can better meet their evolving needs.
Cathy on the other side as a traveller herself in Urho Ghost City (Yardang landform), Xinjiang. Originally from a seaside town outside Beijing, Cathy has called the Gold Coast home since 2011, where she works at Griffith University.
Using data to understand traveller behaviour
Associate Professor Jin has been at the forefront of applying big data analytics to tourism research, helping destinations understand changing visitor behaviour through accommodation preferences, online reviews and digital travel planning.
Her work explores how travellers use online platforms, what shapes their decision-making and how businesses can identify emerging trends before they become mainstream.
This research is helping tourism operators make more informed decisions and create experiences aligned with visitor expectations.
Building stronger destinations
Beyond visitor motivations and consumer behaviour, Associate Professor Jin’s research has examined how destinations recover from disruption and build long-term resilience.
Her work has contributed to understanding how traveller confidence influences destination recovery and how strategic planning can support sustainable growth.
She has also developed innovative approaches to analysing visitor movement during major events, helping destinations understand not only where visitors go, but how they contribute to local economies and communities.
These insights support better planning, improved visitor experiences and stronger outcomes for destinations.
Research with global impact
Associate Professor Jin’s work has informed policy and decision-making around the world, with her research cited across more than 25 academic disciplines and in more than 100 countries.
She collaborates with governments, international organisations and tourism stakeholders to provide evidence-based insights that support smarter tourism planning and management.
Alongside her research, she serves as Managing Editor of Tourism Management, one of the world’s leading journals in tourism research.
Looking ahead, Associate Professor Jin is exploring the growing influence of artificial intelligence on tourism and traveller behaviour.
“We are in an era of technological transformation. I want to actively learn about the impact of AI on research and on people’s travel and lives.”
Through researchers such as Associate Professor Jin, Griffith Institute for Tourism continues to help destinations better understand visitors, respond to change and make informed decisions that support a more resilient and competitive tourism industry.
Associate Professor Xin Jin collaborates with global organisations, providing evidence-based insights to assist policy creation and decision-making in the visitor economy.
To read the full Tourism Research News article, visit the Griffith Institute for Tourism LinkedIn eNewsletter. Subscribe for free regular eNews updates, to stay informed.
Exposure to a mild or symptom-free strain of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) can trigger the body’s immune response and naturally build protection, potentially solving a nearly 100-year-old mystery of immunity.
New Griffith University research, with the help of clinical scientists from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), investigated how immunity developed over time as infection rates declined with age, suggesting progressive immune protection.
Strep A is a common bug which can cause painful tonsillitis and school sores in young children and teenagers.
If untreated, it can lead to rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and kidney disease, conditions for which First Nations peoples in Australia suffer some of the highest reported rates in the world.
It is estimated 10-20 per cent of children across Australia develop Strep A tonsillitis each year, with some getting the disease multiple times and requiring surgical removal of the tonsils.
By adulthood, most people have developed immunity to Strep A even though most will have only had a few bouts of tonsillitis in their life.
Associate Professor Manisha Pandey
Senior author Associate Professor Manisha Pandey from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics said: “How this might happen has never been adequately explained as there are more than 250 distinct strains of Strep A, and immunity to one strain does not provide protection against the others.”
“To address this question, the team investigated the development of immunity using samples collected through a controlled human infection study conducted by MCRI researchers who administered a dose of Strep A which was high enough to cause tonsillitis in most, but not all.
“All participants were treated with antibiotics, regardless.
“Surprisingly, antibodies from the asymptomatic participants not only bound strongly to the exposed strain of bacteria but were able to kill the Strep A germ in a murine model of tonsillitis.”
The findings demonstrated both symptomatic and asymptomatic participants developed robust immune responses to the Strep A strain they were exposed to.
Dr Ailin Lepletier
Dr Ailin Lepletier, said it had been known for many years that multiple strains of Strep A were circulating in the community and up to 30 per cent of people had Strep A in their throats without getting sick.
“But we didn’t know this may be providing immunity to these strains, causing silent infections so that by adulthood, we have accumulated antibodies to fight most strains,” she said.
“While a person may not feel sick, their body can still learn how to fight the bacteria and remember it from childhood into adulthood.”
Professor Michael Good
Professor Michael Good AO, said this mechanism of natural immunity may also apply to other common infections.
“While highly intriguing for Strep A, it is unlikely to provide a strategy for a vaccine as it would be necessary to vaccinate against each of the 250 strains,” he said.
Dr Anna Calkin, National Manager of Research at the Heart Foundation, said the findings came from research made possible through approximately $2.79 million in Heart Foundation funding.
“The findings highlight the importance of investing in research that addresses conditions disproportionately affecting First Nations peoples,” Dr Calkin said.
“By improving our understanding of how natural immunity to Strep A develops, this work may contribute to future efforts to prevent rheumatic heart disease and close longstanding health gaps.”
The research team included Griffith University Professor Daniel Kolarich, plus MCRI researchers Associate Professor Joshua Osowicki and Professor Andrew Streer.
The paper ‘Subclinical exposure to Streptococcus pyogenes drives the development of long-lived homologous immunity’ has been published in Nature Communications.
Climate solutions are most effective when they are shaped by the people who have protected and cared for their environment for generations.
Griffith Asia Institute (GAI) members Professor Andreas Neef and Professor Chris Fleming together with former GAI Director Professor Christoph Nedopil recently co-convened the Australia Awards Fellowship workshop on “Scaling Climate Finance for Indigenous Adaptation Solutions in the Pacific” and the APN policy workshop on “Climate Micro-mobilities as Adaptive Strategies in Fiji and Samoa”, held in Suva, Fiji, from 16-17 July 2026.
The two-day workshop brought together more than 20 researchers, policymakers, Indigenous leaders, development partners and climate practitioners from Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji and Australia to explore how climate finance can be made more accessible to Indigenous communities and how locally led adaptation, including Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices, can strengthen climate resilience across the Pacific. Participants also examined how climate-related mobility and customary land systems can support communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The workshop was opened by Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya.
L-R: Fiji’s Minister for Environment and Climate Change Hon. Lynda Tabuya delivering the workshop opening address. Hon. Tabuya receiving a token of appreciation from Professor Andreas Neef. Fiji’s Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Dr Sivendra Michael commenting on a workshop presentation. (Photos supplied)
Hon. Tabuya said Pacific communities have long relied on Indigenous knowledge, customary governance and deep connections to the land and ocean to adapt to environmental change.
“Long before climate adaptation became part of international policy discussions, Pacific communities were adapting to environmental and climatic variability. These systems have enabled communities to thrive for generations and remain essential to our climate future.”
These strategies include various forms of micro-mobilities. This may involve the practice of maintaining two or more residences, allowing people to move between coastal and inland areas or between different villages. This flexibility – which is enabled by the system of customary land rights – enhances Pacific people’s ability to adapt to climate change and other challenges.
“I have witnessed first-hand the grievances among communities when they have to permanently relocate from the land of their ancestors. Climate micro-mobilities may offer viable alternatives to planned relocation.”
The Minister stressed that while there is growing global recognition of Indigenous knowledge and practices, greater effort is needed to ensure climate finance reaches the communities it is intended to serve.
“If we are serious about building climate resilience, we must also be serious about transforming the systems through which adaptation is funded.”
In closing, Hon. Tabuya stated that the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change appreciates the valuable work of researchers and partners in producing science-based evidence that informs policy, strengthens climate action and supports resilient communities across Fiji and the Pacific.
Professors Christoph Nedopil (centre) and Chris Fleming (right) listening to the Minister’s opening address. (Photo supplied)
Over the course of the workshop, participants explored how climate finance can be made more responsive to Indigenous priorities. They examined pathways for direct access to funding, innovative financing models, stronger partnerships, and approaches that respect Indigenous rights, values and decision-making authority.
The workshop fostered a multidisciplinary and multinational Community of Practice centred on Indigenous climate adaptation and financing. Several initiatives have been proposed to continue collaboration and knowledge exchange, including
Mutual support and potential co-organisation of pre-COP31 events in Fiji
Development of a climate adaptation finance group within the Association of Development Finance Institutions in the Pacific (ADPFIF)
The workshop convenors acknowledge the generous funding from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN).
As the Pacific region prepares for COP31, the workshop demonstrated the growing momentum behind Indigenous-led climate adaptation across the Pacific and the value of collaborative approaches to climate finance.
Griffith University will partner with Victoria Police to deliver an innovative program to tackle the organisational and operational stressors faced by police personnel, that research shows can cause up to three times the psychological harm of trauma exposure alone.
WorkSafe Victoria has awarded a significant $1.76 million to fund the WorkSafe Psychological Health Industry Trial focused on prevention and response to psychosocial hazards and risks experienced by both sworn and unsworn police staff in Victoria Police.
Led by experts from Griffith University, working with Victoria Police across all levels of the agency, the three-year initiative will introduce a central risk and hazard data hub, alongside specialised leadership training and communities of practice designed specifically for policing environments.
Associate Professor Jacqueline Drew, police psychologist and global leader in police wellbeing from the Griffith Criminology Institute, said the COMMAND-Well Industry Trial represented an evidence-based approach to police wellbeing, moving the focus from the individual to systems-level change, building police workplaces that prevented rather than caused harm.
“There is growing recognition that while trauma remains an important focus, psychological health at work is also influenced by factors such as workload, job demands, support, role clarity and workplace culture,” Associate Professor Drew said.
“Supporting individuals directly remains important, however organisations are increasingly recognising the value of addressing the systemic factors that contribute to psychological health and safety.”
Stress management and behaviour change expert from the Griffith School of Applied Psychology, Dr Jacob Keech, said the project would strengthen leader capability to better understand what most impacted wellbeing in their work units.
“We will work with mid-level police leaders because they are uniquely positioned to influence systems of work, workplace culture, and the management of psychosocial hazards across large numbers of police personnel,” Dr Keech said.
“By supporting these leaders, this project aims to contribute to systems-level change that improves psychological health and safety in Victoria Police.”
Reflecting on the partnership with Victoria Police, Associate Professor Drew said the commitment being made by a police agency to this police-research partnership was rare, not just for Australia, but across the world.
“Victoria Police are providing substantial in-kind support of $1.74 million to ensure the Industry Trial is successful,” she said.
“We are deeply encouraged that Victoria Police recognises the value of this Industry Trial and is making such a significant investment in their people.”
The program comes at a critical time, following the introduction of new Psychological Health Regulations in Victoria.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans
Manufacturing cell therapies for spinal injuries, malaria vaccine development, and testing medical devices will be the cornerstone of Griffith University’s new Health and Advanced Technology Research and Innovation Centre (HATRIC).
A sod-turning ceremony was held today as construction company ADCO started work in the heart of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, with HATRIC due for completion in May 2028.
HATRIC will house cutting-edge projects from Griffith’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics (IBG), Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute (ADaPT), and an expanded Griffith Clinical Trial Unit alongside start-up and scale-up spaces.
Set to strengthen medical research, innovation and commercialisation capabilities, this landmark facility will create a direct pathway from discovery through to industry adoption.
Once complete, HATRIC will:
House purpose-designed cleanrooms for the manufacturing of vaccine and therapeutic investigational technologies for first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trials
Manufacture cell therapies for the Spinal Injury Project
Manufacture whole parasite vaccines for malaria and babesia
Manufacture and early clinical evaluation of investigational vaccine adjuvants discovered and developed through the IBG’s new Vaccine ADD ARC Centre of Research Excellence
House Strep A and COVID projects to develop protein-conjugate and RNA vaccines
Allow overnight stay facilities with extended infusion and pharmacokinetic monitoring capabilities to support clinical trial research
Support expanded Phase I-IV clinical trial capabilities, including precision medicine, gene therapy, and cell therapy research training models for surgery
Functional mechanical testing of medical devices
Provide opportunities for hands-on industry-specific training in advanced manufacturing, design and simulation
HATRIC is backed by $25 million from the South East Queensland (SEQ) Innovation Economy Fund, comprised of $12.5 million from each of the Australian and Queensland Governments. The City of Gold Coast is also contributing $10 million.
Quotes attributable to Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University Professor Carolyn Evans:
“HATRIC brings research, clinical and industry partners together in one connected environment, creating clearer pathways to translate research into real-world impact.
“This is a long-term investment which positions Griffith at the forefront of translational research, connecting research, clinical capability and industry that will benefit the broader community.
“This is not a standalone building but rather a broader ecosystem designed to strengthen partnerships and enable closer connection between discovery and delivery, building on Griffith’s strengths to enhance research capability and reputation.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“This project will bring an immediate economic boost to Queensland by supporting local construction workers and providing a major hub for advanced medical research.
“The Australian Government is proud to be funding a facility that will support researchers to fight global diseases and make new medical breakthroughs.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Acting Minister for Science and Innovation Sam O’Connor:
“HATRIC is a great example of how the SEQ Innovation Economy Fund is supporting projects to help SEQ become a leading innovator in health and biotech.
“Through exciting projects like this, the Crisafulli Government is delivering the vision of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct and helping to create new jobs and opportunities here in Southport through diversifying our city’s economy.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Senator Corinne Mulholland:
“By backing projects like HATRIC, the Australian Government is backing local jobs while helping secure the Gold Coast as a world leader in medical science and research.
“The sod tun today is just the start, with HATRIC set to bring long-term benefits not only to the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, but for the communities that will benefit from their research.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor of the Gold Coast Tom Tate:
“The Gold Coast is fast becoming one of Australia’s leading centres for health, research and innovation, and HATRIC is another major step forward in that journey.
“Our $10 million investment reflects the city’s commitment to creating high-value jobs, attracting global talent and supporting industries that will drive our future economy.
“We are proud to partner with Griffith University and all levels of government to deliver a facility that will help translate world-class research into real-world outcomes for communities here and around the world.”
Dr Nathan Delang
Nutrition strategies for concussion management are being implemented by dietitians to support Australia’s elite collision sport athletes, new Griffith University research has found.
Lead author Dr Nathan Delang interviewed 14 Accredited Sports Dietitians who work across professional AFL, Rugby League, and Rugby Union teams to explore their practices and perspectives relating to concussion management.
“Concussion is so common in contemporary professional collision sports, typically once every three games, so it’s important to ensure optimal support is provided for athletes,” Dr Delang said.
“Most sports dietitians provided nutrition support either before and/or after concussion, with fish oil and creatine monohydrate the most commonly recommended supplements.
“Fish oil and creatine might support concussion recovery through several mechanisms from mitigating excessive neuroinflammation through to enhancing the availability of energy for supporting brain recovery and returning to exercise.
“All dietitians reported a food-first approach as central to recovery with a focus on energy intake, hydration, and healthy eating patterns to help athletes maintain their pre-injury nutrition status.”
Alongside fish oil and creatine, other supplements in use by professional teams included vitamin B2, tart cherry extract, curcumin, and vitamin D.
Professor Ben Desbrow
Professor Ben Desbrow from Griffith’s School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work said while Australians sports dietitians were already using nutrition as part of concussion care, the practice was advancing faster than the evidence base.
“Practitioners are confident with familiar products, such as creatine, which are often already in use as a physical performance aid,” he said.
“However, they want stronger evidence so they can confidently tailor nutrition advice for complex concussion cases.
“We need stronger clinical research and formal guidelines to support safe, consistent and equitable care for athletes.”
The paper ‘Concussion and nutrition in professional-level collision sports: Perspectives from Australian Sports Dietitians’ has been published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Griffith University athletes and para-athletes delivered an extraordinary 39 medals and broke records across the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, reinforcing the University as a powerhouse of Australian sport.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM PLY
The remarkable result saw Griffith athletes secure 21 gold, six silver, and 12 bronze medals, a score that would place Griffith fourth overall on the Commonwealth Games medal tally if it was a competing nation.
Griffith Sports College Director Naomi McCarthy OAM PLY said the performances were an outstanding result for Griffith athletes who represented Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
“I am thrilled about how Griffith athletes performed at Glasgow,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It was such a wonderful result and there were so many highlights for Griffith including Bachelor of Nursing student Meg Harris who was the Games’ most-decorated medal winner, claiming six gold medals for Australia.
“There was a long list of records broken and historic firsts including Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Business student Lachie Kennedy shattering a 23-year-old national record to secure silver in the men’s 100m sprint with a time of 9.85 seconds.
Griffith Alumnus Tom O’Neill-Thorne
“Bachelor of Cyber Security student Torrie Lewis became the first Australian woman to break the 11-second barrier in the women’s 100m sprint.”
Other highlights included Griffith alumnus Cameron McEvoy winning gold in the men’s 50m freestyle and setting a Commonwealth Games record with a time of 20.97 seconds, swimming the entire lap without taking a single breath.
Three-time Paralympian and Griffith alumnus Tom O’Neill-Thorne won gold in the men’s wheelchair 3×3 basketball competition.
Bachelor of Business student Isaac Beacroft became the youngest Commonwealth Games gold champion in the Men’s 10,000m race walk.
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justicestudent Shayna Jack celebrated her final international competition before retirement by securing two freestyle relay gold medals, a bronze medal in the women’s 100m freestyle, and a bronze medal in the women’s 50m freestyle as part of an Australian podium sweep.
Bachelor of Design student Victoria Belando Nicholson
Griffith University has cut one million single-use plastic items from its food and beverage operations since joining Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free Places program in November 2024.
The milestone contributes to Griffith’s target of eliminating single-use plastic across food outlets, catering and non-medical consumables by 2030.
In addition to complying with Queensland’s ban on single-use plastic items such as straws, stirrers, plates, bowls, and cutlery, Griffith is transitioning away from single-use plastic coffee cups and lids, cold beverage cups and lids, water bottles, takeaway containers and lids from key parts of its operations.
PhD candidate Katie Barton-Harvey
The program was driven by Boomerang Alliance Plastic Free Places Coordinator and Solving Plastic Waste Cooperative Research Centre PhD Candidate Katie Barton-Harvey, whose research examined plastic waste solutions.
“Plastic-free solutions can be better for human health, reduce waste to landfill, lower costs for businesses and, importantly, keep plastic out of our environment,” Ms Barton-Harvey said.
“Griffith has demonstrated what is possible when an organisation takes the next step toward sustainability, committing to be Plastic Free by 2030 in its sustainability strategy.
“The journey to be plastic-free takes time and can be achieved through collaboration, commitment and collective efforts.
“Partnering with Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free Places built strong, collaborative relationships with their food outlets and industry partners.”
Griffith Environmental Manager Mark Grant
Griffith University Environmental Manager Mark Grant said Griffith was committed to continuous improvement and determined to make a difference.
“Our hospitality outlets were compliant under the Queensland Government Plastic Bans prior to 2024, but we wanted to do more,” Mr Grant said.
Griffith launched the Gold Coast’s first reusable coffee cup swap system, allowing users to borrow a reusable cup from participating cafes and return it to a campus Drop Pod after use.
The cups are then cleaned and reused, helping to reduce single-use cup waste.
“We are proud to be the first organisation on the Gold Coast to implement a reusable coffee cup system and encourage all students, staff and visitors to help make a difference by getting their coffee in a reusable coffee cup,” Mr Grant said.
Leading through complexity: Why curiosity matters in tourism
11 August 2026
As the tourism industry navigates rapid technological, environmental and economic change, leadership is becoming increasingly important in helping organisations plan for the future.
For Liz Savage, Chair of the Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) Advisory Board, success in today’s tourism sector depends on curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning.
“Curiosity, adaptability and resilience are more important than ever.”
Drawing on a career across aviation and tourism, Ms Savage has seen the industry evolve through periods of disruption and transformation. Today, she believes organisations need to balance immediate priorities with long-term thinking.
As Australia’s largest tourism research institute, Griffith Institute for Tourism helps industry, governments and destinations turn research into action through evidence-based decision-making.
“What excites me most is GIFT’s ability to bridge academia and industry in a practical and meaningful way.”
Based on the Gold Coast, the Institute works at the intersection of research, industry and policy, helping organisations better understand emerging trends, evaluate opportunities and build resilience.
Liz Savage with Griffith Institute for Tourism researchers and Advisory Board members
Research and collaboration for the future
Ms Savage believes collaboration between industry and academia will become even more important as the pace of change accelerates.
“The best partnerships between industry and academia are increasingly collaborative, practical and future-focused.”
She says the most successful partnerships start early, with organisations openly sharing challenges and opportunities and engaging researchers as strategic partners.
At the same time, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities across visitor forecasting, destination management and personalised travel experiences.
Yet technology is only part of the story.
“Visitors increasingly want authenticity, meaning and positive impact over volume alone.”
Ms Savage sees growing demand for sustainable, community-connected and experience-rich travel, presenting significant opportunities for innovation across the sector.
Curious leaders will shape what’s next
Having observed changing leadership styles throughout her career, Ms Savage believes the best leaders are those who listen, collaborate and remain open to new ideas.
“Stay curious and keep listening. Some of the best ideas and insights come from unexpected places.”
Through world-leading research and industry collaboration, Griffith Institute for Tourism continues to support organisations seeking to navigate complexity, embrace innovation and create a more resilient future for tourism.
Liz Savage Chair of Griffith Institute for Tourism Advisory Board now calls Brisbane Queensland home
To read the full Tourism Research News article, visit the Griffith Institute for Tourism LinkedIn eNewsletter. Subscribe for free regular eNews updates, to stay informed.
