New Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project grants have demonstrated Griffith University’s role in leading research initiatives impacting the community with the latest round of funding showcasing Griffith’s expertise in the field of psychology and cognitive education.

A project straddling Griffith’s Autism Centre of Excellence and the AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism received $418,407 in ARC Funding to investigate the development of academic skills in children with autism. Chief Investigator Professor Deb Keen from the Griffith Institute for Educational Research leads a project team also including Dr Dawn Adams and Dr Kate Simpson from Griffith.

Also in the research spotlight this week are Professor Sheena Reilly, Pro Vice Chancellor, Griffith Health, and Angela Goddard at the Queensland College of Art and Griffith University Art Museum. Professor Reilly is a Chief Investigator on the NHMRC Project Grant‘Finding the first genomic loci for stuttering’through the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research which was awarded $928,990. Angela Goddard is a Chief Investigator on ‘The early years of Australian digital media arts heritage are at risk’, a Linkage Project through Flinders University which was awarded $474,159.

These announcements follow last month’s ARC Linkage Project announcement of a $390,000 grant awarded to a study led by Dr Erik Streed at the Centre for Quantum Dynamics. The ‘Memory Powered Engine’ project examines information processing in quantum thermodynamics. The funding enables Griffith to continue its pioneering role in developing this technology and to maintain long-term international collaborations. Dr Streed’s project team also includes Dr Andre Carvalho and Professor Joan Vaccaro at Griffith University.

The work of Professor Keith Hampsonat Griffith’sCities Research InstituteandProfessor Sherif Mohammadfromthe School of Engineering and Built Environmentwas also highlighted with a $436,824 grant awarded to an ‘Asset Intelligence: Maximising Operational Effectiveness for Digital Era’ project runthrough Curtin University.

The ARC’s Linkage Projects scheme supports research that brings higher education researchers and other innovative businesses together to collaborate on critical research project that address issues affecting the wider communities.

A new book byGriffith Film School graduate Andrew Couzens looks at the way Australia’s love affair with bushrangers, outlaws and larrikins has played out on the stage and screen.

‘A Cultural History of the Bushranger Legend in Theatres and Cinemas, 1828—2017’charts the bushranger legend from colonial theatre productions to contemporary Australian cinema.

Andrew, now a sessional lecturer at Griffith Film School, said the book grew out of an Honours project that combined his passion for Western genre films and uniquely Australian stories.

“In my Honours year, I developed a film script that melded together elements of the Western and Australian cinema and that inspired me to dig a little deeper,” he said.

“To me, bushranger films come from the same tradition as the Western, and I wanted to explore how those stories developed and reflected our national character.

“It’s a great case study on the connection between a nation’s values and its creative production.”

Andrew said he was delighted his research had attracted broader attention.

“I was lucky enough to get interest early on,” he said.

“A London-based publisher, Anthem Press, were keen to add my book to their series on Australian cultural histories, and I’m really pleased that my work will reach a wider audience.

“To me, research is most valuable when it can be communicated broadly and can make an impact beyond academia.”

Andrew graduated from the Bachelor of Film and Screen Media Production(Honours) in 2012 has now returned to nurture the next generation of filmmakers.

He is also developing a series of film and television projects inspired by his research.

“I have a couple of creative projects on the go – a spaghetti Western set against the backdrop of the Rum Rebellion in the early 19th century, and a TV series based around Ned Kelly,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to come into these projects with a strong knowledge of the tradition and genre based on my research.”

Many GPs face uncertainties when it comes to patients presenting with headaches and when they should be referred for scans.

That’s the claim by a Griffith University academic and general practitioner, but his research suggests other factors such as psychological states should be considered to reduce over-investigation, costs and time, and help reduce risks of radiation exposure.

Dr ChrisIfediorafrom the School of Medicine said although current guidelines rely on the identification of ‘red flags’ for when GPs should order brain imaging for patients with headaches, he says the practical realities are far from simple.

“Brain imaging is sometimes ordered when there is no clear indication for it, particularly in the absence of obvious red flags,” DrIfediorasaid.

“GPs will ask the patient questions to determine if there are any ‘red flags’, which are designed to let GPs know of problems that could determine if the patient is sent to hospital or sent for scans.

“Themore redflags present, the higher the chance of dangers. But often after the GP questions the patient, those red flags are not there. Then the GP is not sure and there can be fears that something might have been missed. Or maybe the patient is putting pressure on the GP to order a scan.

“So even when the red flags are not there GPs are trained to reassure the patient,but very often GPs give in to their own fears and to pressure from the patient.

“What the study finds is that there’s over investigation of those who are also experiencing psychological issues by ordering asometimes unnecessaryscan.”

The findings were publishedinFamily Practiceand have beensummarisedinAustralian DoctorandAustralia Doctor Group.

DrIfediorasaid a closer look at available information in the literature revealed only a small fraction of scans aid in the management of primary headaches, with fewer than 3% of CTs and MRIsactually revealingmeaningful pathologies.

“What we have highlighted is that there is nothing in the red flag guidelines about psychological issues,” he said.

“By looking at the patient’s current psychological state it means GPs can refer a patient to psychologists or counsellors with more clarity, rather than ordering a scan first.”

Another new finding from this study, which is absent from all existing guidelines, is the potential influence of time on the need to repeat head imaging for primary headaches.

The study observed that repeating head scans for the same headaches (in the absence of red flags) within a period five to seven years of an earlier scan, yielded no additional findings.

“Given that practitioners go ahead to repeat head scans in such re-presentations (even if nothing was found in an earlier scan), the study suggested that clinicians may wish toprioritisereferralsto third-party health providers such as optometrists, physiotherapists and psychologists, ahead of repeating scans in such cases,” DrIfediorasaid.

Headache red flags

The Australasian College of Emergency Medicine guidelines recommend CT brain for the following symptoms:

Source: ACEM Guidelines on Diagnostic Imaging 2012.2

A Griffith Business School graduate has a date with the Prime Minister or more precisely the 2019 Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Awards.

Penelope Twemlow, who completed a Certificate in Risk Management with Griffith in 2010, has been nominated as a finalist in the Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for her role as founder and chair of Women in Power, a not-for-profit organisation focusing on advancing and empowering women in industry.

Starting out as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, Penelope worked her way up to Navy Chief of Staff, also holding position as a Police Investigator for the Australian Defence Force.Now, a successful executive, she is also CEO of Energy Skills Queensland, and chairs the Queensland Electrical Safety Committee.

“I am so grateful for the recognition of the work that I have done and continue to do in all facets of my work and life. I am so thankful that I have found my ‘calling’ and have been able to work in areas that I am passionate about,” Penelope said in 2017 when she was awarded Griffith Business School’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

Although she has many remarkable achievements, Penelope says there are a few of which she is most proud.

“I have been incredibly fulfilled by the work that I have done in the domestic violence, gender equality, homelessness and mental health arenas, and I have received great pleasure in providing training and employment to disadvantaged personnel across the state.

GBS Gala Dinner 2017 - Award Winners LR

2017 GBS Alumnus Awards Barry Thomas, Kim McCosker, Penelope Twemlow and Bob Chua.

The PM’s Veterans’ Employment Awards highlight the innovative ways businesses are attracting, recruiting and retaining veterans, recognising and celebrating Australian organisations that support the successful transition of veterans into civilian careers and appreciate the value veterans bring to business.

The Awards will be held at the Great Hall in Parliament House on March 5.

Improving academic outcomes by moderating anxiety in children with autism is the aim of a new Griffith University Australian Research Council Linkage Project.

The $418,407 study will map the relationship between anxiety and academic behaviours that enable effective learning for children with autism.

“This will immediately inform a model for intervention aimed at children entering their first year of formal schooling,’’ says Chief Investigator Professor Deb Keen from the Griffith Institute for Educational Research, who leads the project team that includes Griffith University colleagues, Dr Dawn Adams and Dr Kate Simpson.

She said there was an urgent need to examine the impact of anxiety on early academic success given the high levels of anxiety in preschool children with autism and the association between anxiety and academic achievement in the general population.

“A most challenging time for children with autism is transition into the first year of formal schooling and successful adjustment to school is associated with better social and academic outcomes.

“Autism costs Australia more than $8 billion per year so any improvement in socio-economic outcomes for this group is beneficial.

“Our aim is to better understand and influence the processes that lead to the successful development of academic enabling behaviours and academic skills in children with autism.”

She said improving academic success and outcomes was important because children with autism often find school challenging with 84% having difficulties at school and 48% needing to attend special classes or schools.

“While social and communication difficulties are defining characteristics of autism, learning difficulties are not, and research is needed to understand why such a large percentage of children are experiencing such difficulties.

“Our research will give our partner, AEIOU Foundation, access to an evidence-based intervention that may lead to a moresuccessful experience for the children in their service when they transition to school.”

 

 

Students from Griffith Business School made a splash on the world stage recently as one of only eight teams selected for the finals of the Point72 Global Case Competition.

The trio comprising Caitlene Hillman, Matthew Neave and Max Punin beat out 400 other students, and were flown to New York to present their case to judges and battle against some of the world’s top educational institutions including Peking University, Bocconi University, and Columbia University.

“The Point72 competition is an annual global case competition that provides students with an opportunity to complete equity research,” Caitlene explains.

The team was given six days to select a company to value and present their case. “Every year competing teams are given a pool of listed companies to analyze. This year we focused in the fast casual restaurant industry and chose to initiate coverage on Wingstop, which is listed on the NASDAQ.”

Caitlene heard about the Point72 Competition while representing Griffith University at the Asia Investment and Banking Conference and was determined to set up a team. As Matthew had just participated in Griffith Business School’s Student Investment Fund, he had a great amount of experience with equity reports and valuations, which would prove helpful to the team. And first-year student Max completed the team after being suggested by a course convenor given his love of numbers, passion for macroeconomics and technical hedge fund knowledge.

Bachelor of Commerce student Caitlene says Griffith really helped prepare the team for the competition. “Griffith really bridges that gap between academia and the fast moving finance space,” she says. “We knew how to understand stock movements from the theory we learnt in the classrooms and the hands-on application in the trading room.”

Max Punin, Caitlene Hillman, Matthew Neave Point72 Competition New York City

Max Punin, Caitlene Hillman, Matthew Neave.

Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Business student Matthew says he thinks the team’s attention to detail gave their entry the edge. “We were given six days to complete our report and we spent the first three days doing background research on the company,” he explains. “We took a lot of time before we started doing the financials and forecasting valuation for the company, and I think that helped a lot because we picked a company we knew we could talk about and had some really solid investment drivers… anyone can create a model but once it’s created you need to be able to sell it.”

For the finals, the team had just 10 minutes to pitch their case to the judges, and then a further 10 minutes for a Q and A session. And while they didn’t win the overall competition, the team agrees the experience has been extremely beneficial.

“It was amazing because this is what analysts and hedge funds and banks actually do, so it’s a great experience to get that head start in our industry,” Max says. “Especially since I want to work in Hedge Funds in the US.”

Matthew agrees that it’s extra international experiences such as these that will help prepare him for the future world of work. “I think both people and businesses are looking for a more broad range of skills because of globalisation. These sorts of activities will hopefully prove to potential employers that I have skills internationally, help increase my cultural awareness and fulfill all those requirements as we move to a more globalised society.”

He continues: “If you are willing to take that extra step then Griffith really do have those opportunities to excel. Within a year of starting my studies I was sent to Singapore for a global internship, I got to join and help manage an investment fund, I was flown to New York because of a competition I entered after meeting a team of like-minded students… the opportunities are endless.

“Griffith Business School really gives you the tools to be remarkable.”

Caitlene says the chance to participate in extracurricular activities such as the Point72 Global Case Competition has helped prepare her for life after her studies. “I am a part of the GBS Student Leadership Program which is really helpful in terms of meeting more students, being more engaged with lecturers and academic staff and global opportunities. I also competed in the HULT Prize competition which sent me to San Francisco in March… In a competitive job world, you need to bring your resume to life and the only way to do that is to have the extracurricular and co-curricular activities that show you’re engaged and switched on.

“Griffith bridges the gap between industry, academia and research. The lecturers bring in the industry perspective into the classroom. I think Griffith really provides that real-world experience you need to succeed in your chosen field,” she says.

 

Enhancing networks, expanding cultural horizons, discovering amazing places and forming lifelong memories, Global Internships provide an opportunity for students to apply the knowledge and practice the skills of their profession in another part of the world, while immersing themselves into a different culture, language, lifestyle and people.

Tanner Noakes | Hong Kong | One of my favourite moments – the boys trying to keep a straight face during a photo (the week prior to arrival in the internship destination).

To celebrate the completion of the Trimester 3, 2018 Global Mobility Business Internship Program, studentswere encouraged toenter theGlobal Internship PhotoCompetition.

More than half of the cohort made submissions, opening a special window for us to share their experience in one of four internship destinations, i.e. China, Hong Kong, Japan or the Republic of Korea.

Entries provided a snap shot collage of colour and cultural diversity, with congratulations to our first place winner, Tanner Noakes; and equal second place winners, Zihao (Henry) Cen and Billie Johnston.

Zihao (Henry) Cen | Hong Kong | Handsome Henry Dragon Back – the first week in Hong Kong.

Tanner’s photo was taken with Alex Byrne and GBS students Enoch Pun and Danny Loneragan in a Hutong street in Beijing (China), the oldest part of the city. Henry’s photo was taken on Dragon’s Back Hike to Shek O on the last day of the AustCham Hong Kong Orientation Program prior to the internship commencing. Billie’s photo (featured) was of fellow Global Interns (Casey Roche, Cara Confessore (and partner), Samantha Johnston and Dominic Patel) in traditional dress at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanbok in Seoul,Korea.

Also a big thanks toMelissaGarcia Nunez, Griffith Global Mobility who kindly agreed to judge the entries.

Dr Dhara Shah and Professor Michelle Barker from the Department of Business, Strategy and Innovation (BSI), and the Griffith Asia Institute (GAI) are leading researchers in the area of Indian women in IT. They are currently working on a project that addresses the needs of women entrepreneurs in India to develop their careers through capacity-building in the areas of cross-cultural communication, leadership, innovation, mentoring and entrepreneurship.

After meeting with the Queensland Trade Commissioner for India, Mr Gitesh Agrawal, Dr Shah and Professor Barker were offered seed funding by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) to conduct Masterclasses in India for Indian women entrepreneurs in mid-2019.

Hon. Minister Kate Jones (Minister for Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games) launches the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy in Bengaluru. (Photo supplied)

In late November 2018, Dr Shah and Professor Barker were invited to join the Executive Director of Study Queensland, Shannon Willoughby and the Hon. Minister Kate Jones (Minister for Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games) in Bengaluru where the Minister announced the Masterclasses. They attended the Queensland Government Reception hosted by the Hon. Minister at the Taj, Bengaluru, to launch the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy. Dr Shah said, “We enjoyed the opportunity to network and build relationships with many potential partners for the University”.

Dr Dhara Shah and Professor Michelle Barker at the Bengaluru Tech Summit. (Photo supplied)

Following this event, Dr Shah and Professor Barker attended the Bengaluru Tech Summit where Hon. Minister Kate Jones presented a keynote speech that was received warmly. They were then invited to visit the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), with the Hon. Minister and TIQ delegates. IIMB is a leading graduate school of management in Asia, and an institute of national importance in India.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for us to travel alongside the Hon. Minister Jones and the Study Queensland and the TIQ delegation to develop important networks during the visit.”

Students of NRCEL (Hub of Entrepreneurial activity at IIMB) pitched their entrepreneurial businesses ideas to Hon. Minister Jones. At the event, Minister Jones announced that Griffith University experts will be offering Masterclasses in India in mid-2019 as part of Queensland’s commitment to India.

Photo credit: Thomas Oliver

Fine Art students at the Queensland College of Art have curated a new exhibition of works inspired by a recent European study tour.

Neu Latitudes: Postcards from the Other Side is showing at the POP Gallery in Fortitude Valley.

The assembled works were inspired by a three-week study tour of international art, which included visits to the Venice Biennale and Documenta, classes at the renowned Kassel College of Art, and visits to some of the world’s top galleries in Berlin and Munich.

Bachelor of Fine Art student Mark Du Potiers, who curated the exhibition, said the experience abroad had been “life changing”.

“It was an amazing opportunity to broaden my practice, and to share it with 21 other people in the arts field was fantastic. Art is often such an insular experience,” he said.

Fellow fine arts student Natalie Wood said the trip had transformed the way she thought about art.

“It was intense and exhausting, but there are some things you just can’t learn in a classroom,” she said.

“It was amazing to be immersed in contemporary art and pushed outside of your comfort zone.”

Each ofthe artists will exhibit a pair of works side-by-side — from before and after the trip.

Photo credit: Thomas Oliver

“This produces a dialogue of time and space, relationships of inspiration and influence and provides an important document of progression and change,” Mark said.

“Viewers can judge for themselves the impact of our European travels and immersion into different art contexts. Each artist’s story is unique and diverse.”

The artists featured include: Sue Baker, Helen Byers, Grace Collinson, Sean Crookes, Alannah Dair, Conchita Hurst, Richard Kirwood, Alee Lee, Kerrie Mackay, Perrin Millard, Robyn Pell, Kierra-Jay Power, Kirk Radunz, Lizzie Riek, Vicky Satchwell, Chris Underwood, Darcy Williams, Natalie Wood and Mark du Potiers (Curator), with Kahli Budd and Aaron Perkins.

Neu Latitudes: Postcards from the Other Side is showing at POP Gallery, 381 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the closing event from 5pm – 8pm on Saturday 16 February.

Griffith University’s Yunus Social Business Centre has announced a new partnership with the Queensland Social Enterprise Council, creating a unified front to further develop and strengthen the state’s burgeoning social enterprise sector.

As one of their first joint initiatives, the Yunus Centre and QSEC have received support from the English Family Foundation’s Ignitor Fund, to deliver the QLD Social Enterprise Sector Stand-up Project (SESP) — an initiative that will bring social enterprises together from across the state, strengthen regional networks, and develop a shared strategy for sector development in Queensland.

QSEC Chair and YSBC Social Entrepreneur in Residence Ms Emma-Kate Rose said: “For years, the grassroots of social enterprise in Queensland have mutually supported each other, forming a solid network to build on. However, a lack of investment in growing the ecosystem has prevented the sector in movement building activities.

“QSEC is excited and grateful for the partnership with the Yunus Centre and the foresight of the English Family Foundation in backing this project. It will set up the sector for a strong future, particularly in the regions of Queensland. Never before has this been more critical as we face increasingly complex problems across society.”

“We are proud to be partnering with the QSEC and the English Family Foundation to grow our state’s diverse and dynamic social enterprise sector,” Yunus Centre Co-director Mr Alex Hannant said.

“The sector, as it currently stands, is under-resourced, disconnected, and lacking the profile it merits. And despite many years of effort from experienced leaders and enterprises, we’re still without a coherent and unified strategy to grow its impact and productivity.

“It is our hope that, through this partnership, we will be able to build stronger connections and cohesion among the state’s social enterprises — and gain a greater understanding of their needs — in order to bolster and sustain this vital sector.

“The Griffith Yunus Centre thanks the English Family Foundation for backing this catalytic work, and we look forward to collaborating with QSEC and many others to shift the dial on both social impact and regional development.”

In order to achieve these goals, SESP will include three main activity streams:

These activities will involve engagement with regional social enterprises in order to analyse themes and trends, and identify potential strategies to improve cohesion, collaboration and productivity across the sector.

Mr Allan English, the Founder and Chair of the English Family Foundation said that the Foundation was now focusing much of their efforts on developing the ecosystem to enable social enterprises to prosper, particularly within Queensland. “We see our partnership with the Yunus Centre and QSEC as a vital step towards realising our shared vision of a Queensland where social enterprises are supported to thrive and reach scale to maximise their social impact.”

The project, which is expected to be completed later this year, will build on recent activities, including regional conferences in Logan and the Sunshine Coast, and will look to work with the Queensland state government.

The partnership will also be supported by Central Queensland University, which is providing access to its campuses in non-metropolitan parts of the state for the project to run activities in, among other areas, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.