Griffith University will host the 14th biennial conference for the Australasian Association for Communist and Post-communist Studies (AACaPS) at the end of the month, examining the dynamics of communist and post-communist states around the world 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The two-day event will be held at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus on January 31 and February 1, and will explore key issues facing communist and post-communist states in Europe and Asia.
Presenters and attendees will canvass topics such as Russia’s role in global affairs, the evolution of China under President Xi Jinping, and peace prospects on the Korean Peninsula, among others.
“This year marks a significant milestone in the history of communist and post-communist societies, as we approach the 30th anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall,” the conference’s convenor, Griffith Business School academic Dr Alexandr Akimov, said.
“In the past three decades, we have seen significant reforms take hold in several former communist states, particularly in Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries, where socioeconomic and political ideals have gradually gravitated towards more Western frameworks.
“Meanwhile, in Asia, we have seen astounding economic growth — but few democratic reforms — in countries such as China and Vietnam, while the unpredictable, isolationist North Korea remains a source of instability for the broader region.”
The 2019 AACaPS conference will feature keynote speeches from William & Mary College (US) Professor of Government Stephen E Hanson, and Viktor Larkin, a Professor of International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Additionally, representatives of diplomatic corpus are expected to come and share their views on the prospect of peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.
Now led by Dr Akimov, AACaPS was founded in 1975 — as the Australasian Association for the Study of Socialist Countries — by the late Professor T H Rigby, an internationally renowned Sovietologist at the Australian National University.
The association adopted its current name in 1993, and describes its purpose as supporting “the academic exchange and study of political, socioeconomic and cultural issues faced by countries formerly belonging to the socialist system”.
A Griffith academic and researcherhas takenon a lead role at a world-renowned civil engineering journal.
Dr Dominic Ong, a Civil Engineering Senior Lecturer within Griffith’s School of Engineering and Built Environment, was appointedjointEditor-in-Chief of Geotechnical Research.
Geotechnical Research is ajournalpublished by the Institution of Civil Engineers(ICE) via ICE Publishingin the United Kingdom.
Having been appointed to the journal’s Editorial Board five years ago, in which time he contributed editorial pieces and reviewed manuscript submissions, Dr Ong was then short-listed for the role of Editor-in-Chief.
“It is a greathonourto be appointedtothis role, and it will give Griffith international visibility for its incredible teaching staff and research capabilities,” Dr Ong said.
This appointment also complementshisrecent elevation of professional membership grade of the Institution of EngineersAustralia (EA)and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)to‘Fellow’,the highest grade in both engineering institutions. This membershipgrade is Fellow peer-assessed and moderated nationally.
Dr Ong’s role asjointEditor-in-Chief will include:
setting the theme and direction of the journal;
improve the ranking of the journal through publication of research articles;
qualify and maintain the journal’s status in international indexing databases;
invite researchers to publish in the journal;
and lead Editorial Board meetings at least four times a year for board members all over the world.
Dr Ong will maintain his role at Griffith while executing his new role as the journal’sjointEditor-in-Chief.
Dr Christopher Warren, a Griffith Institute for Tourismalumnus and co-founder of green holiday adviser ‘My Green Butler’, has been awarded the Banksia Foundation’s 2018 prestigious Small Business Award.
An innovative new service devised by Crystal Creek Meadows Luxury Cottages and Spa Retreat, of which Dr Warren is co-proprietor, My Green Butlerhelps tourist accommodation save resources, cut costs, cut pollution and increase guest satisfaction. The service was devised by this small business in Kangaroo Valley, NSW, and is already on trial in Australia and Europe.
Banksia judges said they chose this entry because it “was outstanding for its great leadership, to take on such a big role and create a big impact despite being only from a small business in tourism”.
“This business is producing a unique product with potential to have a real impact reducing the footprint of accommodation and has strong potential to go global,” they said.
My Green Butler applies smart technologies and persuasive communications to help people self-regulate consumption. The program combines host training, web app and guest engagement.
“Tourism is a major contributor to global carbon emissions and natural resource depletion, yet we are in the de-stress and happiness industry,” Dr Warren said. “So, we therefore must take serious innovative steps to change if we are to remain relevant to the changing social values of our guests and act responsibly to globally accepted science.”
My Green Butler evolved out of Dr Warren’s PhD research at Griffith University on how best to engage tourists to help hospitality become more sustainable. He believes that hospitality firms are under enormous pressure from rising costs, searching to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint and meet the escalating expectations of their guests.
“It is a very pressuring situation for business owners and managers, so I really think the time is right to apply genuine service innovations that give us win-win results for our sector,” he said. “The reason My Green Butler is particularly effective is that it has been devised by a small hotelier who understands the commercial constraints for hospitality.”
Dr Warren claims that his method to engage guests positively has the potential to save millions of kW of energy and litres of water without negatively affecting the guest’s stay.
The Banksia Foundation is a strong and expanding brand and its Awards program, the Banksia Sustainability Awards, are regarded as the most prestigious, longest-running sustainability awards in the world. Banksia Foundation’s 30th anniversary illustrates how the efforts and passion of so many individuals that have been a part of Banksia Foundation can make a difference in moving our society towards a more sustainable future.
“We are thrilled to have won this Banksia Award and are proud to participate alongside such talented and committed sustainability entrepreneurs from across Australia,“ Dr Warren said.
The Foundation has worked with governments, businesses and individuals over the past 30 years. The longevity of the Banksia Foundation Awards demonstrates that Australians are keen to innovate and move forward, with thousands of entries being received for the Banksia Foundation Awards in the past three decades.
Find out more about Banksia Foundation Awardshere.
Read about Crystal Creek Meadows’ 12 years of responsible tourism reporting here.
Interior Design graduate Maddison Cronin recently completed her Honours research project at the Queensland College of Art (QCA) exploring how virtual reality (VR) can aid in the transitioning process between a physical inpatient rehabilitation centre and the patient’s home.
Maddison developed a human-centered VR design tool that gives ownership and independence back to the patient by involving them in the redesign of their home to maintain a sense of place and create a safe and accessible environment.
“As a designer and someone that has witnessed the struggle of the transitioning process, I wanted to take advantage of this unique and powerful position.”
After graduating, Maddison wanted to extend her studies to Honours to challenge herself and grow as a designer.
“The process of this project was extensive and sometimes challenging, yet extremely rewarding. Though my work is still developing, I believe it has the potential to create a positive change.”
“The best thing about studying at QCA is that they teach you to be mindful when designing. I was also able to meet and connect with like-minded people who are also passionate about design.”
Maddison is excited about the future of virtual reality, and we’re excited to see where the future takes her.
“Through using VR in my Honours research project, it has showed me the possibilities of VR in interior design and I would like to continue to explore this.”
See more of Maddison’s work and the outcomes from her Honours project at maddisoncronin.com
Under the supervision of experts in your field, studying Honours at QCA will help you to develop advanced levels of studio practice, theory and research; move into employment with significant expertise in your field or progress to further postgraduate study; enhance and grow your creative community and network within your area of expertise.
Applications to study Honours close 30 January 2019. Contact the Honours Program Director, Dr Lorraine Marshalsey for further information.
Griffith researchers have brought the ‘freshwater orchestra’ in rivers to the surface by recording ‘singing fish’ and insects for a new river health study.
Dr Linkeandcolleagues from Monash University and Francerecorded underwater sounds continuously over seven days in two waterholeson the land of theEwamianAboriginal Corporationin theEinasleighRiver in Far North Queensland.Theyaimedto better understand the underwater soundscape relevant to the time of day and the environment as indicators of river health.
It is the first study in Australia to document all underwater noises, and the first time in the world that all biological sounds from fish and aquatic insects inan underwater locationwereidentified.
Dr Linke saidecoacousticswasa non-invasive way to log ecosystem health autonomously 24/7.
“This is the first time that we have performed this work systematically. When we started doing this work 4-5 years ago, we would put a microphone in the water at general times and intervals but never got a conclusive result,” he said.
“What we have found is that— just like above water, sounds vary during the day. If you arrive somewhere at a certain time of day, you might miss what you’re interested in hearing, whether that’s fish or insects or change in waterflow.
“By recording 24/7 you get an encompassing overview of life underwater.”
Decker, who identified more than 8000 sound events for the study, said just like above water, there were certain times of the day and season when certain lifeforms could be detected.
“Fish are active throughout the day, but most detectable in the morning,” she said.
“This is just like daily rhythms above water, with bird morning choruses and evening cicadas.
“Soit’s basically a fish chorus for breakfast,creekflowfor lunch, and an insect orchestra for dinner.”
The team discovered that the daily pattern could be detected using acoustic indices —similar toecological community indices —that measure the soundscapes as a whole, proving that an automated method could continuously monitor ecosystem change in a simple way.
The study follows on from Dr Linke’s previous research published inFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment,in which he confirmed the prevalence of ‘singing fish’ as an indicator of river health.
The Griffith-led study included researchers from Monash University and the Paris Natural History Museum. It was conducted on the land of theEwamianAboriginal Corporation withacknowledgementand appreciation from the researchers.
Gold Coast scientists have moved a step closer to finding a vaccine for gonorrhoea, which has taken on superbug status in 2018.
A research team including experts from Griffith University and Public Health England have pinpointed the potential for a meningococcal B vaccine named Bexsero to generate protection against the sexually transmitted disease which affects more than 100 million people worldwide each year.
The breakthrough comes at the end of a year when the infection gained ‘super gonorrhoea’ status in Australia and the UK.
Challenging
Associate Professor Kate Seib wants to beat the super-bugs
“Some strains of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae are now resistant to all antibiotics typically used to treat gonorrhoea, and unfortunately vaccine development for gonorrhoea has been very challenging,” Associate Professor Kate Seib from Griffith’s Institute for Glycomics said.
“Gonorrhoea is a significant public health problem in Australia where the rates of infection have increased by 63% during the past five years. If left untreated, gonorrhoea can lead to complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neonatal complications, and infertility.
“We urgently need new ways to treat and prevent gonorrhoea, and this work provides a new opportunity to progress gonococcal vaccine development.”
Reduced rates of gonorrhoea were previously observed in New Zealand, following a vaccine campaign with the MeNZB meningococcal B vaccine, as reported in The Lancet in 2017.
Prevention
Dr Seib is now building on the independent findings of this earlier study to determine if the meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, could offer a feasible approach to the prevention of gonorrhoea. Bexsero was licensed in 2013 and contains the same outer membrane vesicle (OMV) antigen associated with the New Zealand MeNZB vaccine plus three additional recombinant antigens.
“We have shown that gonorrhoea has many proteins that match the OMV antigens in both the MeNZB vaccine used in the New Zealand campaign and the Bexsero meningococcal vaccine.”
Serum from Bexsero-vaccinated humans recognises the gonococcal counterparts of the antigens, which supports the finding that the MeNZB vaccine could have generated protection against gonorrhoea. The antigen NHBA, which is present in Bexsero but not MeNZB, is conserved in gonorrhoea strains and is strongly targeted by serum from Bexsero-vaccinated humans. This could provide additional cross-protection against gonorrhoea, above that predicted for MeNZB.
“It could potentially be better,” she said. “We have been working to identify the full set of gonorrhoea proteins targeted by Bexsero and determine exactly how this immune response could protect against gonorrhoea.”
Professor Mark von Itzstein, Director of Griffith University‘s Institute for Glycomics, said gonorrhoea is now recognised as a major issue by the World Health Organization.
“This is particularly due to the emergence of drug resistance. The research undertaken by Associate Professor Kate Seib presents exciting opportunities for new vaccine discovery to tackle this world problem.”
The research is published in Clinical Infectious Diseases (DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1061).
Griffith University is proud to recognise the life achievements of a remarkable humanitarian, Aunty Pamela Mam, a First Peoples’ Elder, role model, patron and matriarch. She has, for over 60 years, provided tireless service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples, particularly in the fields of health care and education. Griffith has now conferred upon her Doctor of Griffith University, for her service to her people in health services and to the community.
A descendent of the KuKu Yalanji Peoples, in the Cooktown area and born in the western Queensland town of Richmond in 1938, Aunty Pamela Mam’s qualities of character and commitment remain undimmed. In her address to the graduands, Professor Debra Henly, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), stated “Aunty Pamela Mam’s career has helped so many whose needs were either neglected or forgotten and her example continues to resonate today — in practice, principle and philosophy. It is her example that aligns with those of Griffith University, in the pursuit of better education, recognition, reconciliation and health care for Australia’s First Peoples.”
Aunty Pamela is an inspirational figure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but also for all people. After her mother was removed from Cooktown under the then Australian Government policy of Assimilation for Aboriginal People — infamous forerunner to the Stolen Generation — Aunty Pamela spent her formative years on Palm Island. It was there she first realised her passion for nursing.
Starting as a Nurse Aid at Palm Island Hospital, Aunty Pamela completed her general training and became a midwife at Brisbane’s Royal Women’s Hospital before joining the Royal Children’s Hospital in 1973.
Aunty Pamela began to focus more intently on the urgent health care needs of Australia’s First Peoples. This led to the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) in Brisbane in February 1973. Aunty Pamela’s nursing expertise, together with the administrative and support services delivered through ATSICHS Brisbane proved vital over the ensuing years.
ATSICHS Brisbane started from very humble beginnings with the initial health care services delivered from a ‘fruit shop’ shopfront at Red Hill. Aunty Pamela was unfazed by her first day where she encountered a space still not ready for operation. Determined and forthright she, along with her colleagues, brought the ‘fruit shop’ up to standard in terms of conditions, equipment, planning and delivery.
Aunty Pamela once said, “When working in direct service with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is important to offer humility and leadership, knowledge and learning, respect and culturally responsive care for people. We also must never neglect the everyday support and guidance required by all health care professionals to provide proper health care.”
Aunty Pamela Mam exemplifies these qualities and is an inspirational figure not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but for all people. Accordingly, ATSICHS Brisbane has created an ongoing legacy of diligence, dedication and what Aunty Pamela has described as ‘proper health care’. In her earlier years this term was apt and spoke to the type of care needed so urgently by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but which was not being delivered through government health services. This was evidenced through too many cases of people suffering from minor, preventable conditions.
ATSICHS Brisbane Chief Executive Officer, Jody Currie said “it makes a difference to the client to know that they’re dealing with an Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander person. The foundations on which this organisation was started are those principles of Aunty Pamela and the Elders, delivering ‘effective health care’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples.”
Since its establishment 45 years ago, ATSICHS Brisbane has continued to deliver Aunty Pamela’s vision. Encompassing health, belonging, comfort, empathy and support, the benefits extend throughout the Indigenous communities of Greater Brisbane and Logan City.
Her legacy is evidenced through the breadth and volume of healthcare services delivered by ATSICHS Brisbane. For the 2017-18 financial year, ATSICHS Brisbane reported over 41,900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient visits to its doctors with 104,764 episodes of care including 5760 health checks. Comprehensive, systematic care of this kind would not have been possible without the vision and tireless work of Aunty Pamela and her colleagues.
In her 80th year, Aunty Pamela remains a positive influence on the way health care is delivered across the community. This has extended to education and includes the Aunty Pamela Mam Indigenous Nursing Scholarship at Griffith University. Established in 2015 with ATSICHS Brisbane, the scholarship supports nursing and midwifery students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
Professor Roianne West, Director First Peoples Health Unit said “There’s so many different layers to what we’re attempting to do by privileging Aunty Pam’s story. Through a scholarship we’ve got a legacy, we’ve got a story, we’ve got eldership, we’ve got indigenous knowledge, we’ve got Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, all being brought together. It is one way to continue Aunty Pam’s work.”
Aunty Pamela Mam is a life membership of the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane, and a Patron to the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health.
As Year 12 students across Queensland receive their OP results and university offers, another cohort of hopeful university students is also eagerly awaiting news about their study plans for 2019.
Professor Debra Henly, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) notes that while OP scores are a commonly understood requirement for university entry, more than half of Griffith University’s commencing undergraduate students do not come direct from Year 12 with an OP.
“At Griffith, we understand that different students have different learning styles, and high school results aren’t necessarily an indicator of aptitude. We recognise the value of a range of learning experiences and offer a variety of entry pathways to study at Griffith,” Professor Henly said.
If a student doesn’t achieve the OP needed for their preferred degree, they may choose an alternative degree, upgrade and transfer after a year of study. Other alternative entry pathways to Griffith include:
Bridging coursesfor students who have limited or no prior studies in a particular study area, or who have had a significant break from prior studies or who want a refresher course.
TAFE and VET Pathwaysrecognising the value of practical employability skills achieved through Certificate or Diploma study.
Griffith Personal Statementfor mature age applicants where selection is based on motivation and future potential to succeed rather than previous academic achievement.
Griffith Tertiary Preparation, providing foundational knowledge for those without formal qualifications and designed to build confidence and academic skills.
Griffith College, offering two-trimester diplomas that are equivalent to university-level study and can lead to admission to second year of an approved Griffith bachelor degree.
“At Griffith, we have a long tradition of recognising the skills and knowledge gained through Vocational Education and Training (VET) as a highly effective pathway to university. Applicants with requisite VET qualifications are eligible for admission to over 80 Griffith degrees.”
“Over many years, Griffith has seen our pathway students achieve remarkable results,” said Professor Henly.
Griffith is preparing to welcome thousands of new students in Trimester 1 2019, with 7,600 offers being made today in QTAC and UAC’s major offer rounds for the year.
Nursing, education, criminology and criminal justice, pharmacy, aviation, engineering, marine science, international tourism and hotel management, design, and law were among some of Griffith’s most popular degrees. Griffith’s Bachelor of Medical science, an accelerated pathway to the Doctor of Medicine designed for high achieving Year 12 graduates, was again the State’s most competitive degree, while new degrees for 2019 in areas such as creative industries, data science and construction management, were also attractive options for applicants.
“Griffith is truly a remarkable place to study, and I’m excited to welcome new students across our six campuses, including our rapidly growing Digital campus, in 2019,” said Professor Debra Henly, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic).
“Through our employability initiatives, including internships and projects with real industry clients, and innovative learning spaces, we’re committed to preparing our students for the digital, global jobs of the future.”
“We also understand the increasing need for flexible options to help university students balance study with work and other commitments. In 2017, we introduced our trimester teaching calendar, and in 2019, we will continue to build on our online study options to allow students to study when and where is convenient for them,” Professor Henly said.
Four members of the Griffith Sports College will end the year with new qualifications.
Sport scholarship students Alyce Burnett, Tameka Butt, Ash Southern and Matt Bevilacqua are celebrating undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the close of Griffith graduation ceremonies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
Olympic kayaker Alyce Burnett (below) graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Griffith Business School, adding to the Bachelor of Communication she previously studied at Griffith.
Photo: alyceburnett.com.au
While completing her postgraduate degree, where she majored in Public Policy, Alyce also competedin her first Olympic Games in 2016, advancing to the K2 500 final, and became K1 1000 world champion in 2017. On top of her sporting and academic pursuits, Alyce also runs a small digital marketing business and owns online retail label, Palmera Apparel.
Matilda star Tameka Butt has also consolidated her undergraduate education by completing a Master of Business/Master of Marketing at Griffith during the past three years. This degree is an addition to a Bachelor of Business completed from 2009 — 2014.
While studying her postgraduate degree, Tameka (right) has also excelled on the football field all over the world, playing club football in Australia and Europe but most notably catching the eyes of the world when she scored the winning goal in the Matildas’ historic first win over the United States at the Tournament of Nations in 2017. She has recently transferred to Melbourne City in the W-League after ten years with the Roar, and now has 67 international caps.
Olympian Ash Southern represented Australia at the Rio Games in water polo while she was also gaining a Bachelor of Business at Griffith. The powerful centre forward outside shooter who is originally from Ingham in northern Queensland also went to the London Games in 2012 and at club level she won an LEN Euroleague title with Greek champions Olympiacos in 2015. She majored in sport management and marketing.
Australian Ironman Matt Bevilacqua has shone on national and international stages while also studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at Griffith. With immense support from the School of Education and Professional Studies and Griffith Sports College, the Gold Coast star rose to the top of his sport, winning the 2017/2018 Nutri-Grain Ironman Series.
Photo: DEBRA Australia
“I would say this was my main accomplishment in sport during the time I was studying for my degree,” Matt said. “It is a six-round series that takes place over the summer. Therefore, it takes up a lot of time.”
Matt (left) also managed five-week practicals at two Gold Coast schools with a hectic training and competition schedule, although the start of his practical placement at The Southport School was delayed by a day when he took advantage of an unexpected opportunity on the water in Tasmania.
“When I started the next day, I also had a broken thumb which meant a story to share with the students. When the practical ended I went straight into the Ironman series.”
Among the motivations that led Matt to a Bachelor of Education was the potential work as a relief teacher while also pursuing sporting goals. Now, with his degree in the bag, he plans to live that life.
“I want to go out into the workforce and start adding to what I’ve learned in the classroom, not let any of it go stale. I’ve learned a lot during my time at Griffith, I’ve learned how to grow as an athlete,” says Matt who also won the Molokai 2 Oahu paddleboard world championships in Hawaii during 2018.
While studying her postgraduate degree, Tameka (right) has also excelled on the football field all over the world, playing club football in Australia and Europe but most notably catching the eyes of the world when she scored the winning goal in the Matildas’ historic first win over the United States at the Tournament of Nations in 2017. She has recently transferred to Melbourne City in the W-League after ten years with the Roar, and now has 67 international caps.