Joined by Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson, industry representatives, Griffith University executive, staff and students for its formal launch at the Brisbane South campus, GIHER represents Griffith’s historic commitment to fostering collaboration across disciplines to address pressing global issues and create pathways for people and nature to thrive in unison.
The Institute, led by Professor Cara Beal, unites expertise from environmental and social sciences, economics, public health, climate change, engineering, law, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, structured under three research themes:
Protecting and restoring resilient biodiversity and ecosystems.
Creating climate and disaster resilient communities.
Transitioning to climate resilient living and built environments.
“Our transdisciplinary approach reflects the Institute’s guiding philosophy of systems thinking – recognising the health, prosperity, and security of human and natural environments are deeply interconnected.”
GIHER Director Professor Cara Beal
Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson launched the Institute.
“The launch of GIHER marks a pivotal moment for Griffith University. Our mission is to create solutions that allow people and nature to thrive together.
“By embracing systems thinking and fostering collaboration across disciplines, we aim to deliver research that informs policy, empowers communities, and drives sustainable change.”
GIHER aims to inform policy and practice through strong partnerships with government, industry, and community groups. Central to its mission is inclusive engagement, ensuring Indigenous voices and diverse communities are integral to research design and outcomes.
By embedding these perspectives, GIHER seeks to deliver solutions that are equitable, sustainable, and adaptable in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
Australia is no stranger to hot weather, and Griffith University researchers have compiled five handy things to be aware of so we do not place our health at risk during the summer months.
Dr Fergus O’Connor
Dr Fergus O’Connor from Griffith’s School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work said cooling interventions were essential in the face of climate change, and ever-increasing temperatures.
“Extreme heat poses significant health risks with older adults, people with chronic illnesses and those unable to limit exposure – such as outdoor workers – most at risk,” Dr O’Connor said.
“Limiting physical exertion and maintaining hydration are essential to mitigating excessive heat strain.
“Pushing yourself too hard in a hot environment increases your internal heat production, placing greater stress on the body as it tries to cool you down.
“When you can’t avoid physical exertion, try and rest in a shaded or cool space for 15-45 minutes per hour depending on work intensity.
“Hydration is key, and replacing fluid lost through sweating helps the body cope with heat exposure.
“Heat exposed persons should drink enough water to maintain stable body weight, while avoiding sugary or caffeinated beverages.”
While accessing cool, air-conditioned spaces (e.g., public libraries, work rest-areas) offered relief from heat exposure, their benefit was short-lived, requiring additional cooling measures to mitigate heat-related risks upon returning to hot environments.
Using low-cost cooling strategies such as electric fans, misting the skin with cool water, immersing limbs in cool water, or applying cold towels on the neck could provide relief from the heat, but the benefits of these interventions diminished as it became hotter.
“Cooling the indoor environment with air-conditioning is the most effective way to prevent heat-related mortality, but air-conditioning remains inaccessible for many low-income households and workplaces,” he said.
“Expanding access and lowering costs through subsidies, rebates, and complementary cooling strategies is essential to ensure equitable protection for those at risk.”
Griffith University has been recognised as a world-renowned leader across a range of health, sciences, business, law and politics subjects in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025.
Griffith Health’s nursing was listed as the best in Australia (third globally), along with hospitality and management (sixth globally) from the Griffith Business School.
Marine and ocean engineering, and remote sensing subjects in Griffith Sciences were listed as first in Queensland and second in Australia.
The University’s electrical and electronic engineering, and artificial intelligence also scored a number one ranking in Queensland.
Griffith Business School saw its economics subjects listed as the best in Queensland with a first place ranking.
Law, and political science subjects in Arts, Education and Law also received the top ranking in Queensland.
Dean (Sustainability and Rankings) Professor Jennifer Boddy
Dean (Sustainability and Rankings) Professor Jennifer Boddy said she was incredibly pleased to see Griffith’s research strengths recognised across all academic groups.
“Our ongoing achievements demonstrate the depth and quality of the subjects on offer at Griffith and the rankings exemplify our innovative and impactful efforts to make it matter,” Professor Boddy said.
“These rankings are a great testament to the hard work of researchers as well as the significant and impactful achievements of graduates.”
Westpac Banking Corporation and Griffith University have announced a strategic partnership aimed at advancing financial crime prevention across Australia.
Griffith’s Academy of Excellence in Financial Crime Investigation and Compliance will collaborate with Westpac to deliver specialised training programs in financial crime investigation and compliance.
Through targeted micro-credentials, Westpac staff will gain foundational knowledge of financial crime obligations and develop core analytical skills in forensic accounting, investigations and criminology.
Academy Director Professor Andreas Chai said the partnership strengthened broader efforts to address financial crime.
“We’re proud to collaborate with Westpac to strengthen its capabilities and contribute to national efforts to detect, report and disrupt financial crime,” Professor Chai said.
“Financial crime is a global issue, generating an estimated AUD $3 trillion each year, which is roughly two per cent of global GDP, and less than one per cent of these illicit funds are recovered.
“This partnership contributes to national solutions to safeguard the integrity of the financial system and build safer communities by empowering professionals to protect those most vulnerable.”
Westpac’s General Manager of Financial Crime, Jodie Arthur, said the co-designed program aimed to enhance investigative skills through practical case studies.
“We have 150 employees starting the program this year, and over the course of our three-year partnership, we’ll upskill around 500 team members—helping to better protect Westpac customers,” Ms Arthur said.
“We’re delighted to partner with Griffith University, and this collaboration highlights the value of bringing higher education and industry together to deliver real-world, responsive learning opportunities.”
As a leader in interdisciplinary collaboration, the Academy leverages knowledge from disciplines including banking, forensic accounting, criminology, law, information communication technology, policing, and the broader community to enhance financial crime literacy and compliance processes.
Griffith University Vice President (Industry and External Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Harch said the partnership was a meaningful step in advancing a shared vision in financial crime training and education.
“We’re pleased to partner with Westpac on this important national mission, strengthening Australia’s resilience against future risks,” Professor Harch said.
Does your partner know the password to your phone? Probably.
A study by Griffith University researchers reveals that 70 per cent of Australians share access to their phone with their partner, despite dominant cybersecurity guidelines advising the opposite.
Professor Molly Dragiewicz
Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Molly Dragiewicz, who led the study with Dr Jeffrey Ackerman and research assistant Marianne Haaland, said the most common reasons for smartphone sharing were positive, but that does not guard against negative impacts.
“People usually share for convenience, out of trust, and to help each other,” Professor Dragiewicz said.
“However, if one partner turns out to be abusive later on, shared access can be dangerous.”
In fact, 20 per cent of identity theft perpetrators identified by Australian police are current or former intimate partners or individuals related to an ex-partner. In addition, technology-facilitated abuse is a common component of coercive control.
The report’s findings show that younger people are more likely to share, suggesting this is a growing issue.
Professor Dragiewicz argues that the one-user/one-device threat model created for commercial and government contexts is inadequate for addressing interpersonal cybersecurity risks. Phone and app design can help to reduce the risks by using Safety by Design, as recommended by the Australia’s eSafety Commissioner.
“Cybersecurity advice and design based on not sharing your device or credentials are a really bad fit with how people actually use their phone. The first step in Safety by Design is understanding how technology is used in real life,” Professor Dragiewicz said.
Managing male infertility is often an overlooked part of reproductive health, but in an Australian first, new clinical guidelines are paving the way for change.
Co-developed by Griffith University researchers, the landmark guidelines provide clinicians with an evidence-based framework for assessing, diagnosing and managing male infertility.
Infertility affects about one in six couples and a male factor may contribute to 50 per cent of cases.
Dr Liza O’Donnell
Dr Liza O’Donnell said until recently, no Australian-based clinical guidelines for the management of male infertility had been published.
“The guidelines call for males to be simultaneously assessed when a female seeks infertility care,” Dr O’Donnell said.
“By identifying male fertility issues early, women could potentially avoid unnecessary investigations and stress associated with not being able to conceive.”
The initial evaluation of male fertility should include a reproductive and medical history, physical examination and semen analysis, and simultaneous evaluation of the female partner.
Further evaluation of men with suspected infertility should be guided by an expert in male reproduction and include hormonal evaluation and an estimate of testicular volume.
Extra tests could involve sperm DNA testing, somatic genetic testing and imaging.
The guidelines state the management of male infertility should include counselling men regarding potentially modifiable risk factors, associated health conditions, and implications for their future health and offspring.
Dr O’Donnell said the guidelines were freely available to the general public so they could see the advice doctors were following.
“This can empower men and couples to ask the right questions, push for thorough care and improve their chances of conceiving,” she said.
“By simultaneously evaluating fertility in both the male and female partner, it will mean men with fertility issues will be picked up earlier and could change the treatment course for the couple.”
Two pioneering studies published in the journal Animals have explored how dog and cat guardians perceive more sustainable pet food options.
Co-led by Griffith University Adjunct Professor Andrew Knight, the research sheds new light on the potential for alternative proteins and plant-based diets in the companion animal sector.
In the first study, the team surveyed 2,639 dog guardians worldwide.
Professor Andrew Knight.
About 84 per cent of respondents were currently feeding their dogs either conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, a substantial 43 per cent of this group reported they would nevertheless consider at least one type of more sustainable dog food (such as vegan, vegetarian or cultivated-meat formulations).
Among the alternative options, the most acceptable was cultivated meat-based dog food which was real animal meat produced by growing animal cells in a controlled environment (chosen by 24 per cent of these respondents), compared with vegetarian (17 per cent) and vegan (13 per cent) dog diets.
When asked what characteristics would be needed for these alternatives to be chosen, the top choices were nutritional soundness (chosen by 85 per cent) followed by good pet health (83 per cent).
The companion study gathered responses from 1,380 cat guardians.
In total, 89 per cent of these guardians fed their cats conventional or raw meat-based diets.
However, more than half – 51 per cent – of this group considered at least one of the more sustainable options to be acceptable.
The most popular alternatives were those based on cultivated meat (chosen by 33 per cent of this group) followed by vegan diets (18 per cent).
Similarly to dogs, the most important characteristics alternative diets would need to offer to be chosen were good pet health outcomes (chosen by 83 per cent) and nutritional soundness (80 per cent).
Differences among consumers
Both studies found guardians who themselves reduced or avoided meat were significantly more open to alternative diets for their pets, as were those with higher educational qualifications.
Age and regional differences were also apparent, with older consumers, and those from the UK, often less open to alternatives than those in other European nations, North America or Oceania, although differences were often not significant.
What this means
Professor Knight said the studies came at a time when the environmental and ethical footprint of conventional pet food production was growing in public consciousness.
“Recent studies have demonstrated our dogs and cats collectively consume a substantial proportion of all-farmed animals. Pet diets such as those based on plant-based ingredients or cultivated meat could transform the pet food system, lowering adverse impacts for farmed animals and the environment.”
Professor Andrew Knight
Dr Tim Piatkowski
Lead and arsenic, which are known for their cancer-causing properties, have been found in an analysis of 15 anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) with some levels well above safe exposure thresholds.
Dr Tim Piatkowski from Griffith University’s School of Applied Psychology tested 28 AAS as part of his research into the chemical composition of AAS sold in Australia.
He tested for active ingredients, contaminants, cutting agents, residues or heavy metals.
“Unregulated anabolic–androgenic steroid markets are a global phenomenon with significant variability in product composition and purity,” Dr Piatkowski said.
“Alarmingly, heavy metals were found in all product types, especially in oral AAS, raising concerns about the long-term health impacts including organ damage and cancer.
“Twelve heavy metals were quantifiable in both injectable and oral formulations, while seven metals were detected in raw powders.
“The variability and contamination of AAS products pose significant health risks prompting the need to implement a comprehensive surveillance and testing system.
“This approach would track trends, identify contaminants, and provide consumers with real-time, accurate information to support informed decision-making and harm reduction.”
AAS, commonly used for enhancing appearance, performance and wellbeing, were often obtained from unregulated sources, leading to substantial variability in product composition.
While the active ingredients may align with labelled content, the possibility of alteration, substitution and contamination with harmful substances remained a pressing concern.
With the increasing prevalence of AAS use globally, estimated to have grown from 1.6 per cent to 4 per cent in the last 10 years among women, there was a critical need to better understand the quality and safety of these substances.
Dr Piatkowski said the gap in knowledge surrounding the full spectrum of substances found in unregulated AAS products presented an urgent challenge for harm reduction strategies, with the only documented trial in the world providing evidence for presence and purity, but not other contaminants.
“Without such information, consumers remain vulnerable to adverse health effects, some of which may be long-term and irreversible,” he said.
“To address the evolving challenges in AAS manufacturing, establishing a robust surveillance and testing system would ensure the latest trends in illicit AAS products are continuously monitored, enabling real-time updates on potential contaminants and hazards.
Such a system could support informed decision-making and strengthen harm reduction efforts.”
Alcohol-related diseases and injuries have the potential to cost the Australian healthcare system a staggering $68 billion over 60 years if nothing is done to stop the impact.
The new Griffith University developed The Alcohol Policy (TAP) model is an epidemiological model used to estimate the avoidable alcohol-related disease, injury and healthcare cost burden in the Australian population aged over 15 years.
Dr Mary Wanjau
Dr Mary Wanjau from Griffith’s School of Medicine and Dentistry said if we eliminated alcohol consumption over the first 25 years, we could prevent more than 25 million cases of diseases and injuries and more than 200 thousand deaths, of which the majority would be from cancers.
“If we act now and eliminate alcohol consumption to zero, we could save the healthcare system $55 billion in the first 25 years,” Dr Wanjau said.
“These findings can help policymakers understand the scale of the future alcohol burden which can be prevented.”
Excessive use of alcohol was one of the leading risks for mortality and disability globally with the evidence suggesting there is no safe level of alcohol-use for overall health.
The risk of cancers and mortality rises with increased levels of drinking.
Young adults aged 15-39 years bear most of the acute consequences due to high rates of injuries leading to death and disability.
Even minor decreases in alcohol consumption across the population could significantly reduce health burdens for individuals and the healthcare system while also lowering costs for individuals, communities, and governments.
Professor Lennert Veerman
Professor Lennert Veerman said the findings support prioritisation of investment in alcohol harm reduction.
“Policies and interventions which reduce consumption at the population level are likely to offer favourable impact as they create environments which support and allow for an increase in the number of people who abstain from drinking, a delay in the age when people start drinking, and reductions in alcohol consumption for those who drink,” he said.
“The research findings underscore the consequences of inaction and reinforce the health and economic case for preventive measures, especially for Australia, where alcohol is the most widely used drug.
“Stronger alcohol control policies are needed to realise these gains in the reduction of alcohol harm and related healthcare costs.”
Griffith University honoured the exceptional sporting achievements of 81 Griffith athletes and celebrated their outstanding contributions to sport at the 2025 Blues Awards on 12 November 2025.
Recently named an Australian Olympic Pathway University, Griffith produced more Olympians than any other Australian university across the past three Olympic Games.
Vice President (Industry and External Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Harch, Bronwen Knox OLY and Director Griffith Sports College Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY.
The Blues Awards celebrated the talent and drive of athletes across a wide spectrum of sporting disciplines.
Thirty-one Griffith athletes received a Half Blue Award for representing their nation at a junior level or in regional international competitions, and 38 Griffith athletes received a Full Blue Award for representing their country at a senior level during their studies.
The Griffith Sporting Hall of Fame award honoured an exceptional legacy of athletic achievement and celebrated an enduring commitment to nurturing world-class sporting excellence.
This prestigious award was presented to Griffith alumnus Bronwen Knox OLY (Bachelor of Biomedical Science) for her outstanding contributions to water polo and representing Australia on the world stage.
Excellence in Action awardee, Harris Andrews.
Ms Knox is Australia’s only female water polo athlete to compete in four Olympics, and represented Australia in 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, 2016 Rio, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, earning bronze medals in both 2008 and 2012.
Director Griffith Sports College Naomi McCarthy OAM OLY said the number of international athletes achieving incredible results was astonishing.
“It’s been another exceptional year for Griffith student athletes competing on the world stage,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It speaks to not only their dedication to their sport, but the support our athletes receive from Griffith to balance their academic and sporting careers.”
Griffith University Swim Club award recipients.
One of two new categories in 2025 included the Excellence in Action award which recognised an individual who demonstrated outstanding achievement both on and off the sporting field.
This award was presented to Harris Andrews (Bachelor of Education), co-captain of the Brisbane Lions AFL team, who led his team to back-to-back Premiership victories in 2024 and 2025.
Beyond the field, Mr Andrews was honoured for his advocacy in addressing domestic and family violence, and received a Griffith Award for Academic Excellence.
The second new category in 2025 highlighted 13 members of the Griffith University Swim Club who proudly represented their country at varying levels of international competition including Zac Stubblety-Cook OAM OLY (Bachelor of Business) who will graduate from Griffith University in 2025.
Sports Engagement Manager, Tom Fields, Meg Harris OAM OLY and Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
Achieving the highest results of the year in sport and receiving the Athlete of the Year award, Meg Harris OAM OLY (Bachelor of Nursing) was honoured for her incredible effort at the 2025 World Aquatic Championships where she won gold in the 50 metre freestyle and the 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay.
Recognised for a stunning year of achievements including a gold medal at the 2025 Taranto World Triathlon Para Series and two silver medals at the 2025 Para World Triathlon Championships both in the PTS5 Men’s and Mixed Para Team Relay, Para-triathlete Jack Howell (Bachelor of Education) received the Para Athlete of the Year award.
Sports Engagement Manager Tom Fields, Tara Sosinski and Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans.
The First Peoples Athlete of the Year was presented to Mikayla Hinkley (Bachelor of Psychology – Honours), a professional cricketer with the Perth Scorchers and selected for the Australian First Nations cricket team.
Achieving the highest grade point average out of all Griffith athletes, Jackson Harvey (Dual Bachelor in Environment and Science and Business) competed internationally in freestyle mogul skiing, and was awarded the Academic Athlete of the Year.
Griffith student and triathlete Tara Sosinski (Bachelor of Biomedical Science) received the Junior Athlete of the Year award for representing Australia at an international underage level.
Ms Sosinski recently returned from the Triathlon World Championships where she won a bronze medal in the U23 mixed relay team.
She also won silver in the Asia Triathlon Cup, and placed 15th in the U23 World Triathlon Cup.
