A comprehensive survey has been launched by Griffith University researchers to assess the state of mental health and wellbeing in workers across the film and television industry.
Filmmaker and academic, Associate Professor Peter Hegedus is known for his passionate exploration of human stories and has long been an active supporter of social justice organisations around Australia, so it was only a matter of time before he reflected on his own community.
This time came at the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns, when production largely halted across the country and the world, leaving a strong feeling of isolation in the screen industry and community.
“Filmmaking is about collaboration through connection and I noticed people had stopped connecting with one another,” Associate Professor Hegedus said.
“This separation propelled me to set up the Screen Collective with local filmmaker friends Bobbi-Lea Dionysius, Andrew McInally and Tam Sainsbury, which brought filmmakers in Queensland together (mostly via Zoom) to alleviate some of the isolation many were feeling.
Associate Professor Peter Hegedus
“It gave people a space to share thoughts and reach out to one another, but also led to discussion around some key issues concerning the industry.
“It was around this time that we came to the realisation that many of us were feeling quite challenged in the mental health space and perhaps had been for some time.
“After talking to some service providers, we realised there really wasn’t a mechanism in place from agencies or guilds to look after people’s wellbeing on set, and behind the scenes.”
Struggling to find data on mental health and wellbeing in the screen industry, Associate Professor Hegedus found film crews in the independent screen sector were facing difficulty advocating for improved conditions or support without any real evidence.
Collaborating with fellow Screen Collective founder and Griffith Film School sessional teacher Bobbi-Lea Dionysius to research and look at overseas examples, the pair then teamed up with Professor Paula Brough from Griffith’s Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing to develop their plan further after uncovering some shocking statistics.
83 per cent of screen directors think the overall pressures and stressors of working in the industry contribute to poor mental health outcomes
One in three screen directors know a colleague who has taken their own life
44 per cent of industry workers have moderate to severe anxiety (10 times higher than the general population)
35 per cent of all Australian entertainment industry workers earn an annual industry income below $20,000
44 per cent of entertainment industry workers don’t get enough sleep
“Being such an inherently competitive industry, people are often trying to make films with very small budgets, with this culture of working around the clock, not sleeping or working 12-hour days having become embedded in our industry culture as being ‘OK’ or ‘normal’,” Professor Hegedus said.
“People were suffering silently, so we thought, what if we create a comprehensive survey that could be released into the industry and ask some strong questions about where people are at and how they’re feeling?
“We’re not sure what the solution to the problem will be yet, but having the facts is going to help us work towards one.”
With support from industry guilds and representatives, the survey will be circulated extensively throughout the industry.
Founder of Screen Well Ben Steel is one such supporter, with his organisation aiming to promote and improve mental health outcomes for the Australian screen industry.
“Capturing screen industry specific statistics on mental health and wellbeing is an incredibly valuable tool to understand the complexities that students and industry professionals face in pursuing their careers,” Mr Steel said.
“Having a deeper and better understanding of the challenges will enable Screen Well to enhance the effectiveness of the programs and initiatives we provide to the industry.
“We are tremendously excited by the potential the research will have to contribute to positive change for our beloved industry.”
Disability Action Week is an opportunity to celebrate the success of Griffith University Alumnus Gavin Jackson who persevered through a sporadic and often debilitating health condition to achieve his Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, which landed him the perfect job.
Soon after collapsing at work, Mr Jackson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease which attacks the central nervous system and causes a range of unpredictable symptoms such as chronic fatigue, vertigo, vision disturbance, trouble concentrating, muscle weakness and coordination and balance.
“I got really sick, my life turned upside down and I was out of action for six months,” Mr Jackson said.
“I felt like my life was unravelling, my marriage broke down, I lost my home, I found myself living on a disability pension and feeling very isolated.
“I was told people with MS have a reduced life expectancy, but I decided I’m not ready to give up just yet because I’ve got a great deal of life inside of me.”
Griffith Alumni Gavin Jackson at his graduation with School of Human Services Associate Professor Jennifer Cartmel.
Mr Jackson said he knew he was capable of rebuilding a new life to accommodate his changing health condition which fluctuated between tolerable and debilitating.
Following a decision to move from Far North Queensland to Brisbane to be closer to family and health services, Mr Jackson was accepted to study at Griffith University.
“Though studying from home was an option, it was important to me to go into the campus to meet regularly with my lecturers and other students,” he said.
“When I turned up to university as a mature-age student with a four-wheel walker, I thought I would feel out of place and look unusual, but I realised it was more of a mental hurdle than anything else.”
Mr Jackson was allowed to undertake a research-based work placement because it allowed more flexibility than a traditional work placement.
Eight years later, he earned a degree in Human Services and now works full-time with technology enabled home care provider Five Good Friends as a care coordinator helping clients to manage their aged care and NDIS packages.
“Although I was always sick, I was so determined to make it work,” he said.
“I’ve been with Five Good Friends for more than a year now and feel like I’ve found myself and like I have an identity.
“I have incredible empathy for our clients, and I know exactly what our NDIS clients are going through because I’ve got lived experience.
“I’m over the moon to be able to do the job I’ve studied and prepared for and it’s a fantastic place to work.
“When I first started to get sick and had to rethink my life plan, I didn’t know you could work from home, and I didn’t know you could get paid to talk to people.
“I have found my little niche in the world – I go into the office on Tuesdays and hand out chocolates and connect with the team because it’s important to put that effort in.
“I’ve got lots of reasons to be sad and depressed but I’m not, I just focus on all the good things I bring into my life.
“I’m so grateful for my experience and the flexibility at Griffith and to teachers such as Associate Professor Jennifer Cartmel who considered my needs and provided flexibility.”
Driven by the escalating prevalence of vaping among young adults, a Griffith University researcher is delving into the motivations and struggles of young vapers, to co-design a vaping cessation program.
PhD candidate and sessional academic tutor Nicola Rahman has been conducting the two-part study to understand vaping behaviours, and quitting intentions and attempts.
Phase one involved a national online survey of more than 500 current and former vapers (18-24 years of age), asking participants about the devices they used, preferred flavours, frequency, reasons for starting and efforts to quit.
It uncovered a range of valuable insights into the dynamics of vaping among young adults, including curiosity and peer influence leading to them starting the habit, and how they have found themselves unintentionally dependent on the habit.
Phase two seeks to engage a similar cohort in co-design workshops, using insights gathered to develop a program that will help addicted vapers quit.
A nurse herself with an interest in drug and alcohol related health issues, Ms Rahman started her research in 2021, anticipating the problem vaping was about to become.
Nicola Rahman
“New research has already shown young people are rapidly becoming addicted to vapes” she said.
“Vapes contain more than 200 chemicals including formaldehyde and arsenic, which are things you really don’t want to be breathing in.
“They also contain high levels of nicotine, so we’re seeing this whole new generation of people addicted to and dependent on nicotine.”
While vapes are often used to help smokers quit, the research has found young people do want to quit vaping and are seeking support to do so, however, there is limited evidence-based information on vaping cessation.
What’s more, young people who begin vaping are three times more likely to move on to smoke cigarettes, with one in five participants reporting dual smoking, presenting a new health issue from the combination.
“We’ve also looked at participants’ attempts to quit vaping, what strategies they’ve used and what was or wasn’t successful.” Ms Rahman said.
“Many said stress was the reason they continued to vape.
“There’s a lot of mental health issues and stress tied up in this age group with vaping, but with 60 per cent of respondents having tried to quit in the last year unsuccessfully, this tells us that A) quitting is very difficult, B) the nicotine in vapes is very addictive, and C) we need to develop effective support to help people quit.”
The study aligns with broader recent efforts to understand the health implications of vaping, including emerging research on its harmful effects on dental health as well as environmental concerns.
As the vaping epidemic continues to unfold, the findings are poised to make a significant impact in guiding policies, interventions and public awareness campaigns to address the complexities of vaping addiction among young adults.
Participants are still being sought for the co-design workshops.
Current and former vapers aged 18-24, as well as health professionals who work with young adult vapers are encouraged to participate in a two-hour online workshop, with a $50 gratuity offered for their time.
Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Design Café pilot project was such a success, its blueprint for co-design has been incorporated into a course available to design students.
Industrial Design Project Coordinator and Paralympian Matt McShane PLY.
The co-design initiative invited participants with disability to work alongside designers, engineers and occupational therapists to design, develop and produce solutions to challenges people face every day.
“Our co-created designs will be available for public access after they are uploaded as computer-aided design files to the public access Design Library, and the public will be able to download designs for 3D printing,” said Industrial Design Project Coordinator and Paralympian Matt McShane PLY.
“Our Design Café is a space where ideas and dreams become tangible realities and it has the potential to transform society’s approach to disability by fostering creativity, collaboration and producing cutting-edge solutions.
“A diverse alliance of people with disability, researchers, 3D printing experts, industrial designers, educators, and health and social services providers collaborate to invent unique solutions that transform lives.
“Co-design involves the end user in the design process from start to finish to ensure human-centric product design.
“It was remarkable to directly learn from users and understand their unique challenges, while actively involving them in the design process.
“The design teams have access to all the necessary equipment as well as connections to industry advisors who can help them develop sustainable solutions to the challenges many of us face in daily life.”
Playing card holder
Thumb loop for charging cord.
Playing card holder in the 3D printer
Harnessing co-design as a key philosophy, The Design Café project is part of the Design Hub which encompasses the Design Café, Design Library and Citizen Challenge platform.
Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Director Professor Elizabeth Kendall.
Griffith’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability Director Professor Elizabeth Kendall said the design hub highlights the amazing innovations designed and tested by people who need them.
“Innovation doesn’t always come from scientists and high-tech laboratories because it is people experiencing restrictions in their day-to-day lives who are often prolific innovators,” Professor Kendall said.
“Such involvement has often been overlooked when designing for disability, but this event showcased a refreshing approach to human-centred design.
“Together with people who have lived experience, the program put forward new, co-created solutions for development, with the potential to provide valuable enhancements to people’s lives.
“If you’re facing barriers with day-to-day activities or if you have your own successful hack story to share we encourage you to get in touch.”
Construction is set to commence on a new flagship building at Griffith University’s Nathan campus which will target a five-star Green Star Building V1 rating.
Lendlease was the successful tenderer for the ‘Arrivals Building’ which is set to break ground early next year, providing space to accommodate staff relocating from Griffith’s Mount Gravatt campus.
Griffith University Chief Operating Officer Peter Bryant
Griffith’s Chief Operating Officer Peter Bryant said the new building, N82, will be a centrepiece for the campus with the main design feature to be a central outdoor atrium formed by a series of elevated terraces.
“This will be a state-of-the-art building which will include a range of key features and new space types for the campus,” Mr Bryant said.
“Importantly, the building incorporates a Changing Places facility on the ground level for people living with a disability and will include an adult change room with a hoist, a change bed and an accessible toilet.
“The rest of the building will encompass formal and informal teaching spaces, lounge areas, and integrated teaching spaces with research and staff accommodation.”
The N82 facility has been designed with the Toohey Forest in mind with the internal colour palette reflecting the forest’s fauna and flora.
The building has a designing with Country element which will take people on a journey up through the Atrium as they traverse the levels, staircases, and terraces.
Staff, students and visitors will arrive at significant vantage points to surrounding Country including a pop-out facing toward Mt Warning that can be viewed in the distance.
The N82 project team is working with Griffith engineering academics on a proposal to install geotechnical and structural real-time sensing into N82 to support teaching, learning and research.
The sensors will measure a range of items such as movement, deflection, and groundwater fluctuations.
Mr Bryant said the aim is to achieve a five-star Green Star rating which takes into account a number of factors including responsible construction and procurement practises and setting embodied carbon targets that achieve Australian Excellence.
“The roof will include solar panels for green energy, and natural ventilation with high opening windows and fans on the terraces and in all teaching and workplace spaces,” he said.
General Manager Construction Queensland/Northern Territory Lendlease, Jerome Johnson, said: “We look forward to partnering with Griffith University to deliver an advanced research and learning facility at the Nathan campus in South East Queensland.”
“This collaboration goes beyond construction; it reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students, staff, and the research community.”
The N82 building is scheduled for completion in 2026.
The annual Griffith University Deadly U Experience hosted 75 South East Queensland high school students at a three-day academic challenge which provided a hands-on, skills-building education showcase designed to enlighten students to their own academic potential.
GUMURRII Student Success staff and the Indigenous Engagement team.
The challenges were designed and guided by Griffith’s academic staff from fields of study such as Arts, Education, Law, Environment, Science, Business, Health, and Pharmacy.
“The three-day challenge ended with a showcase and three outstanding presentations won prizes,” said Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Zane Hendriks.
“This year, the Deadly U Experience introduced Year 8 First Nations students to the university environment to raise study aspirations early in their high school journey.
“We want students to feel a sense of achievement, and feel they have the potential to successfully engage with academia.
Winners of the Deadly U competition for the pharmacy challenge.
“Congratulations to all participants and to the group of students led by School of Pharmacy Associate Professor Fiona Kelly who won first place for their fabulous project idea ‘Remove Unwanted Medicine’ which aimed to teach the public how to dispose of unwanted and expired medicines safely.
“Griffith academic staff, GUMURRII Student Success staff and the Indigenous Engagement team did a wonderful job of mentoring the Deadly U participants through the research, ideation and planning stages of the project and guided them through to final presentations.”
Achieving second place with the School of Education and Professional studies challenge, a group of six students analysed and evaluated their current experiences with schooling to create ‘The ideal school: where everyone belongs’.
Second place winners for the education challenge.
“It was so gratifying to see the students, not really knowing each other before arriving, gel together as a group and work collaboratively towards this goal,” said Education and Professional Studies Lecturer Dr Harry Kanasa.
“Some of the students were really nervous about public speaking but with support from the great facilitators, they were able to rise to the challenge.
“Our group prepared a 10-minute group presentation to politicians to present school values, a motto, policy, rules, subjects and a desktop size model of the school that clearly reflected their values and created the social and physical environment where students from diverse backgrounds felt safe, included and free to thrive.”
Director of First Peoples Health Unit (FPHU) Professor James Charles and the FPHU team led six students to research issues relating to health and nutrition with the health promotion challenge ‘How do we learn from the past to have healthy diet behaviours today?’.
Third place winners for the health challenge.
“The First Peoples Health Unit team really supported the students, and it was great to see everyone working together,” Professor Charles said.
“Our team created a new healthy eating message for young First Nations peoples looking at native bush tucker from the past.
“The students did a fantastic job with the challenge, and we were very proud our team received third place in the final showcase.
“Our team proposed a fast-food outlet ‘Deadly Burger’ using Aboriginal slang ‘deadly’ (meaning great) in the slogan, ‘Remember, Deadly Burger, faster than a Roo’, and incorporated the Aboriginal flag colours in the logo.
“The students created a signature burger, ‘Big Red Roo Burger’, and a lemon myrtle drink which was healthy and delicious.”
In collaboration with Fiji National University’s College of Business, twenty Griffith Business School (GBS) students embarked on a journey that transcended the confines of textbooks and lecture halls. The recently concluded 3004GBS Human Resources Study Tour course took the students to the vibrant city of Nadi, Fiji, where they explored the contribution of human resource management (HRM) to the efficiency and productivity of organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Under the guidance of Dr. William Vuk Despotovic and Dr. Judy Taubner-Ragg from the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources, the course seamlessly blended theoretical acumen with hands-on experiences.
The program kicked off with a series of enlightening lectures at Fiji National University, delving into HR planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance management. Academic staff from both institutions collaborated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of HRM in the Asia-Pacific context.
However, the students were not confined to the four walls of a classroom. They took part in an array of activities, from interactive workshops on cross-cultural competency and intercultural communication to insightful presentations by Reddy Group, Fiji Air Terminal Services, and the National Training and Productivity Centre. The study tour even included site visits and HRM presentations at Fiji Airports Ltd, offering a firsthand look at the practical applications of HRM principles.
Beyond the academic rigors, the students were afforded the opportunity to soak in the rich Fijian culture, history, and arts. From vibrant Diwali celebrations to forging connections with local counterparts, the experience became a holistic exploration that transcended traditional educational boundaries.
Griffith University Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Government International Relations student, Deeya David, shared her reflections, stating,
“The experience not only enabled me to develop and apply HRM knowledge, gain insights into HRM processes but also fostered lasting connections with FNU buddies and fellow Griffith students.”
Emma White, a Bachelor of Business student, echoed the sentiment, describing the study tour as “definitely a highlight of my academic studies” and expressing how it has shaped her interest in global HRM.
This transformative initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program, reflecting its commitment to fostering global citizenship among students.
As these students return to their academic pursuits, their enriched perspectives and newfound connections stand as a testament to the power of international collaboration in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
#UsToo
Academic women are experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, and the numbers have increased over the last five years. If 100 academics read this article, at least 29 of them will have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
Australia’s National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has recently released findings from a national survey of sexual harassment against university staff which showed that 29% of respondents had experienced sexual harassment. Women represent the majority of the victims. Five years ago, the figure was 19%. Things are clearly not getting better.
These numbers are depressing, and frightening. But for those who research gender in universities, they are not even slightly surprising.
While the #metoo movement has raised awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment across broad sectors, this still exists. Moreover, most cases are going unreported! This is despite the recent recognition by the Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Amendment Regulation (2022) of the vast range of ways in which sexual harassment in the workplace impacts upon people.
Why is this the case?
If this is happening in our higher education institutions, what can we say about other sectors? Shouldn’t our universities be safe havens for diverse women? Universities are viewed as places underpinned and driven by core societal values, ethics and behaviours, including social justice, and as institutions that teach and instil reflection, debate and evidenced based decision making. They are places where data makes a difference, and the latest sets of data provide an opportunity to ask more questions.
Sexual harassment is a psychosocial hazard in the workplace, ranging from harassment, unwanted sexual attention, to sexual coercion. It doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is fundamentally enabled by our environment, our culture, our unquestioned beliefs.
To address the issue of sexual harassment, we need to pay attention to everyday sexism and gender discrimination in organisations. These could be seemingly innocuous or unintentional gendered remarks, but they lay the foundation for more serious offences.
A team of interdisciplinary researchers funded by the Gender Equality Research Network at Griffith University are leading the way in developing new data to help change the way universities respond to gender equity and harassment. Our research investigates the experience of women and non-binary academics in Australian universities.
Our interdisciplinary team conducted an online, anonymous survey with 420 academics in Australia, asking questions about everyday sexism, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
The data demands urgent attention.
90% of our respondents have experienced various forms of everyday sexism in their workplaces. 86% were treated with disrespect, 86% experienced ‘mansplaining’ and 89% were interrupted or talked over in meetings. 81% reported incidents where people try to ‘put them in their place’.
In this context, it is not surprising that 50% of our respondents have experienced sexual harassment in Australian universities, with the majority of harassers being senior co-workers.
“90% of our respondents have experienced various forms of everyday sexism in their workplaces. 86% were treated with disrespect, 86% experienced ‘mansplaining’ and 89% were interrupted or talked over in meetings. 81% reported incidents where people try to ‘put them in their place’. “
What are the consequences?
Gender inequity and sexism have negatively impacted our respondents’ careers, mental health and wellbeing. 74% of respondents believe gender-based discrimination or everyday sexism have impacted negatively on their employment, career or work. 67% reported negative financial consequences. The impact on health and wellbeing was significant, 71% reported negative impact on self-esteem. The same percentage reported an impact on general wellbeing, and 68% reported an impact on their mental health.
In the context of this data, it is perhaps surprising that 50% of respondents feel hopeful about gender-based challenges. Of course, the corollary is that 50% feel hopeless. That’s half of all women feeling that the challenges of gender are never going to be dealt with.
Worryingly, the people with the most insight into the realities of everyday sexism may not feel able to speak about it. 93% of respondents have felt unheard, which is a complicated statistic for research-based universities to respond to. As one respondent said, “Not only are we disadvantaged through systems that are clearly biased against us, but we are not allowed any agency to raise questions about them. Raising questions puts a target on you, gets you labelled as a troublemaker”.
What needs to change?
No one should feel unsafe at work, and no one should have to put up with any harassment in the workplace. If we listen to this research (and all related research it connects to) there are several direct ways forward. Here we offer some starting points:
Recognise the size, scope and complexity of the problem and make a visible commitment to change.
Listen. Diversity initiatives and policies are in place, but they are often developed by people who are well intentioned but may not have a background in gender-based research. Moreover, these initiatives need to be better monitored.
Recognise and call out everyday sexism. In order to shatter the foundation for sexual harassment, universities need to take everyday sexism more seriously. Bystanders make a difference. Understand the sexist origins of behaviours and be aware of our unconscious bias and unexamined beliefs about women. This education cannot be done with a brochure. We need to invest in large scale, organisational wide education to make visible unconscious bias and the myriad of ways in which women are still positioned as the ‘other’ academics.
Get to grips with intersectionality. Gender-based discrimination cannot be considered in isolation. Intersectional feminism demonstrates how patriarchy intersects with other oppressive structures, including racism, colonialism, ableism, queer- and transphobia, and ageism, to shape people’s experiences within an institution. We know that women face risks in universities, and we know that some women and non-binary academics face more risks than others. We need more intersectional research to help the development of effective interventions. And once again, we need education.
Get back to the basics: Research-led education. If we use the existing expertise we have regarding the origins of gender inequity, we could—as a sector—use this knowledge to construct a whole new approach to gender-based reform in university contexts.
It would be insulting to suggest that centuries of sexist behaviour can be undone overnight. But as with most things that matter, the first step is to name the problem, to really listen to those with the most at stake, and to co-design respectful, evidenced based, multi-dimensional ways forward.
What is Griffith University doing?
Griffith supports this change and takes the task of safety and wellbeing of our academic staff very seriously. Like many universities, Griffith University has legally appropriate policies preventing overt discrimination, as well as parenting facilities, initiatives to support women in STEMM, and parental leave provisions. And we have clear evidence of some impressive initiatives such as the Gender Equality Research Network and events led by our Equity and Pride committees.
But the persistence of gender-related discrimination provides a compelling case to be made for going further. In our research, we have seen gender-based approaches within universities described in four different ways: desert, mirage, oasis and utopia.
By supporting the research reported in this article Griffith University is helping to make utopia a reality, not an illusion. This will take on going work, and we look forward to reporting on next steps.
Imagine what it would look like if we turned this around. What if we really faced up to all the data. What if we were truly brave and looked at the consequences of entrenched sexism?
Griffith supports this change and takes the task of safety and wellbeing of our academic staff very seriously. What are your universities doing?
Authors
Dr Elaine Chiao Ling Yang is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism at Griffith University. Elaine’s work focuses on the empowerment of marginalised groups in tourism, including women, children and migrants. Most of her work entails an intersectionality lens that foregrounds the intertwined gender, race, and cultural identities. Elaine has received multiple research awards, including the CAUTHE Fellows Award in 2023.
Dr Dhara Shah is the Director of Engagement and Senior Lecturer with Griffith’s Department of BSI. Her research interests include women and social entrepreneurship, social innovation, disadvantaged aging women, cross-cultural adjustment. Dhara has led social innovation projects to empower precariat and disadvantaged women, capacity-building for women social entrepreneurs, awareness of Diversity and Inclusive Leadership. She has published many high-ranked journal articles and book chapters. She was a recipient of the PVCs Research Excellence Award in 2021
Professor Leonie Rowan is the Director of the Griffith Institute for Educational Research. Her research and teaching focus explicitly on issues relating to gender; particularly the multiple ways in which gender is made to matter in contemporary texts and contexts.
Dr Natalie Osborne (School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University) is interested in feminist, queer, anti-colonial and crip theorising for urban and climate justice, and research and teaching for collective liberation. She co-organises Radio Reversal and the Brisbane Free University, and is a white settler on unceded Jagera and Turrbal Country.
Dr Sonal Nakar is a Lecturer and Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA) institutional lead for School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University. She is an experienced practitioner with research expertise in the teaching of ethics, ethical reasoning, teacher education, the beginning teacher workforce, and work-integrated learning in education.
Dr Sakinah Alhadad is a senior lecturer and researcher at the School of Education and Professional Studies and the Griffith Institute of Educational Research. As an interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of psychology, the learning sciences, and education, her research is focused on equity and justice-oriented educational possibilities in higher education, particularly for the minoritised and marginalised, from an intersectional perspective.
Dr Roslyn Donnellan-Fernandez is a midwife and Director of Primary Maternity Care Programs at Griffith University with experience in teaching and curriculum development at three Australian universities. She is actively engaged with strategic, policy and funding initiatives for scale-up of midwifery models as a primary, public health strategy to enable access and equity for under-served groups. Her teaching and research are informed by critical emancipatory social theory, principles of life-long learning, advocacy, and political and professional engagement that facilitate transformation of people, structures, and communities toward social justice, health equity, and gender equality.
The future of beef cattle trade between Australia and Vietnam was discussed at a symposium in Hanoi highlighting an industry collaboration in technical expertise and development of a more competitive, sustainable, and profitable supply chain.
Project lead at Griffith Asia Institute Associate Professor Dominic Smith.
Project lead at the Griffith Asia Institute Associate Professor Dominic Smith said the symposium was an excellent chance to link Australian and Vietnamese industry through technical expertise.
“It is extremely positive to see the symposium reinvigorating existing relationships between the two countries and also catalysing many new opportunities for technical collaboration, investment, trade, and capability development,” Associate Professor Smith said.
Discussion topics included priorities and opportunities in markets and trade, meeting net zero emission targets, profitable forage and fattening systems, improving breeding and genetics in Vietnam, modernizing processing, value adding and integrity systems.
The symposium was supported by DFAT under the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Grant Program implemented by Griffith University and Vietnamese partners at the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development (IPSARD) and Focus Group Go Consulting Company with the Reimagining Collaboration between the Australian and Vietnamese Beef Cattle Industries program.
Vietnamese Vice-Minister of Agriculture Phung Duc Tien in discussion with Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Andrew Goledzinowski at the Symposium. Photo credit: Australian Embassy, Vietnam.
Vietnamese and Australian cattle producers, cattle industry associations, businesses, researchers, technical experts and government representatives engaged in livestock production gathered to explore opportunities and forge new friendships at the symposium.
The importance of bringing such a wide range of stakeholders together was highlighted when the event was officially opened by the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture, his excellency Mr Phung Duc Tien.
The event included opening remarks from the Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, who emphasised the importance of the history of relationships between Australia and Vietnam in terms of beef cattle trade and the need to explore opportunities in the area of investment for the future.
Australia’s Agriculture Counsellor to Vietnam, Tony Harman, said he was thrilled to take part in the symposium.
“This year we celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam,” Mr Harman said.
Australia’s Agriculture Counsellor to Vietnam Tony Harman.
“Two-way trade in FY23 realised an impressive $AUD 6.5 billion, with Vietnam now being the fourth largest destination for Australian agricultural exports.
“Our beef and cattle partnership continues to be a cornerstone of our agricultural partnership.
“This symposium draws upon the very best of Australian and Vietnamese technical expertise and commercial knowledge to foster deeper engagement and provide a springboard for the development of a more competitive, sustainable and profitable supply chain.”
Participants in the symposium included 135 face-to-face delegates, more than 50 Zoom participants and more than 2,500 people viewed the live symposium proceedings on YouTube.
The symposium was highlighted to the more than 100,000 viewers of the program “Chà o Buổi Sáng” (Good Morning) program on national broadcaster VTV1 in Vietnam.
All presentations are now available on the Asia Beef Network website.
New research led by Griffith University on Australia’s Gold Coast and Andrés Bello University in Chile, has shown that surfing contributes about US$1 trillion a year to the global economy, by improving the mental health of surfers.
For the Gold Coast alone, the research team estimated the benefits to be valued at ~US$1.0—3.3 billion per year. Mental health benefits from surfing comprise 57—74% of the total economic benefits of surfing. The mental health benefits are 4.4—13.5 times direct expenditure by surfers, and 4—12 times economic effects via property and inbound tourism.
Mental health benefits may differ in degree, from occasional to frequent surfers. Outcomes may sometimes be perceived as negative, with injuries and overcrowding as principal causes. As with many thrill+skill adventure activities, surfing can act as a behavioural addiction: at least some surfers suffer substantial withdrawal symptoms if deprived of surf.
“The reason why there are such big numbers in the value of recreational activities like surfing for mental health benefits is that for almost every kind of job, you have to pay attention: for safety, skill, service, or decisions,” Professor Buckley said.
“If you are stressed and not paying proper attention, your job performance suffers, and that costs money for your employer or your business.
“Outdoor activities such as surfing reduce stress, as long as you can get a few good waves. Surfing has a powerful psychological effect and that has a substantial value.”
Why study the Gold Coast?
Professor Buckley said that for economic valuations, mental health benefits acquired via surfing may also lead to large-scale lifestyle choices, such as residential location and work preferences, and these can create secondary economic effects, e.g., via property prices.
“The economic value of surf amenities also overlaps with beach amenities more broadly,” Professor Buckley said.
“Taking all these factors into account, we estimated the mental health value of surfing for our case study site, the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
“The Gold Coast is a beach tourist destination, and its economy is driven largely by real estate, tourism, and trade and professional services such as building, healthcare and education.
“Its 2023 resident population is estimated at ~732,000. In 2008, there were 65,000—120,000 surfers.
“Surfer numbers have doubled over the past 5 years, so we can estimate >130,000 surfers currently.
“The mean number of beach visits per capita in Australia is 6 per year. The mean number of surf sessions per Gold Coast surfer is reported at ~100/year.”
How do you calculate the mental health value of surfing?
“The economics are straightforward,” Professor Buckley said.
“We simply took existing health economics calculations for parks and greenspace and applied them to surfing.”
Professor Buckley and co-author Dr Mary-Ann Cooper from Andrés Bello University in Chile, triangulated the economic value of mental health benefits from surfing using the two different estimation methods currently available.
Using the productivity + healthcare estimation method, if surfing reduces stress from high to low levels, it creates an estimated ~10% improvement in per capita workplace productivity, plus ~10% reduction in costs of mental healthcare. The Australian mean per capita GDP is ~$45,500, and mental healthcare costs are~10% of GDP4.
The value of that stress reduction via surfing is estimated at ~$5000 per person per year. Surfing therefore contributes an estimated ~$0.65—2.10 billion per year via surfer mental health benefits.
This can be injected directly into the Gold Coast economy via both employment and healthcare.
Where to from here?
Professor Buckley said this study provided an approximate top-down estimate, and for more accurate estimates at local scales, the team needed to track mental health measures and possible influential factors for large panels of surfers, over multiple years.
“Our research also makes a contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG14, which is Oceans.
“Therefore, the economic value of surfing is an argument for the conservation of our coastlines.”
