After completing his PhD through Griffith University, Dr Niels Kraaier’s comparison of government communications in Australia and the Netherlands has culminated in an invitation to the prestigious EU-Australia Leadership Forum (EUALF) in June.

A unique project in the European Union’s suite of diplomacy actions, the forum will be held in Sydney from 4-6 June, bringing together representatives from business, civil society, academia, media and government to discuss, design and collaborate on ideas around the future of the EU-Australian relationship.

A dual citizen of Australia and the Netherlands, Dr Kraaier’s thesis — The Politics of Government Communications — has attracted attention for its insight into political, societal and cultural understanding between the two countries.

“My PhD was in Organisational and Cross-Cultural Communication and my interviews with government communication personnel provided an intriguing insight into how national cultures and political systems impact upon work practices,” says Dr Kraaier.

“While both Australia and the Netherlands are advanced Western societies, significant cultural differences exist between the two and these find expression in various ways.

“Whereas Australia presents as more masculine in its attitudes, the Netherlands is more feminine. Australia is more about winning; the Netherlands about taking part.

“In politics, this plays out in a situation where Australia is like a battle from which one party assumes control. In the Netherlands, it is more about negotiation and shared control.

“These findings are not just worthwhile for the conversations I can have at EUALF, going forward they may help with the framing of new policy and sound diplomacy.

“This is especially relevant for Australia’s relationships in Europe post-Brexit.”

Dr Kraaier completed a Masters (Honours) in Journalism and Mass Communication at Griffith in 2009 before finishing his PhD this year.

Principal consultant with professional development group Veldhoen+Company, as well as for his own cross-cultural communications consulting firm, Dutchuncle, Dr Kraaier is excited about the opportunities presented by EUALF.

“As a forum for functional dialogue and mutual learning across important international issues, there will be opportunities for fresh insights, new networks and stronger existing networks,” he says.

Alongside European dignitaries, Australian members of EUALF’s steering committee include the Chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Ms Gillian Broadbent; Chief Advocate for World Vision Australia, Mr Tim Costello; Chairman of the European Australian Business Council and forme NSW Premier Nick Greiner; and Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Mr Peter Jennings.

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP, presided at the forum’s launch in Brussels last September.

Griffith Film School grads are taking the plunge into the brave new world of online content.

It’s not all cat videos and viral home movies— the web is now a legitimate platform for young filmmakers who are attracting large audiences and scooping up awards.

Fresh, funny and irreverent

Griffith Film School graduate Connor McDuff is the creator and star of the Cracker Milk YouTube channel.

Last year, he produced the first web series on the Griffith Film School graduate slate. The resulting three-part comedy series, F****ed Fairytales, was nominated for an Australian Online Video Award last month.

“Most people do a short film for their graduate project, but I’ve loved online for years, and I thought I may as well make something I’m passionate about,” he says.

“I think you can create stuff for online that is irreverent, individual and unique.

“It was loads of fun and the biggest project of my career to date.”

The young filmmaker has been posting clips on YouTube since he was in high school, and has found that audiences of all ages are flocking online in search of fresh, funny content.

“I started when I was 14 with an old VHS camera and a tripod,” he says.

“People see a video go viral and put it down to dumb luck — but you have to work so long and hard before you get to that level.

“Some of my clips have had 400,000 hits, which is insane, and it’s crazy when people recognise you on the street.

“YouTube has changed everything, and it’s taking over a lot quicker than people realise — content creators need to adapt fast.

“People are taking it seriously — and with platforms like ABC iView and SBS On Demand, a lot of online series are funded and have great production values.”

Connor says online content gives audiencesthe freedom to access content when and where they want.

“Cinema tickets are expensive and TV is riddled with ads,” he says.

“People can be watching stuff online 24/7, the content is available immediately, and theycan respond straight away.”

Opening the door for diverse voices

Masters of Screen ProductiongraduateMary Duongis the creator and writer of an acclaimed 9-part web series, Two Weeks.

Set in Brisbane, it follows a group of 20-something LGBT friends as they tackle big decisions about relationships, friendship, sexuality, careers.

It was nominated for best web series and best editing at the recent Toronto Web Awards and is up for awards at the Melbourne Webfest next month.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/twoweekstv/videos/?ref=page_internal

Mary said the response to the series had been “heartwarming”.

“Two Weeks has been a fantastic ride,” she says.

“I’ve been working on it for the past twoyears, and it’s so heartwarming to see the response.”

Mary had specialised in sound design at GFS, and had never written or directed before. Two Weeks is her first venture into online content — although she has been an avid consumer of web series for several years.

“I started watching a lot of web content myself to see what was out there, and I loved the immediate connection you get with an audience — something which you don’t get with TV or film,” she says.

“I felt like I had something to contribute to the conversation — if all of those people could do it, so could I.

That’s not to say Two Weeks wasn’t without its challenges. Mary says online content has to be scripted and shot in a very different way to a film or TV project.

“It’s been very challenging – most of us have never made anything on this scale. It’s really become my life!”

“We had a long script development process, and made sure that we edited each episode to keep it lean and fast paced.

“You have to think differently with online content — we shot for smallest screen possible, incorporated phone texts to keep the story moving forward and made sure we created a hook at the end of each episode to keep people interested.”

Mary says online platforms allow filmmakers to take more risks and opens the doors for diverse voices.

“The shift towards an online model has opened doors for people like us — you can bypass traditional distribution, take risks, tell stories that may not get past the networks.”

There is diversity behind the camera too, with plenty of women directors on board, including fellow GFS grads Rachel Anderson and Isabel Stanfield.

“It’s a huge thing for us to have women behind the camera, we think it’s extremely important to tell these stories and for women to be in these positions.

“The beauty of web series is that everyone is at the table — people with no experience, people with backing from the screen agencies and streaming services.

“It’s a really interesting space to be.”

Recognition for Griffith content creators

Richard Fabb is the creative director of Griffith Film School’s commercial production house, LiveLab.

He says student content creators are increasingly interested in making online content, and are receiving recognition for their efforts.

“This form is still in its infancy, but we’re starting to see students realising the potential of online,” he says.

“Young filmmakers have a means of putting out content that wasn’t available even five or ten years ago.

“With the proliferation in online content, we are seeing a corresponding increase in the number of online film festivals and awards.

“I think being recognised at this level legitimises the form.”

Helping young filmmakers find an audience

Griffith Film School lecturer Sue Swinburne teaches a course in screen distribution, and says online content has opened up a whole new range of opportunities for emerging filmmakers.

“Traditionally, young filmmakers struggled to cut through, but the internet has really opened things up, and people are starting to find new ways of distributing their work,” she says.

“It gives emerging filmmakers a chance to find their voice and test whether their ideas connect with an audience.

“Once they show what they’re capable of, screen agencies, film distributors, brands come on board.

“Online removes some of the risks associated with innovative or niche work — investors can see there is an audience.

“It’s a wonderful proving ground that allows for different approaches, different ideas and diverse voices.”

Ms Swinburne says media companies have had to reimagine their businesses to play catch up with changes in technology and consumer behaviour.

“There has been a quantum shift in audience behaviour as people have begun to consume content via the internet and mobile devices,” she says.

“The only real constant is change.”

 

Dog owners rejoice — if your fur friends are inclined to ignore your pleas and commands, help could be at hand.

Social Marketing @ Griffith, in partnership with Redland City Council, is launching ‘Leave It’ a pilot dog training programthat starts with a dog friendly event, called DogFest.

A 2017 Griffith University survey of Redland dog owners found that:

DogFest, to be held from 10am to 3pm on Sunday June 4 at Capalaba Regional Park, will feature live music, food trucks,plenty of giveaways and, of course, dog competitions and demonstrations for your four-legged companions.

“Free puppicinos, temporary tattoos, dog tea and more will also be on offer,” said Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Director, SocialMarketing @ Griffith.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the fun-focussed event has a more serious purpose — encouraging dog training.

“This is an exciting initiative that uses innovative techniques supported by science to train dogs to follow commands,” CrWilliams said.

“The program has shown that dogs that are trained to ‘leave it’ are more likely to live in harmony with native Australiananimals, including our local koala population, which we know is vulnerable to dog attacks.

Picture: Tails of Time Pet Photography

“Social Marketing @ Griffith was awarded a contract by Council to develop and implement a pilot behaviour changestrategy, to complement our revised 39 point Koala Conservation Action Plan — adopted last December. We are delightedto see this come to fruition.”

Professor Rundle-Thiele said the Griffith University survey showed that just 38% of dogs came back when called on aconsistent basis and only a third of pooches could be trusted not to chase things.

“We surveyed people to understand more about dogs and we investigated a range of ways we might be able to helpworking with Redland dog owners to design the Leave It program,” Professor Rundle-Thiele said.

The training program ‘Leave It’, employing some of the best local dog trainers, is the result of work with Redland dogowners. Beginning in June, Leave It will offer a variety of training sessions for dogs of all ages and abilities.

“Enriched dogs are better behaved dogs. We all want to be able to co-exist together. We have listened to what Redlanddog owners want and the time is here to see what we can do together,” explained Professor Rundle-Thiele.

Redland residents can find out more about Leave It and DogFest at www.leaveit.com.au.

The powerful role of music in the process of reconciliation has been highlighted by a Griffith University researcher.

Associate Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet made her comments as Griffith marksNational Reconciliation Week 2017 with the annual Walk and Talk events on Tuesday (May 30) and Thursday (June 1).

This year’s events have added significance nationwide as 2017 marks 25 years since the historic Mabo decision and the 50th anniversary of 1967 referendum where Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them.

It is also the 10th anniversary of the launch of Griffith’s Statement on Reconciliation–a public declaration of the university’s commitment to promoting an environment valuing the traditions, protocols and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“Through music and through songs we’re able to acknowledge both past and present injustices,” Associate Professor Bartleet said. “I think that acknowledgement is a really important step in the reconciliation journey.”

Associate Professor Bartleet is Director of the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and was previously named Australian Teacher of the Year in 2014. She is renowned worldwide for her work in community music and community engagement.

She has led innovative community music learning programs where Griffith University students work alongside Indigenous musicians.

“In this way we make space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians to come together in the shared act of music-making,” she said.

“Music is very powerful in being able to acknowledge the past but also look towards the future. Music provides a strength-based approach where people can come together, build relationships, and share cultures, passions and interests.

“It provides a vehicle to tell stories about past and present injustices. Through song, for example, we can hear about what past colonisation has done and continues to do and I think that acknowledgement is one of the most important first steps in reconciliation.

Griffith University is aligned with Reconciliation Australia’s key themes of relationships, respect and opportunity.

This week’s first Walk and Talk event, bringing together students and staff in the spirit of reconciliation, starts at the Mt Gravatt campus at 10am on Tuesday and will take participants on a bush walk to the Nathan campus.

The second walk, on Thursday, will start from the International Building on the Gold Coast campus at 10am.

A multi-million dollar investment by Griffith University to establish a world leading cancer research centre is now challenging traditional approaches to cancer testing and treatments.

The Institute for Glycomics at the University’s Gold Coast campus is now home to the newly-established Australian Centre for Cancer Glycomics.

Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said more than 7 million dollars has been invested in the new centre, the only one of its kind in Australia.

“Our researchers are pushing the boundaries in biomedical research and working towards the discovery of new cancer diagnostics, drugs and vaccines which will have global impact,” Professor O’Connor said.

Local Federal Member and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment the Honourable Steven Ciobo MP has toured the Institute and appreciates the wide-ranging impacts the centre has to offer.

Minister Ciobo said the Gold Coast is now attracting the world’s premier biomedical scientists in this highly specialised field

“This Centre is undertaking unique cancer research with the potential to unlock the mysteries of this insidious disease.”

Glycomics is the study of the carbohydrates that appear on the surface of both healthy and diseased cells. Human cells are covered with a thick layer of carbohydrate chains known as glycans that provide unique cell sugar signatures and form the cell’s sugar coat.

These so-called signatures play a pivotal role in the life of a cell not the least being their part in determining cancer growth and development.

Director for the Institute for Glycomics Professor Mark von Itzstein said their work is singular as it has an entire focus on the impact and changes which are made to the sugar signatures on the surface of cancer cells.

“As the human genome has detected gene-related changes in certain cancer cells, it’s these sugar signatures that will allow us to not only detect but also lead us to developing new treatments and vaccines.”

Professor von Itzstein, one of the pioneers of the world’s first-ever anti-influenza drug Relenza, believes glycomics gives researchers the opportunity for new diagnostics for early intervention and for both drug and vaccine discovery.

Crucial to its work, the Centre is partnering with a range of other national and international institutions including the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse which is providing access to vital patient data and thousands of stored cancer tissue samples.

The Lifehouse Centre has been working closely with Griffith’s researchers and brings together one of the nation’s largest academic cancer centres treating thousands of patients annually.

“It’s all about gathering as much clinical data as we can as a rich knowledge base will help analyse, understand and subsequently treat poorly addressed cancers,” Professor von Itzstein said.

 

(l-R Vice Chancellor Ian O’Connor, Professor Mark von Itzstein, Honourable Steven Ciobo MP, Assoc. Prof. Daniel Kolarich)

The newly formed Centre has also initiated a major collaboration with Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC, Scientific Director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre and also engaged local surgeons in establishing a dedicated Melanoma Cell Bank.

Oncology surgeon Dr Nic Crampton has been working alongside the Institute for Glycomics for a number of years and is delighted the Centre is now being launched on the Gold Coast.

“To have both the new research centre and the cell bank close by means we can readily identify, analyse and target the best ways of treating and fighting melanoma”, he said.

Part of the Gold Coast’s Health and Knowledge precinct, the Institute for Glycomics has successfully developed a host of drug and vaccine discovery programs, particularly cancer and infectious diseases since opening in 2000.

Programs have already yielded major discoveries for metastatic cancers such as melanoma and blood cancers like childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

As cities and urban populations continue to grow and present vigorous new challenges, Griffith University is answering the call by establishing Australia’s largest research facility to tackle the issue.

The leading Cities Research Institute, which began as the Urban Research Program in 2004, has drawn in expertise from several disciplines and grown to have 70 academic members, 35-plus adjunct members and more than 120 PhD scholars who are committed to tackling these complex issues.

The research team, based across Griffith’s Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, is focussed on four key themes of intelligent infrastructure, quality places and changing communities, smart cities and coastal resilience and urban water.

Experts including transport and land use planners, civil engineers, system modellers, environmental scientists, economic and social researchers, coastal engineers, geographers and architects drive research in these themes and collaborate on a range of projects.

Institute Director Professor Paul Burton said current research projects were designed to bring real benefits to cities. They include:

Professor Burton said incorporating the work of the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management expanded the Institute’s capacity to tackle one of biggest challenges facing most of Australia’s major cities – building coastal resilience in the face of climate change.

“We know that as our cities grow, they face increasingly complex problems that require more sophisticated and collaborative research if those problems are to be solved,” he said.

“The problems and challenges confronting cities are multi-dimensional and multi-faceted and we can, in theory, bring everyone together to face these issues. A lot of our work is focussed on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and southeast Queensland in general, but we’ve got collaborations with other countries, community groups, governments, industry and universities all around the world.”

One of those partnerships is the long-running 10-year relationship with the City of Gold Coast dealing with urban planning and coastal management issues.

Mayor Tom Tate, who officially launched the CRI on the Gold Coast on Thursday (May 25), said the Institute’s work was crucial to the long-term success and growth of the city.

“Planners and engineers from around the Asia-Pacific region are looking to learn from our experience and expertise in coastal management,” he said.

“I’m pleased to see the new Institute puts so much emphasis on doing high quality research that focuses on the real world challenges we face.

“While we can learn from other cities, the rest of the world has much to learn from us. The new Institute will help us share that story.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor, CRI Director Paul Burton and City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

Griffith University Vice Chancellor and PresidentProfessor Ian O’Connor said that since the Urban Research Program was originally established in 2004, the group had quickly built a reputation as one of Australia’s leading centres for high quality and practically relevant research on the many and varied challenges facing cities in Australia and the wider region.

“The new Institute will continue its pioneering work on the processes of urban development and the creation of our built environments. And in undertaking this trans-disciplinary research, we will develop a deeper understanding of how our cities work, and how they can be made better and more resilient places,” he said.

With a large number researchers based within the 200-hectare Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP), the CRI will work to attract commercial and research partners to co-locate, with a focus on how the latest in smart technology, which the GCHKP will showcase, can improve both the liveability and economies of cities.

“The GCHKP will be a showcase for smart sensor technology, big data and infrastructure innovation, and is a world-leading model for integrated economic development, so it is exciting to be able to draw on our own backyard to show how modern cities can move forward,” Professor Burton said.

“We believe there will be excellent commercial opportunities to export our city-building expertise to the world.”

CRI members will also take part in a panel discussion led by Professor Burton on Tuesday (May 30) that will delving into the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Over the past month, Griffith University researchers have undertaken comprehensive fact-finding and data collation missions to better understand the enormity of the 2017weather event

Researchers investigated the impacts across both the natural and built environment, from the devastation to the Great Barrier Reef to the disruption of business supply chains.

To find out more about who’s speaking visit here.

A delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology’s Torch Program visited Griffith’s Gold Coast campus today (Friday) for a firsthand insight into the university’s health and science research capabilities.

Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement), Professor Martin Betts, welcomed the group of high-level officials which also met with the Director of Griffith’s Office for Research, Pro Vice Chancellor (Science), Dean of Research (Griffith Health), and Deputy Director of Griffith Enterprise.

Preliminary plans for an entrepreneurial precinct incorporating latest innovations in the medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries have led the Chinese delegation to Queensland.

During a three-day exploratory tour of southeast Queensland, the group has met representatives of Queensland Health, Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, City of Gold Coast and the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games.

In a detailed presentation Professor Betts outlined Griffith University’s integral role in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct in partnership with the Queensland Government, City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Health.

He described a collective vision for the creation of a globally-recognised precinct where jobs of the future based on knowledge-based opportunities will be generated.

Professor Andrea Bishop, Director of the Office for Research, detailed the highly significant contributions made by Griffith researchers in providing solutions in a 21st-century world of new technology, advanced international trade, mass migration and the prevalence of climate change.

Dr Jens Tempe, Deputy Director of Griffith Enterprise, took the delegation on a journey of innovation and engagement. “We start with a focus on important societal needs and look inside Griffith University to find ways we can create solutions. Then we connect with the outside world with the people who need the outcomes we can deliver,” he said.

A site visit of the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct followed the presentations as the future investment potential of the environs were considered in the wake of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

“Griffith University’s world-class research expertise is an important component in their considerations,” Professor Ned Pankhurst(left), Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Griffith University, said.

“During their tour of the Gold Coast campus, the Torch Program delegation will have gained an insight into the far-reaching impacts our researchers continue to have in the discovery of new drugs that fight diseases around the world.

“Key research strengths and opportunities for commercialisation were alsoshowcased and explored.”

China’s Torch High Technology Industry Development Centre is the entrepreneurial platform upon which some 150 precincts have been established in China. These world-leading breeding grounds for innovative investment opportunities have fostered more than 500,000 businesses.

Torch precincts typically account for 33% of the total industrial value of their host cities in China and often more than 20% of the local GDP.

The Torch Program is responsible for more than 11% of China’s GDP, more than 10% of the country’s total industrial value and close to 16% of China’s total foreign exports.

The establishment of a Torch Program health and medicine precinct on the Gold Coast would potentially pave the way for a series of key industry collaborations between China and Queensland.

Eight student films from Griffith Film School will screen at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year.

Hiraeth – which explores the aftermath of a death in the family – will have its official premiere at the Festival.

Writer and director Katherine Chediak Puttnam says she’s excited to see her work screened for a global audience.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity to show my film at Cannes — it is one of the world’s biggest film festivals,” she says.

“Ultimately as a filmmaker, you want as many people as possible to watch what you’ve done — I love the idea of people from all over the world enjoying it.”

 

Katherine has just completed two short films as part of the Master of Screen Production at Griffith Film School and is now embarkingon a PhD.

Originally from Brazil, she worked as a film editor for almost a decade before travelling halfway across the world to study at Griffith Film School.

“The Masters programme here is really unique — you are given the support and guidance to develop as an artist and make the best films you can,” she says.

“All of the people here have a true passion for cinema.”

‘Cannes was an eye-opener’

Rob Corless is showing his animated film Furu Ike (Ancient Pond) at Cannes.

The film was made as part of his Honours year andfollows a young girl’s encounter with a water spirit after she ventures into a storm drain to retrieve her precious origami crane.

Rob describes the short animated film as “a meditation on storytelling”, and says it was inspired by his travels in Japan.

“Japanese art is a big influence on my work, and I was fascinated on my recent trip over there to see how the Japanese aesthetic influences the way they live,” he says.

“I was also really interested in the philosophies like Shinto and animism, where objects take on their own spiritual life.”

Rob is a Cannes veteran, after screening his short film Samuel of the Sea at last year’s festival. He says attending Cannes was “an eye-opener”.

“I learnt a lot — I think the first day or two I was just wandering around wide-eyed!

“It was my first festival experience, and a chance to see how the industry works.

“It really changed my point of view — I realised that it was more attainable than I’d thought.

“It made me realise that people were appreciating my work, and it gave me the confidence to submit it to other festivals.”

Rob admits the screening of his film at Cannes was “nerve-wracking”.

“You want to get as many people into the screenings as possible, and we had a packed cinema.

“It was fantastic to see people enjoying the film and responding to it — but a little terrifying at the same time.”

Currently tutoring at GFS, he is working on his first animated feature film, and passing on his knowledge to other young filmmakers.

“Griffith Film School have been such a great support, and very encouraging,” he says.

“It is nice to be able to give something back.”

Industry connections

Griffith is the only Australian film school to have a dedicated screening at the prestigious Festival and this trip marks the eighthyear students have been offered the invaluable opportunity, says Professor Trish FitzSimons.

“It is the ideal opportunity for the next generation of filmmakers to make industry connections that may launch their international career,” she says.

“We give students all the support they need to attend — we send their films, organise their artwork, provide all the documentation and prepare them for the festival experience.

“Being at Cannes is intense, but it is an experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else.”

Each film from Griffith will be screened at the Cannes Court Metrage, a showcase for short films designed to encourage emerging talent. It features more than 2,000 films from 90 countries worldwide.

The 70th Cannes Film Festival runs from 17 — 28 May.

The full list of Griffith Film School films screening this year include:

Double — Siobhan Domingo, Monique Smith

Furu Ike — Rob Corless

The Toll — Lachlan Pendragon

Wolfe — Claire Randall, Shannen Tunnicliffe

Red Kite — Susanna van Aswegen, Brock Taffe

Greb — Naomi Scutts, Kate Doroshenko

Luminous — Alex Greaves, Shay-Lee Smith, Chelsea Lahra

Hiareth — Katherine Chediak Putnam, Dean Law

Preparation is key – particularlywhen facing a potentially devastating natural disaster.

Tropical Cyclone Debbie made landfall in March, bringing with it cyclonic winds and flooding, and causing damage to thousands of properties across Queensland.

But the cyclone, which crossed the coast as a Category 4 system, was unusual in that the logistic challenges were slightly less than would normally be associated with such a major weather event.

“The logistic response was actually quite impressive, not least because the cyclone gave 2-3 clear days’ notice of its arrival,” saidProfessor Peter TathamfromGriffith Business School.

“As a result, there was time to undertake the necessary preparation activities – for those likely to be evacuated, for example.”

Professor Tatham, a global expert in humanitarian logistics, said that responses were tested and generally found to be satisfactory under the circumstances.

“In that sense, it was a useful rehearsal for the next – and potentially more challenging – event.

“This is incredibly important because Far North Queensland doesn’t get hit by cyclones too frequently, and so there is a danger that lessons identified are forgotten in the intervening periods.

“Also, it’s likely that changes in individual and organisational responsibilities can easily result in a loss of institutional knowledge and expertise.”

To further improve the emergency response, Professor Tatham recommends establishing a commoncatalogueof items likely to be required – one that can be accessed by each of the responding agencies.

“This will minimize the need to seek urgent supplies from a distance when they are actually available locally.”

Another key recommendation is simple: “training, training, training,” he said.

Professor Peter Tatham, who is also part of the newCities Research Institute, will take part in a public panel discussion on the environmental and social impacts of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

“What did TC Debbie do?”takesplace on Tuesday May 30, 6pm-8pm in Room 4.23, Business Building (G42), Gold Coast campus.

Hard and soft targets are equally vulnerable to terrorist attacks says Griffith University counter-terrorism expert Professor Geoff Dean.

In the wake of the Manchester bombing he said every event and place, small and large was a potential target.

He said it was essential that security measures such as early risk screening tools were implemented to prevent home-grown terrorist attacks.

“We need early warning systems so we can identify the perceptions and beliefs people have that lead them down this road toward behaviour radicalisation.

“If we can get them at the cognitive radicalised stage, when they’re starting to think about it and their perceptions and beliefs, that’s when we have the power to change behaviour.”

He said the way thecommunity of Manchester responds to the attack will determine if it will become a double tragedy.

“If there is a backlash against Muslims because of the tragedy, then such extremist reactions will further drive more moderate Muslims into the arms of Isis.

“Every piece of research around the world continues to show that no matter which country you are in, the Muslim community is divided into three groups — ‘most’, ‘some’ and ‘few’.”

The ‘Most’ group is the largest comprising ‘moderate’ Muslims, the second group is the ‘Some’ group, a smaller group made up of those who are least ‘sympathetic’ to some messages of radical Islamists and some who are overtly or covertly ‘supportive’ of waging Jihad.

The third group is the ‘Few’ group, consisting of a few hard-core extremists.

“When a community reacts to a tragedy like Manchester with enraged hate and vicious blame for all Muslims, then the balance among the groups changes for the worst,” Professor Dean said.

“The ‘Few’ group of hard-core extremists just sit back and laugh at how the very community they attack is helping them to recruit and replenish their ranks.

“A safe community is a compassionate community that does not peddle hate as result of acts of violence like Manchester.”