Griffith University students have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot to help inform voters about the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, which could also be the future for electoral communications.
As part of a special Griffith course focusing on the forthcoming referendum on constitutional recognition of the First Peoples of Australia, the Griffith students aim to support citizens to cast an informed vote.
The chatbot relies on official government sources, the Law Council of Australia, academic resources and the various campaign positions.
Chatbot curator and Bachelor of Laws student Stephanie Chard said the use of AI chatbots for elections and referenda has great potential in the future, making it an effective and efficient way to answer voter queries.
“The technology will allow people to anonymously ask about frequently misunderstood issues,” Ms Chard said.
“The idea for the chatbot manifested from my own frustration with finding information.
“Some people hesitate to ask questions out of concern for how others might perceive them, especially in this heated debate where we have unfortunately seen a lot of personal attacks, even though seeking out knowledge about the referendum is vital and commendable.
Chat bot curator and Bachelor of Laws student Stephanie Chard.
“It’s for people who want to engage in a form of communication where you can have your questions answered without judgement.
“I predict younger people will be open to using a specialised chatbot such as this, to help inform themselves on current issues during a referendum or an election.”
Ms Chard said the chatbot technology is very useful for things that are purely fact-based.
“We found the chatbot has some limitations such as personal ideology, and it can’t sync with your values because that is very much a human attribute,” she said.
“The chatbot is still in the experimental stage, but we think it is complementary to the accessible resources and can even prompt people to further exploration.
“The chatbot is working well and we monitor the questions and responses daily and make alterations so it can serve with more accuracy.”
Professor A J Brown from Griffith’s Centre for Governance and Public Policy is co-convening the Griffith Law School course which encourages students to engage with their community about the referendum.
“It’s so important to engage people who are politically disengaged,” Professor Brown said.
“In this course, we have really seen our students adapting to changing needs, and we’ve seen them push themselves to get involved in the law reform process.
“It’s vital that citizens use any tool they can to inform themselves about the facts of the Voice proposal, along with whatever is already in their hearts and in their head.”
The chatbot is a third-party website plugin supported by ChatGPT and is trained on specific materials and sample question-and-answers.
Griffith students also involved in the project include Russell Burgess, Hannah Jemmott, Miranda Rhodes and Laura Cochrane.
She joins the company of a Nobel prize laureate, leaders tackling the Aussie engineering shortage, climate change innovators, research translation superstars and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM education champions who were also named as 2023 Fellows.
The 2023 new ATSE Fellows have been chosen for their game-changing contributions in fields spanning artificial intelligence, marine biology, photonics, cancer therapy, battery and energy innovation, and more.
Professor Punyadeera is a translational scientist at the interface of biomedicine and engineering. Her cutting-edge research and transformative applications have real-world impact.
Professor Punyadeera is a global authority on saliva-based diagnostics. She led the development and commercialisation of the world’s first saliva-based test for early diagnosis of head and neck cancers, CancerDetect, helping more than one million patients worldwide.
At the helm of a multidisciplinary team, Professor Punyadeera is leading the development of non-invasive technologies, including wearable diagnostics and biosensors.
She is also a passionate advocate for women in STEM, initiating a program to support women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through Women in Technology.
“What we’re trying to do is to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery, meaning people in the remote and rural areas of Australia can access the same facilities as a person living in the city,” Professor Punyadeera said.
“We can bridge the healthcare disparity by developing non-invasive, easy, accessible diagnostics – hence, we are using saliva samples.
“So anyone in remote communities can collect a saliva sample and send it to a central lab for testing.
“Saliva diagnostics is helping clinicians investigate head and neck cancers. These are the seven most common cancers and because these cancers occur in the mouth area, the first proxy to release biomarkers is saliva.
“So we using saliva as a diagnostic medium for early detection, prediction outcome and monitoring patients.”
Professor Punyadeera thanks Professor Emeritus Ron Quinn, a renowned GRIDD researcher, for encouraging her to apply.
ATSE President Dr Katherine Woodthorpe AO FTSE said the new Fellows are creating a better Australia through their work.
“As we face global challenges such as climate change, the digitisation of our economy and the massive challenge of building a diverse and skilled STEM workforce, technological innovation is the lynchpin for shaping our future. It’s looking bright thanks to the extraordinary contributions of our 33 newest Fellows.”
“It is a proud moment to be elected by your peers and acknowledged for your lifelong achievements. ATSE Fellows are truly exceptional at what they do, and Australia is all the better for them.”
In recent years, YouTube has emerged as a dominant force in the realm of social media, transforming the way we consume entertainment and share information. With its staggering statistics of over 2.6 billion monthly active users and more than 1 billion hours of video watched daily, it has played a significant role in shaping our digital culture.
A double-edged sword
YouTube’s influence on mental health is a topic of growing concern and interest. YouTube can have both positive and negative effects on mental health, depending on its design, use, and regulation.
One key finding is the potential harm caused by YouTube’s ability to foster parasocial relationships. These one-sided connections between content creators and viewers can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and detachment from real-life social interactions, especially among vulnerable young individuals. However, there are tips and strategies available for developing a healthier relationship with social media, emphasising the importance of mindful usage.
On the positive side, YouTube can serve as a valuable tool for education, social connection, and emotional support. Watching informative videos on mental health issues, sharing personal stories, and participating in online communities and support groups can help reduce feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. YouTube’s potential to be a resource for mental well-being is evident, but it is also affected by various factors, including algorithms and policies.
The recommendation algorithm
YouTube’s recommendation algorithm plays a crucial role in shaping users’ experiences and, in turn, their mental health. Over the years, the algorithm has undergone significant changes, from prioritising views and clicks to favouring shares and likes, and eventually focusing on safety and content moderation. While these efforts have been aimed at reducing harmful content and promoting safety, they have also led to unintended consequences.
The algorithm, while attempting to keep viewers engaged, can create filter bubbles and echo chambers, reinforcing users’ existing beliefs and biases. This can contribute to polarisation and misinformation, which have negative consequences for mental health. In response to these challenges, there are calls for increased transparency and improvements in how recommendation algorithms operate, including the use of collaborative AI.
“The algorithm, while attempting to keep viewers engaged, can create filter bubbles and echo chambers, reinforcing users’ existing beliefs and biases. This can contribute to polarisation and misinformation, which have negative consequences for mental health.”
Beyond YouTube
The impact of problematic social media use on mental health extends beyond YouTube. Platforms like Facebook and TikTok have their own unique challenges, such as cyberbullying and harmful content. A survey conducted by Headspace in Australia revealed that one in three Australian youth experienced problematic social media use, driven primarily by a fear of missing out on news, culture, or social interaction. The study findings align with the notion that unhelpful or harmful content can have a detrimental impact on mental health.
In response to growing concerns, Australia has taken a lead in social media regulation, particularly in addressing issues related to algorithms and misinformation. A draft bill seeks to hold social media platforms accountable for the spread of misinformation and disinformation, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
Striking a balance in the digital age
Ultimately, striking a balance between harnessing the benefits of technology and safeguarding mental health remains a crucial endeavour. While AI can enhance mental health care, human touch and ethical considerations must guide its development and deployment. The evolving landscape of psychological manipulation calls for vigilance in countering bias, errors, and misinformation in the digital realm. In this complex interplay between psychology and technology, the well-being of individuals and society at large hangs in the balance.
eMHprac website provides good resources for treatment and can help patients and practitioners to navigate the complex mental health landscape.
Author
Dr Luke Balcombe is a digital mental health (DMH) expert and a researcher in the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP). Dr Balcombe is researching and consulting in the applied psychology and informatics disciplines. Luke is a leader in DMH current state and future trends projects. He is analysing themes and providing insights on the challenges and opportunities for designing and using technology-enabled solutions in mental health care. He is presenting human-centred insights and discussing findings on the impact of YouTube on loneliness and mental health, the use/regulation of AI, and safety and quality standards. His studies include systematic reviews, qualitative research, expert comments, blogs and articles.
As a civic institution, Griffith University is committed to deep engagement with our local communities and unlocking knowledge and foresight from influential thinkers and leaders. On 4 October 2023, we proudly presented the inaugural Brighter Future for All Oration at Brisbane City Hall with The Honourable Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia and one of our most distinguished alumni.
Dr Chalmers has been Member for Rankin in the House of Representatives since 2013, proudly representing the people and suburbs of southern Brisbane and Logan City where he was born, grew up and made a home with his family.
A scholar, author, politician and qualified company director, Dr Chalmers is uniquely positioned to provide insight into the challenges and uncertainties of our time, as well as the reasons for optimism and opportunities to create a brighter future—for all.
The Perfectibility of Opportunity
Thanks Caitlin Byrne for the generous introduction.
To my friend Cindy Shannon, thanks for the opportunity to work so closely with you on behalf of the students of the Logan campus we both represent – and for sharing culture with us on the lands of the Jagera and Turrbal people tonight.
We acknowledge elders, customs and traditions and we acknowledge, too, the generational opportunity we have in ten days’ time to recognise First Nations people in our constitution.
Not just for its own sake but to establish a Voice, which will empower and enable better listening and better outcomes for the first of us in a way that could lift all of us up, together.
That’s what a Yes vote represents – doing things differently and doing things better and starting with listening, so that we make policy with people, and not just for people.
No would keep us spinning our wheels in a cul-de-sac of division and disappointment.
Yes can be a highway to the highlands of a better future.
Yes can help us meet our immediate responsibilities to each other, and serve our generational imperatives too.
That’s why we are here – and I don’t just mean here at Brisbane City Hall tonight – but here at all.
And not to just build a brighter future for some, but to work together in the service of a brighter future for all.
That’s what our Government’s employment white paper was all about, and I want to talk about that in a moment.
First I want to acknowledge and thank all of you for the work you do, and the contributions you make, in communities of learning and communities of people.
And I pay tribute to the best Chancellor-Vice Chancellor combo in Australia – Andrew Fraser and Carolyn Evans.
Both terrific leaders, honourable people, friends.
We are very lucky to have them.
Carolyn, thank you for your words a moment ago and Andrew, looking forward to hearing from you shortly.
“Not just for its own sake but to establish a Voice, which will empower and enable better listening and better outcomes for the first of us in a way that could lift all of us up, together. That’s what a Yes vote represents – doing things differently and doing things better and starting with listening, so that we make policy with people, and not just for people.”
One of Carolyn’s predecessors was Glyn Davis, among our university’s most accomplished figures, my boss once at Premier’s, and now a valued colleague heading up the Prime Minister’s Department.
In his Boyer lectures, he spoke of how universities became places “where students and scholars explored new learning, operating through formal rules that encouraged debate and argument and evidence” and where we seek the “perfectibility of our intellect”.
I can’t hope to be as erudite as Glyn!
But I do want to pick up on what he said, and build on it, and talk tonight about a university which separates itself in the way it also seeks the perfectibility of opportunity.
This is how we see Griffith.
As such a powerful force for opportunity, and inclusion, and aspiration, and wellbeing, and social mobility.
A place where the underrepresented, perhaps also the unheralded, find their path and find their purpose and where for so many of us, our pilot light of purpose is lit.
Most of you here would have your own version of this story, and I’m no different.
I want to talk a bit about that tonight.
From my perspective as Treasurer, as one of your local members.
But also, as a graduate.
Being an alumnus is the main reason I’m so honoured to be asked to give the first Better Future for All Oration, here at City Hall and surrounded by so many wonderful people.
So many of us here have had their lives changed by Griffith.
When I arrived here, I didn’t know where I was headed; when I left here, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I offer this perspective here, not because it’s unique or rare, but because at our university it is common.
And because what Griffith has done for so many of us, we need to do for Australia – I’ll come back to that.
Consider that here, with us tonight, are the joint winners of Griffith’s alumnus of the year.
Professor Bronwyn Harch and Jasmina Joldic.
Bronwyn and Jasmina have different stories, of course.
But they both contain one core element – the possibilities opened up to them by Griffith.
Bronwyn’s path to interim Queensland Chief Scientist began from the moment a cohort of visiting Griffith Uni lecturers came to talk to her school about STEM.
While Jasmina, now Acting Director-General of the Department of Justice here in Queensland –
Found her way to Griffith after fleeing war-torn Bosnia, as a teenager with not much English.
That she now sits before us with a Public Service Medal is just outstanding.
I know this university changed Andrew Fraser’s life too.
It turned a country kid from Proserpine, curious about the world, into a lawyer, then Treasurer and Deputy Premier.
Now a distinguished company director and our Chancellor.
We studied together, and with Anthony Chisholm – now an assistant federal minister for education and for the regions.
I met Anthony at Griffith on our very first day here, in the last weeks of summer in early 1996.
He was the first person I ever met in the Labor Party.
He’d just turned 18, and I did too a week later, my birthday was actually the day Paul Keating lost the 96 election.
Like me, like Fraser, he wouldn’t be a frontbencher in our Labor government without Griffith either.
He can’t make it tonight, he’s got portfolio responsibilities in Darwin, but I’ve sent him my notes.
Which really takes me back to swat-vac in the late 1990s!
He knows better than anyone that I turned up at Griffith with a lot of ambition, but not much of an idea about how to shape that ambition into something meaningful and worthy.
When we came here, we felt so supported and so encouraged.
We were taught by some of the greats of Australian public policy.
People like Pat Weller, John Wanna, Patrick Bishop, Liz van Acker, Robyn Hollander, John Kane, Haig Patapan and a whole bunch of other outstanding people.
I had no idea lecturers would show such an interest, be so accessible.
So much so, that Pat actually had us all over to his house for a barbie when we graduated.
I pay tribute to all the teaching staff here tonight.
And I’m really pleased to see Pat’s been commissioned to write the history of our university in advance of the 50th anniversary.
It’s fitting that here at Griffith, a place dedicated to helping others make the most of their opportunities.
That I discovered the Indian economist Amartya Sen in the upstairs part of the old library at the Nathan Campus.
I spent a lot of time in there, just reading, I loved it there.
I remember picking up Inequality Reexamined.
Something Sen had published a few years before.
What struck me most about his writing, about his ideas.
Was this argument, later called the capabilities approach.
Which suggests that if we care about human progress.
Then we should ultimately care about whether people have access to the materials and the resources, and the institutions they need, to build lives of meaning and purpose.
Once I learnt more about Sen – his exposure to the devastating impacts of famine, poverty and exclusion in India.
His pragmatism and practicality.
His determination to pursue knowledge not as an end in itself, but to make things better, it made a big impression on me.
Because it merged the collective and the individual.
It was all about our collective responsibility to give people the opportunities, the choices.
The capability. To take individual responsibility for their own lives.
So, we can create a society full of people who can flourish.
This is probably the nearest and the neatest summary of how I think about my job and the responsibilities of government.
But these responsibilities aren’t static.
They change and evolve as our economy and our society changes and evolves.
Consider the five biggest shifts underway:
From hydrocarbons to renewables;
From information technology to artificial intelligence;
From younger to older populations;
Changing the composition of our industrial base and placing a greater emphasis on care and support;
And from globalisation to fragmentation.
Our goal is to ensure people can thrive through the energy transformation, the increasing use of digital and advanced technologies, a growing care economy, and geopolitical change and conflict.
That’s how we’re going to make sure that more Australians have the freedom and the resources to pursue lives that they value in the 2020s and beyond.
Making more things possible, for as many people as possible.
Taking collective responsibility for providing the individual capabilities which will make our people and communities beneficiaries of change and build lives of meaning and value.
This is the perfectibility of opportunity.
And it’s a handy summary of our governing philosophy.
So you barely have to scratch the surface of the Albanese Government’s agenda, or my work as Treasurer, to find Sen’s influence or indeed Griffith’s influence.
A very good example of this, perhaps the best example, is the Employment White Paper that we’ve just released.
It’s the culmination of a year of work since the Jobs and Skills Summit.
There’s a heap of analysis in there but the emphasis is on action.
It details around 70 work-related policies we have already implemented; another 80 that are now underway; and 31 future reform directions.
It draws on the Universities Accord and the good work of a number of my colleagues.
Nine new specific policies were released on the day, and I’m pleased to say they’ve been pretty well-received.
Pulling our whole vision together in this way isn’t the norm.
Only three national governments have gone about it the way we just have, with detailed policy papers on work:
Chifley’s in the 1940s, Keating’s in the 1990s, now Albanese’s in the 2020s.
Finding work for thousands of returned servicemen and building a peace worth the winning in the 1940s.
Lifting the modern, reformed economy after recession and laying the foundations for 30 years of growth in the 90s.
And now, making sure our people benefit from the big shifts that will define this decade and those which follow.
Paul’s was called Working Nation; ours is called Working Future – a little nod to the past but with a focus on the future.
It works and winds its way through five core objectives:
First, delivering sustained and inclusive full employment, where everyone who wants a job can get one without searching for too long.
Second, promoting job security and strong, sustainable wage growth.
Third, reigniting productivity growth.
Fourth, filling skills needs and building our future labour force.
And fifth, overcoming barriers to employment and broadening opportunity.
The policies we’re pursuing hang off each of these objectives.
They’re about embedding full employment, boosting job security and wages, and making our economy more dynamic and productive.
Modernising, broadening and deepening our industrial base and our approach to the regions.
Planning for the workforce we need and will need.
Broadening access to foundation skills.
Instilling a culture of lifelong learning, retraining and reskilling.
Reforming the migration system in our interests.
Building capabilities through employment services that support people into meaningful work.
Reducing barriers.
Partnering with communities.
And promoting more inclusive workplaces.
In all these areas we are putting capabilities and change at the core of our approach.
Taking the evolving nature of work as our starting point.
We are making it easier for workers to find great opportunities and for employers to find great workers.
So we can prosper together.
But it’s not just our goals or the detailed policies we are changing and updating that are important.
It’s also the thinking that underpins them.
Let me give you three quick examples.
First, we are changing the way we think about full employment.
Consider this remarkable fact:
Of the 18 months that the unemployment rate has had a three in front of it since monthly records began in 1978.
15 of those 18 months have been under our Government.
So, it’s the perfect time to consider how we measure and how we target full employment.
We know the unemployment rate, as important as it will always be, doesn’t always tell the full story of underutilisation and underemployment in our economy, or the distribution of opportunity in our society.
It doesn’t always capture the differences and the complexities of frictional, cyclical and structural factors.
The economists here will know there’s already a necessary and important but narrow and technical concept here called the NAIRU; the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment.
And the Treasury makes an assumption in the budget about what this is, around 4.25 percent.
This concept is about what level of unemployment is currently achievable that is consistent with low and stable inflation.
The NAIRU informs and complements, and is distinct but complementary to, the government’s broader and longer term goal.
To create an economy where everyone who wants a job can find one without having to search for too long.
We don’t see the NAIRU as set in stone, we want to drive it down over time – by reducing the structural barriers to work.
That’s why we’ve adopted twin goals of sustained and inclusive full employment.
Sustained full employment is about minimising volatility in economic cycles and getting employment as close as possible to the current maximum level consistent with low and stable inflation.
Inclusive full employment is about broadening opportunities, lowering barriers, and reducing structural underutilisation over time to increase the level of employment in our economy.
This does not put us at odds with the Reserve Bank, as some commentators have wrongly concluded.
In fact I consulted the Governor on this approach and she has publicly and repeatedly backed it in.
We’ve also changed the way we are coming at the productivity challenge.
For too long, productivity growth has been too weak – lower in the ten years to 2020 than in any other decade of the last six.
And for too long the national debate about productivity has been needlessly and mindlessly narrowed to industrial relations.
We’re changing that.
Looking ahead and constructing an agenda that responds to the economic opportunities of today, not the 1980s.
One that’s about investing in people, their capabilities.
And getting capital flowing to where it will turbocharge the necessary economic transformations underway in our economy.
Not seeing productivity in the harsh and punitive ways of our opponents or our critics.
Our emphases here are about looking above and beyond the tired old labour versus capital roundabout that much of the commentary still circles around.
Focusing instead on how we create a more dynamic and competitive economy.
On building a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Harnessing data and digital technologies.
Delivering quality care and support more efficiently.
And investing in cleaner, cheaper energy and the vast industrial opportunities presented on the way to net zero.
So, we’re changing our approach to full employment, and seeing the productivity challenge through a future-focused lens.
And we’re also changing our thinking around how best to expand opportunity.
With a new emphasis on place.
When we think about the national economy of course we think about national averages and aggregates – and they’re important.
But we need to go beyond this, to understand how outcomes and opportunities vary across the country.
A lot of the inspiration for this, the influence on this, has come from my work with Griffith, with Logan Together, with you.
And from my home, the place that I grew up and am proud to represent, Logan City.
Where it’s so obvious and so unacceptable that in a country like ours, with an economy as strong as it has been.
There are still pockets of disadvantage and long-term unemployment.
What worries me most about this, is the way this disadvantage and dependence can cascade through generations and concentrate in a handful of communities like ours.
That’s why the White Paper has such an emphasis on place-specific barriers and place-based initiatives, and why our Budget funds important new place-based partnerships.
As Ross Gittins wrote last week in relation to full employment, these are important shifts in the country’s thinking.
Ross should know – having covered Keating’s Working Nation in 94.
Then, Ross said that it would take time to see the results of the changes in policy and approach outlined in that document.
And the same is true of the Employment White Paper.
But what is clear, is that without bedding down these changes, without committing to them.
We’ll run the risk of wasting another decade with short-sighted economic policy and the wrong priorities.
This can be a defining decade, but only if we make our people beneficiaries of change, not victims of change.
By investing in them, boosting their capabilities, giving them the tools to succeed and thrive and advance their communities.
That’s what the Voice is about.
It’s what our white paper on jobs and opportunities is about.
It’s what Amartya Sen’s work is all about.
And what this university is all about as well.
It’s why this is all linked up together.
And it’s how we ‘Make it Matter’.
Not just for some of us – but a brighter future for all.
So thank you for the opportunity to give this first Oration.
For the possibilities you open up for people.
And for the belief you’ve showed in so many of us when it mattered most.
Author
The Honourable Dr Jim Chalmers, 41st Treasurer of Australia, has been the Member for Rankin in the House of Representatives since 2013, proudly representing the people and suburbs of southern Brisbane and Logan City where he was born, grew up and made a home with Laura, Leo, Annabel, and Jack.
He served as Shadow Treasurer from 2019 to 2022, and Shadow Minister for Finance from 2016 to 2019.
Prior to Jim’s election to Parliament, he was the Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer.
He has a PhD in political science and international relations from the Australian National University and a first class honours degree in public policy from Griffith University, and is a qualified company director.
Griffith University has set an ambitious goal of raising $125 million to allow its research, education and engagement to have an even greater impact, benefiting those who need it most.
The Campaign to Create a Brighter Future for All aims to strengthen and deepen the partnership between alumni and current students and researchers, and demonstrate the cumulative impact they make to the university and wider community.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said Griffith was founded almost 50 years ago with a mandate to do things differently and seize opportunities, and this remains true today.
“We partner with industry, government, community groups and international organisations to solve the most pressing issues of our time,” she said.
“We work with a space company to launch satellites, with charities and hospitals to cure spinal cord injuries, with a major bank to tackle financial crime, with a performing arts centre to train the next generation of actors, with schools to improve literacy and with Traditional Owners to preserve rock art, and all over the world, we work with our diverse and talented alumni who are striving to make a difference in their communities.
“Now we are looking for people to provide life-changing scholarships, support transformative research and ensure Griffith grows in strength in coming decades, because together, we can create a brighter future for all.”
The university has identified five key philanthropic priorities, seeking to achieve a positive impact through various partnerships, including:
• Transformative Education for All
• Healthier Lives for All
• A Thriving Environment for All
• A Resilient Asia-Pacific for All
• Strong Communities and Societies for All
Chief Executive Officer of The Clem Jones Group and Campaign Chair Peter Johnstone said he was looking forward to Chairing the Campaign Council and the challenges ahead.
“I’ve been inspired by stories from some sensational researchers doing amazing work across the Griffith campuses, in medical research in particular,” he said.
“This campaign is all about the future — it’s an investment in the future and future researchers working on solving some of the world’s biggest problems including cancer, spinal cord regeneration and environmental causes.”
Griffith maintains a vision that students who might otherwise not be able to consider attending university due to financial hardship or educational disadvantage, are able to come study in their chosen field and continue into meaningful careers.
The Brighter Futures Scholarship helps deserving recipients cover their tuition fees, living expenses and other related costs, reducing financial barriers and allowing them to focus on their studies.
This support is key to empowering students to reach their full potential and make positive impacts in their communities.
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (Hons) student Torren Murada was the recipient of a 2023 Brighter Futures Scholarship and expressed his deep appreciation for the financial support.
“I come from a broken home and was therefore raised by my grandparents, but with my grandmother sadly passing to cancer a while ago and my grandfather now battling severe heart failure among other illnesses, I am now his full-time carer,” he said.
“This scholarship will really help alleviate financial struggles for me, covering petrol for the commute from New South Wales to the Gold Coast each day, uni supplies and setting up a home laboratory.”
With a vast array of study areas and pathways, many of Griffith’s researchers are drawn to areas and populations that are underserved including Indigenous communities, those with disability or health problems, and those suffering from diseases prevalent in the developing world.
David and Elga Dyer donated to the Griffith Autism Centre for Excellence (ACE) two years ago, aiming to further research in adult autism and in helping families, teachers and carers to better understand and support autistic people.
This donation has already funded workshops delivered by ACE to more than 500 parents and teachers across Queensland and New South Wales.
“I could not be more pleased with our experience so far,” Ms Dyer said.
“The inaugural scholarship recipient, Louise White, has been outstanding, including us as part of her journey and appointing our son Michael as her research consultant.
“Michael has been so proud to take part and has indeed gained a real sense of worth.
“In fact, David and I have also felt an unanticipated sense of worth and been humbled by the manner in which we have been welcomed into the ‘Griffith Family’.”
The Campaign also aims to engage 100,000 alumni with increased opportunities for volunteering, mentoring and networking so everyone in the Griffith community has a chance to get involved, make a difference and inspire future students.
If you are an individual or organisation looking to bring about positive and lasting change in the world with a charitable partner that guarantees 100 per cent of your gift will be used to make a difference to your cause, Griffith would be delighted to hear from you.
Griffith researchers have developed a groundbreaking diagnostic tool to streamline the custom fitting of bionic prosthetic limbs which usually involve an arduous process of trial and error.
The Griffith Centre of Biomedical and Rehabilitation Engineering (GCORE) and Menzies Health Institute Queensland have reached a milestone with the successful fitting of a bionic limb using the new diagnostic and digital twin system.
Streamlining the process:
The team generated a digital twin (virtual replica) of the patient’s residuum (the amputee’s stump) to create a custom 3D printed bionic limb.
A direct skeletal attachment was surgically implanted into the patient’s living bone, which would enable the external attachment to the patient’s bionic prosthesis.
The new artificial limb was then successfully fitted, and the specially designed diagnostic software used to test and assess the fitting, measuring the movement of the patient’s bones, muscles, tendons, fat, and skin.
Controlled with a microprocessor, the bionic limb is a robotic-like artificial joint.
The system aims to improve function and mobility, thereby, the quality of life of prosthetic users while potentially reducing health care expenses associated with limb loss.
Professor Laurent Frossard
Bionic limbs scientist Professor Laurent Frossard is passionate about developing ground-breaking prosthetic solutions and said the new device was a cost-effective solution because it efficiently streamlines the patient’s care and fitting procedures.
“Until now, there have been few reliable, practical and affordable ways to determine the stress being imposed by a prosthesis on the residuum’s internal tissues,” Professor Frossard said.
“The health and comfort of the patient’s residuum is an ongoing problem for people who wish to use a prosthetic limb.”
Traditionally, medical professionals have relied on a process of physical examinations, medical tests and expensive medical imaging, like Xray to assess health issues affecting a patient’s residuum.
“A bionic solution is a technological platform relying on three interconnected pillars: the muscle control (“the engine”), the direct skeletal attachment (“the chassis”), and the prosthetic device (“power assisted steering wheel”),” Professor Frossard said.
“This device is key to providing patients with a radically new and empowering experience because it allows understanding of the way their bionic prostheses interacts with, and impacts on their residuum tissue.
“With the new technology, clinicians can help the patient understand how the load and pressure from the prosthesis stimulates the residuum during fitting of prosthesis and guide them to pain-free use during movements.
“The device provides a means to increase the ability of walking effortlessly and quality of life for individuals suffering from typical and regular issues that compromise the health of their residuum.
“The diagnostic device will be particularly helpful to assist young, active and former military personal who lost their limbs in recent wars and facing a lifetime of prosthetic use.”
The project team includes GCORE Coresearchers Christian Langton, Rod Barrett, David Lloyd, Robert Ware, Gold Coast Custom Prosthetics and Metro North Health’s Jamieson Trauma Institute, and funded by US Department of Defense (Award No. W81XWH2110215-DM190659), Bionics Queensland / Bionics Gamechangers Australia (Bionics Queensland Challenge 2021 Major Prize – Mobility) and the Australian National Member Society of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (Research Grant awarded in 2021).
Griffith researchers are developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to help catalogue Aboriginal rock art while engaging Indigenous children in cutting-edge research and new cross-cultural pathways toward a passion for learning.
International rock band Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation
And the research project has just been given a boost from some famous supporters.
Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation acknowledged the multidisciplinary research team’s work with a $60,000 grant to accelerate digital literacy for the children of Laura State School in Cape York Peninsula, remote far north Queensland.
The funding will be spent updating digital technology at the school, and providing professional development opportunities to School staff, delivered by educational experts from Griffith.
Project Lead Professor Lynley Wallis.
Project Lead Professor Lynley Wallis said there are thousands of sandstone rock shelters throughout Cape York Peninsula and almost all have amazing rock art in them.
“Using AI to help catalogue the rock art images will help streamline documentation of the art, allowing more sites to be recorded,” Professor Wallis said.
“We have been working with the Laura Rangers, Indigenous Elders and Laura State School to identify and catalogue these precious sites using AI and, while the project is underpinned by the need to protect the rock art in the future, it also aspires to connecting that heritage with the local community.”
The researchers are developing teaching modules, resources and tools which will provide a clear understanding of how communities, researchers and schools can successfully collaborate to transform educational culture and practices.
These resources are being piloted at the Laura State School and target aspects of the Australian Curriculum related to technology where there is an established ‘digital divide’ between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Curriculum Development Lead Dr Troy Meston.
Leading the curriculum development, Gamilloroi man and Senior Researcher Dr Troy Meston said kids have a natural inclination and intuition for technology.
“Aboriginal kids are caught between a legacy inherited from ongoing colonisation and it manifests as disconnection and disengagement from mainstream educational success and opportunity and they’re also hampered by a rapidly changing 21st century world that’s increasingly populated with cutting edge, advancing technologies,” Dr Meston said.
“The idea of using machine learning and AI on country and connected to ancient sandstone rock art sites is an innovative way to expose Indigenous kids to opportunities they wouldn’t necessarily get.
“This curriculum provides for culturally relevant information and the contributions of other Indigenous scholars throughout and is particularly significant within remote Indigenous communities where Indigenous students don’t always have easy access to digital technologies.
“We’d like to see this technology become part of Australian Curriculum across Australia where it can provide inspiration as a cross-cultural learning tool and promote greater understandings and unity among all Australians.”
Research Assistant Fiona McKeague.
Research Assistant Fiona McKeague also worked with primary students at the Laura State School and said the project is an opportunity for two-way learning, where the research team learn and benefit from the experience of the Laura community.
“It’s terrific to be able to pilot this approach with the Laura community, and is both professionally and personally rewarding,” Ms McKeague said.
Laura State School Principal Melissa Shepherd emphasised the importance of ensuring her students were regularly exposed to their culture and also exposed to digital literacy during their schooling.
Laura State School Principal Melissa Shepherd
“The children love engaging with their culture and we must continue to engage our students with cultural activities to continue their excitement for learning and show them what is possible,” Ms Shepherd said.
“This has been an amazing, positive journey and the students have learned so much about culture, technology, and about collaborating with the wider community including Indigenous Elders and Laura Rangers.
“Collaborating with Griffith researchers has inspired us to investigate other ideas which will provide exciting hands-on opportunities like language learning and culture days.”
The database of images used by the app is owned by the Laura Rangers, who have taken on responsibility of caring for county and identifying and preserving rock art for future generations.
Laura Rangers have worked for over 10 years to document rock art sites in Quinkan Country in southeast Cape York Peninsula, which was inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2018.
Laura Ranger, Susan Marsh
This distinctive art style includes tall slender Timaras and fat bodied Imjims, two spirit beings, and dates back thousands of years.
“Quinkan Country has an estimated 10,000 rock art sites depicting a rich cultural history,” said Susan Marsh, Laura Rangers Coordinator.
“Traditional Owners want to protect the area from mining interests and develop an eco-tourism industry, which will strengthen the local economy and maintain the connection between country, people and story.”
The Griffith University multidisciplinary team includes Chief Investigator Professor Lynley Wallis (Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research), Senior Research Fellow Dr Troy Meston (Education and Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research and Griffith Institute for Educational Research), AI Specialist Dr Gervase Tuxworth (Information and Communications Technology), Research Fellow Dr Robert Haubt (Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research), Research Fellow Dr Tasha Riley (Education and Professional Studies and Griffith Institute for Educational Research), Research Fellow Dr Amy Eun-ji Kim (Education and Professional Studies and Griffith Institute for Educational Research), Senior Research Assistant Fiona McKeague (Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research), Research Assistants Ms Julie Ballangarry (School of Government and International Relations) and Mrs Gaala Watson (University of Queensland School of Business), and PhD student Richard Turner-Jones (Information and Communications Technology).
Griffith University’s annual Change Conference is back and fast becoming a signature event as an instrument for making change happen.
Participants will learn practical strategies and techniques that can be applied to their own projects, programs and portfolios of work and they will gain a deep understanding of behaviour change theory and systems change using real-world applications.
Founding director of Social Marketing @ Griffith, Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Founder of Griffith University’s Social Marketing @ Griffith Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele said the cutting-edge conference concept is designed to empower and enable change makers to deliver changes for good.
“Participants will be exposed to the insights of industry leaders and experts,” Professor Rundle-Thiele said.
“The Change 2023 Conference features world-leading change agents who come from a variety of professional backgrounds.
“We have scientists, researchers, practitioners, directors, and CEOs, all of whom have a track record of creating and sustaining positive health, environmental and social change.
“Conference delegates will network with like-minded individuals, build relationships, and explore new ideas and approaches.
“New and different ways need to be applied to achieve change and this event helps participants understand how to make positive and lasting change that is supported by the community.”
Global leading change agents Sara Isaac, Luke Menzies, and Steve Van der Beeke will share decades of experience in delivering voluntary behaviour change.
Transforming Waste, Driving Change
Discover ground-breaking initiatives spanning local to national levels that combat waste and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
Elisabeth Spits, Yas Grigaliunas and Ryan Collins showcase remarkable efforts towards a more sustainable environment, fostering social equity through their innovative work.
Breaking the Cycle
Violence is a long-standing problem in Australia and there is much to be done to make our communities safer for all.
Jaeneen Cunningham, Joni Avram and Cr Fiona Cunningham will share their experience in delivering protection and participants will learn how positive changes have been delivered.
Nothing About Us Without Us
Panelists will discuss the challenges change makers have experienced in their decades of fighting for inclusion in physical access, sport, education, and work.
The panel includes Professor Elizabeth Kendall, Kevin Cocks AM D.Univ, Brad Kinsela, Jim Hogan and Kelsey Chapman.
No Time To Waste
As an extension of Plastics Oceans Australasia’s ‘No Time To Waste’ series, experts in government, construction, and health sectors will discuss how Australia is reducing waste and creating a sustainable future.
The panel includes Hon Trevor Evans, Renae McBrien, Brian Pinkman and Ricki Hersburgh.
Recipes for Success
Social Marketing experts Associate Professor Sameer Deshpande, Dr Liz Foote, Dr Taylor Willmott and Dr Jessica Harris will discuss the latest science findings and describe how theory is put into practice to yield higher rates of behaviour change.
Sanofi, one of the world’s leading healthcare companies, has progressed its partnership with Griffith University by officially opening its latest research site at the university’s Gold Coast campus, which will bring global biomedical research and development (R&D) to the Coast.
The partnership forms part of the Translational Science Hub (TSH), an exciting collaboration that links world-class researchers in Queensland, and now the Gold Coast, with scientists at the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the United States to develop the next generation of immunisations.
A first of its kind, TSH is a $280 million partnership between Sanofi, the Queensland Government, Griffith University, and the University of Queensland that is putting the Sunshine State at the forefront of mRNA vaccine development and biomedical research in Australia.
Operating at the cutting-edge of science, Griffith University offers state-of-the art technology and leading experts in infectious disease, vaccine development and mRNA technology, presenting strong foundations for successful research collaboration in mRNA science.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said: “Queensland is home to world-class research facilities and a highly-skilled workforce driving the development of new vaccines and healthcare breakthroughs. The fact that Sanofi, one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, chose Queensland to reshape 21st century medicine is a strong sign of things to come, and a significant milestone for the Gold Coast and Griffith University.”
The Translational Science Hub will initially focus on the evaluation of a new generation of mRNA vaccines. mRNA is expected to herald new vaccines that instruct certain cells to produce proteins that are recognised by the immune system to mount a defence.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said: “This partnership sees Griffith University as a burgeoning biotech hub on the Gold Coast, paving the way for research and discoveries that can change people’s lives for the better. Griffith is already producing innovative research and a partnership of this ilk is a sign the Gold Coast is at the epicentre of groundbreaking science.”
Researchers based on the Gold Coast will use Griffith University infrastructure and technology to better understand mRNA vaccine technology, which will help to optimise the platform to produce better vaccines and expand its use in the development of therapies to treat a variety of diseases.
First-of-its-kind vaccines for chlamydia, acne and even some cancers, plus improved vaccines for influenza and RSV, will be developed on the Gold Coast and across Queensland.
Professor Lee Smith
Griffith Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Lee Smith said: “We welcome Sanofi and the Translational Science Hub to our Gold Coast campus. This partnership gives our researchers and students a unique opportunity to work on the very latest science with a global healthcare leader.”
Dr Iris Depaz
Sanofi operates 20 research and development sites around the world exploring new medicines and vaccines. This includes translational science, where researchers work to translate early observations in the laboratory into clinical results that directly benefit people.
Dr Iris Depaz, Managing Director TSH & Country Medical Lead, Sanofi Australia and New Zealand said: “The opening of this Gold Coast site is another important milestone for the Translational Science Hub. It provides a space for our scientists to be physically located close to our collaborators at Griffith University to facilitate engagement and exchange. We want to play a major role in growing the scientific ecosystem in Queensland because there is a strong talent pool of some of the brightest medical minds right here in the Sunshine State.”
In Australia, Sanofi is a major supplier of 18 vaccines with eight on the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The company has over 50 medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and six rare disease therapies on the Life Saving Drugs Program. Sanofi also has a consumer health business and manufacturing facility located in Brisbane.
For the month of October, Griffith University will host a virtual meeting of the minds each Thursday to discuss the progression and barriers towards transitioning to a climate ready future for the aviation sector.
Aviation Reimagined, led by Griffith’s Climate Ready Initiative and Climate Action Beacon, is an annual webinar series featuring industry leaders, policymakers and researchers who share their insights into a transition towards a low-carbon and climate ready future for aviation.
The webinar series has run for four years consecutively, with new speakers and contributors delivering innovative insights from around the world.
“The Aviation Reimagined webinar series facilitates an open discussion on the challenges and opportunities to reduce aviation emissions, with a broad range of experts from across the globe,” Climate Ready Initiative Executive Director Dr Emma Whittlesea said.
“We explore some of the latest advancements and thinking on a range of topics, delving into science, transformative policy, technological innovations, and industry practice and perspectives.
“The intention is to engage and inform leaders and policymakers and help the aviation sector take appropriate climate action.”
Sessions will be held every Thursday in October from 3-4:30 pm AEST. During each session, you’ll hear from multiple subject matter experts, as well as a 20-minute question and answer session for the panel.
The first webinar will establish a solid base for some of the key issues that aviation is facing in relation to decarbonisation and action necessary to adapt to climate risks.
It will tackle some of the big areas of controversy and bring scientific evidence to the debate around topics such as contrails, carbon offsets and biofuels, and climate risks for aviation.
“There are critical environmental challenges facing the aviation industry which need to be address sooner rather than later,” Professor Tim Ryley from Griffith Aviation said.
“Aviation Reimagined is a valuable series whereby world-leading speakers can present leading-edge research and best practice policy.
“The webinars include technology innovation and advancement – a key part of decarbonising the aviation sector and increasing resilience.
“We will examine new aircraft and powertrain designs, renewable energy and fuels, air traffic management innovations, rethinking airport infrastructure and ground support efficiencies, and the emerging role of AI.”
“This device is key to providing patients with a radically new and empowering experience because it allows understanding of the way their bionic prostheses interacts with, and impacts on their residuum tissue.
