Griffith University researcher Professor Andrew O’Neil says analysis of North Korea’s announcement that it successfully conducted a hydrogen bomb test should focus on whether it involved a device using highly enriched uranium.
“Meaningful speculation should centre around whether North Korea has managed to weaponise an HEU device.
“Experts remain split on whether the 2013 test was HEU or Plutonium.”
Plutonium was the source for tests carried out by North Korean in 2006 and 2009, while its state media announced an underground nuclear test had been conducted in February 2013.
“Pyongyang’s claim it’s a thermonuclear device should be treated with caution,” Professor O’Neil said.
“The magnitude at the test site appears similar to the 2013 test, which was around 10kt (kiloton).”
Professor O’Neil is an academic expert on extended nuclear deterrence relationships and is the author and co-author of a number of books on this subject.
Among these are Australia’s Nuclear Policy: Reconciling Strategic, Economic and Normative Interest, Asia, the United States (2015), and Extended Deterrence: Atomic Umbrellas in the 21stCentury (2013), and Nuclear Proliferation in Northeast Asia: The Quest for Security (2007).
“If it emerges HEU fuelled the latest test, and it’s a much bigger shot than 2013, we should be very worried because this is essentially confirmation North Korea has a dual fissile material program,” he said.
“This means more bombs for the future stockpile, and more options for exporting to customers willing to pay.”
A new opportunity to progress a career in finance has been unveiled with the launch of Griffith’s online Master of Finance and Investments.
The accelerated postgraduate program, which can be completed in two years, offers portfolio managers, investment analysts and finance professionals the chance to get ahead in the finance industry without pressing pause on a career for study.
The 100% online program structure also incorporates six intakes each calendar year, meaning industry professionals can start study at a time that works for them.
“This is an extensive degree that equips students with an in-depth theoretical and technical knowledge sought after in investment profession,” Program Director, Dr Alexandr Akimov, said.
“Importantly, it also connects students with professionals working in the finance industry through peer-to-peer networking with other students, as well as university academics.
“Digital networking of this nature creates an effective, engaging and rewarding interactive online learning environment.”
Master of Finance and Investments students will be able to deepen their learning experience and develop professional networks in the world of investment and global finance.
They will graduate, potentially within 24 months, with the skills to critically analyse emerging issues around equity, fixed income, alternative investments, derivatives and wealth and portfolio management.
They will also advance their expertise in mutual funds, treasury, stock markets and banking.
In addition, the majority of coursework and key learning tasks are aligned with the CFA Level 2 and 3 examinations syllabus.
Imagine suffering with a disease some medical professionals say is non-existent in Australia. This is the reality for Karen New who has suffered from chronic Lyme disease for 25 years ever since being bitten by a tick.
Her story has been beautifully documented in a short film by Queensland College of Art photojournalism graduateElise Searson.
Elise, who graduated last year, followed Karen on her journey to Malaysia for radical hyperthermia treatment as a last ditch attempt at a cure.
What followed was a moving experience; one Elise says will stay with her for many years to come.
“Documenting Karen’s story was both confronting and gut wrenchingly distressing,” she says.
“It gave me an infinite view on a very real struggle that many people with Lyme on a daily basis.
“Being alongside Karen and her partner Tony for the treatment in Malaysia gave me a greater understanding to why Australians are seeking treatment overseas for Lyme disease.
“I learnt that successful story telling through documentary would be impossible without trust, empathy, respect and an honest passion for humanity.”
Elise says that after spending years among the Lyme community, she feel strongly about the non-negotiable need for government recognition and compensation for people like Karen who have been neglected in the earlier years due to lack recognition – and who are now are most likely incurable.
“With public pressure comes awareness, followed by education and recognition, hopefully with more projects like this we are getting closer to the recognition, which will save lives and prevent a large range of social impacts including family break downs, unemployment, financial crisis and suicide,” she says.
She says studying at the QCA has guided her from “just taking photos to becoming passionate about making stories through mixed media”.
“It’s the best and hardest decision I ever made.”
One of Elise’s portraits of Karen was recently awarded Bronze at the College Photographer Awards in the US.
“It’s a shocking image — taking Karen from feeling vulnerable to empowered,” she says.
“It’s never easy to show the dark side of your personal life, it takes a huge amount of courage,” she says.
“But I’m grateful that Karen let me into her life. I’m in awe of her determination and bravery.”
Elise will continue to be in contact with Karen and document her continuing journey to good health, being the ultimate outcome.
JMH has been listed as an A-rated journal on the Australian Business Deans list for some years, putting it on a par with journals such as Journal of Industrial Relations and Labour History.
As part of the new direction being charted byProfessor Bowden for JMH, a new Editorial Team has been put together with five Associate Editors, all of whom have a high profile in the Management History Division of the Academy of Management (AoM). The five are: Professor Adela McMurray (RMIT University and Past Chair of the AoM’s International Committee), Professor Katja Rost (Professor of Sociology, University of Zurich and 2015 winner of the John F. Mee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Management History), Dr James Wilson (Adam Smith School of Business, Glasgow University and current Professional Development Chair for the MHD), Dr Andrew Cardow (Massey University, NZ) and Dr Wim Van Lent (Montpelier Business School, France).
Infuture, the JMHwill be encouragingthe publication ofpapers that (a) have some quantitative component, such as analysis of statistical data, census, company trends and/ or surveys; (b) have a clear historical dimension; and (c) relates the specific circumstances being discussed to a wider context. In differentiating itself from theBusiness History and Business History Review journals,JMHwill alsolookathistorical dimensions to the employment relationship.
(JMHis managed bythe Emerald Publishing Group in England. This story wasauthored by Professor Bradley Bowden).
Bruce Beresford, Albert Herring, The Magic Flute, The Secret Garden and more to captivate local music lovers…
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University promises yet another captivating year of performance, featuring the talents of award-winning Australian director Bruce Beresford and a host of exceptional emerging and established musicians.
QCGU Director, Professor Scott Harrison, said audiences can expect an incredibly diverse program to suit all musical tastes.
“It is our delight to continue to showcase home-grown talent by staging more than 250 performances to well over 40,000 patrons,” Professor Harrison says.
“The 2016 season will present classical voice and instrumental, opera, the symphony orchestra, musical theatre, jazz, world music, new music, the Con Big Band, popular music and everything in between.”
“We’re also proud to announce that Bruce Beresford will join us to direct the annual opera, Benjamin BrittenAlbert Herring.”
Britten’s work has particular meaning at Queensland Conservatorium, with the school revisiting the famed comic opera every 15 – 20 years.
“Gregory Massingham of the Opera department had the privilege of studying with Britten’s partner in London during his early career and teacher Joseph Ward OBE sang in the original cast,” Professor Harrison explains.
“Alumnus and head of opera Lisa Gasteen also sang in the lead role the very first time we presented the opera when she herself was a student, and conductor Nicholas Cleobury was the Founder Laureate of the Britten Sinfonia — one of the worlds most celebrated and pioneering ensembles.”
The renowned Musical Theatre department will return to the main theatre stage for the 2016 season and welcomes back London-based musical director Ian Good, who Professor Harrison says “turned down a UK tour of Wicked to work with our students again”.
“Ian will work closely with our triple-threat talents to present audience favourite, The Secret Garden, over eight shows in August.”
The season will conclude with The Gala, which returned in 2015 after a 20 year hiatus — bringing together every department of Queensland Conservatorium for one night of unified celebration and performance.
After Henrietta Taylor visited Griffith’s Gold Coast campus as a Year 11 student, she just wanted to skip Year 12 and go straight to university.
As part of a school tour from Upper Coomera State College, Henrietta was introduced to and fascinated by the facilities on show at Griffith Law School and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Finally, and so much quicker than she thought it would, the time to go to university has arrived.
She will start a double degree at Griffith University in 2016 after last Saturday morning’s OP results brought her the news she had been hoping for.
“I was so nervous when nine o’clock came around,” the 17-year-old says. “I didn’t want to look and decided to wait an hour. When I did log on, I expected I would have to click through a few pages but it just popped up on the screen in front of me: OP2.
“I didn’t know what to do. Should I go and find Mum and tell her or just let it sink in? I was emotionless, which was very weird.”
Tears
Soon afterwards Henrietta jumped on a train to Brisbane where she was working for the day at the South Bank Markets.
“I was halfway there when it hit me. I started shaking and there were tears in my eyes. I started looking out the window so other passengers wouldn’t see.
“I remember thinking it has all fallen into place and I’ve got nothing to do with school anymore.”
Those mixed feelings have now been replaced with excitement about what lies ahead.
“I’m looking forward to getting a feel for university life. We had been told they are the best years of your life, so I want to see what that’s like.”
Her decision to study a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice was nurtured by her interest in legal studies at school and a personal passion for law. Being able to combine both bachelor degrees at the same time made Griffith an obvious choice for Henrietta.
“I found criminology so exciting on the day I came to Griffith as a Year 11 student and, for me, doing a double degree is more exciting than doing law on its own.
“I hope it might mean more job opportunities in the future too.”
Games have traditionally offered an escape from reality and for many, are a source of fun and relaxation.
But according to one Griffith University researcher, the future of gaming extends far beyond pure entertainment.
Dr Tim Marsh is researching ‘serious games’, a growing body of research which explores how games can provoke deeper emotion, stimulate discussion and inform players.
Dr Marsh’s soon-to-be-released prototype does exactly that. “The Reef Game” is an app for phone or tablet that takes the player on a journey through the Great Barrier Reef and aims to raise awareness of the issues affecting the ecosystem.
In this game, the player interacts with abundant wildlife in pristine waters before the environment is destroyed by industrialisation, with the opportunity to explore at each stage of gameplay.
Dr Marsh says he presented “The Reef Game” at a research conference in the United Kingdom earlier this year and received the reaction he had hoped for.
“Participants referred to the fast play scene as a ‘fun game’ — but after completing the final scene of the game, typical reactions were ‘that’s disguising’ and ‘that’s horrible’.”
Dr Marsh’s game builds on his research into how games can borrow devices from film, theatre, interactive art and experimental games to create a different experience for the user, using a combination of both ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ gameplay to shape moods, feelings and emotions.
“Film can make you cry, but ask yourself when was the last time a game made you cry? My research is exploring ways to do this.”
Dr Marsh says people often think ‘serious games’ are educational games like those used in schools, but these games can be off-putting to adults.
“Serious gaming goes beyond education and information; it’s used for much broader applications. It’s trying to bring gaming in line with other industries that have been using devices to jolt the user out of their usual state into a more thinking and questioning mode.”
Dr Marsh says the design strategies used in “The Reef Game” can be employed in many different ways — and the possibilities are enormous.
“In the near future we’re going to see an escalation in serious games available through social media sites and apps stores, providing engaging activity and thought-provoking messages, arguments, stories and experience. For example, we will see games about environmental and social issues and documentary and news games.”
“The Reef Game” will be available for Androidin the new year.
Professor Nick Barter took up the role of Academic Director (Online) this year, an inaugural appointment that acknowledges the modern-day shifts in delivery of tertiary education.
He is now striving to make modern technology work for students at Griffith University and the world they live in.
When we consider university we often have images of students sitting with their academic in a book-lined office and a rich discussion between student and tutor.
Ensuring this happens today, in a digitally enabled age where it is increasingly difficult for us to physically meet up and where students are increasingly studying online, is crucial.
This is about ensuring we use digital technology to the advantage of students and academics.
We know our students don’t see a digital world and a real world; to them it’s all one world and a range of communication methods.
We also know our students like to use technology to communicate and it typically involves the user interfaces associated with social media, as even email is a bit old hat.
Intuitive
Not only that, but we know we all process information differently. An idea or a question may not come to every student at the same, specific moment, but may arise in any situation. Thus, it’s important to us here at Griffith that the student can ask that question with minimal impediments, for example using a program that is intuitive to use and available on any device.
With these frameworks in mind and also our understanding of the increasing demands on students’ time we are using digital tools to offer our online students a learning experience where they feel part of a cohort. Typically, students studying online can feel isolated.
In addition, the use of digital tools also creates a platform where students can access the academic and the academic can easily get into conversations with the class, as opposed to him or her just posting notices on electronic noticeboards.
The student experience at university is critical for us here at Griffith and one of the aims we have always had is to help ensure students can access our scholars. We recognise that ensuring students can interact with our scholars is going to help bring about great outcomes.
Interaction
For our online courses, the onset of digital conferencing technologies and enterprise social networks has enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of student-scholar interactions and student-to-student interactions. The digital conferencing technologies allow groups of students to work with the lecturers no matter where individuals are.
Thus, as the students travel they can still study, and as the academics travel they can still teach.
Also, the use of enterprise social networks is allowing our online lecturers to have a conversation with the whole class more easily and efficiently. Importantly, in this respect, the tool is enabling the class to more effectively connect with each other and solve issues or create study groups.
We have been amazed by how students are conversing and creating their own study groups through using some of the digital tools we deploy. Our rapid embrace of technology makes for an enhanced value proposition for students who have continual challenges to their time and who need to study online. Here at Griffith we are using the technologies to help ensure students connect with each other and with our scholars, without that sense of isolation that can be associated with online study.
In our online courses, one of the additional advantages is that our academics record high quality versions of their lectures, which students can download and watch in their own time.
Digital
Through the power of digital platforms in education, we can create a much more personal experience between student and scholar. In our view digital technologies are enhancing the student-lecturer interaction.
We know students don’t see a digital divide in the world and here at Griffith we are ensuring we don’t either so we can maximise the student experience no matter what the constraints on the student are or what their preferred communication style is.
In some respects, with the digital tools we use, it’s like we are going back to the future. Digital technology is allowing a richness of interaction that is increasingly difficult to do in the modern world.
Griffith communication students Hayley Payne and Natasha Hoppner are the first interns to experience Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) from a whole new perspective.
Second year Bachelor of Public Relations and Communication student, Hayley Payne said she is honoured to have a once in a generation opportunity and to have the chance to be part of the Commonwealth Games preparation is amazing.
“I will be learning from some of the best professionals from the Gold Coast and from across the world — including some who have worked on previous Commonwealth Games.
“There is such a wealth of knowledge here that I can learn from and take back into my studies and enhance my future career prospects.”
Hayley and Natasha will join GOLDOC’s Digital Content team for 12 weeks with credit points from the internship applied to their degrees.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said the internship opportunities, available to students from all study areas means Griffith students will integrate a powerful professional experience to their academic studies.
“As the leading university for the Gold Coast, Griffith University is dedicated to creating possibilities for our students and the community,” he said.
“We are proud to be part of this important milestone for the Gold Coast and for Griffith and we are proud of what our students will be able to offer the community over the next three years.”
GOLDOC has also offered two engineering students internships with an additional three Griffith University architecture graduates commencing full-time employment with the Venue Design team.
Engineering students Adil Rachidi and Alex Cachia, GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters and public relation interns Hayley Payne and Natasha Hoppner.
Griffith University graduates will continue to benefit from employment opportunities as GOLDOC grows from 160 employees today to over 1,000 in 2018.
Bachelor of Environmental Design graduate and national rowing champion Emma Bunn said she was looking forward to combining her passion for sport with what she had learnt studying.
“The Commonwealth Games is a fabulous opportunity for growth on the Gold Coast,” she said.
“I have had the privilege of living here for five years so to be able to contribute to the sporting growth of this city through working with GOLDOC is an amazing way to give back to a city I love.”
GOLDOC Head of Workforce, Jess Platts said Griffith University’s partnership with GOLDOC creates an unprecedented volume of student opportunities as preparations continue to stage Australia’s largest major event this decade.
Griffith University and GOLDOC have been recruiting for student interns and graduate placements since the 6th October announcement of Griffith’s GC2018 sponsorship.
By Peter Young, lecturer in Social Work from Griffith’s School of Human Services and Social Work.
Enjoy Christmas with your family. Eat well. Give and receive gifts. Play backyard cricket. This expectation that Christmas is a happy time with loved ones is very powerful.
For those recently bereaved however, this celebration of family and relationships can amplify feelings of grief about the missing loved one. I learnt about grief after my mother died in 2013. It was a very unpleasant time of life that only slowly started to make sense — helped in part by a dream about a fish hook. I hope my fishhook dream helps others who are experiencing the pain of grief during the festive season.
I’d previously read about grief, but the lived experience was unlike anything I could have imagined. For months after my mother died I had a very strong sense of unease. Sometimes I was sad. Other times very irritable and short tempered. And for much of the time I had an ill-defined sense that all was not well. I knew I was out of sorts, and I also knew that this was a feeling that I had never experienced before. It was uncharted territory, and very unpleasant in part because of this newness.
A powerful dream
A few months after my mum died I had a very vivid and powerful dream. In the dream I had a fish hook caught in my finger. I pulled and pulled to get it out. Pulling against it hurt a lot, and it didn’t seem to help at all — the hook was stuck. I still remember the chilling awareness I had the moment I realised that the only way this hook was coming out was by me pushing it through my finger. It was frightening to realise that I would have to cause myself more pain in order to be free of this hook.
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It seemed both counter-intuitive and terrifying. I also realised that now was not the time to attempt this dreadful procedure. My finger was swollen and tender from my attempts to pull the hook back out the way it had gone in. I needed to let it settle for a bit, to let the swelling and soreness subside. And I knew that I would also need a kind and wise helper to support me through this delicate procedure. The prospect of pushing the fish hook through my finger was overwhelming, and I couldn’t imagine facing that task alone.
When I woke up I knew I had been dreaming about my grief. The dream gave me permission to bandage up my grief for now, and attend to it later when the pain and swelling was less intense. I also had an awareness that I couldn’t keep this painful injury bandaged up forever. At some stage I would have to push the fish hook through. But with a helper (or helpers) this was an achievable task — not pleasant perhaps, but also not unbearable.
In the early stages of my grief my “fish hook” throbbed, and if it got bumped the pain was terrible. Bandaging it up gave some protection from these accidental bumps. I stopped doing counselling work for almost a year. I reduced my study commitments, and fortunately my employer also helped by scaling back my workload. And when I felt stronger I organised more joyful things in my life. On writing this now (a year down the track) it feels like the fish hook is still there, but the swelling and soreness has largely gone, and I am slowly pushing it through. I am grateful that the uncomfortable and ill-defined sense of unease has also largely subsided.
I am conscious of the risk of giving advice based on my own experience. Everyone is unique, and each of us must find our own path. But I wonder if there are some lessons about grief from my experience that might be applicable to others:
– That it is “normal” to feel out of sorts and not know why;
– The importance of self care and being gentle with oneself in the early stages of grief; and
– The wisdom of protecting oneself from painful thoughts and memories in the short-term, but also not relying on this as a long-term strategy. My sense is that eventually the fish hook needs to be gently eased through and out.
This last point is not intended to be read as an advertisement for counselling, although for some that might be helpful. My experience is that gently revisiting memories of my parents (for example looking at family photos) has helped to slowly push the fish hook through, as has talking to family and friends. If you are in the early stages of grief I hope my story gives you hope that the fog will slowly clear.
