With a long standing agenda around the evolution of employer coordination in Australia, conducting research and managing a team of staff as the Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources is for WOW’s Associate Professor Michael Barry, often a tightrope balancing act.
Having focussed on building the academic literature around the aforementioned in select industries, Michael continues to diversify his endeavours with ongoing projects addressing employee voice, the state of employer-employee relations, and employment relations (ER) in sport. We spent five minutes with Michael to learn a little more about these topical issues.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am part of a team of researchers who are in the very early stages of an Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded project that is looking at what workers and managers see are their concerns and grievances in Australian and American workplaces. Particularly, we are looking at whether both parties perceive these matters in the same way. This will involve designing and administering a big survey of questions around these issues. It is hoped that this project will develop to bring in further project partners in new countries.
I am also working on research that focusses on employee voice; that is, how workers have a say in the workplace.
Finally, I am co-editing and contributing to a book that is looking at sport and business. This field is bucking current trends in ER insofar as we are seeing growth in professional players associations, and more collective bargaining and industrial action is happening around players’ employment conditions.
The book will address a variety of issues, one of them around the economy of sport and business. The control of player drafts and the impact of salary caps on employment conditions is one example. The regulatory models, the labour and employment laws applicable to the industry, and understanding how the business of sport actually works – its source/s of funding, the place of ‘employee voice’ in a labour market where one is restricted as to where they can work, are further considerations. Most topically, the book’s contributors will address the employment implications surrounding occupational health and safety issues and doping in sport.
Are there emerging trends in your field/s of research?
The field of industrial relations (IR) is starting to interface with the organisational behaviour (OB) discipline, which has its own literature on ‘employee voice’, albeit with different views. Looking for differences and overlaps between the OB, ER and HRM (human resource management) literature is a focus.
The whole area of employer associations is also an under-researched one. I am supervising an honours student who is looking at employer associations in the Australian retail sector. This is interesting because of the emerging competition between representatives in this sector.
Concerning sport and business, there is limited interest by ER specialists in this area. It is industry-based people who tend to look at IR issues in sport. My co-editor and I are hoping to develop relationships with industry stakeholders, such as players associations and administrators, so as to further this line of research.
Are there challenges in your field/s in trying to bridge the gap between research, practice and policy?
Employer association research is particularly more closed and it can therefore be more difficult to gain access. In spite of this there is strong interest around identifying how this sector meets the same challenges that employee organisations face.
To mark Australian Heritage Week a new app has been launched on the Gold Coast identifying historic sites of interest across the region.
The Gold Coast Heritage app isthe latest product from the “app factory”, a facility on Griffith’s Gold Coast campus in which ICT students put their skills to practical use creating apps for internal and external stakeholders.
“The first stage of Access GC showed where disability car parking spaces were located,” Dr Faichney said.
“The second will include disability toilets and access ramps and there will be both Android and iPhone versions.
Dr Faichney said the university-based “app factory” provides students with vital experience in the lead up to a rewarding career once they graduate.
“The students get to take part in the whole process of app design and production. They talk to clients to establish the business requirements, as well as playing the role of designers, testers and marketers,” Dr Faichney said.
And this will stand them in good stead as careers in ICT are more and more in demand.
“A career in ICT can be very rewarding, but despite this there has been a drop off in the number of students going into this field in recent years in Australia,” Professor Blumenstein said.
“People still tend to think of the traditional professions, medicine or engineering except perhaps in China and certain parts of India where the opportunity to study ICT is in high demand.
“This makes sense because we are on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. IT is at the heart of innovation in every aspect of business and industry; it is changing how everything is being done to make it faster, cheaper and more efficient.
“In the past the focus was on making computers to go faster but we now have devices which can do the job adequately, and so the race is on to develop software.
“You can make a lot of money and you can really go places with IT. There is no doubt about that.”
Northern New South Wales communities and Griffith University dentistry and oral health students will benefit from the new Tweed Dental Clinic.
Based at The Tweed Hospital, the $2.4 million facility was officially opened today (April 16) by the NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research, The Honourable Mrs Jillian Skinner MP.
A collaborative effort between the Federal Government, NSW Government and Griffith University, the state-of-the-art clinic features 10 new dental chairs, four for Griffith students and six for general public health services.
From April 28, a cohort of four fifth-year students from Griffith’s School of Dentistry and Oral Health will be the first to train at the clinic. Each year there will be four rotations of groups of up to eight students engaged in nine-week training stints.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity to experience training and service outside the university environment. It will give us all an idea of what life as a full-time dentist will really be like,” said student AJ Jalota.
Mrs Skinner said the Tweed Dental Clinic was a prime example of what could be achieved through a collaborative commitment to improving public access to health services.
“Oral health is not a luxury; it is a priority. Its importance with regard to the good health of the rest of the human body cannot be understated,” Mrs Skinner said.
“A lot of effort has gone into public dental health policy and this facility represents integrated care at its best.”
Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Health) Professor Allan Cripps said the new clinic was an important step in regional dental service delivery and student education.
Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Health) Professor Allan Cripps with Mrs Skinner
“Griffith University has strong links with Northern NSW and this hospital in particular,” Professor Cripps said.
“As well as being involved with the Tweed Clinical Education and Research Institute, with the opening of this new facility it is exciting to think how many Griffith students from this region will return and work here after being trained by such fantastic clinicians with such excellent facilities.”
Other guests at today’s opening included NSW Minister for Mental Health and Healthy Lifestyles, Mr Kevin Humphries; National Party MP for the federal seat of Page, Mr Kevin Hogan; National Party MP for the NSW seat of Tweed, Mr Geoff Provest; the Mayor of Tweed Shire, Mr Barry Longland; and the Chair of the Northern NSW Local Health District, Dr Brian Pezzutti.
Athlete, student, mother of two and Griffith staff member Eliana Seymour wears many hats.
But one of the highlights of her hurdling career was competing in the lane next to​Olympic championSally Pearsonin the 100mhurdlesat the national championships in Melbourne on April 6.
“I was running ri​ght next to her. It was so exciting,’’ said Eliana, who came ninth overall.
“Sally is such an inspiration and role model to me because she shows it is possible to beat the Americans who are traditionally faster.”
Eliana knows first-hand just how fast. As a teenager living in Hungary, she won asports scholarship to the University of Albany, New Yorkwhere she wascompeting against a cohort of stronger and faster athletes.
“It was a great experience and challenged me to do the best that I could,’’ she recalled.​
“I know that my passion for hurdling is a God-given talent in my life, and when I run it’s a gift from him.”
​Eliana began competing nationally at age 14, encouraged by her mother, a former champion long-jumper, who narrowly missed out on a place in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
After two y​ears study in the USEliana came to Australia on exchange in 2005 where she completedanundergraduate degree in business. Now studying a Master of Marketing with the Griffith Business School, she works as a schooladministration officer at the School of Environment.
Along the way came marriage and two children, interrupting her athletic pursuits, albeit briefly.
“It was difficult to get back into shape after having babies but I was determined andfocused,’’ she said.
Eliana currently trains five times a week with the goal of making it to the Rio Olympics in 2016 and the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
“At 30, some people have asked me why I’m still pursuing my sporting goals but I believe I still have so much potential.”
In March Eliana broke the QE2 club record in the 100m hurdles with a time of14.02,the same time asfellow Griffith Sports College hurdler Taneille Crasewho won thestate championships.
Both have been selected into the QLD track and field elite squad, A-Squad, so they’re ones to watch.
Griffith University has announced a series of G20-related initiatives in the build-up to the Leaders Summit in Brisbane in November.
The program of events involves high-level debates on G20 issues plus a range of activities designed to inform university and high school students about the G20 and its role.
“The G20 Leaders Summit offers an excellent platform for Griffith University to lead debate around related issues and prompt informed discussion across the wider community,” Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor said.
The events include:
G20 and Development Conference
G20 Debating Competition (involving High School students)
G20 Scholars Program
G20-themed Lecture Series (involving High School students)
Toward Integrity 20
East-West Dialogue on Tourism and Chinese Dream
“The quality of the program highlights the calibre of expertise at Griffith University in the G20 sphere. It also demonstrates the university’s focus on community engagement and ensuring Queensland’s general public is part of the G20 discussion this year,” Professor O’Connor said.
“Our students are the global leaders of tomorrow and their involvement and participation in G20 activities will have far-reaching benefits into the future.”
The program’s first instalment is the G20 and Development Conference to be hosted in Brisbane in May. Griffith University and the Lowy Institute for International Policy will bring together leading academics and international experts from organisations including the World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Vision and the OECD for the event.
Also in May members of the Griffith Organised Debating Society will join forces with high school students from Brisbane in a specially-convened G20 Debating Competition. High school students will also be part of the G20 discussion through a series of Griffith Business School lectures on Politics of the Global Economy where they will join university peers for five weeks.
A G20 Scholars Program will be set up offering 20 Griffith students the opportunity to engage with a series of G20-related events between July and November, following an intensive training course.
In September, marking the 25th anniversary of the handing down of the Fitzgerald Inquiry report, Griffith University will host Towards Integrity 20 in conjunction with its annual Fitzgerald Lecture.
A two-day, high-level symposium, Towards Integrity 20 will involve delegates from more than half of the G20 countries aiming to establish new leadership in the area of integrity.
Later in the year, the G20 Leaders Summit in November will provide the backdrop for the first East-West Dialogue on Tourism and the Chinese Dream to be hosted by Griffith University. International tourism experts from Australia and China will explore emerging markets during three days of high level dialogue.
Professor O’Connor said the G20 Program builds on the momentum generated by two key events hosted by Griffith in late 2013. Former Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin and internationally renowned G20 authority Professor John Kirton took part in separate high-level strategic roundtable discussions at Griffith’s Nathan campus.
“Research around G20 policies and the impact of the G20 on Brisbane is ongoing at Griffith, and will continue after the November Summit and the G20 focus turns to Turkey.”
Tony Abbott meets Xi Jinping (photo by Tony Abbott on Twitter)
In an article published today for The Australian, Rowan Callick mused on theapparentsuccessoftalks held this month by Prime Minister Tony Abbott during his recent Asian tour. Returning with two signed Free Trade Agreements and another in discussion, the success of the tour is at odds with the common attitude that Australia’s Liberal governments are poor leaders of Asian diplomacy.
As part of the article he interviewedProfessorAndrew O’Neil, director of Griffith University’s Asia Institute.O’Neil said“Many allege Australia lost ground in Asia under the Howard government, which was averse to evenusing the term ‘Asian engagement’ in its foreign policy pronouncements.
‘‘But the government actually presided over a substantial deepening of Australia’s networks in Asia, most strikingly in the areas of education and humanitarian assistance. Abbott’s near-trifecta of FTAs among our most important regional economic partners is following in these footsteps.’’
He adds: “The tougher challenge for the Abbott government will be whether it’s able to navigate in coming years the snakepit that is North Asian geopolitics.
“On the East China Sea dispute, Abbott’s natural inclination will be to side with Japan, but this will come at a potential cost in terms of our relationship with Beijing, and possibly even Seoul.”
O’Neil says both sides of politics like to claim important legacies in terms of their historical contribution.
“Interestingly, Labor opposed the 1957 commerce agreement with Japan while the Coalition opposed (Gough) Whitlam on China, so both sides have form in making the wrong calls.
“Abbott’s trip to me reinforces the point that no side of politics can assume the high ground when it comes to deepening our engagement with Asia.”
Four students from Griffith University have been named by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk as 2014 Brisbane International Student Ambassadors.
“International education is Brisbane’s biggest export industry with 75,000 student enrolments annually generating $3.77 billion in course fees and other spending,” said Cr Quirk at the City Hall Ceremony last week.
“We now have 36 enthusiastic new advocates from 34 countries. They will use social media to spread the word on why Brisbane is increasingly the city of choice for international students.
“Today’s appointments bring the total number of ambassadors appointed since the Brisbane Marketing-led program began in 2009 to 158.
“Their role will see them enjoying many quintessential Brisbane experiences as well as volunteer at multicultural events, and assist with the hosting of official visiting delegations, particularly from Brisbane’s Sister Cities.
“The 2013 ambassadors attended high profile events like the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and their combined social media reach exceeded 25,000 worldwide.
“With the G20 Leaders Summit on in Brisbane in November, the role of the 2014 ambassadors will be even more important in providing an insight about life in Australia’s new world city to visiting media.”
Cr Quirk said the 2014 ambassadors were chosen from a record number of almost 250 applicants and included students aged from 18 to 32 from countries including China, India, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Vietnam and Colombia.
“Fifteen G20 member countries are represented and this year we welcome our first ever ambassadors from Afghanistan, Egypt, England, Haiti, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, Myanmar, Russia, South Sudan and Sweden,” said Cr Quirk.
“In another first, the program now includes six domestic students with strong international ties. Two settled here as refugees from Afghanistan and South Sudan, two are here under their parents 457 skilled work visas, another has dual English/Australia citizenship and the sixth has returned from an exchange program in France.
“The student ambassadors from Griffith include Shabnam Ahmadzada who arrived as a refugee with her family from Afghanistan and is now an Australian citizen. She is studying forensic science and would like to join the Queensland Police Service as well as promote Afghan cuisine and culture in her new home.
“Another is Albin Johansson from Sweden who is studying international business and is planning to join a local sailing club so he can fully enjoy our beautiful MoretonBay.”
Cr Quirk said the honorary appointments were for one year.
“International students add so much to Brisbane; creating a cosmopolitan and vibrant city which makes it all the more inviting for other students as well as tourists, business investors and delegates to events like the G20 Leaders Summit,” Cr Quirk said.
“Students are drawn to the city’s world-class educational facilities but are also attracted to our friendly multicultural population mix, strong economy, affordability, lifestyle, beautiful weather and efficient transport system.”
The student ambassador program was established by Brisbane Marketing’s Study Brisbane (www.studybrisbane.com) program in 2009 and is open to both domestic and international students in Brisbane.
2014 Brisbane International Student Ambassadors from Griffith University:
Shabnam Ahmadzada, Bachelor of Accounting
Ka Po Lee, Master of International Business
Jorge Rosas, Bachelor of Commerce
Albin Johansson, Bachelor of International Business
Griffith University has formally paid tribute to international student Sophie Collembet at a memorial service held at Griffith’s Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue onNathan Campus.
The Chancellor, Ms Leneen Forde AC and Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor attended. Other dignitaries includedMr Eric Soulier, Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of France in Australia, as well as Queensland’s Honorary Consul, Lady Jane Edwards AM and her husband Sir Llew Edwards AC.
Sophie’s friends, fellow students and members of Brisbane’s French community joined with other Griffith staff at the ceremony.
Professor Sarah Todd, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) said Sophie had epitomised the ideal international student.
“Sophie came to join us at Griffith having already travelled, and she was keen for more adventures,” Professor Todd said.
“While Sophie was eager to travel and learn more about the world, it is also evident that she treasured her home in France as well, and strove to balance her love of travel with staying close to family and her home in the French Alps.
“I know I speak on behalf of everyone in this room when I say that her family and friends in France are very much in the thoughts and hearts of all of us, as they have been ever since we learned of her death.”
Professor Graham Cuskelly, Acting Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) spoke of Sophie’s dedication to her studies and her high academic achievement. He also announced that a memorial scholarship would be established in her name as a lasting tribute from the University.
Mr Niels Kraaier, President of the Griffith University Post Graduate Student Association, spoke about Sophie’s involvement in the wider University community.
Sophie had also recently begun an industry placement with Education Queensland International. Her supervisor, Ms Karen Lee, said Sophie had quickly become much-liked and respected member of their team.
The ceremony concluded with Rev Dr Russell Briese, Chaplaincy Coordinator encouraging attendees to stay for refreshments and take the opportunity to share their memories of Sophie.
The memorial service was recorded so Sophie’s family will be able to see and hear how she touched the lives of many during the time that she was at Griffith.
One of the world’s leading environmental campaigners has lauded Griffith University’s commitment to sustainability.
For more than 20 years Mr Jon Dee, co-founder of Planet Ark and initiatives including National Tree Day, One Tree Per Child and Do Something!, has helped millions of people effect real and positive change with regard to environmental and social awareness and action.
As part of Griffith’s Sustainability Week celebrations, Mr Dee visited The EcoCentre at the Nathan campus on Thursday, April 10, and delivered an address, Creating Positive Change & Leading the Way for a Better Planet.
“I think Griffith University is a true leader in the field of environmental sustainability,” Mr Dee said. “Initiatives such as The EcoCentre and the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre are proof that Griffith does not just talk about taking positive action; it goes out and does it.”
After launching Planet Ark — a not-for-profit group aimed at uniting people, business and government through positive environmental actions – in 1991 with Australian tennis great Pat Cash, Mr Dee moved from England to Australia in 1992.
Since then he has driven campaigns including Australia’s phasing out of incandescent light globes — a program now being adopted by other countries — and the banning of phosphates in laundry detergents.
Mr Dee’s Ban the Bag mission has seen plastic bag use decline in the billions, while his time overseeing National Tree Day resulted in 10 million native trees and shrubs being planted throughout Australia. His One Tree Per Child program is aimed at ensuring every child under 10 years old plants a tree in their community.
He believes Australia can and should be a world leader in sustainability programs.
“Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has’,” Mr Dee said.
“Australia may only have a small population in comparison to many other countries, but it is my experience that when Australians take it upon themselves to do something, others listen and follow.
“All campaigns, no matter what they are, need change agents to lead the way. Griffith University is clearly taking on the responsibility to be one of those change agents.
“In terms of environmental sustainability, it’s about communicating a compelling message that encourages others to recognise the value of contributing to the common and greater good.
“That way, sustainability can become second nature for everyone, and that can only be of benefit for us and the world.”
Seven Griffith University students will be on the blocks at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as part of the Australian swimming team.
The students represent a broad cross-section of academic disciplines. They are —
Leiston Pickett (Bachelor of Commerce);
Chris Wright (Bachelor of Environmental Design);
Cameron McEvoy (Bachelor of Science – Advanced Honours);
Brittany Elmslie (Bachelor of Business);
Edward McKendry (Bachelor of Business);
Taylor McKeown (Bachelor of Science);
Emma McKeon (Bachelor of Public Health).
Griffith Sports College Manager, Duncan Free OAM, said he was delighted with the outcome.
“I just want to pass on huge congratulations to all our students who have made it into the Commonwealth Games team,” he said.
“I know the training and commitment they all put into their sport and it’s great to seeit rewarded with these selections.”
While the Glasgow Games are less than four months away, in four years Griffith’s student athletes won’t have so far to travel when the 2018 Commonwealth Games are staged on the Gold Coast.
“I am excited by having the Gold Coast host this major event and I’m especially excited by the number of athletes who will be competing after coming through Griffith University and the Griffith Sports College,” Mr Free said.
“It’s an opportunity to support and celebrate our athletes and to engage in this event and its legacy.”
Next Monday (April 14), a public lecture hosted by Griffith and presented by the University of Glasgow’s Professor Ade Kearns will provide invaluable insight into what the Gold Coast might expect following the 2018 Games.
The lecture,Assessing the Legacy of the Commonwealth Games: Learning from Glasgow, will be held in the Learning Commons (G11-4.28) at the Gold Coast campus on Monday, April 14, from 6-7pm.
Entry is free but reservations are required via this registration link.
