Griffith researchers are revealing how Sea Jellies Illuminated, a combined lab and exhibit put on in partnership with Sea World, is advancing in sea jellies research and public understanding of science.
Professor Kylie Pitt in the Sea Jellies Illuminated research lab at Sea World.
In 2018, Griffith University partnered with Sea World to develop ‘Sea Jellies Illuminated’, a combined sea jellies exhibit and state-of-the-art jellyfish research laboratory located within the Sea World theme park.
The 1.5 million people who visit Sea World each year have the opportunity to peer through the glass walls of the laboratory and see the diverse array of research the Griffith Sea Jellies Laboratory conducts.
“We initially surveyed 340 of those visitors and found that after spending some time at the Griffith Sea Jellies laboratory and exhibit people’s perception of jellies and their role in ocean ecosystems was much more positive,” Professor Pitt said.
“The Sea Jellies exhibit also increased people’s awareness of the research being done at Sea World and improved people’s perception and attitudes towards science in general.”
“This is a great outcome and shows that our collaboration with Sea World is achieving its objectives.”
The research was presented as part of the ‘Animals in zoos and aquaria: Research, conservation and public engagement outcomes’ session at this week’s ASMA conference, which outlined how collaboration between universities and public aquaria/zoos is playing a role in wildlife research, public understanding of this research and citizen science.
“The partnership between Griffith University and Sea World is a fantastic example of the synergies that can exist between universities and zoos and aquaria,” Professor Pitt said.
“It’s a partnership that delivers mutual benefits. Griffith University benefits from access to world-class facilities, prominent exposure and the opportunity to engage the public in science. Whilst for Sea World, partnering with Griffith University provides credibility for the research it supports, access to a broader audience to share messages of conservation, and access to scientific expertise.”
“Ultimately, this positive relationship benefits the research, the institution and above all, engages the public in marine science and we hope to build on this relationship into the future.”
Wearable devices that chemically connect with the body to access bodily functions or deliver life-saving medicines – it’s a research breakthrough that is now a step closer to reality thanks to one of Griffith’s finest scientific minds, who has been acknowledged and supported with one of the most coveted honours in Australian research.
A flexible cell trapper device developed by Prof Nguyen and his team.
Professor Nam-Trung Nguyen was granted a $3,362,355 2023 Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship to propel his exciting field of research of micro and elastofluidics.
Professor Nguyen, from the Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre at Griffith, is aiming to establish a ground-breaking research discipline that allows wearable devices to connect with the body chemically, either by accessing body fluids or by precise delivery of medicines.
The project, titled ‘Highly efficient microscale liquid handling and bio interfacing’ ,utilises bendiness and stretchiness to enable storage, transport, manipulation, and analysis of fluids in the microscale, ready for practical implementation.
“The outcomes of this project will help enable devices for continuous monitoring and intervention of an individual’s health conditions, providing real-time feedback on health issues, and enhanced performance in sport and battlefield,” Professor Nguyen said.
“Early detection and proactive measures to manage personal health will significantly reduce Australia’s healthcare costs.”
Commercialisation of the developed technologies will place Australian industry at the forefront of the lucrative market of wearable, implantable devices, supported by sovereign development and manufacturing capability.
The ARC received a total of 119 applications for Australian Laureate Fellowships for funding, of which only 17 Australian Laureate Fellowships were awarded in the 2023 round.
The 17 Laureate Fellow will receive a total of $53.9 million in ARC funding over year years to conduct ground-breaking research across a broad range of areas.
ARC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, said that the Australian Laureate Fellowship scheme is fundamental to providing an excellent research training environment, exemplary mentorship to nurture early-career researchers, and conducting research for the benefit of the Australian and international communities.
“For example, one 2023 Laureate Fellow will research and explore cities as transformative agents for a climate-safe future, while another will research the relationship between communications and trust in the age of digital platforms to provide foundations for advancing adigital trust agenda,” Ms Zielke said.
“The Laureate Fellowship scheme affords researchers the opportunity to establish strong connections with research counterparts and industry partners, which is an integral part of delivering high-quality mentorship for up-and-coming early-career researchers,” Ms Zielke said.
Event Project Manager and Bachelor of Business Student Jamie Hein.
Griffith University hosted budding young scholars at the Family Koala Fair, sparking a passion for conservation and lifelong love of koalas.
More than 1,150 people attended the Griffith EcoCentre which accommodated the free fun family event during the school holidays.
Griffith student Eco Ambassadors took families on Toohey Forest bushwalks teaching children the secrets of koala detection and tracking.
Eco Ambassadors ran extra tour sessions through the day taking more than 450 families on tour.
Griffith’s EcoCentre was abuzz with interactive and educational activities for all ages including face painting, koala painting, competitions, trivia, colouring competitions.
In her final year of a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Event Management, Family Koala Fair Event Organiser Jamie Hein brought the exciting community event to life as part of her internship with the Social Marketing @ Griffith team.
“Koalas are an Australian icon, and their survival depends on educating future generations about their wellbeing and conservation of habitats,” Ms Hein said.
“Child-friendly talks were delivered by the RSPCA, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and Griffith’s EcoCentre koala experts throughout the day.
Founding Director of Social Marketing @ Griffith and Behavioural Scientist, Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele works with entities such as DES, WIRES Wildlife rescue, South East Queensland and Northern NSW local governments to deliver campaigns for koala conservation.
“The status of koalas was upgraded to endangered in February 2022,” Professor Rundle-Thiele said.
“This gives koalas a less than 20 per cent chance of surviving in the wild.
“Only two per cent of species on endangered lists get off these lists.
“Many of the threats koalas face can be prevented.
“Our team are hard at work across Southeast Queensland letting people know how they can help koalas and we are currently helping Northern NSW to start their first coordinated communication effort.
“Reporting koala sightings through apps such as QWildlife or iNaturalist is one way people can help.”
The event was supported by funding from DES and Griffith University.
New Griffith-led research has found that climate and river management have impacted both the amount of water and when it arrives.
Published in Ecological Indicators, researchers from Griffith University and the University of Queensland investigated the change in the occurrence of streamflow due to climate change (through a change in rainfall) and river operations (flow regulation and diversion) in the Victoria’s Goulburn-Broken River catchment.
Rivers within the Goulburn-Broken Catchment
The annual streamflow in the catchment declined by on average almost half (47% or over 1300 Giga-litres), while the timing of the flow was delayed by an average of 36% or 54 days.
“Environmental water requirements for river systems are not only volume dependent but also time dependent,” said lead author Dr Rupesh Patil, a research fellow at the Australian Rivers Institute. “The timing of environmental water flows is essential when it comes to restoring and conserving riverine ecosystems.”
“To date, little is known about what implications the change in timing water flow in rivers due to the combinedeffects of climate changeand river regulation have on the allocation and delivery of environmental water to a river system.
“The timing and amount of water flowing in rivers both play a key role in connecting river channels withfloodplainsand wetlands, triggering nutrient/sediment exchange, maintaining water quality, facilitating species migration, supporting riverine biodiversity, and nourishing vegetation along rivers.”
Riverine food webs depend on the flux of organic material provided by seasonal floodpulses, just as salmon species require autumn flows tomigrate tospawning grounds up-streams. Native species of fish, frogs, riparian vegetation, and invertebrates, fed on by water birds and reptiles, need seasonal high flows to flourish, while shallow water species and aquatic vegetation are adapted to low flows during the dry period.
The change in the amount of streamflow throughout the year, from before flow was regulated in 1884 (in blue) to vastly reduce regulated flows (orange)
The changes in river flow and the timing of water coming down the Goulburn-Broken catchment observed in this study were attributable almost equally to rainfall decline and river regulation (52% & 48% respectively).
River regulation and flow diversion alter the amount and timing of streamflow often causing a significant shift in theplant and animallife that makes up riverine environments, which has obvious implications for the restoration of river ecosystems in places like the Murray-Darling basin.
Lead author Dr Rupesh Patil, a research fellow at the Australian Rivers Institute.
“Our study shows that the inevitableeffects of climate change alone will cause a decline in annual streamflow by over a third (approximately 300 Giga-litres) by 2050 across the Goulburn River, with the timing of that water delayed by more than 20% (40 days),” Dr Patil said.
“Variation in streamflow due to seasonal climate change can lead to complex effects on riverine environments, including the disruption of fish and frog breeding cycle. In regulated rivers, such effects may also be associated with the delayed environmental water delivery.”
The findings from this study are expected to help water managers improve environmental water allocation and environmental flow practices for sustainable management of riverine ecosystems.
“In the Goulburn-Broken River catchment, which is typical of managed catchments in many areas of the world with forecast rainfall reduction, current management efforts need to be directed at reversing the change in the timing of river flows, as a primary means ofsustainably management of riverine systems,” Dr Patil concluded.
LiveLab students are celebrating after their work was recognised in the US International Awards.
LiveLab is the commercial production arm of Griffith Film School, offering students year-round opportunities to gain real industry experience while they are studying.
The awards (formerly known as US International Film and Video Festival) have a background of more than 50 years within the industry of corporate videos and documentaries, affording winners recognition and prestige in the international film/video/digital production industry, worldwide publicity and accolades, and of course some good old bragging rights.
It follows the creation of and meaning behind the Indigenous war memorial now located in ANZAC Square, which connects the cultural and military history of many Indigenous men and women who went to war.
The memorial itself features six Indigenous figures — representing World War I Navy, World War II Air Force, current male and female army veterans, a Torres Strait Islander dancer and an Aboriginal dancer who were guides working with the veterans, plus a journey stone representing the journey of the Indigenous men and women who went to war.
LiveLab Creative Director, Associate Professor Richard Fabb said everyone was completely blown away when they first saw the statue coming together.
“There was something incredibly powerful about this piece of art,” he said.
Creative Director of LiveLab, Associate Professor Richard Fabb
“It really spoke to people and was clearly capturing the untold stories of the Indigenous men and women who served, who historically weren’t recognised as Australians with many treated pretty shockingly, so this beautiful piece of work is a memorial to armed forces that’s unlike any memorials most of us have ever seen.”
The production process was much longer than the average LiveLab project, taking more than a year to complete, with not only current Griffith students involved, but alumni who were brought in as interns or on a paid basis to do camera work or post-production, as well as prominent Indigenous filmmaker Douglas Watkin, who was previously head of Indigenous content at Screen Queensland coming on board as co-Executive Producer.
“It’s been a huge team effort and a very ambitious project but the whole team is proud of the outcome and it’s been amazing to see the recognition from the US International Awards,” Associate Professor Fabb said.
LiveLab was also a finalist for the tear-jerking Day in the Life of a Carer which also picked up a silver trophy at the Deauville Green Awards after it was produced for Social Marketing @ Griffith in last year’s Industry Engagement course.
LiveLab student Ming Zhang
Narrated from the perspective of a young koala orphaned when its mother was hit by a car, we follow carer Trish LeeHong from Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Education Centre as she raises the barely-surviving joey until it is ready to be released back into the wild.
Director of the film, Ming Zhang is now a third-year student who actually thought he’d just be learning film theory when he applied to study at Griffith Film School.
“I’m pretty passionate about conservation of the planet and our wildlife so it was a cool opportunity to work with the Social Marketing @ Griffith team on this project,” he said.
“I know that if LiveLab feel strongly about pieces of work they’ll put them into different competitions but I didn’t have any expectations of winning.
“It’s really impressive we’ve been recognised on an international level for the work we’ve done here.”
Griffith University’s Director of Games Engagement and Partnerships,Dr Caroline Riot, has recently returned from a trip to “pristine” Palau in the western Pacific, having been invited to support the program delivery of a Paralympic committee.
The visit included presentations from Griffith and the Oceania Paralympic Committee’s Paul Bird (President) and Chris Nunn (High Performance Coach).
The highly positive engagement with Palau shows Griffith’s commitment to delivering on inclusion, diversity, equity and sporting excellence within the Pacific region.
Dr Riot said the program was primarily designed around building Palau’s first National Paralympic Committee but involved a multitude of complementing initiatives.
“We went over to advise the process in setting up the committee, but then also to host talent identification, coach training and development opportunities and help design a research agenda around legacy planning and delivery up until Brisbane 2032,” she said.
As a strong sporting nation, Dr Riot said Palauan para-athletes deserve the chance to go to the Games based on merit and meeting qualifying standards.
“Palau has had involvement in the Special Olympics with a competition now in Germany, but they’ve never sent anybody to a Paralympic Games,” she said.
“Once Palau has established its National Paralympic Committee, it can send an athlete to Paris next year, the goal being that athletes represent their country based on merit, not just as a representative.”
Griffith University, Titans NRL club and a Brisbane-based running club donated essential goods for athletes.
Athletes who are considered best in the country but that do not meet performance criteria for the specific sport are often referred to as ‘wild cards.’
“Olympic and Paralympic Games organising committees want representation and they’ll take the country’s best athletes, but the best athlete might not meet qualifying standards,” Dr Riot said.
“We want to move away from that and develop a system across these regional nations that helps build their sporting capabilities and capacities so that performance over time will demonstrate that athletes are getting better, coaches are getting better, and athletes are able to then compete based on merit.
“We want to ensure they actually meet qualifying standards because they’ve got the systems behind them to support them, so they’re not wild cards, they’re not just given a free ticket to attend, but they know they have high quality performances and deserve to be there.”
Palauan community preparing for the evening marathon.
Dr Riot said Palau’s passion for sports is palpable: “You just see sport everywhere, running and swimming too.”
Palau’s “pristine” land and waterways makes outdoor activities popular amongst the community.
“They had a fun run, which we ran at five o’clock in the morning because it was so hot.
“Then they had their first internationally recognised marathon event, sponsored by a Taiwanese group, which started at 5pm and went until about 10pm.
“They’re committed and they’re running at night-time because of the weather, and the infrastructure is fantastic.”
For many of the country’s athletes including those headed to Germany for the Special Olympics, important items such as running shoes were sparse.
Dr Riot collated donated goods from Griffith, as well as the Titans NRL team and a local running group in Brisbane’s Western suburbs headed by coach Liz Moore, to supply athletes with shoes to take to Germany.
Other items including jackets and water bottles were distributed amongst the community college and high school.
Koko receiving her own pair of shoes (donated by Lizel Moore’s running club in Brisbane) just in time for the Special Olympics in Germany
Local senior student Koko, who lives with cerebral palsy, was just one of the many young athletes inspired by the presentations from Griffith and the Oceania Paralympic Committee’s Paul Bird (President) and Chris Nunn (High Performance Coach), with hopes to now study at Griffith one day and qualify for Paris next year.
“Koko spoke to me about her disability, and how she’s grown through sport,” Dr Riot said.
“She started in volleyball, then moved into table tennis and proved to be a really good table tennis player.
“But we’ve now talent identified her for track and field, so we think that’s where she’ll be able to compete.”
Koko will attend an athletics competition in the Solomon Islands where Griffith will run its upcoming GAPS camps come October.
Following this, Koko hopes to be ‘classified’, which involves determining a person’s disability and competition category in line with International Paralympic Committee standards, in November at the Pacific Games.
“We’re also working with all of the national sports federations to identify coaches and they are so receptive,” Dr Riot said.
“They really want to do this; they don’t see parasport or disability sport as a challenge.
“They see it as something we should absolutely be doing.”
From her work with the Palauan National Olympic Committee, Dr Riot hopes to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the program moving forward.
Check out some of Dr Caroline Riot’s Palau trip here:
Griffith University has welcomed the results of the QS World University Rankings 2024 which show the university has improved its standing to 243rd overall in the world, Griffith’s highest result to date in the QS rankings and an improvement of 57 places since last year.
Griffith Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said a ranking of 243 out of 1,500 global institutions is testament to Griffith’s growing international reputation.
“Griffith has improved its position by 125 places since the 2013 rankings, reflecting the outstanding effort of our staff who provide world-class education to our students and research that delivers significant social, environmental, health and economic benefits,” Professor Evans said.
“Additionally, we received a ranking of 69 in the new sustainability category placing Griffith fifth amongst Australian universities, 185 in the new international research network group, and 166 in research citations, an indicator of the international impact of our research.”
The 2024 results see the introduction of two new indicators for sustainability and international research collaboration, both of which are important indicators of quality and what staff and students expect of a world-class university.
Universities from around the world were assessed according to an updated set of parameters:
research and discovery — academic reputation and citations per faculty
employability outcomes — employer reputation and employment outcomes
learning experience — faculty student ratio
global engagement — international faculty, international research network, international students
sustainability
This excellent outcome follows on from the university’s ranking of 72nd in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings which reflect our commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainability is a key focus for the university as stated in our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan — Creating a Future for All.
In the speech to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Senator Wong acknowledged that Pacific leaders have been crystal clear that climate change is the single greatest threat facing the region, and declared that the newly elected Albanese government would “stand shoulder to shoulder … with our Pacific family in response”.
Within a year, Senator Wong had visited 30 countries, including all Pacific Islands Forum members, while Australia’s domestic political and financial climate commitments have increased. But is it enough to repair relations in the Pacific, and can it be sustained?
“The single most significant thing Australia could do to improve relations with Pacific island countries would be to take meaningful action on climate change—including through the introduction of domestic policies to reduce emissions, and the pursuit of ambitious middle power diplomacy to drive global emissions reductions. It is difficult to overstate how critical the issue of climate change is to Pacific island countries.”
Dr Newton Cain notes that Senator Wong’s renowned work ethic has been on display as she has traversed the region getting an intensive reintroduction to Pacific politics, diplomacy and culture—including drinking kava with grace. That said, in the Pacific, there is a degree of scepticism that this can be maintained and evolved to deepen and strengthen critical relationships.
Far from being small, vulnerable nations that need our help, the Pacific nations are global leaders in climate action and, with 14 members in the UN, represent an influential bloc that Australia would benefit from a genuine partnership with. Failing to deepen and broaden engagement in the region is not just culturally insensitive, it’s strategically inept.
COP31: a reputation makeover opportunity for Australia?
Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate and Energy, announced in 2022 that Australia would bid to co-host the UN climate conference, COP31, in partnership with the Pacific. If the bid is successful, it would represent the biggest diplomatic event in Australia’s history, with between 20,000 and 40,000 delegates expected to attend. But it would also come with an expectation from Pacific nations that Australia would go further with its commitments to tackling climate change.
While Australia’s climate commitments have strengthened under the Albanese government, they are still some of the developed world’s least ambitious. As Dr Morgan notes, our domestic emissions trajectory is not compatible with keeping global warming to 1.5°C this century. And, Australia provides less than it’s fair share of climate finance to help developing countries address the impacts of climate change.
More than 100 countries have committed to net zero targets, and climate action has shifted to become a centrepiece of industrial policy in major economies. Although Australia has been reluctant to commit to bold climate policy, it has endorsed the Blue Pacific strategy, which outlines the objective of a fossil fuel-free Pacific by 2050.
Co-hosting COP31 would be a chance to revive Australia’s international reputation and reposition us to embrace the benefits of a global clean-energy economy. It would also provide an opportunity to demonstrate that Australia is serious about being a security partner of choice for the region—and that we recognise the security threat posed by climate change. After all, with more than half of Australia’s Defence Force personnel being called out to natural disasters since 2019, it is clear that we are facing the same threat.
A turning point?
Dr Morgan believes that we are in the midst of a global shift, as major powers—the US, China and the EU—realise that influence in tomorrow’s economy is linked with leadership in clean energy. He notes:
“The world is slowly but surely shifting away from fossil fuels. When historians look back, they will likely see the 2015 Paris Agreement as the key pivot point. It achieved a global consensus on climate action and set the goal for nations to decarbonise by mid-century.”
Improved relations in the Pacific may just be the motivation Australia needs to find its place and take a leadership role.
Beyond climate
Historically, Australia’s engagement in the Pacific has been episodic and crisis-led. In part, this is influenced by the fact that Australians themselves are not sure if the country is part of the Pacific. Dr Newton Cain argues that while we often hear about capacity-building in the Pacific, we seldom hear about how that applies to understanding the region and improving our Pacific literacy here at home.
Evolving the conversation beyond the intertwined contexts of climate and security, while developing understanding of our place in the region—not our “backyard” but rather our neighbourhood—will be critical for Australia’s future. Because this is where we live.
Featuring
DrWesley Morgan is Research Coordinator at Pacific Connections (Australia) and an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, a Research Associate at the Development Policy Centre, Australian National University and an Honorary Research Fellow at the East Asia Security Centre, Bond University. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Climate Council of Australia.
Dr Tess Newton Cain is a Senior Research Fellow and the Project Leader for the Griffith Asia Institute’s Pacific Hub. Within that role she assists with curation for the Pacific Outlook section of the Griffith Asia Insights blog.
Tess is a dual citizen of Vanuatu and the United Kingdom. She is a former Lecturer in Law at the University of the South Pacific. She has lived and worked in the Pacific islands region for almost 25 years, with most of that time spent living in Vanuatu.
Tess’ research interests focus on politics, policy and development in the Pacific islands region. She has provided research. strategic advice and policy support to national governments, regional organisations (including the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat) and development partners (including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, and the governments of Australia and New Zealand).
Griffith University has announced the winners from its four academic groups in the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Awards, with a talented group of recipients from across the world — and outer space.
Sixteen high-achieving alumni have earned top spots in the University’s 2023 Outstanding Alumni Awards in the academic groups of Arts, Education and Law (AEL); Griffith Business School (GBS), Griffith Health and Griffith Sciences.
The 2023 award winners include celebrated film, theatre and music makers; educators and entrepreneurs, psychologists, conservationists, health heroes, business and policy professionals, whose significant contribution to society reflects Griffith’s core values of excellence, ethics and engagement. One recipient is even out-of-this-world literally as a current crew member of the International Space Station.
Each academic group has awards in the following categories:
Outstanding Alumnus
Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus
Outstanding International Alumnus
Outstanding Young Alumnus
The alumni group winners will progress as finalists for the overall Griffith University Outstanding Alumni Awards which will be held in September.
Griffith University congratulates all academic group winners:
Arts, Education and Lawwinners:
Lachlan Pendragon (Outstanding Alumnus)
Dean Gibson(Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus)
Dr Chan Yuk-Lan Phoebe (Outstanding International Alumnus)
Emma Dean (Outstanding Young Alumnus)
Griffith Business School winners:
Jasmina Joldić PSM (Outstanding Alumnus)
Brett Leavy (Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus)
Vū Lê Tùng Giang (Outstanding International Alumnus)
Josh Murchie (Outstanding Young Alumnus)
Griffith Health winners:
Colleen Jen (Outstanding Alumnus)
Lesley Richardson (Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus)
Professor Dian Sawitri (Outstanding International Alumnus)
Dr Dan Wilson (Outstanding Young Alumnus)
Griffith Sciences winners:
Professor Bronwyn Harch (Outstanding Alumnus)
David Nalder(Outstanding First Peoples Alumnus)
Dr Sultan AlNeyadi(Outstanding International Alumnus)
Raymond Siems(Outstanding Young Alumnus)
Deputy Director Advancement and Director Alumni Engagement, Joanne Nyland, said the University is incredibly proud of the Griffith alumni community and the far-reaching impact and influence of their tireless work.
“Those who have to select the winners have a very challenging task as there are so many worthy recipients,” she said.
“We are privileged to be able to recognise alumni in this way as they go about making it matter for themselves and others in the world where they demonstrate the values of Griffith University daily.
“Nominees were assessed on their alignment with the broad selection criteria including their success in and contribution to their chosen industry/profession, and their contribution to the community at local, state, national or international levels.
“Also assessed was their demonstration of attributes in alignment with the values of Griffith University.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are part of the new wave Industry 4.0, whereby organisations are implementing automated systems, building internet of things and using big data, smart systems, and cyber-physical systems to expand their capabilities and improve productivity. The Australian Government’s Productivity Commission indicated AI may provide significant benefit, with estimates of a higher annual GDP by two-thirds or even up to three and two-thirds higher than what it is currently.
The risks must also be studied. The US, EU, the UK and Canada are introducing AI regulation, with support from some eminent AI developers. The Australian AI expert reaction to the Australian Government’s potential ban on ‘high-risk’ uses of AI emphasised safeguarding the use of AI should be balanced with realising its prospects, including in digital mental health.
AI refers to the capacity of machines or computer programs to think, learn, and complete tasks that typically require human intelligence. Algorithms and computer systems are used independently or in combination with humans. AI is used with mental health records, screening and diagnosis or to understand patient’s emotions in order to align interventions. Ubiquitous computing and AI help in medical monitoring, communication and memory aids.
“Many users and practitioners are uncertain about which digital mental health information and resources are of good quality, usability and effectiveness.”
Human-artificial intelligence
Human-artificial intelligence (HAI) refers to where humans and AI collaborate on a common task or goal for efficient, safer, sustainable and enjoyable work and lives. The aim of HAI is to enable the other’s strengths. However, the Center for Humane Technology aims further by prioritising human values, such as empathy, compassion, and responsibility. Australia adopted a voluntary ethics framework for “responsible” AI in 2018. “Fair aware” AI has been used in digital mental health to promote diversity and inclusion, as well as “explainable” AI to demonstrate transparency and trust between users and practitioners.
Digital Mental Health
Many people are increasingly turning to technology for their mental health concerns. The National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards were developed to keep apace in 2020, aiming to improve the safety and quality of digital mental health service provision. However, a lack of integrated, scalable, effective solutions are digital mental health challenges. Many users and practitioners are uncertain about which digital mental health information and resources are of good quality, usability and effectiveness. A scoping review evaluated digital mental health platforms and interventions to identify the types of available evidence. The mix of early evidence suggested feasibility, partial usability, engagement, and acceptability, as well as a study that effectively treated anxiety and depression in adults.
Innovation requires a better understanding the complex relationship between mental ill-health, its comorbidities and the biopsychosocial factors that influence suicidality. For example, tailoring digital solutions for men requires identifying the contexts that they can safely share their experiences, and linking them to localised interventions. The grappling with outreach, adoption and sustaining engagement means divergent thinking is vital.
Previous integrative reviews found there are promising developments in digital mental health. However, there are teething problems with its implementation, such as difficulties in overcoming the human factors in human-computer interaction (HCI). The impacts of YouTube on loneliness and mental health showed how the integration of human factors is crucial for the development and implementation of effective digital mental health tools.
Human-AI and digital mental health
Qualitative studies can play an important role in increasing the accessibility, engagement and effectiveness of digital mental health through:
identifying user needs,
understanding barriers to use,
evaluating user experience, and
evaluating the impact of platforms and interventions.
AI may help advance digital mental health through better and faster qualitative data analysis to make sense of multidimensional online feedback e.g., a Viable blog discusses the use of GPT-4 in natural language processing for sentiment analysis.
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.
