Free university-level arts courses are being offered by Griffith University to people living with mental health conditions in Brisbane, from March 2025.
The eight-week courses will be taught by university tutors and are designed to foster creativity, build confidence and develop new skills through songwriting and storytelling, acting or studio drawing.
Named ‘Mosaic’ to reflect the coming together of diverse pieces to create a cohesive, vibrant, and impactful whole, the program is open to adults currently receiving support for their mental health, with a desire to engage and learn.
Program Director, Associate Professor Jane Fowler said the education focus, rather than a traditional patient health focus, represented a new way of working in mental health.
“Mosaic will provide access to education for people who might otherwise not see it as a possibility,” she said.
“Students will be able to fully engage in the process of learning while being immersed in the university environment, in this case the world-class facilities of the Queensland Conservatorium and Queensland College of Art and Design.
“The courses are shortened versions of normal first-year courses, but without any assessment involved.”
Mosaic students can enrol in one or more of the following introductory courses from Trimester 1, 2025, which require no prior experience:
Songwriting and Storytelling
Wednesdays, 1pm–3pm (19 March – 14 May 2025)
This course explores storytelling through songwriting, guiding students in song structure, lyric development and creative self-expression.
Creativity Through Acting
Thursdays, 2pm – 4pm (20 March – 15 May 2025)
Students will engage in improvisation, teamwork and creative problem-solving, enhancing confidence and communication skills.
Studio Drawing
Fridays, 1pm – 3pm (21 March – 16 May 2025)
An introduction to fundamental drawing techniques, using materials such as graphite, charcoal and ink, aimed at developing creative skills and appreciation for the art of drawing.
Additional courses will also be available from Trimester 2, 2025 and beyond.
For more information about these free courses or to register your interest, visit the Mosaic website or email [email protected].
International business leadership expert Dr Andrew White has been appointed the founding Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business Leadership, and will oversee a world-class executive education program delivered by Griffith Business School in South East Queensland.
Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business Leadership, Dr Andrew White.
Griffith University is renowned for its innovative approach to values-based leadership education and has been ranked number one globally as the leading MBA program on sustainability, and number one in Australia for online education.
The chair role was endowed by the Blackmore Family Foundation and forms an enduring leadership legacy to bring first-class executive education to Australia and drive ethical leadership.
With 20 years prior experience developing leadership programs at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Dr White brings the highest calibre of expertise, and will help to set a standard of executive business education which is usually sought offshore.
“It’s wonderful to be able to work with Griffith University and the Blackmore Family Foundation to deliver first-class leadership education in the Southern Hemisphere,” Dr White said.
“What attracted me to take the Chair of Business leadership position, and commit my time to this work, was the opportunity to help Griffith Business School achieve its potential.
“Griffith is purpose driven and ambitious in its drive to impact students, alumni and the world.
“Big organisations and business leaders need to take the world into the unknown and they are facing massive new challenges such as talent sourcing, new technology, and climate change, so it’s critical to disconnect from the work, and make time to see the bigger picture.”
Caroline Furlong, Marcus Blackmore AM, Dr Andrew White and Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) Professor Caitlin Byrne.
The Leadership Summit series will host Australia’s most exemplary leaders and organisations, and as Chair, Dr White will focus on accelerating impactful leadership and identify opportunities for Australian and Asia Pacific-based leaders to learn from collective experience to reach their full potential.
Blackmore Family Foundation Co-Founder Marcus Blackmore AM said the appointment was a milestone for the Business Leadership Summit series.
“I am delighted to congratulate the new Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business, Dr Andrew White,” Mr Blackmore said.
“It is wonderful to see Dr White, a renowned international business expert, joining forces with Griffith Business School to bring the Business Leadership Summit vision to fruition.
“The summit will promote values-based culture which is one of the critical conditions for enduring leadership and should be embedded into the day-to-day function of leadership practice.”
The Evolve Summit scheduled for 12-14 October 2025 is the first of three invitation-only summits to be delivered over three years, and will feature Mr Marcus Blackmore AM, showcase Australian and international speakers, and provide the opportunity for reflection and development.
Striking brain similarities have been detected in patients who experience Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), in particular, a larger than normal hippocampus.
The Griffith University research, published today in PLOS ONE, used only one of two ultra-high field MRI machines available in Australia to uncover how Long COVID and ME/CFS similarly impact brain structure.
Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
Director of Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, said the study aimed to examine the potential overlap with neurological symptoms between the two illnesses.
“We focused on using this specific MRI machine to study the brain in these participants to determine similarities in particular areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus which plays a critical role in controlling memory and cognition,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.
Dr Kiran Thapaliya and a patient using the ultra-high field MRI (7 Tesla)
Lead author, Dr Kiran Thapaliya, said the MRI identified significantly larger hippocampal volume in Long COVID and ME/CFS patients compared to healthy individuals without these conditions.
“Furthermore, the study showed similar hippocampal volume in patients, emphasising striking brain similarities between the two conditions,” Dr Thapaliya said.
“The research also reported the hippocampal volume was associated with symptom severity in both patient groups.
“Therefore, hippocampal impairment in Long COVID and ME/CFS patients may play a significant role in cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and delayed responses to questions or conversations.”
Larger hippocampal volume could be due to neurogenesis, the formation of new neurons, or a virus in the brain.
Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said: “The NCNED brings together a critical mass of talented researchers and clinicians committed to improving the lives of these patients.”
“We are privileged to access state-of-the-art technologies which drive transformative scientific discoveries.”
The research was funded by ME Research UK and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.
The paper Hippocampal Subfield Volume Alterations and Associations with Severity Measures in Long COVID and ME/CFS: A 7T MRI Study was published in PLOS ONE.
Griffith University and Supercars have partnered to launch SuperGEMS, an innovative, female-focused program designed to inspire the next generation of young women to pursue careers in motorsport and STEM industries.
The SuperGEMS program was officially launched at Griffith University, with Supercars drivers, officials, and key female figures in the Supercars paddock in attendance.
PremiAir Racing engineer Romy Mayer – the first female engineer to score a Supercars pole and podium – as well as up and coming female driver Summer Rintoule, were on hand, and were joined by seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes and current Brad Jones Racing driver Bryce Fullwood.
SuperGEMS, operating under Griffith’s renowned Science on the GO! initiative, will connect female students from Years 9 and 10 across Southeast Queensland with industry professionals and will incorporate motorsport-related activities, offering students unique experiences that highlight the exciting opportunities within the world of motorsport.
Anita Brant, STEM Outreach Manager for the Science on the Go program at Griffith said “SuperGEMS is about creating real-world connections between education and industry”.
“By engaging students in hands-on, motorsport-focused STEM activities, we aim to ignite their passion for science and technology while showcasing the exciting career pathways available in motorsport,” she said.
“Through the SuperGEMS program, we will be able to provide young women with direct access to the Supercars industry and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders who will drive the future of STEM and Supercars.”
The program will be highlighted by mentorship opportunities with motorsport professionals, problem-solving projects featuring real-world scenarios faced by Supercars competitors, and experience days bringing students up close with the inner workings of the sport.
“SuperGEMS represents a significant step forward in promoting diversity and innovation within our sport,” said Supercars COO, Tim Watsford.
“The goal of SuperGEMS is to foster the growth of diversity within the industry by providing young women direct access to the sport in new and ambitious ways.
“SuperGEMS students will be able to dissect real-world scenarios in the classroom, lean on the knowledge of Supercars personnel, and get up close with a number of key elements of the sport through our experience days.
“We are privileged to have a number of brilliant women currently making waves in Australian motorsport, some of whom are here today, and we are looking forward to bringing this next generation of STEM leaders up to speed in the motorsport industry.”
Language has long been considered a uniquely human trait, with features that mark it out as distinct from the communication of all other species.
However, research published today in Sciencehas uncovered the same statistical structure in humpback whale song that is a hallmark of human language.
Dr Jenny Allen.
Dr Jenny Allen is a leading expert in whale song structure from Griffith University’s Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) in the Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security.
Dr Allen worked with an international team, led by Professor Inbal Arnon of the Hebrew University, Dr Ellen Garland of the University of St Andrews, and Professor Simon Kirby of the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Dr Claire Garrigue (IRD New Caledonia), and Dr Emma Carroll (University of Auckland).
This work represented a unique collaboration between linguists, developmental scientists, marine biologists and behavioural ecologists.
The team applied innovative methods inspired by how babies discovered words in speech to eight years of humpback whale recordings collected in New Caledonia, uncovering the same statistical structures found in all human languages.
The findings also revealed previously undetected structures in whale song, illustrating a deep commonality between two unrelated species united by the fact their communication systems were culturally transmitted.
“Humpback whale song is culturally transmitted on a geographic scale not seen outside of humans, yet they are evolutionarily quite distinct from us.”
Dr Jenny Allen
“This is why it provides such an exciting comparison.
“These results give us unique insight into the importance of cultural transmission in learning processes across species, particularly for learning complex systems of communication.
“Rather than trying to fit animal communication into a ‘human language’ shaped hole, I think the more interesting question is ‘why did such different communication systems evolve such similarities?’”
Human language, which is also culturally transmitted, has recurring parts whose frequency of use follows a particular pattern.
Humpback whale speech was the focus of this study. Credit Operation Cetaces
In humans, these properties help learning and may come about because they help language be passed from one generation to the next.
Prof Inbal Arnon from the Hebrew University said “using insights and methods from how babies learn language allowed us to discover previously undetected structure in whale song”.
“This work shows how learning and cultural transmission can shape the structure of communication systems: we may find similar statistical structure wherever complex sequential behaviour is transmitted culturally.
“It raises the intriguing possibility that humpback whales, like human babies, may learn their song by tracking transitional probabilities between sound elements, and using dips in those probabilities as a cue to segment the song.”
Electric fans alone provide little cooling relief for older adults indoors on searing summer days, due to a reduced ability to sweat which can lead to oven-like indoor environments.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association assessed the impact of electric fans on the body core temperature and heart rate of 18 participants aged 65-85 years, who were exposed to a simulated extreme indoor environment of 36°C with 45 per cent relative humidity for eight hours.
Participants were monitored on three separate days, spending one day with no fan, one with a fan blowing at two metres per second (the average air speed of a household fan) and one with a fan on high speed at four metres per second.
The results showed participants were unaffected by fan use, with all three of the experimental conditions resulting in an average body core temperature of 38.3°C and heart rate of 100 beats per minute.
While perceived comfort did improve marginally, there was no substantial reduction in physiological strain.
Lead researcher Dr Fergus O’Connor from Griffith University’s School of Health Sciences and Social Work said older adults had a limited ability to regulate their body temperature in extreme heat.
Dr Fergus O’Connor
“As we age, we lose our ability to sweat, which limits the effectiveness of electric fans,” he said.
“This can start happening from our 30s or 40s, but by our 60s there’s a significant impairment.
“The double whammy is, older adults also have a decreased capacity to sense heat stress, which can lead to dire consequences.”
Extreme heat kills more people in Australia than all other natural disasters combined, with more than 100 lives lost each year in Queensland alone from exposure to high temperatures.
Lacking the ability to keep ourselves and our homes cool can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“As we face more frequent heat events, these findings highlight the need for sustainable, effective cooling interventions that specifically address the physiological needs of older adults,” Dr O’Connor said.
“Particularly in the southern states where we often see hot, dry days of around 42°C at only 10 to 15 per cent humidity, any sweat is rapidly evaporated by the environment anyway.
“Using a fan in these environments just blows hot air across dry skin, which creates a heat effect, whereas in more humid environments such as tropical Queensland, a fan can at least help with evaporating some of that moisture off the skin and provide cooling relief, provided the ambient temperature is not too high.”
Dr O’Connor said the research showed that as a standalone cooling intervention, fans were not effective in providing clinically meaningful cooling relief in 36°C and 45 per cent relative humidity, which is what could be typically expected on a Queensland summer’s day, however fans should not worsen heat strain either.
“A lot of people will be hesitant to use an air conditioner due to high operational costs, so it’s important to look at more sustainable use of air conditioning,” he said.
“Instead of setting low temperatures and trying to fill the house with an arctic blast, set the temperature a little higher, around 26 or 28 degrees.
“Using the air con at a higher temperature in conjunction with a fan is going to provide cooling relief and significantly reduce the cost of operating the air conditioner.”
A new study has estimated it would cost $15.6 billion per year for 30 years to prevent extinction for 99 of Australia’s priority species.
The research, led by Griffith University’s Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security with WWF-Australia and the University of Queensland, highlights the urgent need for increased funding to combat threats such as habitat destruction, invasive species and climate change.
The orange-bellied parrot is critically endangered. Image by Dejan Stojanovic
Australia has already lost more than 100 endemic species in the past three centuries, placing it at the forefront of the global extinction crisis.
The research looked at the cost for preventing extinction for 99 of these species.
Lead author Dr Michelle Ward said while the annual $15.6 billion could prevent the imminent extinction of many threatened species, there were some species, including many frogs, which were found to be non-recoverable, largely due to climate change.
“Species such as Mountain-top Nursery Frog and Swan Galaxias were found to be of real concern and need active ex-situ conservation,” Dr Ward said.
“The cost to reverse the decline of priority species and undo damage done by habitat loss, disease and other threats was estimated at $103.7 billion annually, while getting them off the threatened list entirely would require $157.7 billion per year.”
Dr Romola Stewart, a co-author and WWF-Australia’s Head of Evaluation and Science, said the paper highlighted the true cost of ineffective nature laws and inadequate species funding.
“Australia’s ever-growing list of threatened species is a direct result of decades of under spending,” she said.
The Australian sea lion is endangered. Image by Andrea Izzotti, WWF
“Turning this tragedy around will take a dramatic increase in action and investment.
“This is achievable for a wealthy nation like Australia.
“If we fail to put our wildlife and wild places on a path to recovery, our economy and environment will suffer, and we will see more species silently slide towards extinction.”
The study also highlighted the broader benefits of conservation investment, including the co-benefits to 43 per cent of all other threatened species and improved ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing.
“The natural world is undergoing profound change,” Dr Ward said.
“Biodiversity loss and ecosystems collapse is ranked by the World Economic Forum as the second most significant global risk over the next decade, with 50 per cent of the global economy dependent on nature.
“There is merit in the Australian Government’s commitment, but urgent action is needed.”
Universal jurisdiction allows domestic courts to investigate and prosecute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide regardless of where the violence occurred, or the nationalities of the perpetrator and victims. This research aims to advance understanding of how this legal principle is applied and adapted within the Asia-Pacific context.
Dr Palmer’s study is expected to contribute to international relations theories on norm adaptation while generating new knowledge to improve justice mechanisms. The research will also provide an evidence base to support better decision-making and foster collaborations between practitioners and officials working to investigate and prosecute international crimes in the region.
“This research has the potential to enhance access to justice and strengthen responses to atrocity crimes,” Dr Palmer said.
Supported by Griffith University, the project will shed light on how universal jurisdiction can play a pivotal role in addressing impunity and delivering accountability for some of the world’s gravest crimes.
Dr Palmer’s research will also offer critical insights into the role of intergovernmental organisations, such as the African Union and ASEAN, in addressing international crimes through universal jurisdiction. By comparing their approaches, the study aims to identify strategies that can be adapted to strengthen justice systems and promote accountability in the Asia-Pacific. This comparative analysis will further inform global efforts to combat impunity and ensure justice for victims of atrocity crimes.
An international team of researchers has been working on an innovative framework using movement-assistive robots designed to help mobility-impaired individuals to enhancing athletic performance.
Researchers from Griffith University, University of Twente in the Netherlands, and McGill University in Canada have announced the release of CEINMS-RT, Calibrated EMG-informed Neuromusculoskeletal Modelling Software – Real-Time.
Associate Professor Claudio Pizzolato
Associate Professor Claudio Pizzolato from Griffith University’s School of Health Sciences and Social Work and the Australian Centre for Precision Health and Technology (PRECISE) was part of the team which designed the ground-breaking real-time, neuro-mechanical movement-assistive robots such as exoskeletons, exosuits, and bionic limbs.
“There is incredible potential for using wearable robots to support humans during rehabilitation,” Associate Professor Pizzolato said.
“Neural information from the wearer is combined with a human digital twin to precisely assess how muscles are coordinated to generate movement.
“Practically, this allows us to create smarter wearable robots which can better understand the user and act as natural extensions of the human body, also compensating for neurological injuries.”
In clinical trials, patients with neurological impairments successfully regained volitional control of their limbs by using robotic exoskeletons.
CEINMS-RT also enabled real-time biofeedback for personalised rehabilitation, optimising muscle and joint load to prevent injuries and enhance recovery outcomes.
In addition, CEINMS-RT has been used to create adaptive control systems for back-support exosuits, reducing lumbar spine loads during heavy lifting tasks, and bionic limbs, allowing users to achieve natural and intuitive movement.
“This is an exciting milestone for the use of wearable robotics in rehabilitation,” Associate Professor Pizzolato said.
“We are now deploying this technology for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury as part of our BioSpine project, further broadening its impact.”
The Governor-General has announced the 2025 Australia Day Honours List, with several members of the Griffith University community recognised for their distinguished and conspicuous service.
Mrs Lisa Ann Cox was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for her service to people with disability.
Mrs Lisa Cox, OAM
A member of the Inclusive Futures Engagement Council with Griffith University since 2021, Mrs Cox has worked to tackle modern challenges facing humankind to create a just, inclusive and equitable future for those living with disability.
Griffith has seen a marked increase in enrolments of students with a disability since the introduction of Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability, with the 10 per cent of the student cohort who identify as having a disability now enjoying physical access, digital access and inclusive learning environments.
Mrs Cox has also taken on multiple disability advocate roles including being on the advisory panel for the Disability Employment Summit, a TEDx Speaker, and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce for the Advertising Council of Australia.
Ms Leesa Ann Watego was also honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia in the General Division for significant service to Indigenous business and media sectors, and to the community.
Ms Watego has a long history with Griffith University, starting as a research assistant in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit back in 1991.
She then worked as an administration assistant in the same unit before becoming Associate Lecturer in the School of Commerce and Administration, then for the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art up until 2008.
Additionally, Mr Laurie Joseph Lawrence was named Officer of the Order of Australia in the General Division in recognition of his distinguished service to water safety education and to swimming as a high-performance coach.
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate with Griffith University in 2012, Mr Lawrence is known for founding the Kids Alive ‘Do the Five’ Water Safety Program and World Wide Swim School, plus being a three-time Olympic Swim Team Coach among his many other achievements.
Other recipients included:
Ms Grace Lowden Brown: Master of Marketing alumnus – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024
Mr Thomas James Gallagher: Bachelor of Business alumnus – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024
Miss Shayna Louise Jack: Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice alumnus – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024
Mr Cameron James McEvoy: Bachelor of Science (Honours) alumnus – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024
Ms Lani Glen Pallister: Bachelor of Biomedical Science – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games 2024
Ms Clare Elizabeth Polkinghorne: Master of Criminology and Criminal Justice – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to football
Dr Keith Graham OAM: Bachelor of Education, Advanced and Graduate Certificate in TESOL alumnus – awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in leading Queensland and national school sports recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Mr David John Mackie: Bachelor of Commerce alumnus – awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to public sector administration and policy reforms in Queensland
Lieutenant Commander Dean James Dvornicich: Bachelor of Engineering – awarded Conspicuous Service Medal for meritorious achievement as the Marine Engineer Officer HMAS Supply
Mrs Kaye de Jersey: Former staff member of the Griffith University Library – awarded Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Crown, and to the community of Queensland
