Southern Cross Matters
From the Vice-Chancellor
At my most recent all staff town hall event, I took particular pride in sharing stories about our outstanding research and scholarship of learning & teaching with the more than 600 colleagues who joined the event. As I noted during my remarks at the Town Hall, I am only ever able to shine a spotlight on a small slither of the extraordinary things being accomplished within our University, and it is pleasing therefore that in Southern Cross Matters there is a regular opportunity to cast the net still more widely. I try in these introductory remarks not to use the column inches available to me in simply summarising the content to follow – though I do from time to time share my very particular enthusiasm for one story or another – which in the case of the October edition must in my estimation be to the story on Philoria kundagungan! How astonishing to think that through the work of colleagues like David Newell and Liam Bolitho, our University will be contributing to the critical work of reintroducing critically endangered species to their habitat.
Talk about impact! But my excitement about that to one side, you will notice reference in that same story to a recent graduation ceremony at Lismore at which 22 Higher Degree by Research candidates crossed the stage having successfully completed their programs. I watched the gathered crowd very carefully as the process of honouring each of them took place, with their names and the title of their thesis carefully read out before each received their testamur. What I saw in the audience was a combination of awe, wonder and inspiration. There was a genuine and deep appreciation amongst the family and friends and community members gathered at Whitebrook theatre that day – evinced so powerfully by such a large group of researchers graduating together, that incredible things are happening right here. A number of people sought me out after the ceremony and explained to me just what a different perspective they had developed of the University during the ceremony, and of its significance to the vitality of our region. So while I think that yet again, this month’s edition is replete with a diversity of truly wonderful stories, I particularly tip my hat to our excellent research students and the teams of dedicated colleagues who supervise and mentor them.
As always, enjoy the stories below and please continue to provide feedback on areas of focus for future editions.
Warmest wishes,
Tyrone
Rankings rise reflects research quality and impact
The latest Times Higher Education World Rankings has seen Southern Cross move into a higher position within the 501-600 band. These rankings are a direct reflection of the University’s results in the Research Quality and Industry pillars.
“We are committed to continual improvement in research quality at Southern Cross, and our global impact and influence is growing,” said Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Spongberg.
Research initiatives such as the launch of the Bee Research and Extension Lab which is working to address research gaps and global issues such as the Varroa mite, are a reflection of the University’s growing impact and investment in critical research areas.
“Our improved score in the Industry pillar is directly correlated to developing real-world solutions and industry partnerships in research. This is evident through projects coming out of our Research Clusters, such as our Rice Breeding Program from Harvest to Health, which is leading the way, developing a healthy, high-yielding food for the future,” Professor Spongberg said.
Read more about Southern Cross in the Times Higher Education rankings here.
Graduates produce research with real impact
The relaxing sound of frog calls in the rainforest has been the soundtrack to Doctor of Philosophy graduate Dr Liam Bolitho’s research.
He is one of 22 Higher Degree by Research graduates who crossed the stage at the Lismore graduation on October 11.
Liam’s thesis on the endangered mountaintop frog, Philoria kundagungan, saw real action taken to repopulate the species. He is one example of the impactful research being undertaken at the Graduate School.
The frog species was previously listed as ‘data deficient’ by the NSW Government, but through his research, Liam uncovered the frog’s habitat distribution, breeding phonology and ascertained that the species is affected by climate change.
The frog has subsequently been listed as endangered and as a priority species for further research by the federal government.
As a Research Fellow at the University, Liam and his supervisor, Dr David Newell, established the Gondwana Rainforests Amphibian Survival Program (Project GRASP) which aims to breed and reintroduce rare Gondwana Rainforest frogs back into their habitat, with the first release of Philoria kundagungan set to take place in coming months.
“Looking back on what I was able to achieve for this mountaintop frog, I’m really happy to see that it has produced practical outcomes,” Liam said.
Liam is one of six staff members to graduate with a Doctor of Philosophy, with others including Dr Jane Mosco, Dr Mathew Alexanderson, Dr Barbara Kinder, Dr Sebastian Litchfield and Dr Koralia Petta.
Psychology Honours research contributes to global WHO data on healthy ageing
Aspects of wellbeing and mental health, eco-anxiety, self-esteem, nutrition, pleasure, adventure sports, music listening in aged care, and sexual satisfaction were among the topics covered at this year’s Psychology Honours Conference.
“It was interesting to see the scope of the research done by the Psychology Honours cohort at Southern Cross,” Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Business double degree Dr Louise Horstmanshof said.
“It also presented an opportunity of immense pride and satisfaction, watching students present who have completed their research. They are ready for the next steps towards becoming qualified registered psychologists.”
One student who presented their research was Kerryn Cooper. With over 17 years’ experience as a nurse, Kerryn has investigated the unreported health concerns of older adults living independently in her local region of Kiama NSW.
“Throughout my career, I have witnessed the unique challenges older adults face but also how diverse this population can be. I want to contribute to improving care and wellbeing for older adults, including my own family,” Kerryn said.
Kerryn’s research will contribute to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) data on healthy ageing and will be added to the ACT-ICOPE database of international research. Kerry and Louise will present their findings to the International Research committee of ACT-ICOPE in November.
A growing gift for medicinal plant garden
A frangipani tree was planted amongst medicinal herbs and plants at our Northern Rivers campus to commemorate the official naming of the Marcus and Caroline Blackmore National Medicinal Plant Garden.
The sapling originated from Maurice Blackmore’s Naturopathic Rest Home in Rockhampton which was established in 1932 by Marcus’s late father Maurice Blackmore, a naturopath and founder of Blackmores health supplements.
The tree was planted in the University medicinal garden by Marcus and Caroline Blackmore, alongside Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin and National Centre of Naturopathic Medicine Foundation Director Professor Jon Wardle, as a symbol of the Blackmore Family Foundation’s support in establishing the NCNM and its continued growth and excellence.
The medicinal plant garden is used as an educational resource by NCNM students, researchers and academics, and enjoyed by the wider University.
“The Marcus and Caroline Blackmore National Medicinal Plant Garden will for many, many, many years into the future provide a place where we teach, research, breathe deeply, and take in the beauty of medicinal plants,” Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin said.
“The medicinal garden is an ideal teaching resource and home to some truly unique flora. With the explosion of natural medicines and an increasing interest in the role plants play in human health, we believe the garden will continue to play a fundamental role for many years to come,” said Professor Jon Wardle, Director of the NCNM.
Read more about the Marcus and Caroline Blackmore National Medicinal Plant Garden here.
‘Flood Rats: After the Rain’ exhibition on display at Lismore campus
Work from a significant research project responding to the devastating 2022 Northern Rivers floods is on display at the Lismore campus through October.
‘Flood Rats: After the Rain’ is an exhibition at the Learning Centre, Gallery Walk.
It features the results of Floods + Me - a collaborative research project involving five universities, along with 16 researchers and young co-researchers. It was led by Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles.
“We wanted to understand the experiences of children and young people, and how these events impacted on their education,” Professor Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles said.
“Over hundreds of years, the public record has been written by adults - people like historians and reporters - who have interpreted what they have seen through those lenses.
“We seek to bring young people and their unique perspectives into that record in an unfiltered way, and that’s what is really powerful about this exhibition.
“The exhibition’s title reflects the feelings of displacement expressed by one young participant, who likened their experience after their school was flooded to that of a
‘flood rat’.
“This sentiment resonates with many young people’s experiences of feeling out of place during such challenging times.”
Professor Heilpern honoured to present Hal Wootten Lecture
Dean of Law Professor David Heilpern has been invited to present as keynote speaker at the 2024 Hal Wootten Lecture at UNSW Sydney.
He will be covering the topic ‘Imagining the Future – a nimble and responsive legislature in the criminal justice arena’.
This esteemed lecture series was established in 2006 by UNSW Law and Justice in honour of founding Dean, Emeritus Professor Hal Wootten. The series commemorates his founding vision for the Faculty – that a Law School should have and communicate to its students a keen concern for those on whom the law bears harshly.
“It is one of the most prestigious lectures in law in Australia, and previous speakers include Chief Justice Kiefel, Jennifer Robinson KC, Chief Justice Albie Sachs (South Africa) and Justice Michael McHugh,” Professor Heilpern said.
“It is a huge honour for me, and for Southern Cross University. I am the first Dean of a Law School to be invited to give the lecture, the first magistrate. I am only slightly terrified.”
Making headlines: Southern Cross academics in the news
The discovery of heat tolerant coral species along the Great Barrier Reef sparked interest from journalists around the world, including the science magazines New Scientist and Cosmos as well as The Conversation, with a total audience of more than 1.3 million across radio, newspaper, magazine and online.
The research was led by PhD candidate Melissa Naugle with her supervisor Dr Emily Howells. Listen to Emily’s interview on ABC Radio National Breakfast.
The Uni’s new bee lab, led by Dr Cooper Schouten, takes flight - and has news media buzzing. The launch of the Bee Research and Extension Lab, and the Bee Club, has featured in Organic Gardener magazine (print and online); ABC NSW Country Hour; ABC Rural Report; and NBN News (Gold Coast; Northern Rivers).
Overseas, and BBC One’s Panorama program (equivalent to ABC Four Corners) travelled to Australia as part of a global story currently in production, ‘Scientists Who Could Save The World’ (working title). The small Panorama team (presenter Richard Bilton plus a producer and camera operator) caught up with Associate Professor Daniel Harrison in Coffs Harbour to learn about the marine cloud brightening trials on the Great Barrier Reef. The episode will go to air in the UK closer to Christmas.
Note: some links may be behind paywalls.
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