Future Makers

A GUIDING HAND EDUCATION FOR ALL BOT THE BUILDER Smart gloves coach young surgeons Supporting kids with disabilities Robot helpers on construction sites

ROOM FOR GROWTH Mega-greenhouse a fertile test-bed ISSUE 4 MARCH 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS ADMINISTRATION/ EDITORIAL BOARD 07 FAST-TRACKING GREEN CITIES Professor Deborah Sweeney 4 Editorial Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Research, Enterprise and International) 5 Infographic T +61 2 9685 9822 E [email protected] Mr Steve Hannan Executive Director, Research Services Dr Shantala Mohan 13 A CHECKLIST FOR SPEECH SUCCESS Director, Research Impact and Integrity 14 COURSE OF NATURE T +61 2 4736 0581 E [email protected] Mr Craig Bromley Production Coordinator T +61 2 4736 0895 E [email protected] ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Future-Makers is published for 19 OPENING SCHOOL GATES 21 FROM PLASTIC FANTASTIC TO Western Sydney University by FOR PARENTS A WASTE QUAGMIRE

CUSTOM MEDIA part of Springer Nature. Level 8, 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

Copyright © 2020 Western Sydney University. All rights reserved. The information in this 26 MAKING A SUSTAINABLE 27 A CHANGING VIEW OF publication was correct at the time of going to press in March 2020. DIFFERENCE OBESITY MEDICAL CARE Some of the research contained in this publication was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council (ARC) or the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of Western Sydney University, the Australian Government, the ARC or the NHMRC. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 35 SLIPPING THROUGH peoples should be aware that this 34 WHY PAYING A VISIT PAYS OFF THE CRACKS publication may contain the images and names of people who have died.

ABOUT Western Sydney University is a large, student-centred, research-led university, embracing Australia’s global city, Sydney. Established in 1989, the University proudly traces its history to 1891 through the 42 FEATURE: RESTORING 45 FEATURE: GENDER AND Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Today the THE HERITAGE OF LANGTANG SEXUALITY IN THE CLASSROOM University has more than 200,000 alumni, 45,000 students and 3,300 staff. The University is now ranked in all major global university ranking systems, and is in the top 2% of universities worldwide. Through investment in its academic strengths and facilities, the University continues to build its profile as a research leader in Australia and is nurturing the next generation of researchers. Western 51 FEATURE: CONSTRUCTIVE Sydney University graduates go on to FEATURE: BRAIN WAVES CONVERSATIONS take up rewarding careers that make real 49 contributions to societal change, lifting the pride of students, staff and the community. A guiding principle for the University is that there is no limit to potential success for those with drive, talent, confidence and ambition. westernsydney.edu.au COVER STORY

1 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

09 ACTING ON MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS 10 BOOSTING DIABETES PREVENTION 11 TACKLING INCLUSIVITY

17 RAISING THE ROOF ABOUT 15 CUSTODIANS OF THE ICE HOUSING INSECURITY 18 A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

23 A COOL APPROACH TO 22 MAKING CONCRETE CHANGE LAND MANAGEMENT 25 TAKING ON THE CYBER HACKERS

28 PUTTING CHILDREN AT THE TABLE 31 FEATURE: REVEALING THE HIDDEN IN THE NUTRITION DISCUSSION 29 READING BETWEEN THE LINES SHAPES OF EATING DISORDERS

36 SUPPORTING 39 FEATURE: BRINGING AGRICULTURE CHANGE 37 FEATURE: EDUCATION FOR ALL INDOORS

47 FEATURE: A SAFER HANDOVER

COVER STORY COVER STORY

55 PANEL: RESEARCH FOR 53 FEATURE: LEAVES OF GRASS A BETTER FUTURE

COVER STORY

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 2 EDITORIAL INVESTING IN SUCCESS 0 5FUTURE LEADERS

Building on our established research excellence, 4-year research-focused appointment Western Sydney University is recruiting embedded in one of our sites of research 50 top performing early and mid-career excellence while maintaining a strong researchers, nationally and internationally. connection to our Schools. Our Research Over the next five years we will expand our Institutes and SRI Centres are home to already burgeoning research reputation, cross disciplinary research that focuses on and enhance the research strengths of research impact and research translation. our Schools and Research Institutes. Western Sydney University is a dynamic and innovative university, our researchers are VICE-CHANCELLOR’S renowned for bringing fresh perspectives to RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS intractable and emerging problems, developing The Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship solutions that are inclusive and co-designed scheme offers successful Fellows a with those beyond the University’s gates.

Find out more about this exciting opportunity © Credit westernsydney.edu.au/vice-chancellors-research-fellowships 3 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020

RSCH4511_PR_VC Research Fellowships FM4 Ad_FA.indd 1 14/1/20 11:56 am FUTURE-MAKERS

WESTERN SYDNEY RESEARCH: ON THE COVER EMPOWERING PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Future-Makers benefits of controlled ‘cool’ burning of bushlands by publication, which showcases Western Sydney Indigenous people, identifying the critical need to University’s innovative and impactful research. normalise naked foods to reduce plastic packaging At Western Sydney University, we proudly use waste, broadening gender diversity through our knowledge to help create a better future, locally, curriculum change, developing language inventories regionally and globally. The pioneering research and communication skills in Indigenous children, highlighted in this edition focuses on four key giving a voice to children and mothers in enhancing Bringing agriculture themes: education and work; environment and global nutrition, and boosting diabetes prevention indoors sustainability; health and wellbeing; and urban among Samoan-Australians in Western Sydney page 39 living futures and society. The exciting stories that through a community intervention program. are shared intersect and address the challenges these We trust you will enjoy reading the stories of Cover image: global themes present. Western Sydney University’s world-class research © Daniel Boud Western Sydney University’s breadth of and the extraordinary researchers behind the research expertise and effective collaborations with exemplary work. external partners including industry, community, government and policy makers, are reflected in these Professor Barney Glover AO stories of research excellence and shared-endeavour. Vice-Chancellor and President The accounts of research achievement presented in Future-Makers showcase Western’s efforts and Professor Deborah Sweeney approach to societal challenges – the grand and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President the everyday. The stories presented range from the (Research, Enterprise and International)

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint towards a better, more sustainable future (see: sustainabledevelopment.un.org). Western Sydney University has many research projects aligned with these goals. We have indicated the most relevant SDG above each article in this issue of Future-Makers where applicable.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 4 INFOGRAPHIC

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY IN NUMBERS Located in Greater Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, Western Sydney University is home to a vibrant and diverse community of staff and students.

STAFF STUDENTS

ACADEMIC STAFF COMPOSITION = 10 people EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT IN FAMILY 1,176 TOTAL STAFF 1,025 RESEARCH STAFF

48,533 66% TOTAL FIRST IN FAMILY STUDENTS TO OBTAIN UNIVERSITY DEGREE

GLOBAL ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE 59% WSU ACADEMICS ARE FROM 200,000+ 20,000+ INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES WORKING OVERSEAS BACKGROUNDS IN 128 COUNTRIES

GLOBAL RANKINGS

2019 LEIDEN Communication TOP 2020 Times th RANKINGS FOR Higher Education & Media Studies, 58 RESEARCH Nursing, and 2% World University 2019 TOP 60 in the THE Young COLLABORATION Rankings University Rankings Sociology

ACADEMIC RANKING OF Ranking for WORLD UNIVERSITIES individual 2019 TOP 20 sustainable st Ecology development 41 st in Australia goals Agricultural Sciences TOP 75 & Civil Engineering 1 th rd th in the world st nd 80 3 11 1 in the world 2 in the world in the world in Australia TOP 100 Education and Nursing

5 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

RESEARCH TOP 5 INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS RESEARCH INCOME based on co-authorship for 2014 to 2019 in Scopus-indexed publications = Number of co-authored publications Million$ 45 YEAR ON YEAR 11% AVERAGE GROWTH 40

35 153 180 30 161 159 25 156 20 $179M+ IN EXTERNAL 15 RESEARCH INCOME

University of 5 Minnesota, USA King’s College London 0 Harvard University of Oxford, CNRS (Centre national de la University, USA United Kingdom recherche scientifique), France 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

RESEARCH OUTPUT BY SUBJECT HIGHER DEGREES PRODUCE DONATED IN THE NATURE INDEX COMPLETED IN TO FOODBANK IN 2019 (1 October 2018 - 30 September 2019) PAST 5 YEARS FROM PROTECTED (2015 – 2019) Life Sciences CROPPING RESEARCH 26 Earth & Environment Sciences 20 Chemistry 9 Physical Sciences 49 ARTICLES 7 995 COMPLETED * Articles in the Nature Index (www.natureindex.com) may appear in DEGREES 22,655kg

2018 EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH FOR AUSTRALIA DISCIPLINES ABOVE WORLD STANDARD

• Agricultural and • Evolutionary Biology • Applied Mathematics • Materials Engineering Veterinary Sciences • Forestry Sciences • Biochemistry and Cell Biology • Mathematical Sciences • Biological Sciences • Microbiology • Communication and Media Studies • Medical and Health Sciences • Complementary and • Nursing • Environmental Science • Performing Arts and Creative Writing Alternative Medicine • Oncology and Carcinogenesis and Management • Psychology • Cultural Studies • Pharmacology and • Human Geography • Psychology and Cognitive Sciences • Ecological Applications Pharmaceutical Sciences • Human Movement and Sports Science • Pure Mathematics • Ecology • Plant Biology • Language, Communication and Culture • Sociology • Electrical and • Soil Sciences • Linguistics Electronic Engineering • Statistics • Zoology • Macromolecular and • Environmental Sciences Materials Chemistry

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 6 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

FAST-TRACKING GREEN CITIES Light rail tracks offer an unexpected opportunity to add greenery to cities.

Planting vegetation it can make cities cooler, quieter viability of businesses along the along light rail tracks could add and improve their air quality, tracks, such as cafes, because they the equivalent of two football which would be particularly create pleasant streetscapes. fields of green space to the middle beneficial around areas such While green track is found all of Parramatta, according to West- as Parramatta’s Westmead over the world including Spain, ern Sydney University research. hospital complex. France and Japan, it has never In a viability study They also found that greenery been tried in a hot, dry climate commissioned by Transport for along light rail tracks not only like that of western Sydney. NSW for the Parramatta Light provides habitat and biodiversity, Pfautsch’s review found that Rail project, Western researchers it filters and reduces stormwater green track is suitable in western found that installing what will be runoff. The team’s report notes Sydney if appropriate plant Australia’s longest green track will that in Parramatta, where annual species are used. have multiple benefits. rainfall is 960 millimetres, between “We proposed ground covers After receiving the team’s 480-670 litres of stormwater would which had low mowing, nutrient, report, Transport for NSW be retained yearly for each square and watering requirements,” says committed to adding three metre of green track. Any runoff Vanessa Howe, PhD student and separate sections of green track would be filtered by the vegetation co-author of the report. totalling 900 metres, as part of and contain less pollutants than if “The species are native to the Parramatta Light Rail project it had fallen on hard surfaces such western Sydney and are pretty which is expected to open in 2023. as concrete. tolerant to being walked over,” Lead researcher Dr Sebastian Pfautsch says green tracks can she adds. Pfautsch, from Western’s School even increase property values and The team also identified the of Social Sciences, says that need for proper irrigation and replacing hard surfaces such as maintenance. As temperatures concrete and bitumen along light NEED TO in Parramatta may regularly rail with grasses and groundcover KNOW reach the high 40s in the next offers a rare opportunity to green five to ten years, irrigation Parramatta city, where land is in will be essential. high demand. Western researchers “Without regular maintenance “If you put it together, we are conducted a viability it will look ugly and people won’t adding more than one hectare study on green tracks like it,” says Pfautsch. of green space in Parramatta for the Parramatta Pfautsch is confident that downtown,” says Pfautsch. Light Rail Project. the Parramatta green track “It’s amazing!” After receiving will become a model for the The Parramatta Light Rail the report, Transport rest of Australia. program director Mr Anand for NSW agreed to “The positives are so Thomas agrees, adding that the add 900 metres of overwhelming and the risks are “green track will make the light green track. manageable once you have the rail blend in better with the This will add more than right strategies. Green track is existing local landscapes”. one hectare of green a good example for progressive, The team’s review of green space in Parramatta. functional urban design,” track around the world found that says Pfautsch. © dvoevnore/iStock/Getty NSW. for Transport funded by was research This

7 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 “WE ARE ADDING MORE THAN ONE HECTARE OF GREEN SPACE IN PARRAMATTA DOWNTOWN.”

Green track will help filter rainfall and reduce flooding, among other benefits.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 8 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

ACTING ON MENTAL NEED TO HEALTH PROBLEMS KNOW A play that challenges perceptions of perinatal mental health. Mental illness during the perinatal period can harm both A dramatisation of Discussing mental health help, but without the right care, mother and child. the anguish and doubts is difficult, despite its ubiquity. perinatal mental illness can Western researcher, experienced by many women Around one in five women become an intergenerational Dr Diana Jefferies, during pregnancy and in the experience a mental health trauma by affecting the contributed to early months of parenting aims problem during pregnancy or mother-baby relationship, a play about mental to help mothers realise that they in the year after childbirth. and can ultimately increase illness after childbirth. are not alone. Many are hesitant to ask for the child’s risk of mental The play has been seen illness. With the aim of by 2,000 people. helping these women, Western © Lisa Brickell Sydney University contributed to the creation of a play, family through mental illness which is helping reduce the after childbirth. feeling of isolation for women The play separates the women who feel shame about their from the medical accounts ability to cope. normally used to describe their mental illness. Actors in the performance interact with a “IT’S masked character that embodies their thoughts, to build a picture A POWERFUL of their lived experience. “It VEHICLE acts as a powerful vehicle to TO PROMOTE promote empathy and gives patients a chance to share their EMPATHY.” experience,” says Jefferies. Mockingbird has been performed at conferences Dr Diana Jefferies, senior for healthcare professionals lecturer from the School of to encourage them to Nursing and Midwifery at view perinatal mental Western Sydney University, health in a different light. wanted to give a voice to It has also been performed women who experience mental to sold-out audiences in illness in the perinatal period. Melbourne, Sydney, and around With more than 25 years of New Zealand, seen by around experience as a mental health 2,000 people. nurse, Jefferies investigated Jefferies hopes to see historical representations of Mockingbird performed to wider mental illness after childbirth. audiences in regional NSW and She used this research to at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. contribute to Lisa Brickell’s She believes that bringing issues Mockingbird, a black comedy out into the open is the first about motherhood and mental step towards understanding and health. The play follows four improving mental health care for

Lisa Brickell in a scene from Mockingbird. generations of Brickell’s women and their babies. of Emotions. the History for of Excellence Centre (ARC) Council Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

9 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

BOOSTING DIABETES PREVENTION A community intervention program has improved the health of Australian Samoans with diabetes in south-western Sydney.

A doctor approached advise them in the project. These included cooking a Western Sydney University Churches are the central meeting classes that introduced diabetes expert, Distinguished point for the Samoan community IN THE 2016 people to new vegetables, and Professor David Simmons both in their home country, and CENSUS also revived others used in from the School of Medicine, in Australia. Samoan culture that may have at a conference, and explained Australia has a significant 75,755 been forgotten, or promoted how she was struggling to treat number of immigrants from PEOPLE steaming and grilling instead of patients of Samoan heritage. the Pacific Islands. According to were of Samoan deep frying. She described how many of the 2016 census, 75,755 people heritage “We looked at affordable her patients in south-western are of Samoan heritage and and seasonal options Sydney were being treated in more than 40% of them live to take away the stigma hospital, or dying from avoidable in New South Wales. Samoans that healthy eating is expensive,” MORE complications from diabetes. have an inherited predisposition THAN says Ronda Thompson, Professor Simmons relayed to diabetes, but prior to the the community activator. the conversation to his colleague Western study, there was little 40% Zumba classes, resistance band at Western, Dr Freya MacMillan, research on the effectiveness exercises and family power a senior lecturer in the School of of public health interventions walking were some of the Health Sciences, and the chance to reduce the health risks lived in New physical activity favourites. South Wales meeting became the impetus of diabetes. After 3-8 months, for Simmons and MacMillan MacMillan and Simmons’ the participants had statistically to establish a pilot study. They team developed a program significant reductions in liaised with three Samoan called Le Taeao Afua average blood glucose levels churches in south-western (the new dawn) derived from (HbA1c), showing that Sydney and set up a reference evidence-based research the project had improved group of community leaders to on community interventions people’s health. and tailored by participants $4.5 Following the pilot’s themselves to fit the MILLION success, the University secured Australian-Samoan lifestyle. $4.5 million in funding NEED TO Funding was secured The University trained a to roll their program out to KNOW from the Australian Samoan community activator, 48 churches encompassing Government who in turn trained 20 church other Pacific communities to roll out Many people of volunteers to become peer across greater western Le Taeo Afua to Samoan heritage support facilitators. and south eastern Sydney. 48 CHURCHES in south-western Of 187 participants enrolled The team will train more Sydney are at risk at the start of the program, 96% community activators to reach of diabetes. were overweight or obese and more than 3,600 adults, and Western’s Simmons 32% had Type 2 diabetes. “The their children. and MacMillan really worrying thing was that “We’re thinking about developed a community 13% didn’t even know they had affordable translation,” intervention program diabetes until we tested their MacMillan says. “By empowering called Le Taeao Afua. blood,” says MacMillan. communities, our goal is to Program participants Volunteers developed embed this program into the had significant workshops and more than health care system and sustain reductions in average 100 activities covering it. We hope it can then be blood glucose levels. 12 public health messages translated across New South

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 10 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

TACKLING INCLUSIVITY Flexibility in dress codes makes sport a more inclusive pursuit.

When Amna Cheng says there is a Karra-Hassan founded clear association between the first mostly Muslim women’s sport and ‘Australianness’ Australian Rules football (AFL) in society and failure to team in 2011 she had no idea of participate in sport is viewed the impact it would have. as a failure to integrate into Although the western Australian culture and adopt Sydney club welcomed women Australian values. and girls of all religions, Yet, through interviews cultures and ethnicities, with 13 members of the sight of Muslim players the Auburn Giants AFL deftly drop-kicking a ball team, Cheng found religion while wearing headscarves, had little bearing on the tights and long sleeves participants’ decision to play as part of their uniforms a sport. Instead, she found soon attracted media that many of the women had attention and commentary. played sport since they were Western Sydney University young, with the support of sociologist, Dr Jennifer Cheng, their families. was not surprised. Modest clothing is an As a member of Western’s important factor for some Challenging Racism Project, Muslim women and girls Cheng has been observing when deciding what kind Muslim women and their of sport to play. “A major relationship with sport barrier to Muslim women’s since a chance meeting with participation in sport is lack of Karra-Hassan in 2016. accommodation by the various She believes the female sports codes of their dress AFL players were seen requirements,” says Cheng. as a bit of an oddity “That’s why it’s important to because their participation give them a full range of choices went against the general belief in sporting uniforms.” that Muslim women were For the participants in not allowed to play sport the AFL study, dealing with because of their religion. Islamic dress requirements Images Sport/Getty © Quinn Rooney/Staff/Getty Scheme. Small Grants Research Early Career Project the Freilich funded by was research This

11 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

An Auburn Giants player during an was possible because the although yet to be published, exhibition match in AFL code allowed them has reinforced many of her Melbourne, 2015. NEED TO to wear long sleeves and earlier findings. KNOW leggings or tights underneath One new observation she the standard uniform. made was that many Muslim Cheng says the Auburn women involved in sport Sport is associated Giants AFL example shows that reject the idea that they are with ‘Australianness’. small accommodations can be breaking down barriers and Muslim women are significant in enabling Muslim stereotypes. “In a way putting keen to participate women to participate in sports of them up as examples is in sport. their choosing. confirming this idea that they Accommodating “Wearing conservative are not the norm and they don’t religious dress garments while playing want to spread that image,” requirements can Aussie Rules has not made she says. make sport the participants any less Supporting this view is the more accessible. integrated or Australian, Swim Sisters participant who nor have they had to be less said: “We don’t get up and Muslim or less ostensibly train at 5am because we want Like the AFL, the local Muslim,” she says. “Indeed, to challenge stereotypes, but football association in the participants have to because we want to train and Canterbury-Bankstown some extent normalised you want to achieve the goal you supported Punchbowl’s female wearing a hijab while playing set yourself.” Muslims by agreeing to allow the competitive sport.” club flexibility in its uniform to Karra-Hassan agrees, meet modesty requirements. adding that Cheng’s Similarly, the invention research was an important “CODES NEED of the burkini in 2004 by contribution because it TO CREATE Australian Aheda Zanetti was captured what they knew a game changer for Muslim anecdotally as a club: “That INCLUSIVE female swimmers. One Swim we need to create inclusive POLICIES Sister said, while in the practices, and codes need to SO MUSLIM beginning women wearing create inclusive policies to the burkini had to highlight allow Muslim women to dress WOMEN CAN the swimwear was “approved” in a culturally and religiously PARTICIPATE.” to avoid criticism, its popular appropriate way so they adoption meant “nowadays can participate.” nobody says anything”. Cheng Cheng has followed her says this example highlights 2016 AFL study with a Punchbowl United how increased awareness can further examination Football Club president, change attitudes. of Muslim women’s Natasha Hill, agrees with Cheng believes her studies participation in sport. the sentiment. She says the show the contribution of sport This included interviews club took part in the study to social cohesion is not as with Punchbowl to provide more information simple as minorities integrating United Football about Muslim women’s into mainstream competitive Club members, participation in sport. “It helped sports. Rather she says sporting the Swim Sisters give an insight into why we do codes can go a “long way” — a religiously it and how we do it,” she says. in engaging Muslim women diverse female “What we know is playing by acknowledging the need swimming group — sport is becoming the norm to accommodate religious and mothers whose in communities and Jennifer’s requirements such as dress code, children played AFL Auskick. research gave us a platform to women-only hours, and even

FUTURE-MAKERS 12 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

A CHECKLIST FOR SPEECH SUCCESS A new tool can assess communication skills in young Indigenous children in the languages they speak at home.

Spoken language needed, before communication New South Wales, in 2018-19 difficulties are one of the NEED TO difficulties affect their social and the three tools were trialled, most common developmental KNOW academic success.” with full hearing and language hindrances in early childhood, ERLI was first developed in assessments to cross-validate with about 10-20% of children 2014 through interviews with their accuracy. affected across the world’s many MARCS researchers Aboriginal parents from the The large research team also cultures. In Australia, Aboriginal have designed a checklist Katherine region in the Northern ran co-design workshops with Jones © Caroline children also have relatively high to help identify children Territory in partnership with Aboriginal health and education rates of middle ear infections with speaking, language Sunrise Health Service and professionals across New South (otitis media) leading to hearing or hearing difficulties. The Smith Family, and funding Wales, Northern Territory and loss. But there are few tools that The ERLI checklist was from the Australian Research Queensland to fine-tune training are culturally and linguistically developed in consultation Council (ARC). materials. The project has received appropriate for assessing early with Indigenous families. Jones and her group have funding, through NAL, from the communication for Aboriginal It is now being used teamed up with Hearing Department of the Prime Minister and Torres Strait Islander children. by speech pathologists Australia and National Acoustic and Cabinet. At Western Sydney in urban, regional and Laboratories (NAL) to explore Jones and her team, together University’s MARCS Institute for remote areas of Australia. how ERLI can complement with health services, early Brain, Behaviour & Development, NAL’s Parent-evaluated Listening childhood centres, and speech Professor Caroline Jones and her & Understanding Measure pathologists, are exploring how team have designed a checklist “ERLI is a new local, (PLUM) and Hear and Talk families and professionals from guided by Indigenous families short-form adaptation of Scale (HATS), which are short across Australia may benefit from who speak more than one the internationally known parent-checklists that can be used the assessment tool. The project language or dialect. Available MacArthur-Bates Communicative by early childhood education is currently funded with the as an app or a hardcopy list, the Development Inventories,” and health professionals to ARC Centre of Excellence for the Early Language Inventory (ERLI) says Jones. “We know that assess whether a child may Dynamics of Language. is designed to be a conversation early support is vital in speech, need a referral for hearing or Chantelle Khamchuang, starter between parents and language and hearing. This speech-language support. an Aboriginal woman and an professionals, to help spot checklist can help professionals In partnership with Wurli- honours student within the children who might have speech, accurately assess children’s Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health project, is working with Aboriginal language or hearing difficulties, communication in partnership Service in Katherine, Northern families living in Sydney to and promote joint decision- with the parent, so the parents Territory and Tharawal investigate how ERLI can be used making and early intervention can get support for Aboriginal Corporation by families who use Aboriginal when needed. their kids if in Campbelltown, ways of speaking English, at home. (ARC) Council Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This & Cabinet. of the Prime Minister of Language; and the Department the Dynamics for of Excellence Centre The checklist can be used by parents in collaboration Eugenie Collyer (left) and Jaidine with speech pathologists, early Fejo (right) childhood educators, health presenting the Early Language Inventory workers, or researchers, to assess to the Speech children aged between 8 and 36 Pathology Australia Darwin branch. months, or older if the child has special needs. It includes 112 early acquired words and 8 handsigns, and asks the parent how they say each item at home, respecting the diversity of Indigenous languages and cultures in Australia.

13 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

In research with Aboriginal communities it is important COURSE to ask permission and listen to the advice and input from OF NATURE the elders. “Parents are still Child-led activities with speaking home language, so animals and the outdoors children are speaking home can broaden the scope of language. This is how our learning in unexpected ways. A drawing from one of the children in the project. children talk,” says Aunty Pat Field. “There’s a need for a culturally appropriate tool.” Through an open-ended discoveries along the way,” categories. One such project, In June 2019, Jones and her project observing children’s says Powell. What we can see outside, based project team members, Jaidine interaction with nature, Through this, the a range of learning experiences Fejo and Eugenie Collyer, researchers are taking leads researchers identified seven around the observation of presented the ERLI tool at the for a new style of education. categories of child’s play which “birdies” by zero to three-year- Speech Pathology Australia The project is about they named: 1) becoming old children. The toddlers National Conference. Since broadening literacy skills animal; 2) movement, gesture, learned songs, colours, textures, then, speech pathologists in and fostering a sustainability mime and performance; movement, co-operation, remote, regional and urban mindset in early-childhood 3) artefacts and imaginative communication, reading, areas of Australia have started education. “The children of play; 4) naming bodies, naming painting, among other skills, using the tool to assess the 21st century live in the self; 5) drumming, singing, through their construction communication skills in young time of climate change – the dancing, rhythm; 6) bodily of a bird-bath and repeated Indigenous children, by asking question is, how can we develop immersion in elements; and engagement with the birds the parent about the local home powerful teaching methods 7) becoming plant. who visited. language words that their child that prepare these children for Educators at a day-care The project improved knows, such as ‘tidda’ for ‘sister’. the unexpected?” asks chief centre in western Sydney important developmental “One immediate positive investigator, Professor Margaret then brainstormed how skills for the children, while outcome of the collaborative Somerville, of Western Sydney they might develop creative deepening their understanding project was that some children University’s School of Education. pedagogical responses to these of sustainability and nature who had been on waitlists for In the earliest phase of the more generally. audiology received a hearing project, the researchers — The idea has expanded test and follow-up,” says Jones. Somerville, Tessa McGavock NEED TO to find global connections Laura Doig, speech from the WSU Early Learning KNOW with a project that involved pathologist at Sydney Children’s Centre, and Dr Sarah Powell exchanging regular stories Hospital Randwick says that from Macquarie University about nature with a Finnish the ERLI tool has helped — took photos and videos of Western researchers school. This served to spark conversations with children during their everyday sought to broaden deepen the children’s parents about their child’s play with nature. Unlike the literacy skills and mutual understanding of communication development. adults children would usually foster a sustainability national differences and “Some families have said encounter, the researchers mindset in early exposed them to novelty. that they had not realised how did not instruct or educate. childhood education. “There’s so much potential many words their child can Instead, the adults participated They identified seven to recreate the terms that understand,” says Doig. “It is in child-directed play and categories of child’s young children learn great to have a tool that values closely observed the children. play, and brainstormed under. They learn so much the parents as the experts on “The process was child-led pedagogical responses. when we just let them be,” their child’s communication.” Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This and very much about making says Somerville.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 14 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Western Sydney “We want to think of these five University is leading an cities as more than thoroughfares initiative for five diverse cities to on the way to Antarctica, rather unite around one commonality: as urban centres embodying their ties to the Antarctic. the values of Antarctica — Five key cities surround international co-operation, Antarctica and are officially scientific innovation and recognised as gateways to the ice environmental protection — as a CUSTODIANS continent: Christchurch (New custodianship network that can Zealand), Puntas Arenas (Chile), learn from and benefit each other,” Ushuaia (Argentina), Cape Town Salazar says. OF THE ICE (South Africa), and Hobart, At the southernmost reaches of Australia. Professor Juan Francisco the globe, five ‘Antarctic cities’ are Salazar, of Western Sydney “WE’RE discovering a shared identity in relation University’s Institute for Culture ENCOURAGING to a fragile frozen continent. and Society and the School of Humanities and Communication PEOPLE TO THINK Arts, has led the Australian CAREFULLY Research Council Linkage Project, Antarctic Cities and Global ABOUT CULTURAL Commons, since 2017. The project COMPONENTS.” team includes 15 researchers in five countries, and aims to unite these gateway cities as a Southern Developing such a network Ocean rim cooperative network of is a twofold challenge. First,

Antarctic urban hubs. the initiative must strengthen Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

15 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

each city’s ties to the Antarctic In Hobart, Salazar’s Alongside an online, on economic, ecological, collaborator, Professor Elizabeth educational game Antarctic NEED TO political and cultural levels, and Leane, from the College of Arts, KNOW Futures, led by Associate secondly their ties to each other, Law and Education, University Professor Liam Magee, overcoming historic separation of Tasmania, says magnifying simulating Antarctic policy and rivalries. each city’s Antarctic ties will Five southern decisions on a 50-year scale, require a genuine cultural shift hemisphere cities an Antarctic Cities Youth ANTARCTICA in the cities. “We’re essentially are gateways to Forum is also being launched. is nearly creating a series of tools for the the Antarctic. Through an expedition to councils to use from this project. An ARC Linkage Antarctica in February 2020, TWICE We’re encouraging people who project team seeks to five exceptional young people THE SIZE are connected with the Antarctic unite these cities into from each city will travel to the OF AUSTRALIA, sector to think really carefully a cooperative network frozen continent to develop at 13,661,000 km2 about cultural components,” The cities’ youth are the guidelines for a youth Leane says. being recruited to custodian network. Bringing the cities together lead the initiative. The initiative aims to for a united purpose poses an recast these five cities from array of obstacles. “On many simply north-serving gateways occasions the cities chose to benefits of collaborative best- at a far-flung periphery, compete for scarce resources practices for Antarctica. However, into five capitals of a new and international investments, as Salazar notes, the substantive united focus on the Antarctic. The Australian rather than find ways to cooperate relationship between these cities Together, they might then Antarctic Territory spans and share resources,” says Salazar. remains tenuous. The project become true custodians of a A memorandum of understanding aims to address these issues, and fragile region, celebrating and 42% OF was signed in 2009 by city mayors the first step has been to engage stewarding this vital part of (right) © VikiVector/Russia/Getty Images; (Background) © Ruben Earth/Moment/Getty Images © Ruben Earth/Moment/Getty Images; (Background) © VikiVector/Russia/Getty (right) ANTARCTICA requiring the cities to explore the young people. our planet.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 16 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

RAISING THE ROOF ABOUT HOUSING INSECURITY Using the stories of society’s most vulnerable to effect positive change for renters.

Single, older women the tenant hesitantly asked throughout a tenancy, it is still on low income and her landlord to repair a leaking very difficult for poorer, older who rent NEED TO with no support, live in constant roof. By the time he acted, tenants to negotiate with or KNOW fear of eviction and often have after two years of requests, her challenge landlords to repair to rely on charities for food so rental accommodation was things because they fear rental they can pay their rent. Western mouldy and 40%, including the increases or retaliatory eviction. Single, older women Sydney University’s Dr Emma bedroom, was uninhabitable. “Single, older women are are one of the fastest Power has gathered first-hand After fixing the property, the facing a housing crisis. They growing groups of accounts from these women and landlord increased the rent are one of the fastest growing homeless people is using their stories to lobby for by 20%, which forced the tenant groups of homeless people in the in Australia. change in tenancy laws. to move. country,” says Power. Emma Power One of the most striking While recent amendments to This grim statistic prompted conducted interviews accounts Power heard was that of the NSW Residential Tenancies Power to find out more about to find out more a Sydney-based tenant in her Act 2010 now mandate minimum the experiences these women about their experiences. late 60s. Afraid of eviction, standards to be maintained had in securing housing, their She is lobbying for interactions with landlords and changes to real estate agents, and how rental NSW tenancy laws. insecurity affected their sense of With rental prices soaring, many single, home and their capacity to care older women on low for themselves. local greengrocer bundled and incomes in Sydney have to cut down She interviewed 46 female discounted before throwing on food and other Sydney-based renters, aged out. In winter, when heating neccessities. from 55 to their early 80s, who bills were high, she relied on a were either on Newstart (an local church with a weekly food Australian government scheme pantry. This food, which was providing income support donated by local supermarkets for unemployed people), the and community members, disability or aged pension, or was frequently past its best had very low or erratic earnings. before date. As a low paid Three of the women had community worker living in an previously been homeless and area with a significant number lived in cars. of disadvantaged families, The soaring Sydney property she collected food alongside market meant that a large her clients. proportion of their income Power is writing a report was absorbed by rent. To make for policy-makers and key do, many women cut down on stakeholders, who are trying to electricity, heating or food. Some drive change in the sector. She relied on food handouts from would like to see changes to charities or food banks. NSW tenancy laws so minimum Power described a woman standards of housing are who worked in a low paid quantified, as they are in New community services job. The Zealand, and an end to evictions

woman relied on vegetables the without grounds. ©Ljupco/iStock/Getty Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

17 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

risk and distribute wellbeing and response, keeping diverse A BRIDGE across the community. community economic practices “Although urbanisation and the alive can be crucial. For example, TO THE FUTURE modernisation of agriculture has traditional ways of preserving An experimental geographical destroyed some knowledge of food, collectively repairing study captures the traditional these practices of resilience, our buildings, saving and sharing socioeconomic fabric of monsoonal research shows that there is still finances, these are strategies that Asia as a lens for the future. much that can be documented.” come to the fore in the aftermath She says these ways of of severe climate events that cut working are unusual in an off communications and leave Built every year geographer, Professor Katherine Australian context, but could paths of destruction.” for more than half a century, and Gibson, at Western Sydney provide lessons at home. “In the By collaboratively working dismantled before the annual University’s Institute for Culture area of disaster preparedness with scholars in Australia floods, a 1.5-kilometre bamboo and Society. and Asia, Gibson has bridge spanning the mighty “This research fits within documented current community Mekong River between the rural the broader agenda of the NEED TO economic practices in a multi- island of Koh Paen and the Community Economies KNOW authored article published booming city of Kampong Cham Research Network, which is in the journal Asia-Pacific in Cambodia epitomises the an international network of Viewpoint. She also produced a ingenuity and resourcefulness researchers, activists, artists, For more than 50 years, documentary called The Bamboo of local communities. In 2017, and others who are interested a bamboo bridge was Bridge, written and directed by the bamboo bridge was rebuilt in new and different types of rebuilt every year anthropologist and filmmaker for the last time, replaced by economies and building more in Cambodia due to Juan Francisco Salazar, also a a permanent concrete bridge. ethical economic and ecological annual floods. Professor at the Institute for Progress had come, and with relationships,” says Gibson. The bridge was replaced Culture and Society, which it an end to a generations-long “People living in Monsoon by a permanent concrete premiered in October 2019 at tradition and all its cultural, Asia have developed ways of bridge in 2017. the Antenna Documentary Film social and economic significance. adjusting to dramatic seasonal Western researchers Festival in Sydney and went Capturing, understanding climatic variations,” she says. produced a documentary on to screen internationally and gaining insight from “They also practice forms of about this called at several film festivals, and these fading traditions is the mutual support that share The Bamboo Bridge. academic and community events

This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This ©Guido Dingemans, De Eindredactie/Moment/Getty focus of the work of economic workloads, mitigate against in 2020.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 18 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Professor Christine Woodrow, from Western’s Centre for OPENING SCHOOL Educational Research. The government, in GATES FOR PARENTS partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children A Western Sydney University team is examining the barriers to and Youth (ARACY), parental participation in their child’s education. commissioned researchers from Western’s Centre for Educational Research to conduct Children tend to and parents from diverse date on their child’s progress. focus groups on parental achieve more when their communities interact. “With growing awareness that engagement. Woodrow focused parents are involved with Parent engagement parents’ contributions make on low socioeconomic families schooling. Western Sydney encompasses everything from a difference, there has been whereas Associate Professor University researchers have active participation in learning interest at the government Loshini Naidoo focused on now published recommendations activities to attendance at school level to strengthen engagement,” culturally and linguistically for improving how schools events or simply being up to explains study lead, Associate diverse families, and Professor the Australian funded by was research This and Youth. Children for Alliance Research

19 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

NEED TO KNOW

Children achieve more when parents are involved in their schooling. Western researchers investigated obstacles to parental engagement for those of low socioeconmic, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), or Indigenous backgrounds. They released recommendations aimed at increasing engagement.

The lack of a common language can be a hurdle for parents from CALD backgrounds engaging in their child’s education.

Margaret Somerville focused on schools should establish rapport On the other hand, for of recommendations at Aboriginal families. with the parents as soon as the Aboriginal parents, there the policy level, including The team found that parents children progress into primary was a discord with schools the need for professional of low socioeconomic status school, so that they have grounds in the understanding about learning, training and resources frequently felt insecure about for better communication.” learning, one issue was the for parents and educators being involved in their child’s The challenges differed loss of cultural authority. that support children from low education, especially if they considerably for culturally and “For Aboriginal parents, socioeconomic, cultural and had been unsuccessful in linguistically diverse (CALD) the framework for learning must linguistically diverse, and school themselves. “Schools families. “Most parents from be based in Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal backgrounds. have a tendency to reinforce CALD backgrounds felt that with land, language, history “A clear message from the study the insecurity. The research there was a cultural mismatch and story playing an integral was that school administrators indicated that the only between the teachers and role. They also regard learning are genuinely interested in interaction that some parents students, and a lack of effort as lifelong and themselves getting parents involved,” says have with schools are phone to develop intercultural as the child’s first teachers,” Woodrow. “A challenge now is calls for their children’s bad sensitivity,” says Naidoo. The says Somerville. overcoming the lack of school behaviour,” Woodrow explains. lack of a common language was The team translated resources to foster relationships

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 20 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

FROM PLASTIC FANTASTIC NEED TO TO A WASTE QUAGMIRE KNOW Charting the history of plastic packaging can lead to new insights on how to manage it. Gay Hawkins is investigating the history of plastic packaging. From food packaging, better strategies for managing “Plastic has had an The rise in plastic to contact lenses and credit plastic waste and reducing our unbelievably profound impact packaging transformed cards, plastic is used in almost reliance on plastic packaging. on how we live, and our attitudes towards food every aspect of daily life. How “Just like the Iron Age and environment,” says Hawkins. and freshness. did it become such a ubiquitous Bronze Age, the 20th century can “I wanted to understand how it ‘Naked’ food needs to material in just a few decades? be thought of as the Plastics Age,” became so popular.” be normalised again Professor Gay Hawkins, says Hawkins. “It’s the material To trace the emergence of to reduce waste. director of engagement at that has defined our culture.” plastic over the last century, Western Sydney University’s While most research on Hawkins delved into the history Institute for Culture and Society, plastics focusses on unravelling its of the material and how it was is investigating the history of environmental impacts, Hawkins promoted to the public. Before virtues and life-changing uses. plastic packaging and how it has is exploring how plastic became 1950, food was packaged in glass, In post-World War II Australia, transformed food production, a normal part of everyday life cardboard, paper or metal. But Hawkins says that the transition to markets and waste streams. Her and the factors that shaped our the development of light and plastic was driven by promotional insights can be used to develop reliance on it. flexible thermoplastics — plastics material from the fast-growing that can be moulded using plastics industry. IN 2016-17, heat — heralded a new era of Ads and articles in newspapers ONLY ABOUT food products. Fresh fruit and and women’s magazines touted vegetables were covered in cling plastic as a new ‘miracle’ material. 12% wrap on polystyrene trays, coffee Cling wrap promised to keep food OF WASTE was served in Styrofoam cups fresh, and frozen goods sealed in PLASTIC and polyethylene bottles replaced plastic packaging were promoted was recycled cartons of milk. as convenient and economical. in Australia With the advent of plastic Plastic industry newsletters (Source: National Waste Report 2018, packaging came various tactics also began landing on the desks

Department of the Environment and Energy) to convince the public of its of executives of food production Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This Images © Irina_Strelnikova/Russia/Getty (Left) © Photoboyko/iStock/Getty; (Background)

“IT COMPLETELY CHANGED OUR PERCEPTIONS OF FOOD, FRESHNESS AND CLEANLINESS.”

21 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

and packaging companies. They promoted plastic as a MAKING CONCRETE superior industrial material that CHANGE would open new pathways for circulating goods. Recycling construction and demolition waste “It completely changed our to reduce the amount going to landfill. perceptions of food, freshness and cleanliness,” says Hawkins. “People thought food was Demolition of apartments in Hong Kong inspired reuse of concrete waste. better and safer in plastic, but it also changed how we managed waste.” But not everyone was sold on the idea of plastic-wrapped cheese sticks and frozen peas. A 1972 article in The Canberra Times titled ‘Women Drop Wraps’ revealed that a group of women unwrapped their newly bought groceries and dumped the packaging in front of the supermarket in protest. The article reported that In Australia, more than a to strengthen recycled concrete pure carbon dioxide. This the demonstration aimed third of all the 54 million tonnes aggregate. The resulting product forces the calcium hydroxide to educate people about of waste generated each year is as strong, but cheaper than in the aggregate to undergo a unnecessary and polluting comes from the construction virgin concrete, and up to 29% chemical change into calcium packaging and to offer and demolition sector. Much stronger than normal recycled carbonate, “which is a good alternatives to carting home goes directly to landfill. Even concrete, when tested using the thing for concrete,” says Tam. huge quantities of plastic and when it is recycled, it is usually Australian Standard AS1012. It’s an accelerated version of cardboard packaging with the into low-grade applications such Tam puts commercially the curing reaction that usually weekly shopping. as road-base. Professor Vivian available crushed recycled takes place over the lifetime While plastic remains Tam from the School of Built concrete into a pressure of concrete. pervasive in daily life, efforts to Environment at Western Sydney chamber and injects 99.9% She’s not the only researcher reduce its detrimental impacts University has an idea that could exploring the idea, but with have gained momentum in help reduce construction waste. commercial partner Volumetric recent years, from supermarkets “It was when I was living NEED TO Concrete Australia, she’s had banning single-use plastic in Hong Kong, where all the KNOW some success in pouring test bags, to popularising reusable buildings are high-rise, that concrete slabs. A year later, coffee cups. I thought about all the material the slabs are showing no signs Hawkins points out that going to landfill when they are Much of the waste of cracking or shifting and removing plastic isn’t the only demolished. I thought it’s a from construction strength-test results are all clear. work to be done to tackle better option if we can reuse the and demolition She believes her process delivers wasteful habits. Just as the material and save the landfill goes to landfill. better economic and practical public became accustomed space,” says Tam. Concrete waste is benefits compared to existing to throwing plastic packaging Concrete, a mix of rubble, usually recycled for solutions and hopes that her away decades ago, there is a cement and water, is an low-grade applications. spin-off company Ecobond will need to normalise ‘naked’ foods extremely versatile material. Western researchers find investors as a result. once again. Tam and her colleague, have devised a way to If adopted widely she says “It’s a matter of reconfiguring Associate Professor Khoa strengthen recycled the technique could easily cultural attitudes so that people Le from Western’s School of concrete aggregate displace some of the 24 million aren’t disturbed by the absence Engineering, have developed a using carbon dioxide. cubic metres of virgin concrete of plastic,” says Hawkins. Images © subtik/E+/Getty Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This method to use carbon dioxide used in Australia each year.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 22 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

A COOL APPROACH TO LAND MANAGEMENT Researchers are collaborating with Indigenous people to understand the benefits of controlled ‘cool’ burning of bushland in natural hazard management.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander to be central to living with and and national benefits as a way However, carrying out peoples should be aware that this respecting Country. to mitigate bushfire risk, create cool burns presents many story contains the images and names Australia has always had social-ecological spaces, and challenges, due to historical and of people who have passed away. large destructive bushfires, and support Indigenous cultural contemporary land justice issues, for tens of thousands of years practices and land management, and many conflicting interests With unprecedented Aboriginal people have used ‘cool including support for Indigenous vying for a stake in land bushfires raging across burns’ to mitigate their impact, rangers and firefighters. management, from timber, to southeastern Australia in the as well as to assist plant growth, farmland, to mining. summer of 2019/20, Australians hunting, protecting species, “We’re very good at debating are all too aware of the continent’s and accessing areas. NEED TO the science involved in land intrinsic relationship with fire. Cool burns are distinct from KNOW management, but we need to Western Sydney University prescribed burns, in that fires are involve more research about researcher, Dr Jessica Weir lit not just for hazard reduction; our values, and that’s what we’re is documenting the cultural a range of ecological and cultural Cool burns have been doing at the Institute for Culture practices and intimate knowledge considerations go into the choice practised by Indigenous and Society. We’re looking at that Australian Aboriginal people of where, when and how to set the people for tens of what society thinks is normal have with fire in order to gain a fire. These fires don’t destroy tree thousands of years. and appropriate in bushfire risk better understanding of how to canopies, wildlife have time to The Bushfire and mitigation,” says Weir. manage bushfires. escape, and by reducing fuel loads Natural Hazards CRC is Weir is co-leading a research Weir has learned from her they can also protect lives and investigating the project with Deakin University, collaborative work that many property from destructive ‘hot relationships between with funding from the Aboriginal people involved in burn’ bushfires. hazards, culture, and Bushfire and Natural Hazards land management engage with Working with fire on these Indigenous communities. Cooperative Research Centre, fire differently. Fire is understood terms can have local, regional that examines the relationship Weir © Jessica

23 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

(below) The National Indigenous Fire Workshop organised by the Firesticks Alliance in Bundanon in 2018. An event bringing Aboriginal people together to learn and share burning techniques. (right) Uncle Karl Brown COOL VS lighting a cool burn. PRESCRIBED BURNS

The difference between cool burns, and prescribed or controlled burns is the intention and who is setting the fires. Cool or cultural burns are done by Indigenous people for a multitude of reasons including food, access and reduced bushfire risk; whereas hazard reduction burns are intended to reduce risk to properties and lives. Both require permission from relevant fire agencies.

between hazards, culture, and Fire Officer from the ACT Parks In public debates it is their own fire management, Indigenous communities. and Conservation Service. sometimes assumed that a much greater sharing of One of several places where “You can imagine it was very Aboriginal fire management and land management resources cool burns are influencing the fire exciting when we got an elder, other traditions are set in the is required. sector is the Australian Capital Uncle Karl Brown, to light the past and irrelevant to modern As part of the project, Territory, where the ACT Parks first match in Canberra in an Australia. The interviews have Weir and Freeman travelled and Conservation Service staff area which hadn’t been lit for 200 revealed further understanding, to southern Western Australia carry out a cultural burning years. We are bringing our ancient that these are living traditions, to participate in a knowledge program centred on learning from techniques into the modern world. always adapted to contemporary exchange on fire management cool burns. “It’s about changing We also use it to protect our own contexts, including bringing with Indigenous groups there. industry practices in the ACT,” cultural sites,” says Freeman. in new techniques and new “We’ve networked with groups says Weir. “It’s extraordinary because knowledge. “This is a critical doing similar practices across In the ACT Parks and it’s a community of practice. gear change in our maturity as a southern Australia, as well Conservation Service program, Indigenous and non-Indigenous nation,” adds Weir. as learning from the north. the Ngunnawal people, the fireys working on risk-mitigation Weir is exploring how It’s about a nation healing traditional custodians of together,” says Weir. reinstating cultural burning itself through developing a Canberra, identify priority Weir’s qualitative research in Canberra can support community of practice. There’s areas and then a Ween Bidja involves interviewing Indigenous Indigenous peoples’ cultural still a long way to go yet. (fire boss) lights the fire. “We and non-Indigenous government practices. “It’s an opportunity to “Ultimately, it’s about call them ‘the fire boss’ because staff involved in the burns showcase Indigenous peoples’ continuing to respectfully learn we are in control of the fire, it and tracking their different authority and care with respect from each other about how to is not in control of us. Fire is assumptions, knowledge to fire and the land.” The live best in Australia, and how to a tool,” says Dean Freeman, a and practices they bring to work has also revealed that if manage bushfire risk — which is

This research was funded by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre. Research Cooperative Hazards and Natural the Bushfire funded by was research This Wiradjuri man and Aboriginal fire management. traditional owners are to lead only increasing.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 24 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

TAKING ON NEED TO THE CYBER HACKERS KNOW Understanding contemporary cyberspace attacks protects businesses and individuals. Ransomware is a cyberattack where a user’s files are made inaccessible until Western Sydney of repair for damage caused by needed to protect the public a ransom is paid. University’s Dr forcing a smart door or fridge, against these attacks. “The more There are gaps in Abubakar Bello is for example. people know and understand cybersecurity awareness developing proactive security Bello and his colleagues about the risks, the better their and education. and defence strategies to thwart are intrigued by the human chances of staying protected,” Abubakar Bello is trying cyber criminals and make the behavioural factors that make he explains. to develop proactive internet a safer place. ransomware so profitable to online Bello sees significant gaps defence strategies Bello, a lecturer at Western’s thieves. They aim to identify what in national and international against such attacks. School of Social Sciences, is an type of cybersecurity awareness research around the development expert in ransomware attacks. and education programmes are of effective cyber security These attacks begin with awareness and educational malicious software encrypting programmes that aim to behaviour of the attackers. He has a user’s system or personal files, improve users’ safety. “Even a strong interest in the role that and is followed up by a demand in cyber-advanced nations cyber security has on performance for the victim to pay before they like the US, where several and satisfaction, including security can regain access to the files, government-sponsored security in social networks. which is not always guaranteed. initiatives encourage secure An important aspect of Bello’s The internet of things (IoT) cyber behaviour, there is a lack project is to link Western Sydney IN TELSTRA’S makes data even more vulnerable 2018 SECURITY of protective measures against University’s cybersecurity work to hackers. Individual smart SURVEY current and future methods of with local corporations and appliances could be infected ransomware attacks.” government organisations to and rendered inoperable, with $208,000 Bello is investigating provide cybersecurity audits and a ransom demand of as little was the average cost contemporary types of risk management services. This as $20. The ransom amount is of downtime due to ransomware attacks and seeking includes Gridware, one of the few often much lower than the cost a ransomware attack to understand patterns in the firms in Australia at the forefront of cyber defence. Gridware’s involvement in the project will include the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning based monitoring and reporting technologies, as well as incident response and management control frameworks. “My research has been about the chance to make a critical difference in our increasingly digital world,” says Bello. “With my research in areas such as the IoT and ransomware, I believe I am providing a vital support service for the vast number of businesses, individuals and organisations targeted by

cyber criminals.” Images Plus / Getty Images; (left) solarseven/iStock Vectors/Getty © -VICTOR-/DigitalVision (Infographic)

25 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

MAKING A SUSTAINABLE DIFFERENCE Australian enterprises are working towards a just, sustainable, and financially viable economy.

It is possible to be both the manufacturing sector in ethical and profitable, Australia, the researchers say. researchers according to several case One of the companies, point out that studies involving Australian Interface, the world’s largest production a decision made at a manufacturers. manufacturer of carpet tiles which run in kits critical time for a company’s While industrial manufactur- has a manufacturing plant outside that are tailored for survival was often linked to values ing is a key driver for economic Sydney, started minimising its the job, as part of its efforts to associated with just sustainability. growth, it is also a major environmental impact in the minimise waste. When Interface’s plant contributor to climate change, 1990s. It has since removed carpet Soft Landing is a mattress in Sydney burnt down in an and growing social inequality. waste by reusing each part of the recycling social enterprise accident, rather than ceasing To find out how manufacturers product, is powered entirely by that recycles about 75% of an carpet production and shrinking can help solve global challenges, renewable energy and is now on innerspring mattress that would the workforce, employees were Dr Stephen Healy, and colleagues track to eliminate oil from the otherwise end up in landfill. Soft involved in helping with design from Western Sydney University production of synthetic carpet Landing takes mattresses apart of the new setup; production and the University of Newcastle, tiles by 2020 as part of a plan they so the individual components workers moved temporarily into surveyed 10 manufacturers with call Mission ZeroTM. of steel, wood and fabric can be customer service; and others bases in Australia, including Varley Group, an engineering used in other products such as did community projects in and makers of mattresses, furniture, firm that builds specialised roof sheeting, garden mulch and around the company’s location and carpet, a dairy producer, a vehicles and equipment for acoustic panelling. all on full pay. All were assured blueberry processing plant, a spacecraft, specifies that suppliers In terms of caring for workers, continuing roles in the business. mattress recycling enterprise, a provide everything needed for a Interface collaborates with an Not only did this retain rare niche clothing producer, as well NGO that works with villagers in textile skills within the company as an engineering firm, and an the Philippines and Cameroon to but added strength in existing e-waste recycling plant. NEED TO collect discarded nylon fish nets to services while it rebuilt the site. Healy says that businesses KNOW be reused in the carpet production Through ethical operation, chosen for the study shared two line. Soft Landing proactively these enterprises are redefining common values: a commitment employs disadvantaged people, business common sense, the to thinking beyond the bottom Businesses can be while Varley Group’s strategy researchers say. Enterprises line and demonstrated concern both sustainable helps find jobs for ex-offenders, that can be associated with for their workers. Healy and and profitable. Indigenous people and just sustainability could help the team say that these values An Australian team people suffering from mental realise a regenerative, circular are reflected by the term ‘just surveyed 10 health issues. economy in Australia that is sustainability’ in which a manufacturing “This commitment to work based on caring for people better quality of life is sought companies who value force integration was part of the and the environment. Further in a just, equitable manner. ‘just sustainability.’ ethos. It was treated as a condition research should investigate how The term was coined by social Future research should for enterprise viability,” Healy says. the concept of just sustainability science academics and could examine other sectors. But how do businesses stay can be adopted to other sectors

This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. © ilyaliren/iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty © ilyaliren/iStock Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This describe emerging cultures of profitable while being ethical? The and regions.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 26 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

and their cultural background. All these factors contribute to NEED TO whether a person is going to KNOW become obese or not.” McBride notes that healthcare professionals can sometimes exhibit a victim- The obesity rate blaming mentality. “They just in parts of western A CHANGING tell that person: ‘You need to do Sydney exceeds VIEW OF OBESITY something about your weight. Go the national average. and exercise. Go and eat healthily.’ People who are MEDICAL CARE But they don’t consider those overweight are People who are overweight are more prone to contextual factors.” less likely to seek medical help. diseases and less likely to seek help. This stigma can lead to dire outcomes. “Some people can’t leave their homes because People who are Health Research Institute. “There they don’t have the support or This is due to factors such as low overweight are at increased are many contextual factors like motivation to get out there and health literacy, an obesogenic risk of a range of chronic diseases, where they live, their economic even start to think about trying to environment, including a plethora but are less likely to seek medical status, their education level lose weight,” says McBride. “They of fast-food outlets, and a low help. Western Sydney University know that they’re dying because socioeconomic demographic. This researchers are working with they’ve got high blood pressure; is creating a crisis in the public healthcare professionals to break “THERE NEEDS they’ve got high cholesterol; health system in western Sydney stereotypes surrounding people many of them have got diabetes. where hospital admission rates with obesity, and ensure they TO BE A SOCIETAL They can’t even go to the kitchen for chronic disease complications receive the care they need. CHANGE without feeling breathless and are soaring,” says McBride. Western’s Kate McBride IN THE WAY unwell, and they’re trapped in “People tend to sidestep their GPs at first became aware of this their homes.” and then present at emergency problem when she was doing her PEOPLE This problem is especially departments when things get to a PhD research on the feasibility WHO ARE acute in parts of western Sydney, really acute phase.” of cancer screening for Li- OVERWEIGHT for example the Nepean-Blue McBride and her group are Fraumeni Syndrome, a hereditary Mountains region where the attacking the problem on various predisposition to multiple types ARE PERCEIVED.” obesity rate of 29.3% exceeds fronts. They are constructing a of cancers. “I became interested in the national average of 27.5%. comprehensive picture of how this obesity space through breast obesity affects healthcare access by screening,” she says. “We’ve shown Healthcare professionals measuring rates of presentation and that obesity is a barrier to breast need to consider the analysing the issues faced by people contextual factors of obesity. screening. Often women with with obesity and their healthcare obesity will go once, but won’t providers. This information return, because they didn’t have a will inform the development of particularly good experience. It’s better healthcare management. really concerning because obesity The team is also working with is the number one risk factor for the primary-health network in postmenopausal breast cancer.” western Sydney to consider how to A large part of this reluctance improve GPs skills to help them be to see medical professionals is the more supportive. stigma associated with obesity. But McBride realises that more “Healthcare professionals might is needed in the long term. “It not see that a person hasn’t requires a societal change in the deliberately chosen to be obese,” way people who are overweight explains McBride, who is a senior or obese are perceived because lecturer at Western’s School of they suffer greatly by people being

Medicine and the Translational judgmental about them.” Health. © cienpies/iStock/Getty Population Nepean Blue Mountains funded by was research This

27 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

PUTTING CHILDREN AT THE TABLE IN THE NUTRITION DISCUSSION The views of young people and mothers to shape global nutrition policies.

Researchers asked adolescents about their views on healthy eating.

In the first study Led by Professor Amanda was considered to be a novel with global leaders in public of its kind to span Third from Western’s Institute research approach. Fleming, health nutrition to deliver the six continents, for Culture and Society, a team along with Professor Virginia workshop content to ensure Western Sydney University of social and cultural research, Schmied, from the School of the views of all participants researchers have found nutrition, and midwifery experts, Nursing and Midwifery, worked were captured across a adolescents had a limited developed workshops delivered by variety of socioeconomic and understanding of the trained facilitators who consulted geographical areas. nutritional value of the foods with 464 adolescents (age range NEED TO The team found that they commonly encounter. 13-18) and 396 mothers across KNOW adolescents do want to improve Many adolescents who 18 low and middle income their diets and to work with took part in the study believed countries, as well as Australia and community leaders to implement that nutritious foods were either the US, about their eating patterns. Western Sydney change. “Solutions need to involve not sold near their home, or were Participants in the five-hour University researchers adolescents — many nutrition too expensive. Similarly, mothers session completed surveys and helped design the policies are made without young of infants and young children short-answer questions both methodology for people having a seat at the table,” under two years, overwhelmingly individually and in groups. the State of the World’s says Fleming. reported that cost was the main However, knowing that it can be Children 2019 report. The team’s findings were barrier to feeding their children hard for children as well as adults They talked to published in UNICEF’s State of the more healthily during the first to speak out in such activities, adolescents and mothers World’s Children 2019 report and two years of life. the team also invited them to across 18 countries will inform global policy and “When unhealthy foods are take part in creative interactive They found that healthy programming. Two in-depth the only choices around, there exercises, such as brainstorming eating solutions need companion reports, focusing on is no choice,” says Dr Catharine and drawing. to include input the insights of adolescents and Fleming, from the School of Asking adolescents directly from adolescents. mothers respectively, will be

This research was funded by UNICEF New York. © SDI Productions/iStock/Getty York. UNICEF New funded by was research This Health Sciences. for their input on healthy eating released later in 2020.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 28 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

READING BETWEEN THE LINES The connection between mothers and babies may provide important clues for early identification of dyslexia.

“NULLAM VEL EROS TINCIDUNT, FAUCIBUS ARCU AC, PLACERAT PURUS.”

Caption xxxxx A BabyLab participant. This research was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

29 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Western Sydney researchers have found that these “Rise time had never been University research babies process auditory informa- tested in infants. In our study NEED TO is trying to get a jump on dyslexia, tion differently. The auditory index we found that babies at risk KNOW identifying tell-tale signs before a they use is called ‘rise time’ and for dyslexia don’t discriminate child can even read. this is the time it takes for sounds very well between rise-time “Dyslexia is commonly thought to reach maximum loudness. differences, but other babies do,” Children at risk of of as a learning disability, but it is Consider, for example the sounds says Burnham. dyslexia process really a different way of processing ‘baa’ and ‘wah’. The time it takes to In addition, they found that auditory information information,” says Professor Denis get to maximum loudness is short rise-time discrimination ability differently. Burnham, founder of the MARCS for ‘baa’, but it takes much longer is related to the degree to which Mothers also speak BabyLab at Western. for ‘wah’. parents exaggerate vowels when differently to babies who they speak to their baby (called are at risk of dyslexia. vowel hyperarticulation). Parents Babies at risk of naturally use hyperarticulation dyslexia may convey when speaking to babies. Accord- cues about tone. ing to detailed measurements, the greater the vowel articulation by the parent, the better the baby is at did not hyperarticulate to an differentiating rise times. at-risk baby. The researchers This is interesting because believe infants must provide the researchers also found some cue that prompts mothers interacting with babies the adult’s hyperarticulating. at risk of dyslexia don’t use vowel “This evidence suggests that hyperarticulation. babies are ‘telling’ their mothers Child interacting with audio-visual input at BabyLab. Burnham, along with another to make the vowels nice and clear, Western researcher who also and that at-risk babies appear to be Around 8% of the population DYSLEXIA works at the Basque Center on conveying different information. has dyslexia, but if a baby has affects up to Cognition, Brain and Language, “The next research question is a parent with dyslexia, the Dr Marina Kalashnikova, to find out what these babies want. likelihood of their developing 8% conducted a study in which Maybe there is something else dyslexia increases to 60%. OF THE mothers of at-risk infants and they are ‘asking for’ but we don’t It has always been necessary POPULATION mothers whose infants were not know yet,” says Burnham. to wait until a child starts to at risk, talked to their own or Fortunately, they have many read before dyslexia can be Fellow researcher at another baby. willing participants to help answer diagnosed, but Burnham and his Cambridge University, They found that mothers this question. Research at the colleagues hope to change this by Professor Usha Goswami, had of at-risk babies did not MARCS BabyLab has involved investigating the earliest signs of previously found that children hyperarticulate to any babies hundreds of children, including the onset of dyslexia in babies for with dyslexia are worse at in the study. Nathan and Daniel. Their mother, the first time. noticing differences in rise-time Meanwhile, mothers Alix Madden says “I think it’s “We are not looking at literacy than children without dyslexia. whose babies were not at risk important to contribute to these skills. Instead we are investigating Having trouble mapping did hyperarticulate to their things. This research benefits auditory processing and auditory information to visual own baby, but, surprisingly, many people.” perception abilities, starting with cues later affects the child’s babies at five months. We follow ability to learn to read. them until they turn five to see “If babies don’t have all the if their early abilities can predict auditory information worked their eventual literacy skills,” says out, then when they start to Maria Christou-Ergos, research learn to read, they can’t map the assistant on the project. sounds they already know to In this study, babies were these new squiggles on the page, regarded as ‘at risk’ if they had squiggles that we know as letters,”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 30 FEATURE STORY

REVEALING THE HIDDEN SHAPES OF EATING DISORDERS Western Sydney University researchers are helping deliver suitable treatment strategies for eating disorders, to those who need them – and dismantling a few stereotypes along the way.

One in 10 people in eating disorders in Australia, Anorexia nervosa has than major depressive disorder, Australia aged 15 and and evaluating what therapeutic one of the highest fatality rates but early treatment regimes older have an eating disorder, techniques work. of any non-substance-abuse were crudely designed. but fewer than 20% seek The field first piqued Hay’s psychiatric disorder, even greater “Looking back on it now, they appropriate treatment. This is interest when, as a trainee were quite punitive, restrictive among several grave insights psychiatrist in New Zealand, a behavioural programmes,” revealed by an extensive and long- mentor encouraged her to explore NEED TO Hay says. running work by Western Sydney research into eating disorders KNOW “People were admitted University’s Eating Disorders and At the time, the mental health to hospital and only given Body Image (EDBI) group. field recognised one eating privileges if they gained weight, “Reducing delays in seeking disorder: anorexia nervosa, Not everyone with with very little psychological treatment, and barriers to care, which was defined by restrictive an eating disorder fits understanding of what they are my biggest challenges,” eating and an intense fear of the stereotype. were experiencing.” says Professor Phillipa Hay, gaining weight, despite being Personalised Hay later completed a PhD on EDBI leader. severely underweight. Its formal out-patient treatment the features of emerging eating To better pinpoint who needs description can be traced back plans offer a higher disorders, bulimia nervosa treatment and help them access to the 1870s, but Hay realised chance of success. and binge eating disorder, and it, Hay and her team of clinicians that, more than a century later, Early intervention in 1995, set in motion one and researchers are unmasking anorexia treatment techniques is crucial. of the world’s few large-scale the many and varied types of were still not based on evidence. longitudinal projects in the field. Government the Australian by supported was research This Council. Health and Medical Research the National through

31 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

CHANGING CLASSIFICATIONS

The two main classification systems for eating disorders are the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), compiled by the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD). “Even though the DSM, now in its fifth revision, is the most widely used of the two, the ICD – being an international classification system – reflects more people”, Hay says. They’re revised every few years and, apart from anorexia nervosa, all eating disorders were added in the past three decades. In the 1990s, Hay and others recognised binge eating disorder was prevalent enough to be considered a third major eating disorder after anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. At that time, a person with what we now know as binge eating disorder would be diagnosed with an ‘Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified’ by the DSM, and classed as having an ‘Other Eating Disorder’ by the ICD. The DSM, in 1994, added binge eating disorder to its fourth edition as a disorder meriting further study and in the 2013 fifth edition it was added as a major disorder. For the ICD’s 11th revision, Hay’s research led to her role on the eating disorder working group and, in 2019, binge eating disorder was also included as a separate feeding or eating disorder in the ICD-11.

In the study, which is part of common major eating disorder, have, over time, become more Behaviours behind this high the annual South Australia Health affecting one in 70 respondents. evenly distributed across eating disorder prevalence in Omnibus Survey and continues In comparison, bulimia sociodemographic sectors. For Indigenous Australians are today, thousands of people aged nervosa, anorexia nervosa instance, even though eating not clear cut, according to 15 years and older are questioned (broadly defined) and avoidant/ disorders develop most often in Dr Deb Mitchison, an EDBI about, among other health restrictive food intake disorder young women, they’re rising on research fellow, who found a aspects, eating behaviours and were each reported by one in 100, a faster trajectory in women over similar incidence in a survey treatment for disorders. Their 200 and 300 people, respectively. 45 years old and men. of adolescents. responses often contradict the People with an eating But the group with both high “First Australians in general eating disorder stereotype of the disorder who did not meet full body mass index (BMI), and usually have a higher BMI, so thin, white, affluent teenage girl. threshold criteria to be classified disordered eating, is increasing you might think the behaviours under the major types of eating faster than either factor alone, are all about binge eating. But DISMANTLING disorders were much more Hay says. it’s other types of disordered THE STEREOTYPE prevalent. These ‘unspecified’ Hay says that incidences of eating too, like extreme dieting The latest survey snapshots, and ‘other specified’ eating eating disorders in Aboriginal and purging.” published in 2017, showed disorders made up around and Torres Strait Islander that a binge eating disorder, 10% and 3% of the surveyed people are as high, or higher RESTRICTIVE TO RESPECTFUL characterised by uncontrolled population, respectively. than in the general population, In addition to revealing the true rapid consuming of large Hay’s survey also showed but they don’t fit the generally extent of eating disorders, Hay’s

(Top) © SolStock/E+/Getty Images © SolStock/E+/Getty (Top) quantities of food, was the most that eating disorder rates accepted profile. group develops and evaluates

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 32 FEATURE STORY

BRIDGING THE GAP Identifying those with an eating disorder, and facilitating recovery is of critical importance, but with so few people accessing treatments, how can interventions reach those who need them? This is the question that plagues Hay. Behaviours such as binge eating and strict dieting in the general population have increased over time, and one in five people with an eating disorder are, according to the BMI metric, considered overweight or obese. A significant barrier to overweight people receiving eating disorder treatment is the skinny stereotype, which endures Group therapy as an out-patient is an important part of recovery. not only in patients’ minds but also, frequently, in the perception treatment techniques and delivered by a psychologist or lived experience, and using these of doctors. “Often when a person strategies. Their work informs psychiatrist, is most effective insights to inform treatment.” presents to a GP, the GP doesn’t clinical practice guidelines for recovery from long-term Clinicians now know see someone who’s not very thin locally and abroad. anorexia nervosa. that treating the person as having an eating disorder,” “Her clinical leadership has with respect, and keeping their Hay says. been enormous in Australia and normal life as intact as possible “The person might also think internationally,” says Professor rather than a “doctor knows best” ‘I can’t have bulimia nervosa Susan Paxton, a psychologist “THEY MIGHT paternalism, is crucial to long- because I have a high BMI’.” from La Trobe University. THINK ‘I CAN’T term recovery. Current treatment GPs asking the right questions, Hay and Paxton have approaches for people with an too, seem to influence the collaborated on evaluations of HAVE BULIMIA eating disorder focus on providing likelihood of people accessing eating disorder treatments and NERVOSA a personalised out-patient treatment. In 2019, Hay, Conti interventions and have shown BECAUSE I HAVE treatment plan, so patients don’t and colleagues found people with that not all people with an lose connections with people, an eating disorder were likely eating disorder necessarily need A HIGH BMI’.” school or work – an approach to seek specialist mental health specialist intervention. used at Wesley Hospital Ashfield, intervention when a GP asked For instance, findings from a where Hay is director of the about their mental health, but not randomised clinical trial showed “Vital to knowing what Wesley Eating Disorders Centre if the GP enquired about their guided self-help, provided by works in treatment interventions and involved in a day programme. diet or eating habits. a GP to people with bulimia for eating disorders, is speaking “People come in, get peer therapy, Like all mental health nervosa, an eating disorder with people with an eating and group therapy, and dietetic conditions, early intervention defined by cycles of binge eating disorder about their lived support while continuing with in eating disorders is important. followed by compensatory experiences,” EDBI researcher their lives,” Hay says. Left too long, treatment becomes behaviours such as vomiting, and clinical psychologist “Change might be slower more difficult, but it’s never too had similar outcomes to Dr Janet Conti says. than an intensive inpatient late to seek help. Hay says: “I’ve psychological therapies delivered “Aspects of Phillipa’s research programme, but it’s far more seen people recover from eating by specialists. are dedicated to understanding likely to be sustained in a person, disorders who have had the Other treatment trials show eating disorders from the who can also maintain other illness for 20 or 30 years. There is cognitive behavioural therapy, perspective of the person with a important parts of their life.” always hope.” Images Plus © useng/iStock/Getty

33 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

strongest evidence possible to support network,” explains Dr WHY PAYING argue for the survival of this Kelly Baird, project manager program. This helped reframe and Research Fellow at A VISIT PAYS OFF their thinking.” Western. “Services are already Volunteer visits are helping The trial commenced in available for parents who need isolated parents feel 2015, and the first analysis professional care, like treatment more confident and optimistic has been completed, showing for clinical depression, or who that families who received the require more intensive tertiary service felt more competent with parenting interventions. But A volunteer home parenting, were better connected we need to remember that the visiting program is helping NEED TO to the community, experienced families who aren’t at that level vulnerable parents in need of KNOW improved wellbeing, and were now, without intervention, could extra support. Volunteer Family more optimistic about the future be at the edge.” Connect (VFC), matches families than those in the control group. “The issue with belonging of young children with trained 15% of Australian parents Moreover, they showed volunteer is significant,” adds Grace. volunteers who visit once a week report feeling isolated. improvements such as wellbeing, “People are more isolated now for three months to a year. The Western team’s community connection, and sense than any other time. We need to “My visits could involve study was the largest of purpose. “It’s lovely building be addressing social inclusion reading to the kids while the trial of volunteer home bonds with young children,” with the same seriousness and parents cook dinner, going to visiting worldwide. says McKinnon. sense of urgency as we do with the doctor together, or simply The program VFC currently operates with issues like smoking, alcoholism listening to their concerns,” demonstrated funding from an anonymous and obesity.” explains Kathleen McKinnon, a financial, social and philanthropist, and the team volunteer who has worked with health benefits. continues to advocate for several families. “It’s only two government reinvestment. hours a week, but it makes a huge The team’s analysis shows that difference to the families.” methodology in assessing government investment in In addition to anecdotal program effectiveness, which programs like these ultimately evidence, social scientists randomly allocates families to produce savings by preventing are working to demonstrate either receive the service or to small problems from worsening empirically that programs like continue on without the support and requiring more VFC make a difference. of a volunteer.” intensive intervention. In 2012, the government cut Getting the program A social impact funding from volunteer home implementation staff, the evaluation, underwritten visiting programs citing a lack of volunteers, and volunteer by Ernst and Young, evidence for their effectiveness, coordinators on board with was performed in explains Associate Professor the trial, however, was a tandem with the Rebekah Grace, chief investigator challenge. “The volunteers and study to value the and Director of TeEACH (Centre coordinators are very motivated improvements for Transforming early Education by the drive to help families and social benefits and Child Health) at Western make positive change. They generated from Sydney University. “If the only worried that families in the Volunteer Family reason for the funding reduction control group were essentially Connect. They found was the lack of evidence, what being denied help, and the idea that every dollar we had to do was clear,” says Dr was heartbreaking for them,” invested achieved a Jayne Meyer Tucker, a former says Grace. “We went to each of $1.78 to $5.42 return CEO of one of the three national the seven trial sites many times in social benefits. not-for-profits that partnered on to talk to program volunteers “Even if you’re the research. She initiated crisis and staff about why we needed economically well off, it’s meetings with the research team. to employ this methodology, quite alarming how isolated A Volunteer “We chose to run a randomised to help them understand that and distressed you can feel Family Connect

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 34 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

SLIPPING THROUGH THE CRACKS A report identifies areas in western Sydney where youth unemployment is double the national average.

Western Sydney is This includes a marked meaning they qualify for Australia’s most significant urban deterioration in the labour NEED TO unemployment benefits and pass growth corridor, but this is not market for young people KNOW work-ready tests. We identified reflected in job opportunities for since the global financial another 500 young people who young people in the region. crisis; unsuccessful education have dropped out of the system all Through detailed cross-analysis outcomes; and government A group of 15-24 year together,” he says. of census, education, and labour- approaches to welfare assistance. olds in western Sydney “It is very difficult to find this force participation data, a Western He says official statistics fail who are not ‘earning ‘not earning or learning’ group Sydney University study has found to capture this ‘not earning or or learning’ can be in the statistics. You have to do geographic clusters in western learning’ group, yet when they overlooked in official a lot of cross tabulation between Sydney where cohorts of young are taken into account, as in statistics. welfare, education and labour people, aged 15-24 years, have this report, there are areas in Western is studying market data.” disengaged from further education western Sydney where youth this group In many of these clusters of and the labour force. unemployment is double the The decline in full-time disengaged youth, there were Written by the Centre for official rate. jobs for youth also high rates of young mothers, Western Sydney, the Youth For example, average youth in western Sydney is low rates of car and home Unemployment in Western unemployment for central one of the main issues. ownership, low rates of school Sydney report was commissioned western Sydney is 13.8%. But completion, low English language by Youth Action, the overseeing this average figure obscures proficiency, and high levels of body for youth services in NSW, significant sub-regional demographers, the team identified intergenerational welfare. which represents 1.25 million variations — two neighbouring a further 23 areas in western One of the main issues young people in the state. suburb groups in that area, Sydney with high levels of young identified in the report was Lead author, Professor Phillip Lethbridge Park-Tregear and people ‘not earning or learning’. the long-term decline in the O’Neill, says the report points to Bidwell-Hebersham-Emerton, “Typically these areas involved availability of full-time jobs for a compounding set of problems have youth unemployment rates a collection of two or three youth in western Sydney. behind the growing number of of 26% and 24% respectively. adjoining neighbourhoods where “Sydney is constructing a ‘disengaged’ young people in In collaboration with .id we found around 500 15-24-year- geographical imbalance where western Sydney. — their report partners and olds that are officially unemployed, the growth in the young labour Images Plus © OcusFocus/iStock/Getty Action. Youth funded by was report This

35 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

SUPPORTING CHANGE Navigating the transition from school to adult life with a disability. force in many neighbourhoods isn’t matched by growth in accessible jobs. Getting More than four million Bridget, now 24, is part people to work involves a very people in Australia of a five-member advisory expensive public transport have some form of disability, group for a Western Sydney system and highly congested according to the Australian University research study transition from school to adult road systems,” he said. Network on Disability. The funded by the Endeavour life. An online survey aims to “To a certain extent the unemployment rate for working- Foundation. All five members of reach around 100 young people problem has been hidden age Australians with disabilities the advisory group are between with intellectual disabilities and because we collect data in ways (9.4%) is almost twice that of 16 and 25 years old and have to explore their experiences that don’t pick up this ‘not those without (4.9%). an intellectual disability. two to five years after leaving earning or learning’ group, but Bridget found it very difficult The study aims to school. Survey participants now we have developed ways of to find a job after she left school. understand how young people who opt in also receive an tracking them, the pressure to She wanted to get into childcare, with intellectual disabilities invitation to participate in be doing something is growing.” but was not able to receive the experience the transition from more in-depth interviews about “Predictive models tell help she expected to make her school to adult services. their experiences. us the most likely outcome ambition come true. Bridget has “I’m interested in finding In 2015, the Australian for this group is a lifetime of an intellectual disability. “I don’t the best research approaches government began rolling out welfare support. The effect on comprehend properly and I and methods to include the its National Disability Insurance the public purse is enormous, muddle my words,” she explains. views of children, young people, Scheme, which should be fully approaching $1 million per Bridget went from one adult and people with a disability operational in 2020. The scheme person over a lifetime. disability service to another, who might have different aims to address problems “Poor education and until she settled at Alive4Life, means of communication,” with the country’s earlier model, work outcomes are not a community and disability says Lise Mogensen, a senior in which funding went directly only undesirable from an organisation where she is lecturer in medical education to organisations. The new individual point of view, they both a client and an employee. at Western and the principal scheme’s consumer model aims are unsustainable from a At Alive4Life, she gets help investigator of the study. to provide personally tailored taxpayer point of view.” with reading and building Mogensen and her team, support for those who need it. her self-confidence. She also including community child But there have been teething supports others. health specialist and Western problems. Mogensen and her Bridget found medical education senior colleagues hope their research communication especially lecturer, Jenny McDonald, are will provide the scheme with difficult during her transition interviewing young people with information about the gaps from school to adult life. intellectual disabilities, their that still need to be addressed She also struggled to find carers, educators, and service and will identify the necessary someone who really providers to understand factors for a good transition understands people their experiences process from school to adult with disabilities, six to 12 months disability services, training

This research was funded by the Endeavour Foundation Disability Research Fund. © proksima/iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty © proksima/iStock Fund. Research Disability Foundation the Endeavour funded by was research This she says. before and after the or employment.

Western researchers are asking young people with disabilities about their transition to adult life.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 36 FEATURE STORY

EDUCATION FOR ALL An Australian-led research project is helping teacher-educators in Papua New Guinea promote inclusive education for students with disabilities. This research was supported by an Australia Awards Fellowship funded by the Australian Government. Government. the Australian funded by Fellowship Awards an Australia by supported was research This Images © Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty

37 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

The ‘UN Convention later, back in Papua New Guinea. on the Rights of Persons At the end of the project, they with Disabilities (CRPD).’ reported that one of the most recognises the universal right to highly valued outcomes of their inclusive education. This can be training was learning to conduct difficult to facilitate, especially in ‘action research’. In other words, countries like Papua New Guinea, the fellows learned how to use where 85% of the population lives research methodologies to critique in remote and rural areas. and improve specific areas of “Children with disabilities teaching practice. in these areas are often refused entry to formal schooling,” says Genevieve Nelson, the chief “IT HAS BEEN executive officer of Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF). “Sometimes AMAZING teachers and schools are the FOR OUR ones who refuse entry because TRAINERS AND Cathy Sowi at the National Inclusive Education Unit. they do not have the specialist skills to support children with EDUCATORS.” effectiveness, and the implications students’ learning needs, disabilities to engage meaningfully for teaching and learning. After use assistive technologies, in learning. Sometimes it’s the the project conclusion, she and received teaching on parents who refuse to send them One of the fellows, Cathy Sowi, expanded her research to cover the sociocultural construct to school.” a curriculum officer of inclusive schools in three other provinces. of disability and on models KTF, a not-for-profit education at Papua New Guinea’s “The recommendations that of leadership. organisation that aims to establish National Inclusive Education Unit, emerged from the fellows’ Tracey and Barker, along the right to “an inclusive, equitable used focus group interviews and action research will contribute with the ten fellows, are working and quality education” for all, was surveys to investigate the inclusive significantly to the developments collaboratively to disseminate the a major partner in a project led education program carried out in of inclusive education in Papua results of the research project. by Western Sydney University a school in the National Capital New Guinea,” says Sowi. “Disseminating the results in researchers, Danielle Tracey District of Port Moresby. Her The fellows presented their collaboration with the Fellows and Katrina Barker. The project research aimed at understanding findings to the directors of Papua is important to developing provided specialist training to 10 the program’s context, New Guinea’s Department of their capacity and ensuring teacher-educators to develop their Education, which is in the process the findings are meaningful to capabilities to promote inclusive of restructuring the country’s educators in Papua New Guinea,” education at Papua New Guinea NEED TO schooling system. “We have an says Tracey. Additionally, teacher colleges. KNOW exciting opportunity to ensure that following Tracey and Barker’s “We wanted to explore the level inclusive education and education initiative of offering Western’s of understanding among officials for all is front and centre of this Master of Inclusive Education within the National Department of Children with disabilities new agenda,” says KTF’s Nelson. internationally, several fellows Education, the Papua New Guinea in rural areas of Papua and their institutes have already (PNG) Education Institute, and New Guinea (PNG) have CONTINUOUS LEARNING expressed interest in joining various teachers’ colleges, and to trouble accessing AND TRAINING the program. They have also support them to strengthen policy inclusive education. The fellows also helped put hosted shorter training sessions and practices related to inclusive Researchers from together a manual that provides at Western for 26 Papua New education, especially in remote Western led a project teachers in remote and rural areas Guinea teacher-educators in and rural areas,” says Nelson. that helped PNG teacher- with practical strategies, skills collaboration with KTF. educator fellows promote and techniques to engage parents “It has been amazing for RESEARCH SKILLS inclusive education. and communities with the aim of our trainers and educators The teacher-educator fellows The fellows’ experiences improving access to education for to experience first-hand the received four weeks of training will help inform PNG children with disabilities. professional university life at at Western followed by a week of education policy. They also learned how Western and to have access to

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 38 FEATURE STORY

Chenchen Zhao (front) and Chelsea Maier (background) examining eggplants in Western’s glasshouse.

39 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

BRINGING AGRICULTURE INDOORS Australian-led advancements in indoor cropping technologies provide hope for an increasingly strained agriculture sector.

As Australia’s climate “Historically, the Australian water and nutrients in a more becomes more volatile environment has been systematic way. This can and protracted droughts and highly variable, but climate dramatically improve yields extreme floods undermine the change has increased that reliability of food production, variability, leading to much Western Sydney University higher temperatures and NEED TO researchers have embarked on greater intensity of extreme KNOW an ambitious protected cropping climate events, including initiative to lay the groundwork heatwaves, droughts and for the future of agriculture. floods,” says Tissue. “These The future of food Distinguished Professor environmental challenges and production may lie David Tissue’s group at Western’s a rapidly increasing population in protected cropping. Hawkesbury Institute for the demand action to provide The Hawkesbury Environment is investigating food security. Protected Institute for the how plants might respond to cropping is one solution for Environment has opened a changing climate, including horticultural crops.” a 1,700 m2 greenhouse variations in carbon dioxide While conventional to investigate ways to levels, temperature, water and cropping is vulnerable to the optimise food production. nutrient availability, and extreme elements, indoor or protected Photovoltaic climate events, in order to cropping allows food growers ‘smart glass’ may help develop technologies that could to control all aspects of the reduce a greenhouse’s help improve productivity in an crop’s environment and energy costs.

This research was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia and supported and supported Australia Innovation Horticulture funded by was research This © Daniel Boud Centre. Research Cooperative Systems Food the Future by increasingly uncertain future. manage resources such as

FUTURE-MAKERS 40 FEATURE STORY

red light which is important Research developed at the for photosynthesis,” says NVPCC will inform the research Tissue. “Two plant varieties, that will be carried out by eggplants and capsicum, the newly established Future were tested inside the smart Food Systems Cooperative glass,” says Dr Chenchen Research Centre (CRC) at Zhao, a postdoctoral fellow Western Sydney University in in Tissue’s lab. “The larger fruit, collaboration with the University eggplants, had a decreased of New South Wales and other crop yield, compared to institutions nationwide. the smaller fruit, capsicum, “Through the substantial which were not affected as support of HIA and, soon, the much in terms of crop yield Future Food Systems CRC, in the smart glasshouse.” we have been able to address “The reduction in light led many of our main objectives to reduced carbon availability by involving technicians, and subsequently reduced PhD students, and post-doctoral crop production, although it researchers in the research, also led to lower nutrient and and developing new technical water use,” explains Tissue. solutions to maximise food “Importantly, we identified production while minimising the limitations to the current resource use and costs,” says smart glass specifications and Tissue. “We plan to expand have developed some ways to on our significant progress improve it.” on the smart glass project “The research group is through Western’s role in the working toward developing a CRC, where we can further film that will reduce wavelengths modify the technology to of light unnecessary for plant provide even greater benefit to (Left to right) Chelsea Maier, Chenchen Zhou, Yagiz Alagoz, Norbert Klause development while allowing full crop production by leveraging and Xin He. transmission of wavelengths greater technical capacity that are,” says Chelsea Maier, the including robotics and and reliability, but comes Horticulture Innovation glasshouse’s facility co-ordinator. hyperspectral cameras.” at a significant increase in cost. Australia (HIA), the Hawkesbury One of the technologies Institute for the Environment that Tissue’s team is investigating commissioned the National is transparent solar cells or Vegetable Protected Cropping ‘smart glass’ for glasshouses. Centre (NVPCC) — a huge, “The idea is that innovative 1,700 m2 research glasshouse smart glass technologies with eight rooms that can be and films can reduce the independently controlled to heat load inside a glasshouse adjust environmental parameters and so reduce energy costs, such as carbon dioxide level and while maintaining or improving temperature. It also provided an crop productivity and quality ideal structure for the trial of with reduced water and nutrient smart glass technologies. use and the possibility of “We found that while renewable energy generation,” the smart glass reduced energy says Tissue. use inside the glasshouse, In 2017, with the support it also reduced overall of the industry research light intensity and some An aerial view of the glasshouse, and development agency wavelengths of light, including the blue-tinted glass is the Smart Glass. left) © Daniel Boud (top

41 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

RESTORING THE HERITAGE OF LANGTANG An interactive exhibition will help preserve the history of Nepal’s Langtang valley.

When Western Sydney University researchers, Hayley Saul and Emma Waterton left Langtang, Nepal, on the morning of the 25th of April, 2015, their contacts in the remote Himalayan village bid them a fond farewell, already anticipating their return the following year. But two hours into their hike back to Kathmandu, an earthquake struck, triggering deadly landslides across the region. Langtang, and the community that had lived there for hundreds of years, was almost destroyed. © Sarah Ann Loreth/Aurora Photos/Getty Ann Loreth/Aurora © Sarah

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 42 FEATURE STORY

Saul and Waterton, who were a non-government organisation in the valley, recording tales physically and emotionally. led to safety by local guides, have (NGO) worker with Community of the folklore written into the The pair returned to Langtang been using their research into Action Nepal invited her to surrounding landscape. They in April 2015 to continue their the culture and history of the see an ancient monastery in discovered how the local people research. During that trip, one region to create an interactive dire need of repair. “This was engaged with the past, both of their new friends, Son Norbu, heritage trail around the valley an opportunity to observe invited Saul and Waterton to that will tell the story of its restoration work carried out help build a Himalayan Heritage people and their past. The first locally, and the traditional NEED TO Museum in the village. They exhibition hut was opened methods used.” When Saul began KNOW parted ways with heads already last year, and another two are talking to the monks at the buzzing with ideas. under construction. monastery, she heard about other Saul and Waterton Langtang is a region of the sacred landmarks dotted around Langtang village were already hiking back Nepalese Himalayas just north the region that held historical was almost destroyed to Kathmandu when the of Kathmandu, on the border or mythical significance to the by the April 2015 ground began to shudder. The with Tibet. Langtang village people of Langtang. Fascinated, earthquake. 7.8 magnitude earthquake sits at 3,400 metres above sea Saul returned each subsequent Researchers from shook loose an immense chunk level in a narrow valley beneath year to document Himalayan Western Sydney of rock from Langtang Lirung the region’s highest peak, heritage by gathering stories University are helping mountain, which toppled Langtang Lirung. It was once that had been passed down to restore the heritage onto a glacier and sent a wave a thriving community of more through generations. that was lost. of rock, ice and mud down the than 400 people, including Waterton, a heritage The first exhibition valley. Langtang village was many porters who guided specialist, joined Saul on a visit space opened in 2018 blown away by the shockwave trekking tourists. to Langtang in April 2014 and and two more are and whatever remained was Saul, an archaeologist, first together they travelled with under construction. buried under 100 metres of rock. visited Langtang in 2011, after the locals to significant places Only one home survived, along Plus/Getty / 500px/500Px Pelletier © Quentin

The Lirung glacier in Langtang valley

43 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

with a handful of people who building an infrastructure had found shelter. More than like this extremely expensive.” 200 people died in Langtang that The project initially received day, including some 70 tourists $20,000 via a Western Sydney trekking in the scenic valley. University Vice-Chancellor’s Approximately 2,900 historical Research Award, and will sites were damaged or destroyed. receive another $40,000 each For the Himalayan communities, year for three years. “When we rebuilding these sacred sites was opened the first exhibition hut a priority. in 2018, the locals’ reaction was In the aftermath of the overwhelming. Everybody came quake, Saul and Waterton out to celebrate with us, bringing raised funds to help rebuild tea and cakes. They presented us Langtang, but they wanted with traditional white scarves to contribute something called khada and then paraded more than financial aid. with us all the way around our They owed their lives to tour of the sites.” the local guides who had The researchers’ culturally- led them to safety, one of sensitive approach has already them was the brother of Son inspired other heritage projects Norbu. They realised their in the region. “For the mountain anthropological research could communities of Nepal, natural be used to protect and pass on and cultural heritage sites the lost heritage. In December provide spirituality, sanctity 2016, Saul and Waterton visited and security,” says Dr Anu Langtang for the first time Kumari Lama, a tourism since the tragedy and began specialist at the International planning the commemorative Centre for Integrated Mountain museum they had agreed Development (ICIMOD). “The to help the villagers build, project in Langtang will generate 18 months before. positive outcomes for tourism, “Instrumental to our work heritage conservation and on the Langtang Heritage community wellbeing”. Trail project has been our Saul is now working

collaboration with the NGO, Emma Waterton (left) and Hayley Saul (right) at Langtang in 2014. with ICIMOD on a Kailash Flagstaff International Relief Heritage Route in Humla, Effort (FIRE),” says Waterton. Nepal, which is the gateway Spearheaded by Meredith Potts, an iPad, powered by nature, to the sacred Mount Kailash. FIRE has been working with will play back the stories of They want to create a similar Saul and Waterton for the past local people. Visitors will be THEY OWED interactive exhibition that is three years, collecting oral guided to the special sites THEIR LIVES eco-friendly, sustainable and histories and survivor stories, relating to each story as they TO THE LOCAL respectful of local culture. and working with the local wander along a carefully laid “Himalayan communities community to site the three heritage trail. “Each hut can be GUIDES WHO and their regions are exhibition huts. a rest stop for weary travellers,” HAD LED THEM prone to natural disasters, The design for the exhibition says Saul, “but also a place to TO SAFETY. poor living conditions and is simple and sustainable. learn and reflect on the cultural weak economic foundations,” It will comprise three huts, built history of the area.” says Dr Lama, “making them in the traditional style, that But simple design does some of the most sensitive use mountain streams to turn not always translate to simple “everything must be brought heritage sites and therefore a prayer wheel and generate delivery. “Because the area up by porters, donkeys, or extremely important for

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 44 FEATURE STORY

GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN THE CLASSROOM When it comes to gender and sexuality, classroom education can be contentious. A new survey aims to advance the conversation.

When debate about the Intent on rectifying this, sexuality diverse, transgender adolescents in the general ‘Safe Schools Coalition Ferfolja and Ullman have and gender diverse people are population and they experience Australia’ programme embarked on the country’s largest extremely vulnerable to mental extraordinarily high levels of raged in late 2017 and and most detailed exploration health concerns. Their rate self-harm and suicide attempts. early 2018, many mainstream of sexuality and gender diversity of depression and anxiety is “Part of the reason we wanted media outlets reported that education to clarify exactly what considerably higher than for to do this work is that from parents didn’t want their children parents would like to see their existing research we are aware taught about sexuality and gender children taught in schools and that a number of gender diverse diversity in the classroom. But when. Funded by the Australian NEED TO or same-sex attracted students research suggested the contrary. Research Council, data collection KNOW have quite a hard time, for a Western researchers are now for the first part of the project variety of reasons, but primarily surveying parents across the — a nationwide parent survey to do with their experiences at nation to establish a clearer picture — was completed at the end of There was heated political school,” Ullman confirms. of their views. 2019. The survey was advertised debate about the Safe The third major component of “Studies have indicated that via Facebook to the parents Schools Coalition the research project by Ferfolja parents overwhelmingly feel there of children who attend any Australia programme in and Ullman is the development should be some education around public school in Australia, from 2017-2018. of a “performed ethnography”. these issues in schools,” says kindergarten to the final year of Preliminary studies This involves collating the voices Associate Professor Tania Ferfolja, high school. suggested that parents of the research participants and from the Centre for Educational “The second phase involves feel there should be creating a play for the purposes Research in Western Sydney contacting parents whose some education about of instruction and education. University’s School of Education. children are gender and sexuality sexuality and gender Professor Tara Goldstein, who She explains, however, that those diverse to ask about their diversity in schools. is an academic and a playwright studies, including those she experiences of the schooling Western Sydney from the Ontario Institute for performed with her colleague, system, for themselves and their University researchers Studies in Education at the Associate Professor Jacqueline children,” Ferfolja says. “This is are now conducting University of Toronto, in Canada Ullman, were small and limited: to get a sense of where they have a nationwide survey of is collaborating on the work. “Because nothing has been done been best supported, and where parental attitudes “We are working with her to on a large scale in Australia, more support is required.” regarding sexuality and develop a performance piece that we really don’t know what This is seen as critical because gender diversity education. can be used for the professional parents want.” research shows that young development of teachers and Council. Research the Australian through Government the Australian by supported was research This

45 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Studies have shown parents believe there should be curricula related to sexuality and gender in the classroom.

other interested people working been the Australian Council same sex attracted. That needs reasons why parents might in support services in this area,” of State School Organisations. to be reflected so that they feel be opposed to them,” Ullman Ferfolja says. The council’s chief executive, comfortable about who they are.” says. “This is really intertwined Recommendations for practice Dianne Giblin, says the main with people’s sense of morals and policy are also expected reason for her organisation’s and values and their code of to come out of the research, keen interest and support, is ethics. We’re trying to take suggesting that the findings to ensure that school curricula “THE DIVERSITY something really complex and will help guide and streamline are able to properly represent OF SEXUALITY distil it down into a measurable curriculum development, and reflect diversity across the set of items.” possibly nationwide. “We will Australian community. IN OUR This sort of information be working with an advisory “Not only do we need to COMMUNITY will also help teachers better committee, which helped refine give a window into sexuality NEEDS TO BE navigate what is for many of them the survey content, to really and gender issues for all a potential minefield. “Teachers feed results back into every state young people but particularly MIRRORED themselves are very uncertain and territory,” Ullman says. for young people who are IN OUR about what they can actually Because there will be location gender diverse,” she says. CURRICULUM.” say in the classroom; what data from participants, it may “The diversity of sexuality in might or might not get them be possible to provide tailored our community needs to be into ‘trouble’,” Ferfolja says. “So, feedback to states and territories mirrored in our curriculum, we really do need to know and, about what parents in different so all young people have that MORAL CODE whatever the outcomes actually locations want taught at school broader perspective. It’s also “We are delving more are, use them to inform policy and for what age groups. needed for the mental health and deeply into the reasons why and curriculum and syllabus One of the major stakeholders wellbeing of our young people parents might support [particular documents, so teachers have

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 46 FEATURE STORY

Dr Gough Lui demonstrating a smart glove, the sensor in the glove is indicated by the dotted circle.

47 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

A SAFER HANDOVER Electronic gloves help transfer knowledge from master surgeons to students.

Researchers from In training, an experienced fingertips. But experienced of the prototype can readily Western Sydney surgeon watches over the student’s surgeons reported that they appreciate their potential University, in consultation shoulder, giving feedback. “Often reduced their touch sensitivity contribution to training. Lui with Liverpool Hospital, have they say, ‘that wasn’t very good,’ and were too bulky, hindering laughs that students even loved developed tools to help trainee but can’t concretely articulate what movement. Lui has looked at the clunky early version. “They are surgeons master intricate is wrong,” says Lui. “That’s very alternatives including the use excited because they can see the surgical procedures. frustrating when you’re trying of force sensors further up the promise,” he says. Gough Lui, a biomedical to master a skill, but not seeing forearm and motion sensors Lui is working out how best engineer at Western’s MARCS a way forward.” on the back of the hand for to deliver useful instructions to Institute for Brain, Behaviour One positive advance in an upgraded version. trainees. The gloves collect motion and Development, has worked training has been that students can “Now we have a tool that can data and relay them to a screen, closely with Liverpool Hospital now practise on simulators. But assist in objectively measuring where even the tiniest jitters are for a number of years. “We get these are hugely expensive, and the intricate hand manoeuvres,” visualized. This can be distracting engineers to sit in with clinicians trainees in typical hospitals rarely says Bokey. Trainees who have to students concentrating on to identify problems and inspire have easy access. participated in the development difficult tasks. Alternatives include solutions that can really make To solve the problem, Lui ‘haptic’ feedback — the fingertips a difference,” he says. In one of has developed surgical gloves buzz — or audio feedback to these sessions, Clinical Dean and containing electronics to record NEED TO guide trainees along the right Foundation Professor of Surgery the subtle, fast and controlled KNOW path. But Lui is cautious in case and Colorectal Surgery, Professor hand movements of skilled students become overly reliant on Les Bokey, discussed with Lui the surgeons. When worn by students, the technology. “In reality, human possibility of training surgeons in the gloves can monitor how their The surgical skills debriefing is always better than a more objective and evidence- hand motions differ from the needed today are computer feedback alone,” he says. based manner to ensure evidence- experts’. Lui hopes that the gloves more complex than “This is not a replacement for based competency. will eventually be coupled with a in previous decades. trainers, but it will augment their A big hurdle is that the surgical smartphone app, so trainees can Gough Lui and ability to give advice.” skills needed now are more practice tasks at home, for as little the team at MARCS The plan is to do a pilot trial in

This research was supported by the South West Institute for Robotics and Automation in Health, in Health, and Automation Robotics for Institute the South West by supported was research This Leanfore © Ken Foundation. and the James N. Kirby Health District, Local Sydney the South Western complex than in previous decades. as $100 — a fraction of the cost of have developed mid-2020, says Lui. If successful, Surgeons must master open a simulator. electronic gloves to the gloves could have unexpected surgery, keyhole surgery with Creating the perfect gloves is help trainees learn uses. “We’ve already had requests cameras, and robotic surgery, a work in progress. At first, Lui from the movements from musicians asking if these for instance. But while placed electronics on the back of of skilled surgeons. gloves could help people become techniques have advanced, the glove, to detect acceleration The gloves have proven more skilled performers,” says Lui. teaching methods have and hand orientation, and popular with students. “They could have a wider impact not greatly changed. added force-sensors in the than we ever hoped.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 48 FEATURE STORY BRAIN

Accidents can sometimes The short lifespan of a brain chamber, UV light shines on to spark innovation. About six slice was a huge obstacle for the artificial spinal fluid which years ago on a normal day in the research. Taking the brain out circulates between the two. lab, Western Sydney University of the body and cutting into it This successfully slows bacterial neuroscientist, Yossi Buskila, was immediately destroys 20-30% of growth in the liquid, dramatically looking for signs of how brain cells. The rest become exposed increasing the slices’ life. diseases progress in sample slices to bacteria, which release toxins taken from mice. Brain slices that kill cells within a few hours. typically only remain viable for And preparing new samples every around six hours before the cells morning took up to two hours. “NOW WE CAN die, so Buskila usually disposed Busilka’s braincubator LOOK AT WHAT of them at the end of his day. This preserves the slices in a tank filled HAPPENS time, he forgot. When he returned with a liquid that mimics spinal next morning, he was surprised fluid. Simply adding antibiotics to NOT JUST to see that a small number of cells try to stop the bacteria growing IN 4 HOURS, had survived. will not work because the drugs BUT “I asked myself, why did some would damage the brain cells. So survive, and can we enhance Buskila’s team tried some other IN 20 HOURS.” that process?” That led him and tricks. They found that cooling colleague, Paul Breen, from The the slices to 15 or 16oC slowed the MARCS Institute, to develop the spread of bacteria. The Braincubator is already ‘Braincubator’ — an incubation Another way to destroy on sale and has proved useful system that prolongs the slices’ bacteria is to shine UV light on for researchers. Dario Protti, a longevity by up to six times, to to the tank, but that also kills physiologist at the University of around 36 hours. The apparatus neurons. In the Braincubator, Sydney, uses the Braincubator in opens new avenues of research brain slices are kept in one cooled his lab, and says “it has had a very into memory and learning, and chamber, while in a second positive impact on my research”. into neurodegenerative disorders. He says the equipment helps Buskila studies slices from reduce the number of animals mice that have been genetically NEED TO used in experiments and could modified to replicate how KNOW potentially be used to monitor diseases such as Alzheimer’s, changes in how proteins and genes epilepsy and amyotrophic are expressed in brain tissue over Brain slices typically lateral sclerosis (ALS) affect much longer periods. last 6 hours. electrical and chemical signals “Now we can look at what The Braincubator, between the brain’s neuron and happens not just in four hours, developed by Western glial cells. He is also driven by but in 20 hours, and study the researchers, has a fundamental desire to reveal difference between short-term extended slice longevity the brain’s workings. “How do and long-term synaptic processes,” by a factor of 6. Dr Yossi Buskila (left) brain-waves code information? says Buskila. “If the Braincubator and A/Prof. Paul It is now commercially How do thoughts come about?” can have a real impact on our Breen (right) with available. the Braincubator. Buskila says. “These questions understanding of how the brain are my passion.” works, that will make me happy.” © Daniel Boud MND Australia. funded by was research This

49 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Technology developed by Western researchers can extend the viability of brain slices up to WAVES36 hours.

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 50 FEATURE STORY

The growth spurt of Australia’s largest cities shows no sign of slowing. By 2036, the NSW state government predicts that almost 1.75 million new residents will call Greater Sydney home — an unprecedented expansion rate for the city. CONSTRUCTIVE Housing all these people is a daunting challenge, but the construction industry could CONVERSATIONS make use of new methods Robots working alongside builders could be the key to that might help. Although it may be a while off, there are meeting Australia’s housing construction challenges, early signs that tradespeople if the industry can be persuaded to embrace the new technology. could soon be joined on site by robot assistants, able to take on some of the heavy lifting of building new homes. Allocating robots some of the more mundane and repetitive tasks of house building, as well as some of the more dangerous roles, would boost safety and productivity. To help facilitate the adoption of robots as the latest tool on building sites, the New South Wales Government’s land and property development organisation, Landcom, sponsored CoBuilt 4.0, a project to bring together researchers from across Sydney to develop collaborative robots to work with tradespeople to help meet the state’s housing goals. “Sometimes when you bring universities together, it’s just a really good fit,” says Professor Kerry London, Dean of the School of Built Environment, who is leading Western Sydney University’s contribution to the project. The University of

Visualisation of a construction robot Sydney and UNSW Sydney

assisting with bricklaying. researchers are developing Images © Maciej Frolow/Photodisc/Getty Landcom. funded by was research This

51 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

the robot technology. “Our role to enact transformative change.” and for passing timber for is to mobilise the connection London made case studies NEED TO someone in the roof, so that you to industry and to investigate of six major projects ongoing at KNOW don’t need the ladder. In the adoption barriers and enablers,” the time, including Melbourne’s session the ideas really began London says. Federation Square, to map the to flow.” London and her Western supply chains and to establish Sydney’s expansion As with any disruptive new colleagues, including Dr Yingbin what the power structure of shows no sign technology, there were legitimate Feng and Dr Karyne Ang, each chain looked like. Power of slowing. concerns, including the costs investigated the human side of might lie in the hands of major Robots could help and complexities of training the equation. “I have expertise multinationals through their the construction people to use the new machines, in adoption of new technologies sheer volume of purchase, or with industry keep up with and worry over needing to be in the construction industry small or medium companies that demand for housing. ‘computer smart’ to operate and have completed nationally are one of a few suppliers of a Western researchers them. Discussing potential funded research studies over the particular aspect of the build or are investigating training modes was a key part of past 15 years on all manner of who are extremely skilled in their the industry’s adoption the workshops. innovations,” London says. “One particular field, London explains. of this technology. Ultimately, says London, of the greatest challenges, and the Understanding construction there will be a whole range of biggest opportunities, revolves industry supply chains by mindsets, and understanding how around people embracing the mapping power structures has A far more realistic picture, she to navigate that to help drive the change”, she says. “For me, it has informed everything she has done says, involves collaborative robots change is where the supply chain always been about the people.” since. “How do we understand the taking over specific tasks that structure comes in. Contractors London began her career power structure to mobilise the people don’t want to do. Mundane in comfortable ‘power positions’ as an architect before moving introduction of something like and repetitive tasks such as are probably not going to move into capital works project collaborative robotics?” laying a straight row of bricks until the technology becomes an management with the Northern at ground floor level, or high- industry norm. The early adopters Territory government. There, risk tasks such as constructing are likely to be contractors she experienced first-hand a roof, would be particularly in highly competitive parts the interactions between “WHEN PEOPLE suited to robotics, leaving people of the supply chain seeking a government organisations and ADAPT THE to do the more interesting, commercial advantage over rivals, the construction industry, which problem-solving, creative tasks who see the market opportunity are especially nuanced at times INNOVATION in a safer environment. and invest in the technology. of change — whether it be new TO THEIR OWN Starting the discussion with “As researchers, when we ways to fund major projects, such SITUATION - the construction industry was look at innovative technologies as the development of public- the next step. “We did two really we imagine possible scenarios - private partnerships; or new THAT’S WHEN significant workshops, primarily and then we open up discussion,” technologies, such as the move REALLY with contractors, just trying to London says. “Sometimes”, toward off-site manufacturing as a EXCITING identify what they thought would she says, “people take the method of building construction. be the challenges, and areas innovation in a direction you “Government can play a role THINGS HAPPEN.” where they thought this might be never foresaw.” as a major client, as a regulator, a great idea.” “One contractor, who builds and also as an influencer,” The team then conducted the high-rise residential apartments, London says. First, the team looked at any second focus group interview said one repetitive task that really Understanding of the way research already carried out into with sub-contractors. Some takes up time is doing inspections government could encourage the potential of construction tradespeople could immediately in each room,” London says. “He positive change in the industry robotics. “The most interesting see potential benefits. “You got pretty excited trying to work was limited, which, in 2002, led trend, which shaped our work, was could have it set up with voice out how he could use robots to do London to another career shift. that the old idea of robots coming recognition, so you could yell these inspections to free up people “I went into academia, to do my on site and replacing most or all out a number and it would be for many other tasks,” she says. PhD at Melbourne University, the people, and the whole site able to cut this timber for you,” “When people adapt the to investigate the underlying being highly automated, although said one carpenter from a major innovation to their own situation structure and behaviour of the enticing for safety reasons, has construction company. “It would - that’s when really exciting construction industry, specifically never taken off.” be useful for timber pre-cutting, things happen.”

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 52 FEATURE STORY

LEAVES OF GRASS A study into why grass turns brown and what it means for grassland productivity is vital to Australian ecosystems and industry.

The prickly crunch of dry, able to survive and continue to the grass. Several vegetation brown grass is a familiar sensation perform when we have hotter models were applied to try and in the Australian summer. But and drier conditions,” Medlyn predict the responses in this despite its ubiquity, little is known says. “The grasslands are really experiment, but Medlyn says about when and why grass turns interesting ecosystems, valuable the models didn’t adequately brown, and what it means for in their own right, but they also capture the impact of the grasses Australia’s extensive grasslands in support a huge industry.” browning-off as the soil started a changing climate. The project was inspired to dry out. The probable reason ARC Georgina Sweet Australian by research conducted in the was that a lot of models of the Laureate Fellow, Distinguished North American grasslands effects of carbon dioxide levels, Professor Belinda Medlyn and of Wyoming, which looked at temperature increases, and Belinda Medlyn at Western’s Hawkesbury Institute for colleagues at Western Sydney the effect of increasing carbon rainfall decreases, were originally the Environment. University are embarking on an dioxide levels and heating on developed for forests, which Australian Research Council don’t brown-off in the same way Discovery Project to answer key that grass does. questions about how grasslands NEED TO Browning of grass in dry and measure what had happened respond to changes in temperature KNOW conditions means that the grass isn’t once a year.” and rainfall, and what implications photosynthesising and therefore The project also involves field that has for the carbon they store won’t be capturing carbon or and glasshouse experiments in the soil. Grasslands are producing new grass. “If you’re using technologies that enable Grasslands make up around important components trying to predict how much researchers to subject grasses 40% of the planet’s terrestrial of Australia’s ecosystem, productivity you have in a grassland, to different concentrations of surface; from the vast prairies of Belinda Medlyn and you need to be able to predict that carbon dioxide, and levels of North America, and the wind- colleagues are studying browning process,” Medlyn says. heat and water to see how they swept steppes of Eurasia, to the why and how Medlyn and her group are respond over time. pampas of South America and grass browns. deploying devices known as savannahs of northern Australia. Researchers are ‘phenocams’, which are essentially WHAT LIES BENEATH They’re also vital for cattle collecting targeted time-lapse cameras that record One key challenge with grasslands farming. “There’s a lot of data sets to develop changes in the grass colour over is that so much happens below interest around how to maintain and test model time. “By looking at those images, the surface, says Professor Elise pasture grasses during hot and representations of we get much more information Pendall, a soil ecologist and one dry periods, what kinds of key processes. about what’s going on with the of the four Western researchers pasture grasses, what will be grasses than if we would just go leading the project. Government the Australian by supported was research This Council. Research the Australian through

53 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

“In grasslands, roots make warmer, and that might be to She points out that many was shown to be fairly up around 75% of the biomass,” reduce water loss, but we want to Australian grasslands, particularly resilient to modelled climate Pendall says. Grass growth crowns know if that compromises their in the country’s interior are change conditions. sit right at the soil surface, with ability to absorb water.” already well adapted to hot, In addition to storing carbon, the leaves growing upwards from One of Medlyn’s post-doctoral dry conditions. grasslands also play an important them, and the roots extending researchers, Dr Jinyan Yang, is “Part of our work is really role in stabilising Australia’s fragile down. Study often involves developing a model that will looking at how those grasses soils and preventing erosion. The digging pits to extract the entire pull together all the information managed to survive during those deepening drought in central plant and root systems. If that isn’t gathered in the project, and hot dry conditions, what traits Australia is contributing to a loss of possible, researchers take soil cores which can be used to predict enable them to keep going during grasslands that is, in turn, enabling so they can extract the roots and grassland productivity, greening those dry periods,” she says. larger and more regular dust storms. measure factors such as biomass, and browning under different Pendall gives the example In all, the work is feeding respiration rates, carbon content climatic conditions. of a project in Tasmania, which into a bigger research project; and nutrient content. “Then, you can start exploring compared soil carbon storage Medlyn’s ARC Laureate Roots are vital for grass’s different species and figure out underneath kangaroo grass Fellowship-supported efforts to survival during hotter, drier what kinds of species might be and wallaby grass. Kangaroo model Australian vegetation as a conditions, Pendall says. “They able to cope best with different grass sequestered much more whole, from forests to woodlands

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 54 PANEL

RESEARCH FOR A BETTER FUTURE

SEBASTIAN PFAUTSCH Research Theme Fellow - KYLIE BUDGE Environment and Sustainability Research Theme Fellow - Urban Living Futures and Society

LYN TIEU Research Theme Fellow - Education and Work

JENNIFER MACRITCHIE Research Theme Fellow - Health and Wellbeing

55 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Western Sydney Dr Kylie Budge, a beyond what they’re attempting insights into the mind. If creative arts researcher, to convey, that could have an linguistics could actually be University Dr Lyn Tieu, a linguist, impact on how children are taught earlier in the curriculum, Research Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, interpreting the content that not only would you get Theme Fellows a cognitive scientist, and we’re delivering,” she says. the scientific benefit of learning Dr Sebastian Pfautsch, a In seeking to understand about scientific inquiry discuss their tree physiologist, are among how children interpret these and hypothesis testing through work’s impact. Western Sydney University’s linguistic inferences, Tieu is linguistic studies, it could best and brightest academics. hoping her research can help actually change attitudes.” Their work is helping to shape “bridge that gap between a greener, smarter, healthier, our scientific understanding FUTURE SPACES inclusive, and creative future. and children’s actual Changing attitudes is something These researchers recently educational experiences.” that Kylie Budge is working hard came together to share their to do in the creative arts field; in thoughts on their work’s particular, antagonism towards potential for creating impact “POLICY- selfies and Instagram culture in the world. in museums. MAKERS AND “People like myself are FUTURE COMMUNICATORS GOVERNMENTS arguing there is some kind Linguistics wasn’t at the front SOMETIMES of benefit to this Instagram of Lyn Tieu’s mind when she PRESUME culture because it’s a platform began her university studies, but THAT SOMEHOW where people can creatively she quickly became fascinated INNOVATION express their experience, by what the scientific study of OCCURS IN their engagement with the language could reveal about space, and with the artefacts society. Her work focuses on AN ABSTRACT that are on display,” says Budge, how children acquire meaning, VACUUM.” Research Theme Fellow in Urban and how they interpret a Living Futures and Society. particular feature of language “It’s a way to upend the power called linguistic inferences She also believes that balance that has perhaps existed — the messages we sometimes linguistics has much to offer for too long, where museums don’t even realise we’re in terms of moving society have told people what they conveying through our choice of towards greater equality, should think, what they should words and phrasing. because it recognises that look at and how they should For example, the sentence all languages are equal. think about certain exhibits ‘girls are as good as boys at “Prescriptive authorities will or space.” maths’ seems to be an equitable have you believe that there is “There are still a lot of statement. But Tieu, Research some standard version of a people who won’t go to a Theme Fellow in Education language that you must attain, museum or gallery, and feel and Work, says some studies but the danger with that is that like that’s not a place for have shown that the implicit people then use that to create them,” says Budge. But she inference that comes from the prejudices, to marginalise,” argues that allowing digital way that statement is ordered she says. “In linguistics we expression in these traditionally is that girls are not as naturally learn that that’s not true non-digital spaces can open gifted as boys are at maths. “So — different languages and these spaces up to new audiences if teachers are saying things dialects are equally important who might otherwise not

(Left) © Anna Kucer; Photo of Jennifer MacRitchie taken by Monica Pronk. by taken MacRitchie of Jennifer Photo © Anna Kucer; (Left) Images © oxygen/Moment/Getty (Backround) that convey additional messages and valid, and can offer rich experience them.

FUTURE-MAKERS 56 PANEL

Another area where attitudes engineering and music, she are just as capable of taking up physical and cognitive benefits, are changing, but not always was working on motion music for the first time, and MacRitchie is also interested for the better, is around the capture technology to study the there are significant benefits in the emotional and social concept of maker spaces. These movement of pianists’ fingers in doing that. benefits. “By doing a lot of communal spaces with shared when she became interested But some older people can group musical activities, you’re equipment are popping up in in the processes by which we face additional challenges in giving people avenues to share cities around the world – and acquire musical skills. learning music; for example, something together and identify particularly in China, where having restricted movement as part of a group,” she says. they are viewed as hothouses of due to stroke or arthritis, or “That helps reduce loneliness, creativity and innovation. cognitive decline experienced as for which older adults tend to be There is growing awareness “PLAYING part of dementia. Practical and at risk.” of the importance that these A MUSICAL economic concerns to accessing spaces have in encouraging INSTRUMENT a musical instrument may be FUTURE CITIES innovation. “These are about IS SUCH A enough to put off potential The elderly, immobile and very participating, making, and learners. This is another area young are more vulnerable contributing to society, rather BENEFICIAL TASK where technology is breaking than most to the effects of heat, than just consuming.” FOR YOUR BRAIN, down barriers; MacRitchie gives and that’s where Dr Sebastian “I think policy-makers SO WE STARTED the example of new musical Pfautsch’s research comes in. and governments sometimes WONDERING, interfaces that can be used As Research Theme Fellow in presume that somehow WHY IS IT NOT on an iPad. Environment and Sustainability, innovation occurs in an abstract SOMETHING MORE “A lot of my research is trying he’s looking at how urban green vacuum,” Budge says. “Different PEOPLE CAN HAVE to devise ways to reduce some support mechanisms and spaces of those cognitive and physical need to be provided and created ACCESS TO AND barriers in learning to play a to allow innovation to flourish. It BENEFIT FROM?” musical instrument so that doesn’t just happen.” we’ve got more people having Creativity and divergent access to musical activities and thinking are nourished in maker getting the optimal benefits for spaces, but the spaces themselves “Your brain has to process their wellbeing.” need protection and support. symbols on a page if you’re Researchers are Australia has a few maker spaces reading music notation, still getting to grips — one of the most well-known decide on an action, a set of with the extent of in Sydney is in light industrial fine-motor commands that these benefits, because estate land in Marrickville — you use to manipulate the until now much of the but, many are under threat musical instrument, listen to work has focused on from development pressure. the sound being produced, people with a lifetime of Budge hopes that her work and then refine the next set musical experience, not will contribute towards greater of actions accordingly and on those who understanding and appreciation you’re doing that at such are taking it of and access to these spaces in minute time scales,” she says. up later in Australian cities, particularly “Playing a musical instrument life. While outside metropolitan regions. is such a beneficial task for your there are brain, so we started wondering, likely FUTURE CREATIVITY why is it not something more to be Music is a familiar expression people can have access to and of creativity, but Dr Jennifer benefit from.” MacRitchie, Research Theme It has long been established Fellow in Health and Wellbeing, that these skills have to be believes it also could have acquired early in life, but significant health and wellbeing MacRitchie and her colleagues benefits, particularly in the have recently published research Music could have positive elderly. Having studied electrical results that show that the elderly cognitive benefits in the elderly.

57 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Budge, Pfautsch and Tieu at Western’s Parramatta South Campus. (Left) yacobchuk/iStock /Getty Images Plus; (Right) © Anna Kucera Images Plus; (Right) /Getty yacobchuk/iStock (Left)

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 58 PANEL

The challenge is how, where and what to plant to best combat the urban heat island effect combined with the climate crisis that is already seeing temperatures in Australia’s major cities approach dangerous levels during summer months. But there’s only so much that urban green infrastructure can do. “If western Sydney gets hit by a heatwave, trees won’t help cooling these very hot air masses, especially if they have no access to water that supports transpiration,” he says. “We have to look at other ways to cope with these new conditions of repeated heat waves and (left to right) Kylie Budge, Sebastian Pfautsch, Lyn Tieu, and panel moderator Bianca Nogrady at the Research Theme low rainfalls. We’re exploring Fellow Panel. how thermal benefits can be generated by different surface infrastructure could help address Sydney councils, and found add-on effects once you start materials and colours used in the growing issue of urban heat. that a street with just 10% increasing urban canopy, where urban design.” Urban green infrastructure canopy cover experienced 12 you reduce heat and energy bills Pfautsch hopes his work describes anything green in an days above 40oC in summer, in households.” can help guide local and urban space; from the grass, while a street with 30% canopy But there are other benefits state governments towards shrubs and trees along roads cover had fewer than half that to increasing urban green creating more liveable cities and in parks, to living walls and — experiencing just five days of infrastructure, Pfautsch says. in the face of a heating rooftop gardens. It’s increasingly summer above 40 degrees. “It’s “While green infrastructure climate. “We urgently need to recognised that urban green a huge difference that not only helps make cities liveable, it also expand green infrastructure, infrastructure plays a vital role in impacts the wellbeing of people has benefits in biodiversity, but we have to be smart cooling the urban environment. living in tree-lined streets but liveability, public health, about it if we want maximum Pfautsch and colleagues also impacts power consumption and even helps with reducing cooling benefits in times deployed temperature data for air conditioning in their crime, and increasing property of rapid urbanisation and loggers across several western houses,” he says. “You have values,” he says. a heating climate.” Images Plus © zetter/iStock/Getty (Bottom) © Anna Kucera; (Top)

59 FUTURE-MAKERS Issue 4 | MARCH 2020 FUTURE-MAKERS

Ho Chi Minh City

AUSTRALIA NEW SOUTH WALES

Hawkesbury

Nirimba Westmead Parramatta Penrith Parramatta City SYDNEY Sydney Olympic Sydney Park City Liverpool City CENTRES OF Bankstown DISCOVERY Campbelltown Western Sydney University campuses are situated in locations throughout Greater Western Sydney.

Further information can be found here: westernsydney.edu.au/future/ our-campuses.html © Poligrafistka/Getty; Background image: © Michael Amendolia Background © Poligrafistka/Getty;

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY FUTURE-MAKERS 60 ISSUE 4 MARCH 2020

westernsydney.edu.au