Southern Cross University Research Report 2012
CRICOS Provider: NSW 01241G, QLD 03135E VC welcome
Southern Cross University undertook regionally Jerry Vanclay, Head of School of Environment, relevant and internationally recognised Science and Engineering, and Director of the research in specific fields during 2012. This Forest Research Centre. The Vice Chancellor’s Research Report provides a snapshot of these Award for Excellence in Research for Early activities and the expertise of our researchers. and Mid Career Researcher was awarded to A highlight for the University was our Dr Grayson Cooke, in the School of Arts and outstanding results in the Excellence in Social Sciences. Research for Australia 2012 national report, Developing researchers also received support where we achieved the highest possible through our Research Training Unit, and classification of ‘well above world standard’ in through the Collaborative Research Network six key areas (see page 5). The University also which is providing new opportunities to further continued to grow its success in Australian extend our research capacity. Competitive Grants.
In addition to this external recognition, SCU placed an emphasis on highlighting research excellence within the University. A key event during 2012 was the Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The 2012 winner of the Award Professor Peter Lee FTSE for Excellence in Research was Professor Vice Chancellor
Welcome 2
Year in Review 3
Excellence in Research for Australia 2012 5
Southern Cross GeoScience 6
Southern Cross Plant Science 8
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research 11
Marine Ecology Research Centre 14
National Marine Science Centre 16
Forest Research Centre 18
Centre for Children and Young People 20
Centre for Gambling Education and Research 22
Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work 25
Collaborative Research Network 27
Emerging Research 27
Higher Degree Research 30
Contacts 31
Front cover: Richard Wylie’s image, ‘Weedy Seadragon in the Light’. For full story see page 30.
The information contained in this publication is correct at the time of printing. Copyright Southern Cross University August 2013. 2 Year in review
During 2012 Southern Cross University The growth in research at Coffs Harbour during continued to produce high quality research, 2012 deserves particular mention (see page 29). evidenced by the outstanding ERA results. Some areas have also demonstrated excellent Our research publications continued to growth, innovative strategies and thoughtful increase and, importantly, Southern Cross application in growing research capacity and University continued to show growth in its outputs. SCU is moving into a new era of scholarly research publication output. The research performance. exceptional results achieved by the University Our institutional relationships are making a with respect to ERA has confirmed that, as discernible impact on the research culture. All a University, the growth of research outputs components of our Collaborative Research is occurring in conjunction with exceptional Networks (CRN) partnerships continue to improvements in the quality of these outputs. support the growth of our research capacity. SCU also experienced an increase in National Professional development and new networking Competitive Grant (NCG) Category one opportunities continue to be offered to SCU research income, which is an important staff from experienced research staff at indicator of the prestige of our research. These the partner universities (The University of factors confirm that the track record of our Queensland, University of New South Wales research staff is improving with respect to and University of Sydney). national benchmarks, and SCU’s reputation as SCU continues to participate in national a high quality research provider is assuming Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), with the national significance. following active during 2012: The future is now important. The task is to • CRC for Wound Management continue the research trajectory, by maintaining • CRC for Infrastructure and Engineering Asset the research excellence we have already Management achieved, and identifying emerging areas • CRC for Remote Economic Participation which provide strong prospects for research excellence. The University has some insight into • CRC for Contamination Assessment and these emerging areas through past ERA results, Remediation of the Environment but I also note the strong capacity building at • CRC for Rail Innovation. our Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast campuses.
Research Income by Category $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 CRCs $8,000,000 Industry & Other $6,000,000 $4,000,000 Public Sector Research Income Research $2,000,000 NCG (Cat 1) $0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Years
3 Year in review
In 2012 the Research Training Unit continued is to develop strategies and institutional to improve the standard of Higher Degree arrangements which continue SCU’s ascending Research (HDR) student programs. We had trajectory towards being a major regional, HDRs enrolled in most disciplines across the national and international higher education University and our CRN program continued research institution. to provide unique opportunities for students associated with the collaborative projects Professor Neal Ryan with partner universities. The task for 2013 Pro Vice Chancellor (Research)
Weighted Publications by Category 400 350 300 250 Conference Papers 200 150 Journal Articles 100 Publications Book Chapters 50 Books 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Years
Completions By Research Degree 80 70 60 50 DBA 40 30 PhD 20 10 Masters
Number of Candidates 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year
Total Enrolments by Research Degree 700 600 500 400 DBA 300 200 PhD 100 Masters 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Number of Candidates Years
4 SCU ‘well above world standard’ in six key areas Southern Cross University’s research in six key areas was given rated as ‘above world standard’ and tourism research at ‘world the highest possible classification of ‘well above world standard’ standard’. in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2012 national These results placed the University among the top two universities report released in December 2012. in the country for research in crop and pasture production, in The top rating of five for ‘well above world standard’ was given the top three universities in the country for zoology, top four in in the specific research fields of geochemistry, zoology, crop agriculture and veterinary sciences and forestry sciences, and and pasture production, and forestry sciences. in the top five in the field of geochemistry and earth sciences. In the broader research fields, the University received the top The University also received the rating of ‘above world standard’ rating of ‘well above world standard’ in earth sciences, and in the broader research field of biological sciences, and ‘world agricultural and veterinary sciences. Nursing research was standard’ in studies in creative arts and writing.
WELL ABOVE WORLD • Crop and pasture production (0703) ABOVE WORLD STANDARD This research, conducted predominantly STANDARD through the Special Research Centre • Geochemistry (0402) Southern Cross Plant Science, was • Nursing (1110) The top rating of five in the field of focused on applying genetic and Areas of research reflected in this geochemistry reflected the expertise genomic approaches to analysing field were the professional practice of and contributions from researchers variation in crop plants and their close nursing, clinical training and education in Southern Cross GeoScience; the relatives. The research also focused on and areas of health care practice. This Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry understanding crop domestication traits, research was conducted predominantly Research; the School of Environment, and analysing and generating novel by the School of Health and Human Science and Engineering; the National variation from Australian native plants. Sciences. The research focused on Marine Science Centre; and the Marine the improvement of clinical practice by • Forestry sciences (0705) Ecology Research Centre. Southern investigating workplace relations within Southern Cross University’s forestry Cross University is conducting a broad the healthcare team, management roles research is investigating the full range of range of research in the geochemistry and professional boundaries. products and services that forests can field covering biogeochemical cycles • Biological sciences (06) provide and how these can be produced at local, regional and global scales, sustainably and with minimal impact. It Southern Cross University’s soil and sediment science, water investigated the role forests play in the contributions in this field included quality in oceans, estuaries and rivers, environment, with particular emphasis research in ecology, genetics, plant and landform evolution. The research on birds, marsupials and amphibians. biology and zoology. included a major study in the Murray It also examined possibilities and Darling Basin, aimed at providing a consequences of tree breeding WORLD STANDARD fundamental understanding of how the including genetics, gene flow and pre- • Tourism (1506) wetlands are impacted by drought and breeding strategies. Researchers from what the risks are to the environment The main themes of tourism research the School of Environment, Science and the sustainability of communities. included tourism and leisure planning and Engineering, the Forest Research Other major studies included and policy; destination management; Centre, Southern Cross Plant Science greenhouse gas emissions from, and event management; sustainable and other research centres contributed carbon storage in, Australia’s coastal tourism; and gambling, gambling policy to this field. systems and understanding how coral and impacts, and harm minimisation. • Earth Sciences (04) reefs respond to ocean acidification. Research was conducted through This broader field includes geochemistry the School of Tourism and Hospitality • Zoology (0608) research and oceanography research Management, the Research Centre The University’s research in the field of undertaken in the Centre for Coastal for Tourism, Leisure and Work and the zoology was focused on the impacts Biogeochemistry Research, physical Centre for Gambling Education and of environmental change — both geography and environmental Research. natural and human induced — on geoscience through Southern Cross animal diversity. Conducted through • Studies in creative arts and writing GeoScience and research through the the School of Environment, Science (19) School of Environment, Science and and Engineering, the Marine Ecology Research in this area was in the Engineering. Research Centre and the National multidisciplinary arts of film and • Agricultural and veterinary sciences Marine Science Centre, the research television music, screen sound, live (07) looked at a range of areas including: the audiovisual performance and the This broader field of research includes impacts of land clearing, road building analysis of popular music and the music forestry and crop production research, and urbanisation on marsupials; how industry. There was also research in as well as fisheries and aquaculture Australia’s bird fauna have evolved creative writing, digital media and fine research conducted at the University’s and adapted over time; the impacts of arts. Research was conducted mainly National Marine Science Centre in Coffs climate change; and ocean acidification through the School of Arts and Social Harbour. on marine organisms. Sciences. 5 Special Research Centres
Southern Cross GeoScience
Southern Cross GeoScience is a devastated the Richmond River estuary methods. These novel methods will Special Research Centre dedicated in northern New South Wales. Fish enable researchers to identify and to improving the understanding kills, such as those that occurred quantify important natural organic and management of the natural in 2001 and 2008, followed major components in soil and water. environment. The Centre conducts summer floods when deoxygenated Understanding arsenic in fundamental and applied research into a water draining off the lowest parts groundwaters of the upper Gangetic wide range of earth sciences including: of the floodplain entered the river. Plain, Nepal advanced geochemistry of acid sulfate Dissolved oxygen levels in the main In late 2012, a team from Southern soils, iron-sulfur biogeochemistry of river channel plummeted to near zero, Cross GeoScience completed a highly wetland soils, aqueous environmental resulting in large scale fish kills. The successful sampling mission in Nepal chemistry, coastal geomorphology, ARC Linkage Project is investigating collecting groundwater, river water floodplain hydrological processes and the chemistry of the deoxygenated and alluvial aquifer sediments. The water quality, carbon biosequestration water entering the river during flood team was based in the Terai region of and climate-paleo reconstruction. The events and the landscape features and Nepal, located near the Indian border Centre also has a focus on education management practices that influence and upper Gangetic Plain. This region and training, through the teaching its production. The project, which is known for heterogeneous arsenic and supervision of undergraduate received $320 000 in funding, is being concentrations in groundwater and and postgraduate students, as well delivered in partnership with Richmond contains some of the most highly as offering professional short courses River County Council. Led by Professor contaminated tube-wells in the country. and national conferences for industry Leigh Sullivan, the project team The sampling represents the field stakeholders. includes Associate Professor Andrew component of PhD candidate Jasmine During 2012 the Centre continued Rose, Associate Professor Ed Burton, Diwakar’s thesis, entitled ‘Geochemical to make significant achievements in Associate Professor Scott Johnston, controls on arsenic mobilisation, securing external research income Professor Richard Bush and Monash speciation and distribution in alluvial and publishing journal articles. It was University’s Dr Vanessa Wong. aquifer deposits of the Nawalparasi awarded $1.1 million in Category one ARC LIEF grant to establish new gas district, Nepal’. The team from SCU research grants and published 45 chromatography facility included Associate Professor Johnston, journal articles in high impact journals An ARC LIEF (Linkage, Infrastructure, Jasmine Diwakar and Lauren Hook including Geochimica et Cosmochimica Equipment and Facilities) project (internship student) and was assisted Acta, Chemical Geology and was awarded to Professor Bush and in the field by Er Om Shrestha (Khwopa Environmental Science & Technology. Professor Sullivan during 2012, part of University, Nepal) and Mr Gyan New ARC Linkage Project to a team of scientists led by collaborators Prakash Yadav from the Nepalese non- investigate Richmond River fish kills at Curtin University. The project government Environment and Public An Australian Research Council (ARC) ($160 000) will establish cutting-edge Health Organization. Linkage project is investigating the gas chromatography facilities with the cause of fish kills that have repeatedly capacity for three-dimensional analytical
6 Special Research Centres
Southern Cross GeoScience
Southern Cross GeoScience hosts New cohort of students for 3rd National Acid Sulfate Soil GeoScience Conference Southern Cross GeoScience welcomed The Centre hosted the 3rd National Acid a new cohort of students in 2012 Sulfate Soil Conference in Melbourne in including: three PhD candidates, two March 2012, attracting 120 delegates Honours and three integrated students. from across the country. Southern Jasmine Diwakar, (Principal supervisor Cross GeoScience also presented Associate Professor Scott Johnston, the latest scientific discoveries in the see page 6.) field. The conference was convened by David Adams is undertaking a PhD Professor Sullivan. examining the coupling between New appointments iron sulfides and arsenic in reducing New research staff included environments. (Principal supervisor postdoctoral fellows Dr Zhaohui Wang, Associate Professor Ed Burton.) from Donghua University in China, Hanieh Tohidi Farid, originally from Iran, and Dr Siyue Li, from the National is undertaking a PhD investigating the University of Singapore and previously bioavailability of iron oxides to coastal the Wuhan University in Central diazatrophic cyanobacteria. (Principal China. Dr Wang will be working with supervisor Associate Professor Andrew Professor Bush on his ARC Linkage Rose.) Project, exploring how iron transforms Belinda Allman is investigating and accumulates in acidifying coastal methanogenesis and anaerobic electron low-lying environments. Dr Siyue Li flow in acid-sulfate soils through an will be working with Professor Bush Honours project. (Principal Supervisor on water quality issues in some of the Associate Professor Ed Burton.) world’s largest and most important river Chrissy Laurikainen is investigating systems at a whole-of-catchment scale. arsenic sorption and speciation in acid sulfate soils through an Honours project (Principal supervisor Associate Professor Ed Burton.)
Contact: [email protected] W: scu.edu.au/geoscience T: 02 6620 3519
7 Special Research Centres
Southern Cross Plant Science
Southern Cross Plant Science In 2012, Professor Graham King, identified sections of cultivated rice (SCPS), a Special Research Centre, director of SCPS and colleagues chromosomes with very low levels is focused on the genetics, genomics published a novel chemical approach of gene diversity. However, in the and phytochemistry underpinning to unlocking the epigenetic potential corresponding chromosomal sections of selection, cultivation and utilisation of crop plants, demonstrating that Australian wild rice the gene diversity is of plants. Two major research themes epigenetic intervention may become a markedly higher than that of cultivated investigate how plants interact and valuable strategy for crop improvement. or Asian wild rice. This knowledge adapt to the environment, and natural This was the first study in a crop has huge potential to be harnessed product composition and quality. The plant that systematically established to generate new rice cultivars better Centre’s aim is to address key strategic a dose-response for a chemical equipped to respond to future research drivers of food security, human agent (5-AzaCytidine) that reduces threats, both to rice and to the human health and nutrition, climate change, the level of DNA methylation, a key communities dependent on this crop for regional sustainability and native plant epigenetic mark. They were able to their survival. conservation. generate plant lines varying in individual Maximising rice performance in epigenetic marks, and associated A new approach to unlocking crop nutrient-impoverished African soils transgenerational inheritance of key potential Many soils in Africa are low in plant- crop traits such as seed yield and One of the major challenges facing crop available phosphorus. Given that many composition. improvement in changing economic, African farmers cannot afford phosphate market and climate conditions is the Securing the future of a staple crop fertiliser, there is considerable interest in ability to harness and manipulate Wild rice was tamed by humans more breeding rice cultivars that can take up available genetic diversity in a timely than 10 000 years ago. The relationship more native phosphorus from the soil. and predictable manner. Although between humans and cultivated rice has African native rice (Oryza glaberrima) genetic improvement of crops has been extraordinarily successful, with evolved in the nutrient-poor soils of the underpinned massive increases in yield both species thriving to such an extent continent and is well adapted to this and food production over the past that rice has become the staple food mineral environment. Dr Terry Rose century, many of these gains were made for half the world’s human population of from Southern Cross Plant Science, and in a period of relative climate stability. seven billion people. colleagues from the Japan International Plant breeding programs to date have Comparative analysis of wild and Research Center for Agricultural been carried out within a framework cultivated rice undertaken by Southern Science, have been searching for root and understanding of conventional Cross Plant Science in collaboration traits and genes from O.glaberrima that Mendelian and quantitative genetics. with the University of Queensland has may help conventional high-yielding rice However, despite huge advances in revealed a paradox: cultivated rice cultivars take up more phosphorus from precision genetics and whole-genome has a remarkably diverse range of the soil. DNA sequencing, yield improvements grain properties, although overall gene Working with rice lines derived from have now slowed. diversity is very low relative to wild rice. a cross between high-yielding rice In human and animal science it is Humans have selected different (Oryza sativa) and African native rice, now widely accepted that epigenetic types of rice grain which have arisen Dr Rose and colleagues have identified processes, driven by heritable chemical through natural mutation, and provided several quantitative trait loci (QTL) on marks superimposed on the DNA a controlled environment for rice the rice chromosomes that contribute sequence, orchestrate development cultivation. Although this interaction to enhanced phosphorus uptake. from the embryo onwards, and underlie between humans and rice has These positive genetic factors originate many diseases, including cancers, serendipitously worked well in the past, from the African native rice parent. psychiatric and autoimmune disorders this interaction needs to be actively Current investigations are focusing and ageing. There is increasing managed to realise its full potential in on determining the mechanism of evidence that epigenetic variation plays the future. enhanced root uptake of phosphorus, an important role in plant development In common with other cultivated crops, and attempting to identify the gene(s) and adaptation to environment, and rice faces threats on a number of responsible so that this useful trait can may be harnessed for crop breeding. fronts, including disease, diminishing be bred into current rice cultivars grown A wide range of crop agronomic water supply, increasing temperature in Africa. traits appear to be affected to some and salinity. The research undertaken extent by stably inherited epigenetic by Dr Dan Waters and colleagues has modifications. 8 Southern Cross Plant Science
Cracking the macadamia nut genome local producers of native tea tree Macadamia is a recently domesticated oil, providing research underpinning tree nut crop derived from the Australian development of this distinctive regional endemic subtropical rainforest Australian industry, including routine species Macadamia integrifolia and M. testing of oil quality and yield. tetraphylla and their hybrids. Belonging Previous SCU research determined to the ancient Gondwanan plant the genetic structure and variation in family Proteaceae, macadamia was oil chemistry within populations of tea domesticated in the 19th century and tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) throughout became the first native Australian food the natural range of the species in plant to be cultivated and marketed Queensland and New South Wales. worldwide. In 2012, Southern Cross Dr Shepherd has now used this Plant Science initiated a macadamia information to guide establishment of a genome project, based on a widely unique tea tree Germplasm Collection grown commercial genotype. Working on the Lismore campus, with key with the University of Queensland, populations representing the extent the ultimate aim is to generate a high of natural variation. This new resource quality genome sequence anchored enables detailed investigation into to a dense genetic map of good the genetic control of agronomic and coverage, to underpin pre-breeding trait adaptive traits. analysis. Based on the initial genome The geographic coverage of the DNA sequences, Dr Cathy Nock and collection will enable identification colleagues have also generated high of genes that can offer ‘new blood’ quality molecular markers that are for flood and drought tolerance, and now being used to determine breeding includes the most productive sources pedigrees and relationships between of genes that contribute to existing cultivars. commercial oil production, including oil Genetic variation of tea tree quality. Southern Cross Plant Science initiated These studies have already revealed a new research program in tea tree promising indications of adaptive genetics, led by Dr Mervyn Shepherd. variation in the rooting properties of The primary aims are to investigate tea tree, which may influence flood adaptive traits that could contribute to tolerance and the ease with which greater resilience of the crop, and to vegetative propagation could become a Contact: [email protected] facilitate vegetative propagation and feasible option for the industry. reliable establishment of plantations. W: scu.edu.au/scps SCU has had a long interaction with T: 02 6620 3410
9 Regional location, world-class environment
When Associate Professor Isaac Santos relocated Professor Santos is a leader in the use of radon to Lismore a few years ago to take up a position at technology in Australia and has previously used radon the Southern Cross University Centre for Coastal to assess submarine groundwater discharge in the Biogeochemistry Research (CCBR) he intentionally United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, New Zealand and wanted to be based in a regional town. the Cook Islands. Professor Santos, a leader in groundwater research, Radon exists naturally in soils but when the soil said working from a research centre in a non-Group of structure is changed more radon can be released to the Eight university was the perfect place to be. atmosphere or creeks. “Regional universities provide more opportunities to “The technology we use enables us to detect low radon grow professionally and to make a difference in the local concentrations with outstanding precision,” Professor community,” said the 31-year-old. Santos said. At the end of 2012 Professor Santos, now CCBR “Any air or water contact with soil has a higher deputy director, and fellow researcher Dr Damien Maher concentration of radon, making it an excellent tracer for released their methane observations from the coal seam gases released from processes that alter soil structure gas (CSG) fields of southern Queensland. associated with CSG mining.” “Essentially what we did in 2012 was to identify some The research team found radon concentrations in major research questions around the CSG industry southern Queensland approximately three times higher and now we are exploring those questions in detail,” in areas with high densities of CSG wells than those Professor Santos said. areas with low densities. “Our job as scientists is to focus on empirical evidence. Professor Santos grew up in Brazil, later studied in We need to look at the science before forming an the US and has worked all over the world — “I have opinion about CSG. We are trying to use reason and done projects on all continents except Africa, including scientific rigour to contribute to the CSG debate.” Antarctica” — but these days is content living in the Cutting-edge analytical equipment was used to assess Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. greenhouse gases, like methane and carbon dioxide, in “Southern Cross University offers a world class research water and the atmosphere. Its mobility meant it could be environment. My family is well settled and happy here attached to a car or boat or placed in the field. in Lismore. We feel engaged with the local community. The instrumentation was purchased with grants from There is nowhere else I’d rather live.” the ARC, totalling $510 000: a three-year ARC Discovery grant of $260 000 for the research project, ‘Are subterranean estuaries a source or sink of greenhouse Isaac Santos gases?’ with Professor Santos as the lead chief investigator; and an ARC LIEF (Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities) grant of $250 000 for ‘A high precision, automated system for studying greenhouse gas cycling in coastal environments’ for which Professor Santos is also the lead chief investigator, along with CCBR director Professor Bradley Eyre, Dr Simon Dworjanyn, Dr Joanne Oakes and Dr Dirk Erler. Professor Santos said the instrumentation, the first of its kind in Australia, was a revolution in the way observations were made. “It’s exciting because we’re using new tools to study problems that scientists could not explore in detail before,” he said. “We are taking the whole lab to the field so we can make our measurements in situ. We can make much more detailed observations with outstanding precision. It makes for fast decision-making. Research is a changing target. We are able to paint the picture along the way because we can see the results in real time.” During 2012 scientists from the CCBR also used radon to detect releases of groundwater contamination from acid sulphate soils into the Richmond River estuary.
10 Research Centres
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research
The Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry cluster provides an opportunity for facing coral reef scientists is predicting Research (CCBR), within the key coastal carbon cycling scientists when and how coral reefs will begin
School of Environment, Science in Australia to work together. CSIRO to dissolve as more CO2 is pumped and Engineering, undertakes high Flagship grants are designed to take into the ocean. Tyler Cyronak, a CCBR quality and innovative research on challenging scientific problems PhD student, and his supervisors contributing to the understanding that require the collaboration of Professor Eyre and Associate Professor of coastal biogeochemical cycles researchers across diverse fields. Santos are attempting to answer some and better management of coastal One area of research the cluster is of these questions by measuring a waterways impacted by changes in investigating is ‘blue carbon’, which is specific component of reef ecosystems, carbon and nitrogen cycles, climate, the carbon stored by coastal and ocean coral sands. The majority of calcium ocean acidification and land use. ecosystems. Australia’s extensive areas carbonate on coral reefs is found as Biogeochemistry is a new, but rapidly of mangroves (100 000 hectares) and sand, which represents thousands of growing scientific discipline that seagrass (more than 500 000 hectares) years of accumulation. New research
studies the interaction of biological, contribute a significant fraction to is showing that CO2 levels predicted geochemical and physical processes to the area of global carbon-intensive for the year 2100 will cause sand to better address the major environmental vegetated coastal ecosystems, but it is dissolve at a rate of 50 per cent of issues of global change. not known how much ‘blue carbon’ is global reef accretion rates. This means In 2012 the Centre received around stored in these systems. With Australia that due to dissolving sands alone, reefs $1.6 million of external research moving towards a carbon economy, will grow at half their current rate and be funding including $932 000 of coastal carbon sinks may represent a less able to keep up with sea level rise prestigious Category one funding significant asset and their conservation by the end of the century. could generate important monetary from ARC Discovery, Linkage and Changing detrital composition benefits. A prerequisite to incorporate Future Fellowship grants and from influences estuaries an Australian Centre for International Australia’s ‘blue carbon’ into the Most plant biomass is not consumed Agricultural Research (ACIAR) grant. broader framework of the nation’s by herbivores but is returned to the Staff in the CCBR published 18 journal carbon economy is an assessment of environment as detritus (non-living articles in 2012. the magnitude of these carbon sinks. organic material) where it plays a CSIRO carbon biogeochemistry Dissolving sand means dissolving crucial role sustaining ecosystems. cluster reefs Detritus modifies the chemical and Professor Bradley Eyre, Dr Isaac Santos Coral reefs are under threat due to rising physical conditions of marine sediments
and Dr Damien Maher were successful anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) and sustains marine food webs that in a CSIRO Flagship cluster bid, which lowering the oceanic pH. Coral reef encompass economically important brings together seven Australian ecosystems depend on the production fisheries and nursery habitats. universities and the Australian Institute of coral skeletons (calcium carbonate) Detrital resources have, however, of Marine Science. Southern Cross to create structure and habitat for the been impacted by climate change, University will receive $246 000 of the diverse organisms that call reefs their catchment development, pollution and $3 million grant over three years. The home. One of the biggest problems pest species invasions. The extent
11 Research Centres
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research
to which human-induced changes to carbon dynamics. CCBR researchers, detrital resources are impacting key in a world first, have now adapted the ecosystem functions (e.g. denitrification CRDS nitrous oxide system for aquatic or primary production) of valuable applications. The CRDS technology marine ecosystems is not known. Dr will further the understanding of natural Brendan Kelaher, Dr Joanne Oakes, and anthropogenic drivers of global and Professor Eyre are using an greenhouse gas budgets. innovative multidisciplinary approach New staff to address the globally significant Due to recent successes in securing environmental problems associated external funding, the Centre appointed with anthropogenic changes to coastal three new staff in 2012. Dr Perrine detrital resources. The outcomes of this Mangion joined the Centre from research will improve environmental Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands; management of the dominant carbon Dr Sergio Ruiz-Halpern came from pathways in valuable and productive Universitat Illes Balears in Spain; and marine ecosystems. Dr Damien Maher, who completed his Cutting-edge instrumentation put to PhD at the Centre, continued on as a the test Southern Cross University postdoctoral Equipment purchased through a fellow. successful ARC LIEF grant is paving the way for world-class research by the CCBR. This equipment utilises a novel spectroscopic approach — cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) — to measure concentrations and the ‘chemical fingerprint’ (stable isotope values) of greenhouse gases (methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) in air and water samples. This technology has now been adapted for portable field use enabling high density data to be obtained from in situ deployments without the need for complex laboratory processing. To date the methane and Contact: [email protected] carbon dioxide CRDS system has W: scu.edu.au/coastal-biogeochemistry been used to successfully investigate T: 02 6620 3773 CSG fugitive emissions and estuarine
12 ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher
A lifetime fascination with freshwater fish and the gain insight into the sources and processing of carbon and environment led Dr Joanne Oakes to a career in academia nitrogen in the environment. and researching coastal ecosystems. “I have used this approach to trace the uptake of sewage- The 31-year-old grew up on the Gold Coast and became derived carbon and nitrogen by rocky shore plants and fascinated with fish as a child. animals, and its movement within intertidal mudflats that are “I initially wanted to work on freshwater fish. I had a lot of important for wading birds. This approach has also been aquaria in which I kept native fish, and I was always out in useful for getting an idea of how paper and pulp mill effluent the environment,” Dr Oakes said. is processed along a receiving estuary. “When I was at university I became involved in researching “An alternative approach is to add rare stable isotopes estuarine fish and their food sources, which was not far to a system and trace where this material goes. This can removed from my original passion. This introduced me to the provide better resolution, allowing us to investigate systems research methods that I now use to investigate carbon and in greater detail. For example, I have been able to quantify nitrogen cycling in coastal ecosystems.” how much of the carbon fixed by microscopic algae within Dr Oakes, of the University’s Centre for Coastal sediments is released to the overlying water (and in what Biogeochemistry Research, was awarded an ARC Discovery form), and how rapidly this occurs. I have also investigated Early Career Researcher Award worth $375 000 in 2012 to how changing the treatment of paper and pulp mill effluent focus on ‘Unravelling the transformation pathways and fate affects sediment processes, and the likely impact on a of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in shallow coastal receiving estuary.” sediments’. Dr Oakes’ research could help with understanding the “Coastal ecosystems are highly dynamic environments at mechanisms that contribute to nutrient over-enrichment and the interface of the land and ocean. While the mud and sand algal blooms, and carbon uptake or emissions by the ocean, within these environments does not look terribly interesting, and the processes supporting fisheries production. the processes that occur within these sediments can be very Dr Oakes began working at Southern Cross University in important for determining the form and quantity of inputs 2006 just prior to completing her PhD. She has previously from the land to the ocean,” she said. been awarded an ARC Discovery grant worth $320 000 and “Of particular interest is the processing of the elements has been part of research teams that have been successful carbon and nitrogen, because human activities have altered in gaining numerous ARC LIEF grants. global carbon and nitrogen cycles at rates generating “With the equipment available at the University, I just knew I unacceptable environmental change. had to work here,” she said. “My research uses sensitive chemical tracers (stable “I think we have the best lab in Australia for the type of work isotopes) to trace the transformation and fate of carbon and we are doing, and possibly one of the best in the world. I get nitrogen within natural and human-impacted systems. One to work in a great location, not far from where I grew up, with approach is to analyse naturally occurring stable isotopes to a great pool of people who are leaders in their fields.”
Joanne Oakes
13 Research Centres
Marine Ecology Research Centre
The Marine Ecology Research Centre predators. Such a ‘generalist’ strategy is is assessing the impact of commonly (MERC) conducts a broad range of thought to help coastal marine species used fuels on the development of marine research, across the key areas survive the long, dark winters when Antarctic marine life, particularly of coral reef ecology, whale and dolphin there is little production of new food crustaceans, molluscs and sea urchins. ecology, marine chemistry and pollution, sources. The findings also demonstrate The project is funded by the Australian fisheries and aquaculture and marine that coastal Antarctic ecosystems Antarctic Division, with research biodiversity. function in much the same way as collaborators at the Australian Antarctic The MERC team, led by Professor coastal temperate ecosystems, such as Division and Macquarie University. Peter Harrison, includes more than those found around southern Australia, Professor Harrison spent January 2012 20 marine researchers and many despite the below freezing temperatures at Casey Station in the Antarctic. Data postgraduate students within the and six months of darkness. collected is providing the information School of Environment, Science and The research is part of a wider program needed to develop water quality Engineering, at the Lismore campus, called TRENZ (trophic Ecology of guidelines specific to this environment, and the National Marine Science Centre the Nearshore Zone), conducted and a scientific basis for better in Coffs Harbour. by the AAD, which aims to gain a managing fuel transport and transfer better understanding of the complex in the Antarctic and for developing Researchers map Antarctic food relationships between species and their contingency plans in the event of sources food sources, which are expected to a fuel spill. That successful project Scientists from Southern Cross alter due to climate change impacting has led onto a newer and larger AAD University and the Australian Antarctic on ice and light conditions. The project led by Professor Harrison. It is Division (AAD) have mapped how research is novel in that difficulties examining the potential use of chemical marine species obtain and utilise food associated with diving in Antarctica dispersants on fuel spills in Antarctic under the ice in the coastal waters have prevented researchers from waters and is evaluating the feasibility, of Antarctica. Using chemical tracing accessing areas normally covered in chemistry and toxicology of dispersant techniques called ‘stable isotopes’, the sea ice. The research has for the first use in Antarctic waters and the potential researchers — including Dr Chris Gillies time explored the complex feeding links impacts of these on marine life. Funding and Associate Professor Steve Smith, in Eastern Antarctica and forms the of $113 520 plus $884 000 logistical from the Marine Ecology Research most comprehensive work to date in support in Antarctica has been secured Centre, were able track the ‘isotopic this field in all of Antarctica. for the first phase of the three-year signatures’ of primary food sources project. The project is funded by the such as seaweed and small microscopic Oil pollution poses risk in Antarctic AAD, with research collaborators at the plants called phytoplankton, in larger waters AAD and Macquarie University. invertebrates such as urchins, sea As shipping activity increases in stars and sea cucumber and into their Antarctic waters, a new research project Supporting coastal fisheries predators such as fish. has identified the significant risk posed After five years of development The results show that Antarctic marine by oil pollution and highlighted the need and inputs from 46 international species rely on several sources of for water quality guidelines specific to contributors, a global species food to survive and the ecosystem can the Antarctic environment. identification guidebook on support long food chains with many The project, led by Professor Harrison, ‘Commercially Important Sea
14 Marine Ecology Research Centre
Cucumbers of the World’ was published to plan new management systems to of Industry, Innovation, Climate in 2012 by the Food and Agriculture address rampant overfishing in the Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Organisation (FAO) of the United region. Education to fund a reciprocal visit to Nations. the Central Marine Fisheries Institute in Nutracueticals and functional foods The 180-page book, written by India. In 2012 Dr Kirsten Benkendorff led Southern Cross University senior a successful bid for a collaborative Researcher honoured through annual research fellow Dr Steven Purcell and workshop funded by the Australia- Bommies Award two co-authors, was the first global India Strategic Research (Category Dr Steve Whalan was the 2012 recipient identification manual on sea cucumbers one) Biotechnology Fund, under the of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s for scientists, fishery workers and trade research priority in ‘Nutracueticals and Bommies Award. The Bommies Award officers. Sea cucumbers are fished Functional Foods’. The main aim of the is a competitive annual award that by more than three million people workshop was to prepare a strategic recognises work generating innovative worldwide in more than 70 countries. research plan for the development of concepts to preserve the Great Barrier The guide provides taxonomic a scientifically substantiated natural Reef in the face of climate change. descriptions, photographs of the live medicine from Australian and Indian Dr Whalan, using funding through and processed animals, illustrations of Muricidae molluscs. The workshop was the Bommies Award, conducted body parts used in identifications, and held at the National Marine Science experiments on coral and sponge larval information on the distribution, fisheries, Centre and the University’s Lismore settlement, validating the use of artificial markets and value of 58 exploited campus in November 2012 and was surfaces to optimise recruitment as an species. attended by 19 participants, including alternative to traditional reef restoration In 2012, Dr Purcell also co-organised researchers from the Central Marine practices. These artificial surfaces are and co-facilitated a technical workshop Fisheries Institute, India; Flinders custom engineered by CSIRO material in Zanzibar on the management of sea University; Southern Cross University; scientists, to incorporate innovative cucumber fisheries in the Indian Ocean and key invited speakers including surface micro topographies. From region. The workshop, ‘Sea cucumber Dr Giji Zacharia, from the Ernakulam these initial results, Dr Whalan was fisheries: an ecosystem approach to Government Homeopathic Hospital invited to submit grants for further management in the Indian Ocean’ India; the director of Protected Areas funding, including the Great Barrier Reef (SCEAM Indian Ocean), was supported Policy and Biodiscovery Parks Australia; Foundation (Great Barrier Reef corals), by $100 000 in funding from the Food and a representative from the molluscan and in conjunction with Professor and Agriculture Organisation of the aquaculture industry. Harrison and Dr Anna Scott, to United Nations (FAO), Western Indian The workshop facilitated significant the NSW Environmental Trust (sub- Ocean Marine Science Association knowledge sharing between the tropical corals). (WIOMSA), Australian Centre for participants, as well as strategic International Agricultural Research planning for future research. The (ACIAR) and the Sultanate of Oman. It main outcomes included an agreed was attended by fishery managers from strategy for future collaboration and Contact: [email protected] 15 countries in East Africa, the Middle project governance. Dr Benkendorff W: scu.edu.au/marine-ecology East, Indian Ocean and southern Asia, successfully applied to the Department who will use the workshop outputs T: 02 6620 3774
15 Research Centres
National Marine Science Centre
In 2012 the National Marine Science and biological patterns. depending on latitude. This may have Centre in Coffs Harbour, part of the Marine climate change important implications as seawater School of Environment, Science In research funded by ARC Discovery temperatures rise. She also travelled and Engineering, celebrated its 10th and NSW Environmental Trust research to the Victoria University of Wellington, birthday as a teaching and research grants, Dr Symon Dworjanyn studied New Zealand to look at the genetic facility. Coinciding with this anniversary the effects of climate change on diversity of algae symbionts in a sea was an upgrade of the Centre’s marine ecosystems. Two highlights anemone species. research facilities which included an of this work included a publication Temperate trophic cascades: aquaculture farm, which houses a wide in the journal Oecologia that showed impacts of seal foraging on benthic range of fish and invertebrate species in increasing levels of CO 2 and increasing community dynamics a variety of round tanks and raceways temperature combined to change Effective marine protected area that range from 1 000 to 30 000 litres. how much seaweed was eaten by a management requires guidance from The Centre now has 17 full-time and marine herbivore. This was surprising rigorous strategic research. In 2012, adjunct staff, with research in areas because the herbivores were not Dr Kelaher was awarded a $328 000 as diverse as sustainable aquaculture, directly affected by these stressors. ARC Linkage grant to evaluate recovery fisheries, climate change, marine In another publication, Dr Dworjanyn trajectories of marine sanctuaries ecology, and terrestrial ecology and and colleagues showed that marine close to and away from seal colonies. evolution. invertebrates may have genetic capacity Although untested, ecological theory Unravelling the impacts of multiple to adapt to changing marine climate. predicts that the recovery of habitat- stressors to estuarine ecosystems This offered a glimmer of hope that forming kelp will be faster in sanctuaries Estuaries are widely considered the species may evolve resistances to away from seal colonies because the most impacted of all marine habitats. climate change stressors. numbers of key grazers, such as sea As part of a $1.125 million ARC Linkage Sea anemone symbioses urchins, will be lower as seals will not grant, Dr Brendan Kelaher continued Dr Anna Scott continued her research be eating as many sea urchin predators research on the synergistic impacts into understanding the symbioses (fish and lobsters). The outcome of of multiple stressors on estuarine between sea anemones, anemonefish, this research will provide direct advice ecosystems in 2012 with the aim of and their intracellular algae. In to improve effectiveness of marine developing effective management collaboration with colleagues, she conservation strategies in Australia. strategies to conserve their biodiversity. documented the deepest known Continuing support for emerging Large-scale field surveys were carried records for sea anemones that host aquaculture industries in northern out to identify potential stressors anemonefish. This was done by using NSW (natural and anthropogenic) and an autonomous underwater vehicle in Dr Jeff Guy and Dr Ken Cowden to assess the utility of biomarkers the central Great Barrier Reef at depths received further funding from the Rural as indicators of ecological stress. of between 50 and 65 metres. She Industries Research and Development Innovative field experiments are now found that along a 2 100km stretch of Corporation aimed at reducing the being undertaken to establish the coast in east Australia, sea anemone cost of production for northern New causal links between estuarine stressors housed different consortia of algae
16 National Marine Science Centre
South Wales mulloway farmers the NMSC, obtained two grants from resulted in a significant loss in coral through improved feed management the W.V. Scott Charitable Trust. The cover in the island’s lagoon. This and on-farm seed supply. To optimise project ‘Connectivity conservation of research documented a change in feed delivery to adult large fish, a possums and gliders within eastern benthic assembly in recent years as a series of tank experiments began in Australia’ secured $52 000 and is in direct consequence of repeated thermal 2012 to determine the best time of association with Dr Ross Goldingay. stress. Ongoing research will determine day, frequency and rate of feeding. The aim of this project is to use DNA the ability for high-latitude coral to up- Two Palmers Island prawn hatcheries markers to compare the evolutionary regulate fluorescent proteins and shuffle were also evaluated in terms of their history of broadly co-distributed to more thermally tolerant zooxanthellae suitability for conversion to finfish species of possums and gliders in types, which may act as resilience production. The main findings have eastern Australia. This information mechanisms to predicted ocean been that both hatcheries could be will be analysed with GIS modelling warming. This research was funded readily converted with minimal cost and to inform the process for establishing by the Northern Rivers Catchment modification, providing farmers with effective connectivity conservation in Management Authority. another option for annual farm stocking the Great Eastern Ranges. The second that would halve their seed cost. project ‘Climate sensitivity in Australian birds: improved climate change Citizen science and marine predictions for large-scale conservation biodiversity planning’ secured $72 500 and is in Associate Professor Stephen Smith association with Dr Janette Norman. continued his work assessing the This project will combine evolutionary biodiversity and health of subtropical history, past climatic modelling and reefs in northern New South Wales. This current distributional data to determine work was broadened in 2012 to include the degree of climate sensitivity in assessments of the genetic diversity Australian birds and how this varies of molluscs through the International between geographic regions and bird Barcode of Life program. He also groups. This information will inform expanded his research with citizen the development of conservation scientists, through Earthwatch and the management plans which facilitate the Underwater Volunteers NSW (UVNSW) full range of natural climate change program to assess beach-washed responses that species will exhibit. and subtidal marine debris in coastal habitats. The UVNSW program was Threats to coral reefs on the World particularly successful with 150 sites Heritage listed Lord Howe Island surveyed by more than 300 volunteers. In 2012 Dr Steve Dalton and colleagues Contact: [email protected] assessed the resilience of Lord Howe Terrestrial ecology and evolution W: scu.edu.au/nmsc Island’s coral community to successive Professor Les Christidis, director of T: 02 6648 3900 thermal bleaching events that have
17 Research Centres
Forest Research Centre
Building on more than a decade of silvicultural management of are koalas and gliding mammals. This forest training and research, Southern Endospermum medullosum (whitewood) follows on from a set of papers they Cross University inaugurated the for enhanced plantation forestry published in the last year (including Forest Research Centre in March outcomes’. Findings of the latter the cover photo of the November 2012 2012. The Centre, within the School of project were published in a special issue of Restoration Ecology) in which Environment, Science and Engineering, issue of International Forestry Review they examined the use of tall wooden performed well in its first year of (Volume 14, Number 4, December 2012, ‘glide’ poles and rope canopy-bridges operation, with numerous publications ‘Domesticating native tree species for by gliding mammals, particularly the and several awards. Centre director development in small island nations in squirrel glider. This work demonstrated Professor Jerry Vanclay was awarded Vanuatu’). that these poles and canopy bridges the Vice Chancellor’s Award for have great potential to restore forest Project investigates gasification Excellence in Research in 2012, and connectivity for arboreal mammals over products Associate Professor Doland Nichols roads and elsewhere where populations A research project examining biofuels was elevated to a Fellow of the Institute are affected by habitat fragmentation. production using wood continued, of Foresters of Australia. partially supported by sawmilling New staff During 2012 the Forest Research company Hurford Hardwood. The Three new researchers joined the Centre team published a total of project completed the construction of a Forest Research Centre: Professor John 38 Scopus-listed and ERA-eligible lab-scale gasification plant, and yielded Herbohn brings experience in small- articles, with about half appearing in early results on the composition of scale forestry and rural development; the leading journals Forest Ecology and gasification products. Work continues Professor Douglas Sheil has experience Management and International Forestry with the support of a Masters student in tropical forest ecology, assessment Review, and the remainder in 20 diverse and seeks to characterise gasification and conservation; and Dr Chris journals specialising in conservation, products under varying conditions of Eastaugh brings experience in forest ecology, genetics and wildlife. In various local hardwood saw timber inventory and modelling. The Centre addition, the team published several species. hosts 14 higher degree research other journal contributions (editorials, students, including students from letters, and notes) and book chapters. Restoring habitat connectivity for Brazil, China, Colombia, Indonesia and forest mammals Researchers undertake development Vietnam. Associate Professor Ross Goldingay projects and Brendan Taylor began a three- Forest Research Centre members were year consultancy with the New South involved in two major research and Wales Roads and Maritime Services to development projects for the ACIAR. examine whether structures installed Professor Herbohn led the project along a new alignment of the Oxley ‘Improving watershed rehabilitation Highway at Port Macquarie can outcomes in the Philippines using a maintain or restore habitat connectivity systems approach’ and Dr Doland for forest mammals. The focal species Nichols led the project ‘Improved
18 Forest researcher on world stage
Days spent combing the bush as a boy scout in sun- “If we grow a vegetable garden, we know how big it’s kissed Mackay on Queensland’s central coast taught going to grow, but in the case of a forest plantation we’re Professor Jerry Vanclay the earthy pleasures of nature and talking about a crop that extends over the horizon and being outdoors – two loves he still pursues with a passion takes 25 years to mature. It’s pretty handy to have a after 35 years as a forest scientist. computer model to predict and plan because it’s too big Director of Southern Cross University’s Forest Research to get your head around,” he said. Centre and head of the School of Environment, Science Professor Vanclay’s main interest has been with natural and Engineering, Professor Vanclay has been with forests in the tropics, where hundreds of tree species and Southern Cross University since 1999. many other social and environmental issues make forest His research has placed him on the world stage. management and modelling more complex. He is an advisory member of the Mediterranean Regional His research has taken him all over the globe. From 1991 Office of the European Forest Institute (EFIMED), which to 1994, he was Professor of Tropical Forestry at the Royal coordinates a network of more than 60 forest research Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen, institutions from 17 Mediterranean countries. He won the Denmark. Queen’s Award for Forestry in 1997 and the International He says living in Denmark influenced how he views forest Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Scientific management today. Achievement Award in 2010. Domestically, he received a There he saw landholders effectively manage private Higher Doctorate (recognising distinguished contribution forests because they could earn money from people using to knowledge in a field of expertise) from the University of their land to hunt or fish. It led him to believe that financial Queensland in 1992, and the Southern Cross University incentives — not just government regulation — could Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research in improve forest management throughout the world. 2012. He has written more than 350 publications with “If we can find a way of offering annual payments for more than 150 in refereed journals. environmental services so that landholders get money for Professor Vanclay’s technical background is in the having forests on their land, it will change the way they computer modelling of forests, of forest growth, harvest look at managing their forests and their marginal land,” times, and the consequences of different harvest times. Professor Vanclay said. He says such a model would improve environmental outcomes beyond the boundaries of national parks. “If we’re going to maintain viable populations of rare animals in our national parks, they need to be connected to other areas and often that connection is through private land.” Professor Vanclay’s research has expanded from modelling tree growth to developing models on how communities can benefit from sustainable use of natural resources based on a shared vision for their future. In the late 90s he was invited to work on a team to examine the issues and possibilities in protecting Zimbabwe’s Masugautsi Forest from illegal logging. “Our team relied on participatory modelling to engage local people in modelling the issues and our potential ‘best bet’ solutions. We resolved that better management of the grasslands within the forest could provide a more profitable and sustainable activity than logging. Counter- intuitively, through modelling, we realised that more harvesters could lead to sustainability. The community had an unwritten code about grass harvesting, but when harvesters were few, they rarely observed these guidelines. When more of the community were involved, peer pressure meant these codes were observed, and the harvest became sustainable. The result was a substantial increase in household income and a reduction in illegal logging because the grass was less work and more profitable,” he said.
19 Research Centres
Centre for Children and Young People
The Centre for Children and Young publications, writing fellowship the resources on the international People (CCYP), within the School of programs, international visiting fellows, child research community. An Ethical Education, generates research aimed workshops, seminars and informal Research Involving Children (ERIC) at improving policy and practice mentoring activities. New programs compendium will be published, along concerning the rights and wellbeing of of research were established in areas with a dedicated website to support children and young people. The Centre including disability and rural childhoods, wide dissemination, ongoing discussion has established a strong reputation as well as strengthening existing areas and capacity building for researchers. internationally, nationally and regionally such as ethics and social and emotional Improving approaches to wellbeing in for quality, high impact research, wellbeing. schools: what role does recognition involving multidisciplinary researchers, Ethical research involving children play? policy makers, practitioners and young This international project is being This research explores teacher, student people. led by the CCYP and is based on and policy views on wellbeing in The Centre’s activities are informed and continuing research being undertaken schools and utilises recognition theory guided by the “three Ps” embedded in in partnership with UNICEF’s Office in developing new understandings the United Nations Convention on the of Research, Innocenti, Childwatch and approaches. The project partners Rights of the Child: provision, protection International and University of Otago, are the Catholic Schools Office, and participation. Dunedin, New Zealand. The research Lismore, Interrelate Family Centres Social policy identified the need for more explicit and Good Grief Ltd. The international In 2012 the Centre for Children and standards and guidance for research collaborator is a leading scholar in the Young People (CCYP) capitalised involving children and young people area of childhood studies, Professor on the opportunity afforded by across a wide range of research Nigel Thomas, from the University of the Commonwealth Government’s contexts. Throughout 2012, the CCYP Central Lancashire in the UK. In 2012, Collaborative Research Networks engaged in further research to develop a comprehensive analysis of state and (CRN) program to develop strong links a series of print and web-based national wellbeing policy was completed with its partner institution, the Social resources to be used by researchers in (phase one), along with interviews with Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at any country or research context. The 90 teachers and focus groups with 700 the University of New South Wales. resources, which are being translated primary and secondary students (phase This partnership developed further into at least two other languages, two). This data provided a rich insight research capacity at Southern Cross address some of the most difficult into the tacit and explicit ways in which University in multidisciplinary social issues, questions and choices in student wellbeing can be supported in policy research related to children, research involving children. As part schools, with quality of relationships young people and families. During of the project, the CCYP undertook a perceived as key. Phase three builds 2012 the CRN collaboration resulted in wide international consultation (with on the findings of phase two and several new researcher appointments, more than 300 researchers, funders, involves online surveys with principals, joint funding applications, joint higher NGOs and other stakeholders) to teachers and students across the three degree supervision, co-authored strengthen the potential impact of participating school regions.
20 Centre for Children and Young People
Belonging and connection for South Wales Department of Ageing, children and young people with Disability and Home Care. disability The second project, ‘Space, place and This research is exploring the relationships: how do young people nature and extent of belonging and with cognitive disability understand connection experienced by children belonging and connection in their and young people with disability living regional towns?’ is investigating the in regional communities. The research lived experience of belonging and is particularly focused on the ways in connection for young people with which the experience of belonging and cognitive disability living in regional connection shapes young people’s communities. Young people with perceptions of inclusion/exclusion and cognitive disability in three regional impacts on their developing identity communities in New South Wales, as persons of dignity and worth. Two Victoria and Queensland are being projects commenced in 2012 with supported to use narrative, photovoice young children and teenagers. and other multimedia approaches The first, The Belonging Project: to explore the enablers and barriers Building inclusion for children with to connectedness and belonging, disability aged zero to eight years and including any perceived impact of living their families in the Tweed Region, in a regional community. Young people is a participatory research project in other regional centres will be included talking with children with disability and with the use of interactive pictorial their families about what it means to and easy English online surveys. The feel included and connected in their views of young people with cognitive community. Using a combination of disability on participating in research drawing, mapping, play, interactive and potentially influencing policy social media applications and decisions at local, state and federal photography, the research is capturing levels will also be gathered through the the views of children and families research process. This project, led by on what it means to belong in the the CCYP, involves researchers from the Tweed Valley Shire. The results of the University of New South Wales Social research will be used by the Northern Policy Research Centre, University Rivers Social Development Council of Strathclyde, Glasgow, New South (NRSDC) to develop a framework for Wales Council for Intellectual Disability Contact: [email protected] strengthening inclusion in community and peak organisation Children with W: ccyp.scu.edu.au settings. The project is being completed Disability Australia. T: 02 6620 3605 by NRSDC and CCYP for the New
21 Research Centres
Centre for Gambling Education and Research
The Centre for Gambling Education and older, childhood exposure to gambling, related harm within them. Research (CGER), within the School of commencing gambling while young, The research team first developed Tourism and Hospitality Management, using substances (alcohol, drugs) while a spatial model of gambling-related generates research addressing some gambling, and having friends and family harm that predicted the location of of the most challenging issues facing who gamble. vulnerability based on the accessibility gambling policy-makers, gambling The research team is led by Professor of EGMs and the socio-economic status industries, and individuals, families and Nerilee Hing and includes Associate of communities. To test its accuracy, communities affected by gambling. Professor Jeremy Buultjens, Dr Helen they calibrated this predictive model CGER director Professor Nerilee Breen and Ashley Gordon (BEd), a using geocoded survey data from over Hing leads a multidisciplinary team gambling counsellor and community 11 000 households in Queensland and of 20 researchers. The Centre also educator with Barkinji and Kamilaroi the Northern Territory. The calibrated, collaborates with more than 20 external ancestry. predictive model has enabled the researchers in Australian and overseas The CGER is one of three international identification of the riskiest venues and organisations. research centres generating knowledge the communities most affected. The Demonstrating its leading national about Indigenous people’s gambling, as team is currently preparing an atlas position, the CGER has attracted recognised by invited presentations at based on this data for the Northern more research funding than any other key international conferences (Alberta Territory Government. gambling research centre in Australia. Gambling Research Institute; Canadian Fewer Australians gambling overall In 2012, the Centre managed research Consortium for Gambling Research, but interactive betting on the rise grants of $2.4 million, partnered on International Problem Gambling While fewer Australians are gambling, additional grants of over $1 million, and Conference), national media coverage those participating in sports betting successfully bid for another $1.5 million (interviews with Mr Gordon); and have doubled, according to preliminary in grants. ground-breaking publications. Research findings released by the CGER. The results are also informing the New The CGER generated more than 40 national phone survey of more than South Wales Aboriginal Safe Gambling peer-reviewed publications, gave 17 15 000 Australians found that the Project, managed by Mr Gordon and keynote or invited presentations, and prevalence of gambling in 2011 was 22 disseminated throughout Aboriginal presented another 12 papers at forums per cent lower than in 1999. However, communities in New South Wales. in Australia, North America, Europe, participation rates in interactive the United Kingdom, Asia and New Spatial prediction of gambling-related gambling activities have risen Zealand. harm substantially (0.6 per cent in 1999 to In a year when gambling policy was Dr Martin Young, in collaboration with 8.06 per cent in 2011). hotly debated, members played a the Australian National University and Compared to land-based gamblers, critical role through submissions Menzies School of Health Research, is interactive gamblers were more likely to government inquires, invited leading innovative research enabling to be male, younger adults, university consultations and media engagements. problem gambling treatment resources educated, with internet access at home Investigating Indigenous gambling to be targeted to communities at and work. People who gambled online The culturally complex nature of highest risk of gambling-related harm. were more involved gamblers, gambling Australian Indigenous society means The research, funded by a $350 000 more frequently and on a greater that gambling activities and impacts ARC Linkage grant, will also enable range of activities. Internet gamblers can be difficult to tease out. CGER the social impacts of any changes to reported losing more money each year research, funded by an ARC Discovery the distribution of electronic gaming gambling and 17 per cent reported that grant worth $365 000, indicated that machines (EGMs) to be assessed. using electronic funds increased their Indigenous Australians gamble more The research measures spatial expenditure. frequently and in more gambling relationships between EGM venues This study, headed by Professor forms than other groups and that and gambling-related harm in northern Hing and Dr Sally Gainsbury, involves adverse gambling outcomes affect Australia, using: geographic information researchers from the University of many people through extensive systems (GIS); the catchments (that is, Sydney, University of Lethbridge family networks. Some risk factors the spatial range serviced by the venue) Alberta, Canada and Turning Point for problem gambling were identified of several venue types (casinos, clubs, Alcohol and Drug Centre. The telephone as: high gambling expenditure, being pubs); the social characteristics of those survey, an online survey, along with catchments; and the level of gambling- interviews and focus groups are part of
22 Centre for Gambling Education and Research
a larger research grant worth $933 000 leading Australia’s first study into the the Victorian Responsible Gambling from Gambling Research Australia, impacts of social media and social Foundation ($180 000) to investigate investigating the impacts of interactive games on gambling and related stigma associated with problem forms of gambling technology. problems. The project, funded by gambling. Understanding the causes, Gambling Research Australia ($450 000), characteristics and consequences of Social media and the gamification of also involves the University of Sydney, that stigma will inform stigma-reduction gambling University of Adelaide and McGill strategies to encourage more people Australians are prolific users of University, Montreal, Canada. negatively affected by gambling to seek social media and networking and are Breaking down barriers to help- help, before their gambling problems subsequently targeted by gambling seeking for gambling problems become severe. operators and gaming companies using these channels to promote Australian state governments fund real money and simulated gambling. numerous professional gambling help Land-based and online gambling services. However, people affected by operators are increasingly using social gambling problems often turn to family media to engage with players and and friends and use self-help measures promote gambling opportunities. These instead, such as setting a budget and marketing efforts are not specifically leaving bank cards at home. addressed in advertising guidelines, With only about 10 per cent of people raising concerns about the impact of with gambling problems utilising social media on exacerbating gambling professional help services, a study problems in high risk and vulnerable funded by Gambling Research Australia populations, including youth. ($286 000) sought to identify associated Similarly, casino-style social games barriers. Investigators Professor Hing, are one of the most popular formats Dr Elaine Nuske and Dr Gainsbury found of casual online games, used by that seeking help causes considerable about 170 million people worldwide. shame and embarrassment, highlighting These games are free to play, although the need to de-stigmatise gambling players can pay money to access problems and improve the use of self- additional features, and outcomes help measures. are not randomly determined so Professor Hing, Dr Nuske and Dr players can experience high levels of Louise Holdsworth are now engaged ‘wins’ designed to make games more in a $430 000 research project with enjoyable. As games do not pay out Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre real money they are not classified as to examine gambler self-help strategies. Contact: [email protected] gambling and are entirely unregulated. Professor Hing, Dr Helen Breen, Dr W: cger.scu.edu.au Dr Gainsbury and Professor Hing are Holdsworth, Margaret Tiyce and Alex T: 02 6626 9436 Russell have also been funded by
23 Research unravels the myths around gambling
Foundation Director of the Centre for Gambling Education Australian state governments. Internationally, she has and Research, Professor Nerilee Hing has marked a decade appointed positions on the International Advisory Panel for at the helm of the Centre she helped establish in 2003. Singapore Pools (a government owned lottery and sports “It has been an interesting journey for me. When I started betting operator), is on the Academic Advisory Committee my PhD in 1997 on the responsible provision of gambling, for the Asia Pacific Association for Gambling Studies, that phrase was hardly in the lexicon. collaborates with researchers in Canada, New Zealand, “Since then Australia has made some significant policy and Macau, United States and Europe, and has editorial roles regulatory inroads. There is still a lot of work to be done but for several international gambling journals. it has been an interesting time to be involved in this field of As Director of the CGER, Professor Hing also actively research,” Professor Hing said. mentors several early career researchers and postdoctoral The seamless normalising of gambling advertising with fellows and supervises Higher Degree Research and sport is among the areas being investigated by Professor Honours students. Hing, through projects such as ‘The impact of live betting Professor Hing has come a long way from the Sydney odds during televised sporting events on gambling and teenager who worked in the hospitality industry when she problem gambling’. left school. “The public backlash has been broad, from parents “I did all the chief cook, bottle washer kinds of jobs in concerned about their children being exposed to live hotels, clubs and restaurants. And I ran small businesses in betting odds advertisements, to average Australians who hospitality and food service. don’t want their sport turned into a wagering show,” she “I got to a point where I thought it was time to do said. something more challenging and learn about the hospitality Professor Hing’s research has focused on four key industry from a management perspective. So I went to areas: corporate social responsibility, gambling amongst university and I was hooked. Later I went into teaching in vulnerable populations, gambling and new technologies, the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.” and the prevalence of problem gambling. Professor Hing is proud of her long association with “The challenges presented by inherent tensions within the Southern Cross University which started as a mature- gambling industry keep the research interesting,” she said. age student. After completing a Bachelor of Business in “Governments benefit from gambling taxes but are partly Tourism and later a research Master in Applied Science she responsible for minimising harm. The industry players are completed a PhD under the supervision of Professor Jan driven by shareholders, members and profits but that is not McMillen, then executive director of the Australian Institute to say they don’t show some responsibility. The community for Gambling Research at the University of Western Sydney. services sector advocates for and provides treatment for “I am a homegrown School of Tourism and Hospitality people affected by gambling problems. Management person.” “Then there is the consumer. While many Australians gamble within their means, we hear some very sad stories Nerilee Hing about lives devastated. “Research can play a significant part in trying to unravel some of the realities, myths and unanswered questions around gambling.” In the past 10 years Professor Hing has been awarded more than $6.2 million in competitive external research grants, most as chief investigator. Funding bodies include the ARC, Gambling Research Australia, the Menzies Foundation, the Australasian Gaming Council, and the New South Wales, Queensland, Victorian and South Australian governments. She has also conducted consulting activities for the Echo Entertainment Group (operator of four Australian casinos) and TabCorp. She conducts numerous professional activities to inform gambling policy and practice, both in Australia and internationally. In 2010 Professor Hing was appointed to the Australian Government’s Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling. She is also part of the Social Policy Research and Evaluation Panel, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), and has sat on numerous panels and working parties for various
24 Research Centres
Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work
The Research Centre for Tourism, Khar Myanmar (Dignity Myanmar), Olympic legacies Leisure and Work (CTLW), established in also attended the University as part CTLW’s Dr Arianne Reis, together early 2010, was the first interdisciplinary of a Myanmar-Australia sustainable with Fabiana Rodrigues de Sousa research Centre of its kind at Southern education partnership partly funded by Mast, of the Exercise and Health Cross University. Headed by Professor AusAID and Southern Cross University. Sciences Institute at the University of Kerry Brown, it spans a range of During their time in Australia, the pair Basel, Switzerland, began a project Schools and stands apart from other studied short courses and selected investigating the anticipated legacies tourism-orientated research centres in subjects in research and public policy. of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic combining a focus on lifestyle pursuits Linking Indigenous music and culture Games, particularly in the area of sport such as tourism, exercise science and with tourism and physical activity participation. leisure with the economic driver of work. Two projects aimed at linking The researchers found that one of the Conference draws activists Indigenous music and culture with major social legacy promises found in WikiLeaks lawyer and international tourism were awarded $78 000 through the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and human rights advocate Jennifer a Strategic Tourism Investment Grant Paralympic Games candidature file is Robinson was one of the keynote from the federal government. The the provision of infrastructure, programs speakers at the inaugural Dynamics of University matched the grant to bring and policies that support and encourage Civil Engagement Conference held at funding for the projects to $156 000. sport and physical activity participation among the city’s population, particularly the University’s Gold Coast campus in One project, called ‘Songlines: among low-income youth. However, 2012. Indigenous Musical Journeys’, was used due to experiences from the 2007 The conference attracted an impressive to link tourists with Indigenous groups Pan-American Games, expectations array of other international human rights who will teach their customs and stories for legacy outcomes from the Olympics advocates and activists. It was designed through songs. This was a project run was not very high. specifically for understanding human by PhD candidate Tom Dick. rights and peace building in the Asia The second was to create a travelling Regional sustainability Pacific region. performance space for Indigenous Austerity has become the by-word The conference was a lead-in to a music and culture to tour regionally, since the global financial crisis as seminar by Dr Eben Kirksey, University nationally and internationally and is governments across the world cut of New South Wales. Dr Kirksey was a called ‘Nomads Palace’. Sam Cook, of back spending on services, but how do witness to the Biak massacre in West KISSmyBLAKartists, partnered with the austerity measures in Australia impact Papua while studying as a student University for this project. on regional areas? there in 1998. Dr Kirksey spoke on his The Strategic Tourism Investment Researchers from the CTLW and the recently released book Freedom in Grants were initiated to develop University’s CRN, Dr Subas Dhakal Entangled Worlds: West Papua and the Indigenous tourism, economic and Professor Robyn Keast, are trying Architecture of Global Power. development and tourism employment. to identify the factors that contribute Burmese education specialists Myo to regional resilience using the historic Win, director of SMILE Education north Queensland town of Charters and Zaw Minn Htwe, director of Theik Towers as a pilot study.
25 Research Centres
Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work
There is a great interest in communities Management Collaborative Group model. The main aim of the research is in regional Australia and how they are (AAMCoG) which itself is made up of to deliver actionable knowledge on a grappling with economic, environmental peak bodies of asset managers and ‘resilient business model’ by exploring and social challenges. The research policy makers. the factors that determine the return aims to engage with regional The ISAM Guide was also introduced visits to accommodation managed by Australia and identify the challenges to international jurisdictions including GCHR. in communities so that policies Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia Promoting and managing national and initiatives can be formulated where it was being considered for use parks to contribute to enhancing regional as the underpinning framework for new Professor Betty Weiler and Dr Brent resilience. approaches to asset management. Moyle received $30 000 from the The ISAM Guide was translated CRC for Infrastructure and Office of Environment and Heritage to into Indonesian to assist Indonesian Engineering Asset Management extend an ARC Linkage project titled organisations implement strategic asset Companies and governments spend ‘Promoting and Managing National management. billions in public and shareholder Parks into the 21st Century’ into New funds each year on designing and Research in business South Wales. delivering major infrastructure projects. Dr Subas Dhakal along with Dr One of the key goals of the extension to But the day a new toll road, airport Muhammed Nateque Mahmood and the project was to examine community or office tower is commissioned is Professor Brown have been awarded perceptions of the benefits of parks not the end of the project: it’s the first a Researchers in Business Grant with and to identify how perceptions differ day in the operating life of the asset. Gold Coast Holiday Rentals to produce among various segments of the New An integrated, strategic approach to a segment analysis for specialist/ South Wales community. the management of the asset during boutique providers of Gold Coast Preliminary findings indicated that its lifetime is essential to ensuring it apartments. community perceptions of parks were remains operable. The Gold Coast is one of the top influenced by age, gender and park The Guide to Integrated Strategic Asset five performing tourism regions in visitation habits. Future research will Management (ISAM Guide) provides Australia, catering for more than four test a series of communications based asset managers and policy makers million visitors who spent over $4 interventions targeted at 18-30-year- with a comprehensive, contemporary billion in 2010-2011. As the national olds designed to inspire the next framework which shifts the way tourism strategy continues to focus on generation to reconnect with parks in infrastructure projects are developed. building competitive digital capacity New South Wales. The Guide was developed through of tourism enterprises, a new type of a collaboration between the business model — a web-based holiday Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for accommodation provider that operates Infrastructure and Engineering Asset on a virtual mode without face-to-face Contact: [email protected] Management (CIEAM), the Strategic contacts — has emerged in Australia. W: ctlw.com.au Asset Management (StratAM) team Gold Coast Holiday Rentals (GCHR) T: 07 5589 3113 at the CTLW and the Australian Asset is a business that has adopted this
26 Emerging Research
July 2013. The Program’s research focuses on the nature School of Arts and of islands as individual entities in which various elements Social Sciences interact, requiring a holistic understanding of the societies that inhabit them. The School of Arts and Social Sciences pursued new areas of research across four disciplines. In performing arts and creative writing, the School re- Southern Cross launched its PhD program, attracting high quality cultural Business School practitioners, strengthening the School’s research culture. Southern Cross Business School (SCBS) conducted several Creative work in this area involves music, multimedia, creative programs that had a positive impact on the School’s research writing and performance art. outcomes. The School continued to pursue research in social work The CRN, through partnership with the Centre for Tourism, and social policy. These two inter-related areas increasingly Leisure and Work, gave academics improved access address the broad aspects of social problems and the to established research networks at the University of pressures and specific aspects of their appearance in various Queensland, University of New South Wales and Sydney social groups. University. The School, in collaboration with other research groups in In October 2012, the School held Research Week, which the University, was actively involved in developing research showcased the School’s research growth and provided a that engages with community and various industry groups platform for invited research leaders to share their knowledge in regards to the nature and importance of regional food and expertise. production, distribution and consumption. Key aspects included patterns of local land use, food security, Indigenous The School’s 2012 research publications fitted into three main food sources and the broader environmental contexts and themes: consequences of agriculture and aquaculture. Regional Development and Resilience In recognition of Southern Cross University’s place in Professors Stephen Kelly, Robyn Keast, Ian Eddie and regional Australian and Asia Pacific contexts, the School Yvonne Brunetto, supported by numerous academics established the Asia-Pacific Islands Program to expand including Dr Simon Wilde and PhD candidates, continued research collaborations in Indonesia, Melanesia and coastal to build expertise in regional development and resilience. Southeast Asia. The School, in collaboration with Pattimura Professor Kelly was invited to chair the regional development University, Maluku, Indonesia, sponsored the 9th International stream of the 2013 International Research Society for Public Small Island Cultures Conference in Tual, Indonesia, held in Management (IRSPM) Conference in Prague. Collaborative Research Network The Collaborative Research Network (CRN) is a funding Nursing has several focus program announced in the 2009-10 federal budget in areas including the workforce, response to the Bradley Review of Australian Higher children and young people Education. It is part of a broader reform agenda to drive and mental health. The excellence in research. The CRN program aims to build University’s School of Health and extend the research capacity and capability of regional and Human Sciences is universities through strategic partnerships with research partnered with the University intensive universities with complementary strengths and of Sydney for this research. capabilities. Regional economic Southern Cross University was awarded funding through sustainability encompasses a the CRN program in 2011. The program leader is Professor number of regional enterprise Robyn Keast. The University’s research focuses on policy research foci including tourism, non-profit organisations and as a core area for research development within SCU, and small and medium enterprises, managing regional assets, in so doing, focuses on the three areas of children and new service delivery and business models and collaborative young people; nursing; and improving regional economic practice. The Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work sustainability. is partnered with the Institute of Social Sciences Research at The wellbeing of children and young people research is the University of Queensland for this element of the research. facilitated through the Centre for Children and Young People, In its establishment year the CRN sponsored a number of in partnership with the Social Policy Research Centre at the quality research capacity building initiatives. University of New South Wales (see page 20).
27 Emerging Research
Public and not-for-profit sectors management and Research Cluster, led by Associate Professor Amy Cutter- administration Mackenzie, was established in 2012. For the next three Professor Keast, Associate Professor Michael Charles, years, its goal is to make substantial progress in research Associate Professor Mark Christensen, Professor Brunetto across and within the areas of sustainability, environment and and Dr Michael Kortt had publications in journal, book and education. conference publications. SEE is comprised of Southern Cross University staff and Workplace relationships, engagement and retention academics, external academics and higher degree research Associate Professor Michelle Wallace, Professor Brunetto, students. Associate Professor Charles, Dr Silvia Nelson, Dr Tania The Cluster is engaged in research, policy and practice in von der Heidt and a team of PhD students published in the broader fields of environmental education, education for quality human resource, management and related journals. sustainability and sustainability education. Members of the Professor Brunetto and her research teams built a platform of cluster have won Australian Government Office for Learning evidence-based research related to engaging and retaining and Teaching awards and are involved in multiple research nurses, engineers, police, and public sector administrative activities including ARC, government and non-government employees. Associate Professors Wallace and Charles and research projects; high-impact and field-significant their research teams delivered on CRC for Rail Innovation publications; and editorial roles in internationally significant projects specially related to improving efficacy and ERA journals in sustainability, environment and education. effectiveness in rail management. In 2013, SEE will host and convene the inaugural ‘Our In addition to these activities and publications, Doctors Voice: Sustainability Conference for Young People by Young Simon Pervan, Craig Julian and Jennifer Harrison continued People’. to develop the School’s marketing, international business and finance research agenda. School of Health and School of Education Human Sciences School of Health and Human Sciences researchers received Cluster for Higher Education Policy and Practice a number of significant research grants during 2012. The School of Education’s Cluster for Higher Education Professor Colleen Cartwright is leading a study, ‘Developing Policy and Practice (CHEPP), led by Associate Professor a new model of leadership for the not-for-profit aged and Sharon Parry, is comprised of members from across the community care sector’. This $600 000 project is funded University, with the main drive coming from the School of by an ARC Linkage grant with contributions from Lutheran Education. Community Care and Baptist Community Services. Recently, Professor Martin Hayden completed several The research team includes members from Southern Cross major consultancies in Southeast Asia. One involved the University, the University of Tasmania, Lutheran Community development of a master plan for the higher education Care and Baptist Community Services. With an ageing system in Vietnam; another was a rapid assessment of the population, increased government regulation and community needs of the higher education system in Myanmar. expectations, the outcomes of this research should provide Sustainability, Environment and Education (SEE) Research significant value to the sector. Cluster Professor Cartwright is also a chief investigator of a study The School’s Sustainability, Environment and Education (SEE) conducted jointly by Southern Cross University, Queensland
28 University of Technology and University of Queensland investigating knowledge and attitudes of doctors in School of Law and Justice Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria into the law about The School of Law and Justice focused primarily on the who can consent to withdrawing/withholding life-sustaining growth of its higher degree research (HDR), doubling its medical treatment for adults who lack capacity. Early results higher degree research student numbers. It increased its indicate that knowledge in all three states is poor, which supervision capacity with Dr Jennifer Nielsen, Dr Natalia potentially puts doctors at risk of legal action if they allow the Szablewska, Dr Alessandro Pelizzon and Dr Saiful Karim wrong person to consent to such actions. joining the supervisory team. Professor Andrew Cashin was awarded $268 000 from the New candidates’ research aligned with the School’s emerging Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency to develop research strengths in ecological jurisprudence; law, society national competency standards for nurse practitioners; and cultural heritage; and global law and justice. New HDR Sandra Grace received $30 000 from the Australian research included: a post structural analysis of Fiji’s new Osteopathic Association to examine benchmarking in legal order, private property rights and sea level rise, and an osteopathy; Susan Nancarrow, Sandra Grace and Alison examination of the legal implications and exclusions of Iran’s Roots received $75 000 from Health Workforce Australia pharmaceutical industry in the process of Iran’s accession to to evaluate the Queensland Health Practitioners Models the World Trade Organisation. of Care project; and Dr Jennie Barr and Kay Ross secured $50 000 from the federal Department of Health and Ageing to Regional Initiative for Social undertake a health survey of primary health care nurses. Sandra Grace and Keri Moore also received funding to Innovation and Research develop orientation resources for students going on clinical The Regional Initiative for Social Innovation and Research placement. (RISR) was established at the Coffs Harbour campus in 2012. RISR is focused on multidisciplinary research projects which Psychology enhance the social and economic resilience of communities New purpose-built research laboratories were in full use with a particular emphasis on the potential of emerging digital at the Coffs Harbour campus in 2012. Representing a technologies to effect and sustain change. significant investment in the discipline by the University, the During 2012, RISR developed collaborative relationships new facilities include purpose-built testing laboratories, a and partnerships with CSIRO, through the Australian Centre dedicated EEG laboratory, a dedicated 3-D motion capture for Broadband Innovation; Housing NSW; Mission Australia and VR space, a visual perception laboratory, and an Housing; and vTeams. acoustical testing lab. With CSIRO, researchers were working on a multidisciplinary During 2012, academic staff and postgraduate students research project to develop a framework for evaluating the published two books (both edited collections), 18 journal impact of high bandwidth internet provision and use; digital publications, and 10 book chapters. Four external grants literacy; and social life outcomes in regional Australia. were obtained, attracting $247 100 in funding. A number of In collaboration with the vTeams and the Asbestos Disease new PhD students were recruited in psychology, most on Foundation Australia, researchers were undertaking a project Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarships. to document and understand the social, psychological and There were also significant developments with external economic impact of asbestos-related disease. partners during 2012 including research collaborations with: RISR was also engaged to author the Coffs Harbour City the Australian Centre for Broadband Innovation (CSIRO); the Council’s Economic Development Strategy for 2013, including Australian Red Cross Blood Service; Housing NSW; and the the facilitation of community-wide consultation. Department of Family and Community Services. There will be a continuing strong focus on community-based research projects, especially those designed to engage with the region, as a complement to the frontiers-of-science research conducted in the laboratories.
29 Research Training
Seadragon photo earns international award for SCU researcher
Amateur wildlife photographer and Southern Cross Every year in spring, male and female seadragons perform University research candidate Richard Wylie helped a beautiful dance which culminates in the female passing reinvigorate the profile of Victoria’s state marine emblem fertilised eggs to the male who then incubates them when he took out a prestigious international photography until hatching two months later. Seadragons are listed award for his striking image of a seadragon. as near threatened by the world’s main authority on the The marine biologist was named the winner of the conservation status of species, the International Union for 2012 National Geographic-La Mer Oceans Photo Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and are at risk Contest, scooping the $27 000 prize pool and edging from habitat destruction and pollution. out professional wildlife photographers with ‘Weedy Richard worked throughout the Pacific and southeast Seadragon in the Light’. Asia in aquaculture and marine conservation as a marine Since then the CSIRO has commissioned Richard to biologist but health problems forced him to reassess produce more photographs of the weedy seadragons for his career. He settled on marine education and hasn’t posters being distributed nationally. looked back. He juggles his PhD with lecturing at Monash Richard’s doctoral research ‘Marine and Coastal University and at RMIT University where he teaches a Education in Australia and Pacific Island Countries and marine biology course on Queensland’s Lizard Island. Territories: A Scoping Study in Schools’ is investigating He is also co-founder and director at Euakafa Island the use of photography to stimulate school students’ Research Centre, a not-for-profit marine research centre interest in marine life identification. In particular, how based in Vava’u, Tonga, researching coral reef biology, photography in the classroom can be used as a tool for turtles, sharks, marine mammals and marine education. education and conservation. Richard is also researching He and his wife will enjoy his prize in September 2013: curriculum for marine science in primary and secondary an all-expenses-paid 12-day trip to Alaska on a National schools. He has already had success teaching a marine Geographic photography expedition. Richard plans education program to a group of disaffected youth at a to photograph the whales, bears, bald eagles, seals secondary school in Victoria who had disengaged from and otters that inhabit the Inside Passage, a series of education. islands that stretch from Alaska in the US, through British His PhD supervisor is Associate Professor Amy Cutter- Columbia in Canada, to Washington state in the US. Mackenzie, director of research in the School of Education. Richard Wylie Richard, 42, had been doing wildlife photography for just a year and a half when he won the competition. His winning photograph evokes a tropical environment, capturing the dazzling colours of an incubating male weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) in an azure ocean — yet it was taken at Flinders Pier on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The weedy seadragon is the Victorian marine faunal emblem. These marine creatures are unique to the temperate and sub-temperate waters of southern Australia (from Newcastle in New South Wales to Tasmania through to Geraldton in Western Australia), with their range centred around Victoria.
Higher Degree Research
Southern Cross University welcomes with access to fellow researchers for Higher Degree Research Students in feedback and dialogue. Dual award Contact: Student Liaison Officer, Masters by Thesis (Masters), Doctor PhDs are also being offered with Research Training Unit of Philosophy (PhD) research degrees international universities, enabling [email protected] and Doctor of Business Administration promising researchers to develop W: scu.edu.au/research degrees. Students are encouraged thesis projects between two research T: 02 6620 3414 to participate in the national and institutions. F: 02 6626 9145 international research community,
30 Contacts
The Division of Research is structured into three units
Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Jacqueline Behan, Finance Officer Research & Commercial (Research) E: [email protected] Services Unit Professor Neal Ryan, T: 61+(0)2 66203705 Stephen Williams, Director Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Jill Townsend, Administration Officer E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6620 3458 T: 61+(0)2 6620 3719 T: 61+(0)2 6620 3837 Carolyn Piercy, Manager, Professor Leigh Sullivan Research Services Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Research E: [email protected] Development)/Chair Higher Degree Research Training Unit Research Committee T: 61+(0)2 6626 9471 E: [email protected] Professor Philip Hayward, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Alexandra McDonald, Project Manager T: 61+(0)2 6620 3742 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Louise Gordon, Personal Assistant to T: 61+(0)2 6626 9186 T: 61+(0)2 6620 3485 the Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) E: [email protected] Sandra Guthrie, Assistant to Emma Evans, Grants Manager Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) 61+(0)2 6620 3172 E: [email protected] T: Student Liaison Officer T: 61+(0)2 6626 9119 Dr Nicole Rice, Executive Officer E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6620 3520 Wendy Britt, Grants Support Officer E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6620 3809 Jennifer Jones, Research T: 61+(0)2 6620 3611 Associate Professor Slade Lee, Training Manager Principal Research Leader — E: [email protected] Liz Key, Administration Officer Plant Business T: 61+(0)2 6626 9147 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Helen Wolton, Higher Degrees T: 61+(0)2 6626 9361 T: 0419 474 251 Research Officer Wendy Scott, Manager Data E: [email protected] and Analysis T: 61+(0)2 6626 9426 E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6626 9371 Sue Kelly, Human Research Ethics E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6626 9139
Barry Pagotto, Finance Officer E: [email protected] T: 61+(0)2 6620 3413
31 SCU4555