It’s the little things that matter

UniSA physiotherapist Professor Lorimer Moseley will lead a five-year international project from 2020 to help relieve one of the world’s leading causes of disability – chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Prof Moseley, Australia’s top-ranked chronic pain scientist, has been awarded a $2.4 million Investigator Grant by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The grant will be used to trial innovative, experimental approaches to dealing with chronic pain, Australia’s third most costly health condition and a significant contributor to suicides.

The NHMRC has also awarded Development Grants to UniSA biomedical engineer Professor Benjamin Thierry and UniSA vascular biologist Associate Professor Claudine Bonder for research into prenatal genetic testing and heart health.

Building on an excellent reputation for the provision of allied health education, UniSA will launch its Bachelor of Speech Pathology in 2020.

A fast-growing career, the demand for speech pathologists is expected to grow by about 20 per cent in the next few years due to increases in the number of older people as well as young children struggling with speech and language issues.

UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences, Professor Roger Eston, says he is proud to add this important new degree program to UniSA’s suite of allied health education options.

“We have long and successful experience in building allied health education that is both rigorous and practical and strongly linked with industry,” Prof Eston says.

“Our allied health degrees are underpinned by a really strong integration of the excellent research we do to establish evidence-based treatment innovations.”

Almost nine out of ten UniSA graduates are employed within four months of graduating, according to the latest graduate outcomes data from the federal education department.

The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Survey found that 73.5 per cent of UniSA undergraduates were in full-time employment four months after completing their degree; with 88.3 per cent of UniSA graduates employed in some form in the same timeframe. The median starting salary for UniSA graduates in 2019 was $62,600.

The results mean UniSA is the number one university in South Australia for graduate employment.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the results are “fantastic and great news for our students”.

“The Graduate Outcomes Survey results underline that we are delivering a future workforce for South Australia and beyond,” he says.

UniSA has launched a new Social Enterprise Hub, bringing together academics, students and the wider community to drive new models for combining good business with good social outcomes.

Conceived as an interdisciplinary hub for social innovation and entrepreneurship, the UniSA Social Enterprise Hub will take a multidisciplinary, co-design approach to finding solutions that have a measurable social impact.

Pro Vice Chancellor for Business and Law, Professor Marie Wilson, says the establishment of the hub will connect academics and students with the community to develop creative solutions for pressing social problems.

Refurbished study spaces for Aboriginal students have been unveiled at UniSA’s City East and Magill campuses.

The updated Wirringka Student Centres provide an improved student experience for the University’s growing number of Aboriginal students, while also being more accessible and visible.

Wirringka Student Services offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a friendly, comfortable and supportive place to study and are available on all UniSA campuses.

As part of Tarnanthi – an Aboriginal arts festival run by the Art Gallery of South Australia –  UniSA’s SASA Gallery hosted an exhibition of collaborative lighting designs involving designers Koskela and artists at six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art centres. 

The Ngalya/Together exhibition highlighted contemporary transformations taking place in Indigenous fibre arts and cultures across Australia.

After two long years of work designing, testing and collaborating across Australia, the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) in partnership with QUT made it to Darwin on 13 October for the start of the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge – as the ATN Solar Car team.

Students from UniSA, RMIT, UTS, Curtin and QUT came together to showcase what future vehicles may look like and how they can assist in the global effort of reducing carbon emissions.

The ATN car, named Priscilla, travelled 3020km from Darwin to Adelaide in scorching heat.

UniSA students and staff highlighted their research to the wider University through the 2019 Images of Research competition.

First prize went to Dr Mariana Oksdath Mansilla from the Tissue Architecture and Organ Function Laboratory at the Centre for Cancer Biology (an alliance between SA Pathology and UniSA) for her image, A blooming mini-brain.

The image is a 28-day-old, miniaturised and simplified version of a human brain (known as an organoid), that was grown in a new 3D-printed scaffold for high-throughput growth. The image represents the beauty of cerebral organoids, how individuals and undifferentiated stem cells can join and self-organise to create a complex organ such as a brain.

Australia has taken the “low road” on climate change and missed a crucial opportunity to address the issue, former union boss and close friend of Bob Hawke, Bill Kelty AC said in delivering the annual Hawke Lecture.

The former ACTU secretary delivered the 22nd Hawke Lecture for The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre in November. He said Hawke saw climate change as “unfinished business” before his death in May 2019.

“This is the moral issue for our generation and you’ve got to take it seriously,” he said after the lecture.

The annual Hawke Lecture series was established in 1998.

Celebrated Australian cyclist Anna Meares OAM was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for her distinguished service to the community.

Meares is one of Australia’s most talented athletes, bursting onto the global track cycling scene at the 2004 Athens Olympics where she won her first gold medal in the 500m time trial. She went on to produce one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time when she won a silver medal for the sprint at the 2008 Beijing Olympics – just seven months after breaking her neck in a race crash in Los Angeles.

In October 2016, Meares announced her official retirement from competitive cycling, finishing as a 35-time Australian track champion and having held Olympic, world, Commonwealth and national records.

Off the track, her achievements are equally impressive as an ambassador for Cycling Cares, the Little Heroes foundation, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, while also participating in the Port Adelaide Community Youth Program.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says Meares’ story serves as a testament to following your dreams and the Honorary Doctorate acknowledges her sustained success on and off the track.

One of Australia’s most thought-provoking speakers and strongest advocates for sustainable peace, London bombing survivor Gillian Hicks AM, MBE, FRSA, was acknowledged for her vast range of achievements.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says Hicks embodies the miracle of life and the power of forgiveness.

“Sharing what she has learnt about herself, about humanity, and what she believes is an inherent ability to not only face but rise in the wake of adversity, is inspiring – and provides insight into what is possible in life,” Prof Lloyd says.

Hicks began her public speaking career in the wake of the 2005 London bombings. She was the last living victim rescued after the attack and lost both legs from below the knee.

Before the bombings, Hicks held several high-profile positions in design and architecture in the UK. After the London bombings, Hicks’ life changed completely. She made it her mission to use her platform to promote peace and counter violent extremism.

In 2007, Hicks founded the not-for-profit organisation M.A.D. (Making a Difference) for Peace and the following year released her first book One Unknown. One Unknown was named after the label given to her as she was admitted to hospital as an unidentified body; and was shortlisted for the 2008 Mind Book of the Year Awards.

Hicks moved back to Australia in 2012, was named South Australian of the Year in 2015 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2016 Australia Day Honours List.

The University of South Australia has appointed former ANU Deputy Vice Chancellor and internationally recognised historian, Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, to be its next Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Enterprise.

Prof Hughes-Warrington is also the National Secretary of Rhodes Australia, the body that administers the prestigious scholarship scheme which supports students to study at Oxford University.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says Prof Hughes-Warrington has an impressive breadth of academic teaching, research and management experience that is both national and global.

“Marnie is a highly respected academic and someone who has brought energy and innovation to her academic career and operated successfully in leadership positions,” Prof Lloyd says.

Prof Hughes-Warrington is delighted with her move to UniSA.

“The dynamism and enterprising spirit of UniSA make it an exceptional part of the higher education community in Australia, and globally,” she says.

“I look forward to advancing and growing the qualities that make it such an important contributor to social and economic transformation both here and abroad.”

Prof Hughes-Warrington will take up the position in January 2020.

One of Australia’s most successful business innovators, founder of four highly successful start-ups, including the green energy company ZEN Energy and 2010 Australian Entrepreneur of the Year – Professor Richard Turner – has joined UniSA as Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Industry Professor of Practice.

In his new role, Prof Turner has a wide remit to work with UniSA’s high-profile business initiatives, including the Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC), the UniSA MBA, and the Australian Centre for Business Growth.

He will help to foster connections, commercialise innovation, inspire future entrepreneurs and supercharge the development of new and established businesses.

Prof Turner says he aims to help to tap into and connect the highly innovative ideas being developed at UniSA and support the University’s already substantial investment in growing the economy at both a state and national level.

“The UniSA Business School is ranked in the top one per cent worldwide and has a track record of launching world-leading platforms to nurture new ideas and to help businesses grow,” Prof Turner says.

“I hope to enhance that focus and share my expertise and networks.

“We want to attract the students, start-ups and emerging businesses from all over the world to South Australia, to study, establish themselves here, and work at the leading edge of these new industries.”

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd has been appointed Chair of the Committee for Adelaide.

Prof Lloyd says he is delighted with the opportunity to be working with the progressive and highly regarded industries, businesses, institutions and community groups that are represented on the committee.

“This is a future-focused group, dedicated to meeting 21st century challenges and opportunities,” Prof Lloyd says.

“Adelaide is a fantastic city, agile, globally connected and really well placed to make the most of national and global opportunities both economically and culturally.

“The Committee for Adelaide, under strong leadership by the outgoing Chair James Blackburn and the people who established its important role in Adelaide, Ian Smith and Colin Goodall, has made an impact in significant policy areas such migration system reform and in underpinning future infrastructure agreements through the City Deals.”

A UniSA life sciences researcher who identified what makes up the “Goldilocks” day of human activity for good health and described “takeaway sports” such as skateboarding as the next big thing, Professor Tim Olds, has been named in the Web of Science Group Clarivate Most Cited Academics of 2019.

Expert in time use, anthropometry and the interplay between fitness, fatness and physical activity and its influence on health outcomes, Prof Olds’ latest research interests revolve around 24-hour activity patterns and how they influence health and wellbeing in children and adults.

“When people start a new exercise or activity regime, they have to give up time from something else in their lives,” he says. “We have identified there are three ‘time reservoirs’ that adults dip into when they need time for some new activity – time spent sleeping, watching TV or doing chores – and there are health consequences when you borrow time from those reservoirs to complete your new activity – some good and some bad.”

The result places Prof Olds’ research in the top one per cent of most cited works in the field of social sciences.

UniSA Chair in Mental Health Nursing Professor Nicholas Procter has been appointed Australia’s national representative on the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) to 2023.

With members in more than 70 countries, the IASP was established in 1960 and is the largest international organisation dedicated to suicide prevention and to the reduction of suicide-related distress and loss.

Prof Procter says it is a great honour to be elected by his peers to represent Australian research and expertise in the field, internationally.

“Suicide is a significant global health concern with almost one million people a year dying by suicide,” Prof Procter says.

“In Australia there is an average of 8.57 deaths by suicide each day, with rates of male suicide three times higher than those of females.

“Working globally to uncover the best research and practice to prevent suicide is vital.”

UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd has been named a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.

A fellowship organisation, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering comprises women and men elected in a highly competitive, peer-review process based on their expertise, leadership and experience in applying science, technology and engineering to solve the big issues facing Australia in a fast-changing world.

Announcing his appointment, the academy noted Prof Lloyd is “a prominent and influential leader and industry collaborator in technology and education and has greatly advanced the standing of the University of South Australia as its Vice Chancellor and president”.

It also cites Prof Lloyd’s ongoing contribution to the promotion of science and technology through his leadership at UniSA, his membership of the South Australian Economic Development Board from 2014-18, his service as former chair of the Australian Technology Network and now on the board of Universities Australia.

Prof Lloyd says he is honoured to join such an influential academy and one dedicated to the power of technology and engineering to transform lives and build better societies.

Pro Vice Chancellor for Education, Arts and Social Sciences Professor Joanne Cys has been named an Honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.

The award was made in recognition of her “significant and substantial contribution to architecture and interior design in an eminent career that includes being an influential advocate for the role of professional bodies in advancing the standards of architecture, design and design education through collaboration, committee work, speaking and publications”.

Although Prof Cys is responsible for the division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, her research and engagement continues in interior design – both nationally and globally, focusing on disciplinary sociology of design practice including creative collaborative practices.

“I have worked in interior design and architecture in some way or another all of my working life,” Prof Cys says. “I also work in the area of continuing professional education for designers, I curate design exhibitions and author critical reviews of design projects and catalogue essays for design exhibitions.”

Universities Australia has presented UniSA Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Alan Brideson with the 2019 Lifetime Achievement award, recognising his 23-year leadership contribution to UniSA.

Universities Australia’s chief executive Catriona Jackson says Brideson “has led marketing and communications at UniSA for almost two and a half decades, overseeing student recruitment, media and public relations, marketing, alumni and fundraising in his many roles”.

“He’s a highly-deserving recipient of this prestigious honour, which is awarded to someone who has dedicated much of their career to senior leadership in these fields in the university sector,” she says.

The judges said Brideson has delivered global brand exposure through Team UniSA-Australia in the Santos Tour Down Under, two Unijams, countless high-impact television and cinema advertising campaigns, an Adelaide Crows sponsorship and the marketing strategy for a national launch of UniSA Online.

ASIO’s Director-General of Security Mike Burgess and Amnesty International’s Director of Crisis Response Tirana Hassan are among the trailblazing UniSA alumni who were honoured at the annual UniSA Alumni Awards in late October.

Awards were also presented to renowned Aboriginal artist and educator Darren Siwes and Hong Kong Pokka Café entrepreneur Dr Pauline Wong, in recognition of their inspiring careers and great contributions to society.

The Alumni Awards showcase the most distinguished members of the 215,000-strong global alumni community.

UniSA Vice Chancellor Prof David Lloyd says the gala dinner at Pridham Hall is one of the most inspiring annual events, because it’s where the University pays tribute to the pioneers, innovators, and changemakers who have been influenced by their time at UniSA.

“Every career story at these awards is different, but there are common themes … that a UniSA education empowers people and gives them self-confidence, creativity and the invaluable capacity to keep learning and innovating,” Prof Lloyd says.

A UniSA researcher has been recognised for excellence in bereavement care by the peak professional body for midwives in Australia.

Associate Professor Jane Warland was presented the Excellence in Bereavement Care Award at the Australian College of Midwives (ACM) 2019 annual awards.The award, sponsored by Australian miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, was made in recognition of Assoc Prof Warland’s research into preventative and modifiable risk factors for stillbirth, as well as her substantial achievements, advocacy and contributions to midwifery.

Assoc Prof Warland says she was surprised but proud to receive the award – and it was wonderful to be recognised by her peers for her contributions to bereavement care over the past 26 years.

She says she was particularly proud to be recognised by the Australian College of Midwives and the charity Sands, “both of which are dear to my heart”.

A UniSA industrial designer who has developed a smart mirror which can detect early-stage Parkinson’s and dementia was among a lineup of exceptional women recognised at the 2019 Women in Innovation Awards.

UniSA women were represented in eight of 11 categories and won in three categories at the annual awards, held at the National Wine Centre.

UniSA’s Kelly Carpenter, CEO and co-founder of Lookinglass, a South Australian startup based at UniSA’s Innovation and Collaboration Centre, took out the technology award for her smart mirror.

In the maths category, Dr Dorothea Dumuid was awarded for her work on a project that uses data and statistics to optimise daily time use for better health and wellbeing in areas such as school curriculums and mainstream media.

Dr Hazel Vandeleur was the winner in the rural award for her work in Port Pirie on re-imagining contaminated sediments near smelters as a resource in order to recover and repurpose desirable metals.

Five other UniSA researchers were also finalists on the night.

A UniSA researcher who co-invented a real-time in-ground soil fertiliser sensor has been recognised for major agricultural innovation at the 2019 South Australian Community Achievement Awards.

Research Associate at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute, Dr Sam Rudd, won the prestigious Prime Super Agricultural Innovation Award.

The South Australian Community Achievement Awards began in 2010, and are designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities, and businesses are making throughout the community in South Australia.

Dr Rudd is working to improve productivity in agriculture. He co-invented the world’s first passive real-time, in-ground soil fertiliser sensor for precision agriculture and controlling the application of fertilisers.

Two UniSA researchers have been named 2019 South Australian Tall Poppies of Science.

Biomedical engineer Dr Marnie Winter and IT behaviouralist Dr Tina Du were among eight South Australian early career researchers honoured by SA Governor Hieu Van Le AC earlier this year.

The Tall Poppy Awards, an initiative of the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS), recognises achievement in the sciences and helps to communicate the passion and purpose of Australia’s finest scientists.

Dr Marnie Winter, from UniSA’s Future Industries Institute, is using microfluidic technology to isolate fetal cells from maternal white blood cells to help diagnose genetic abnormalities early on in pregnancy, as well as common complications such as preeclampsia and stillbirth.

Dr Jia Tina Du is channelling her IT expertise towards meaningful real-world social issues to help vulnerable groups in society navigate the digital world and new technology. The Senior Lecturer in UniSA’s School of Information Technology and Mathematics is working with Aboriginal communities, older people and migrants to help them access essential services online.

UniSA Research Fellow in the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Dr Renly Lim, has been elected as the new president for a professional body of young pharmacists from around the world.

Dr Renly was elected president at the annual congress of the International Pharmaceutical Federation. The federation represents more than four million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide; with about a third of those being part of its Young Pharmacists Group.

Dr Lim says she is extremely humbled and honoured to be given the trust to lead young pharmacists at an international level.

“Being elected as president-elect means I am provided with a strong platform to achieve the many goals I have, including exploring how existing and new solutions can be implemented in different parts of the world to improve patient safety and health outcomes, amplifying the voice and impact of young pharmacists, and supporting the development of young pharmacists globally,” Dr Lim says.

Director of UniSA’s Future Industries Institute, Professor Emily Hilder has been named a world leader in the field of analytical science by The Analytical Scientist magazine.

The magazine’s annual Power List celebrates the range of talent, ingenuity and leadership across all corners of analytical science by highlighting the pioneering work and passion of 100 leaders in the field.

The publication held open nominations before the candidates were whittled down to 100 finalists by a panel of independent judges.

Prof Hilder was named in final top 100 “power list”.

Two UniSA staff have received 2019 SA Science Excellence Awards – one for excellence in PhD research and one for outstanding science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teaching.

The SA Science Excellence Awards recognise and reward outstanding scientific endeavours, including its application in industry and the advancement of STEM education.

UniSA PhD graduate Dr Dorothea Dumuid received the PhD Research Excellence award for her work in novel statistical models to explore how lifestyle behaviours affect health.

Program Director: Environmental Science and Geospatial Science Associate Professor Tom Raimondo was named STEM Educator of the Year – Tertiary Teaching.

Winners receive a prize to the value of $10,000 to use towards their career development.