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Dr David Eager (October 2006)
Engineering
Australasian Parks and Leisure
Article on Childhood Obesity by David Eager from UTS. Research has found that obesity is a complex condition with genetic, metabolic, behavioural and environmental factors all contributing to its increase.
Professor Geoff Smith (1 October 2006)
Science
Australasian Leisure Management
Nanotechnology, involving engineering on a scale of individual atoms, is providing global industries with methods to make new materials or to improve properties of existing materials. Professor Geoff Smith at UTS leads one of two major research programs at its Institute for Nanotechnology and carried out the "daylighting" design and polymer roofing studies for the Sydney Olympic Stadium (now Telstra).
Dr Michael Hill (2 October 2006)
Design, Architecture and Building
ABC 774 Melbourne
Dr Michael Hill from UTS talks about the genesis of Peanuts as L'il Folks after L'il Abner and claims the management of United Features changed the title without permission. Hill claims Peanuts coined the phrase security blanket which was picked up by insurance agencies.
Associate Professor Simeon Simoff (3 October 2006)
Information Technology
Australian Financial Review
A shortage of data mining specialists has prompted universities to deliver new programs as they aim to keep course material relevant to changing industry demands. Next year UTS will add a major in computer and data analytics to its degree in Information Technology. UTS Associate Professor Simeon Simoff said the major was added to the program owing to "the demand for specialists out in the market with a unique mixture of computer skills, mathematical background and business understanding."
Professor David Goodman, PVC (International) (4 October 2006)
Executive and Admin
The Australian
Due to interest among Australian students in studying overseas, Federal Education, Science and Training Minister Julie Bishop plans to dramatically expand loans and improve income support so that many more can do so. Professor David Goodman Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at UTS, and a developer of international programs involving serious study abroad, said the late 1980s and early 90s campaign to bring Asian languages within the mainstream could be a model.
Chris Zaslawski (5 October 2006)
Science
Sydney Morning Herald
Western medicine can't always explain how it works, but treatments from the East are gaining acceptance. At UTS trials of Chinese herbal formula in rats has found it reduces the risky symptoms of metabolic syndrome - pot belly, high blood pressure, high blood fats and insulin resistance. Evidence to support TCM is building, yet its mystique persists because it is hard to find Western medical explanations for how it works. Chris Zaslawski, Director of the College of Traditional Chines Medicine at UTS suggests word of mouth or checking with a reputable association to find a reputable practitioner.
Professor Jenny Onyx (5 October 2006)
Business
North Queensland Register
Professor Jenny Onyx from UTS is part of a study team entitled New Partnerships: Promoting Development in Outback Towns through Voluntary Programs for Grey Nomads, which is in the process of discovering how rural and remote towns and communities could forge mutually beneficial relationships with travelling retirees, the so-called grey nomads.
Dr Garrick Small (6 October 2006)
Design, Architecture and Building
Radio 2GB
Interview with Dr Garrick Small from UTS, who says universities "inherit the product" of the HSC and notes that they are accountable to the industry for the quality of their students once they graduate.
Peter Manning (7 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
Weekend Australian
Article about Peter Manning an academic at UTS, and author of Us and Them: A Journalist's Investigation of Media, Muslims and the Middle East. This story combines the story of Manning's discovery of Islam in Australia and overseas with his analysis of the media's failure to cover the most prominent global story of our times with impartiality and empathy.
Associate Professor Graham Sansom, Director (7 October 2006)
Centre for Local Government
Sydney Morning Herald
David Borger is a mayor on a mission, and his passion for planning is making a name for himself and his beloved Parramatta. Looking at Borger's record as mayor, Graham Sansom from UTS's Centre for Local Government says, "Parramatta's one of the higher-achieving councils. It has been innovative in the use of a PPP (public-private partnerships) to do the civic centre redevelopment, which will be on a grand scale. They have introduced place management as a way of improving council services in different areas."
Dr Chloe Mason (7 October 2006)
Institute for Sustainable Futures
Radio 2GB
The National Transport Commission has issued a draft paper this week that highlights the benefits of getting bicycles out in front of the cars at traffic lights. Dr Chloe Mason, a visiting Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Future says some intersections have bicycle lanes allowing cyclists to travel freely. She says the Australian Road rules maintenance group is a branch of the National Transport Commission which put out the draft proposal, which is available for public comment until the end of the month. The co-called head start box is a waiting space where cyclists can wait at a red light.
Dr Ursula Munro (8 October 2006)
Science
Sun Herald
Australian white ibises have become a familiar sight around Sydney over the past two decades, flapping around the city's parks, waterways and rubbish dumps. Recent research suggests the birds may be in dire trouble. Animal behaviourist Ursula Munro from UTS has been studying ibises for the past five years and believes east coast cities have become a last bastion for the species in a time of extreme stress. "They are in trouble and we have to look after them," she said.
Professor Michael Cortie, Director (9 October 2006)
Institute for Nanoscale Technology
The Australian
As research comes out of the laboratory, homes gain comfort and energy efficiency. A model of the Nanohouse, a house that exploits nanotechnologies to enhance comfort, durability and energy efficiency, has already been designed by UTS and the CSIRO. In 2004 a demonstration structure christened The House of Glass was built using products enhanced with nanotechnology. Michael Cortie, Director of the Institute for Nanoscale Technology at UTS, said "There are some very exciting and interesting ideas, although not all are practical or will make it to manufacturing stage."
Professor Larissa Behrendt (9 October 2006)
Jumbunna
ABC Far West NSW
Murdi Parki Regional Assembly has formed a new partnership with UTS. Jumbunna Indigenous Learning Centre will capture the history of the Murdi Parkis governance model. Professor Larissa Behrendt from the Centre says health and education will be analysed to ensure essential services are being provided by Governments.
Mike Minehan (9 October 2006)
Insearch
Radio JJJ
An Iranian computer game designer who was angered by US game Assault On Iran, has created Counter Strike, which involves attacks on US oil tankers. Dr Mike Minehan from UTS claims more than 10 million people have downloaded a game called America's army, which is a recruitment tool.
Professor Andrew Jakubowicz (9 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
The Age
Multiculturalism and our ethnic populations have morphed into a target for ignorant, populist, conservative politicians. The government calls for English language and citizenship tests. Professor Andrew Jakubowicz from UTS, said the first dictation test was introduced for prospective migrants in 1902, very few passed because it was in a language in which they had little chance of success. The test was blatant discrimination against Asian and some European migrants.
Professor Jock Collins (10 October 2006)
Business
Australian Financial Review
Asian-born Australian entrepreneurs are more likely to engage in import/export. Jock Collins from UTS says that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review of Australian small business policy in the late 1990s showed there has never been a consideration of support for ethnic entrepreneurs per se.
Dr Nina Burridge (10 October 2006)
Education
Inner Western Suburbs Courier
Article on young people with mental illness written by Dr Nina Burridge who is an education lecturer at UTS who specialises in sociological and philosophical aspects of education. A Senate inquiry into mental health, which tabled its report last March, concluded that a holistic, community based approach is needed on mental health involving healthcare professionals and social workers working with the community and government agencies, including schools.
Professor Ross Milbourne, Vice-Chancellor (11 October 2006)
Executive and Admin
The Australian
Article by Professor Ross Milbourne, Vice-Chancellor at UTS. There is room for more than one university model. Recent discussions of the Bologna process for the integration of the European university systems and whether Australia should align with this model, had not distinguished between structure and function.
Professor Geoff Riordan, Associate Dean (11 October 2006)
Education
Sydney Morning Herald
Push for national teacher standards. The Federal Government is expected to move towards introducing a national system of accrediting teachers, a responsibility now held by the states and territories. It could lead to the ranking of university teaching courses across the country, and follows the Government's plan to take control of school curricula. Geoff Riordan, Associate Dean of Education at UTS said the proposal could lead to a crude ranking of university courses.
Professor Andrew Jakubowicz (11 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
ABC Radio 702 Sydney, ABC Newcastle
Interview with Professor Andrew Jakubowicz from UTS about the young man arrested for burning the Australian flag and named by the RSL as a flag bearer for the ANZAC day march. He says growing prominence of the Australian flag is to do with a world in which nations are more and more divided. If the flag can stand for bringing people together while respecting their differences that is a good thing, but if it is used to deny their differences and put them under one value set, that could be dangerous. He was interested to see the family raise the flag outside their home now.
Heidi Norman (11 October 2006)
Jumbunna
Koori Mail
UTS researcher Heidi Norman was awarded by 2006 NSW Indigenous History Fellowship to assist her in researching the impact of economic change on Aboriginal people in the Redfern and Waterloo communities.
Dr Toni Robertson (13 October 2006)
Information Technology
Sydney Morning Herald
New technology in the workplace can be bamboozling, but job seekers don't need to know it all. The trick is to be confident in your ability to change. Dr Toni Robertson, Associate Professor of human-computer interaction at UTS says, "I think the whole thing about using buzz words is overrated, one of the things that makes you stand out is your confidence in an interview and your understanding of technology and its usefulness in the workplace."
Dr Yusuf Pisan (13 October 2006)
Information Technology
ABC Radio National, ABC 666 Canberra
One of the many emerging online 3D societies, Second Life, has over 870,000 "residents" worldwide. UTS IT Academic Yusuf Pisan believes virtual worlds are going to extend daily activities.
Professor Geoff Riordan, Associate Dean (15 October 2006)
Education
Sun Herald
A shortage of secondary school teachers and English teachers for speakers of other languages has led to the creation of new university courses and scholarship programs, as well as great career prospects for teachers in these areas. For the first time next year, a Bachelor of Teaching in secondary education will be offered at UTS. This is a one-year graduate entry course that provides a qualification to teach in specialist areas. Professor Geoff Riordan from UTS said, "Teaching is a very good career for graduates working in other fields who want to make a difference."
Charles Wilson (16 October 2006)
Design, Architecture and Building
MX (Sydney), Sun Herald
A sculptured Swiss ball designed to replace office chairs won the 2006 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award. The inspiration was to find a more effective alternative, "One that is height-adjustable and takes up a fraction of the space and is visually striking and cat-resistant," designer Charles Wilson said.
Professor Liz Jacka (16 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
Radio Adelaide
Moves to implement a new editorial policy across the board at the ABC have been described as a pre-emptive strike against budget cuts by the Federal Government. Liz Jacka, Professor of Communication at UTS said, "The perceived bias within the ABC is not usually left-wing agenda setting, but is instead a result of the concerted campaign to drag the social landscape towards the right."
Rachel Murrihy (18 October 2006)
Science
Channel 9
Parents are being criticised for putting too much pressure on their already anxious children who are about to sit for this year's HSC. The HSC advice line is being inundated with calls. Psychologist Rachel Murrihy discusses how students can deal with exam pressure.
Professor Derek Eamus (18 October 2006)
Science
The Australian
Letter from Derek Eamus, Professor, Environmental Sciences at UTS. In the debate about the amount of water being used to irrigate crops, the numbers suggest there is more profit in bottling water. It is often argued that the irrigation industry supports communities by their allied industries. However, the same can be said for the bottled water industry, which employs water analysts, bottling plants, transport companies and shops.
Professor Geoff Riordan, Associate Dean (19 October 2006)
Education
Sydney Morning Herald
The education research authority commissioned by the Federal Government to help shape a new national curriculum has found no evidence of political bias in the NSW Higher School Certificate. The Associate Dean of Education at UTS, Geoff Riordan said he doubted the Federal Government was serious about addressing the issue.
Associate Professor Rosemary Johnston (19 October 2006)
Education
Sydney Morning Herald
Expanding your children's cultural horizons is easy if you start early. A key ingredient in all these experiences is for parents to be closely involved. "How do you get children to read good books?" asks Rosemary Johnston, Director of the Centre for Research and Eduction in the Arts at UTS. "You expose them to books. Have a pile by your own bedside table. It's genuinely encouraging the child because you are engaged with it."
Professor Stephanie Hemelryk Donald, Director (19 October 2006)
Institute for International Studies
ABC Radio National
In the past the choices of Olympic mascots have often been controversial, and now many are objecting to China's mascots for 2008. The mascots have been criticised for their names, shapes and what they are supposed to represent. Stephanie Hemelryk Donald from UTS says choosing a Tibetan antelope as one of the mascots would not please opponents of China's occupation of Tibet.
Dr Mike Minehan (19 October 2006)
Insearch
Radio Adelaide
SBS is trialling running commercials within programs. Dr Mike Minehan from UTS thinks this is a step backwards and does not want all channels to be clones of the commercial stations. He thinks we need a broadcasting system like the BBC which isn't influenced by advertisers.
Professor Andrew Jakubowicz (20 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
Radio JJJ
The NSW Government has released its report on the Cronulla riots of last year. Professor Andrew Jakubowicz from UTS analyses the police executive summary of the report, noting that the perpetrators were very well organised to cause as much havoc as possible and that armed police will be required in future. He says the report recognised a deep-seated combative culture.
Marilyn Scott (20 October 2006)
Law
Radio National, ABC 666
The London tabloids are publishing allegations that Paul McCartney is a drug taking, violent drunk. This is being attributed to a lack of a no fault divorce system in the UK. An alternative is so-called collaborative law where lawyers are required to sign contracts to avoid the divorce going to court. Marilyn Scott, a Dispute Resolution expert from UTS, says lawyers love this type of practise. Two hundred Australian lawyers are trained in collaborative law.
Professor Jane Hall, Director (23 October 2006)
Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation
ABC Riverina
There has been a proposal to bring the private sector in to provide health services in public hospitals. Professor Jane Hall from UTS says there is a range of services that can be and are provided by hospitals. Freeing up the management expertise to do other things and providing services through the private sector would save the public sector money, with Medicare picking up the bill rather than the public hospital budget.
Professor Lynn Chenoweth (23 October 2006)
Nursing, Midwifery & Health
ABC South Coast WA
Lynn Chenoweth, a Professor of Aged and Extended Care Nursing from UTS, discusses respite care. Chenoweth says that the use of hospitals to provide respite care is not conducive to the well-being of the person going into respite, although there are some very good units being built. The benefits of the units are that there are activities designed to keep the people safe.
Professor Jock Collins (24 October 2006)
Business
Radio Adelaide
The suburb of Marrickville has long had a reputation as a vibrant hub of multiculturalism. Victor Macri, Marrickville's Labor Council, recently tabled a proposal that could force local businesses to translate all shopfront signs into English to promote harmony for everyone. Professor Jock Collins from UTS says Macri's proposal is a solution without a problem.
Professor Alistair Pennycook (26 October 2006)
Education
ABC Gippsland
Interview with Professor Alistair Pennycook from UTS about words that come out of people's mouths that make you raise your eyebrows. Sometimes they are your kids, young people or your managers. Pennycook explains the dynamic world of language saying that we are seeing the affect of American English on younger Australian kids with some of the words being used today, such as cookie, trash and sidewalk.
Dr Mike Minehan (26 October 2006)
Insearch
Channel 10
Interview with Dr Mike Minehan from UTS, in response to the shocking video images of Victorian youths abusing a teenage girl. The incident has prompted a wider debate about the nature of video content appearing on the internet. He says the problem is that people are uploading whatever they like and that it is also self regulated. He claims you cannot regulate the internet and asks how do we censor the internet and who would do it.
Dr Sarah Edelman (29 October 2006)
Science
Sun Herald
Compulsive home clutterers have the medical world baffled. Dr Sarah Edelman, a psychologist at UTS, estimates that one in 200 Australians hoards obsessively. The obsession baffles observers because it's "self-defeating and dysfunctional".
Sally Campbell (30 October 2006)
Institute for Sustainable Futures
The Australian
Large article on transport. The car is the last bastion of state socialism, masquerading as the ultimate symbol of free-enterprising individualism. Yet the average car trip in Australia is less than five kilometres, which Sally Campbell from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS notes is about a 20 minute bike ride, just the amount recommended to keep the typical Australian fit and healthy. A UTS study also found that travellers will choose public transport if it is convenient, safe and affordable.
Dr Allison Cadzow (31 October 2006)
Humanities and Social Sciences
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader
River parks are for everyone. UTS and the Department of Environment and Technology organised a study on the use of parks by different ethnic groups. Senior research officer Dr Allison Cadzow said the study was aimed at giving parks management a better idea of how people used the parks along the Georges River. "A lot of people have come as refugees or as migrants and they have brought quite amazing knowledge of the environment with them and that knowledge hasn't really been tapped into enough," Dr Cadzow said.
Associate Professor Geoff Monahan (31 October 2006)
Law
ABC Illawarra
UTS Associate Professor Geoff Monahan says calls by the NSW Coalition for lowering the age of criminal responsibility in NSW are slightly misguided as it is already legislated at 10 but only if the child is assessed as able to fully understand their actions.
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