May 12, 2022

UOW experts available for comment

UOW academics provide expert comment, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories

INTEREST RATES

Associate Professor Martin O’Brien can comment on interest rates and the cost of living. Associate Professor O’Brien is an economist and the Director of the Centre for Human and Social Capital Research. His research interests include segmented labour market theory, econometrics, older worker employment issues and hidden unemployment. 

ELECTION AND PRE-POLLING

Professor Greg Melleuish is an election analyst who can talk about politics, including pre-polling. He is a lecturer and researcher with expertise in political theory, Australian politics, ancient history and world history. Prof Melleuish is from the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.

SOLOMON ISLANDS AND THE PACIFIC

Dr Charles Hawksley can discuss Australia’s role in the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands. The Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies is an expert on food security, state building, police building, intervention, aid and development in the region.

 
AGED CARE

Anita Westera can comment on the aged care sector and dementia. Ms Westera is a Research Fellow at the Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) and has 30 years’ experience working in acute public health services, government and academia. She is a Director of the Australian Association of Gerontology National Board and Research Trust and former Board Member of UnitingCare Ageing NSW.ACT.

SUSTAINIBILITY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Associate Professor Duane Robinson can comment on sustainability, including renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Other areas of expertise include electricity distribution, power quality and microgrids. Associate Professor Robinson is the Director of the Australian Power Quality and Reliability Centre and the Deputy Director of the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre.

EDUCATION AND TEACHING

Associate Professor Jessica Mantei can talk about teacher education and primary school literacy teaching. The former teacher is a language and literacy expert and is the School Head of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education.

UOW academics exercise academic freedom by providing expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing social issues and current affairs. This expert commentary reflects the views of those individual academics and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the University of Wollongong.