June 28, 2022

UOW experts available for comment (27 June - 1 July)

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

US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON ABORTION RIGHTS AND GUN CONTROL

International and constitutional law expert, Associate Professor Markus Wagner, can discuss the recent decisions of the US Supreme Court on abortion rights and gun control.

“The twin decisions by the US Supreme Court on expanding the right to bear arms (New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen) and reducing the right of women to choose whether to have an abortion (Dobbs v Jackson) is a key moment in the decades long plan by legal and political conservatives to remake US society,” Professor Wagner said.

“The US Supreme Court's decisions are opposed by a majority in the country but are the result of careful planning and decisive political manoeuvres to install justices that have delivered what they were selected to do.”

Professor Wagner is Director of the Transnational Law and Policy Centre at the University of Wollongong. He teaches and writes in the areas of international law, constitutional law and comparative law. 

THE VAPE BLACK MARKET AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Last night's episode of Four Corners explored the thriving black market for nicotine vapes. University of Wollongong analytical chemist, Dr Celine Kelso, helped Four Corners analyse illegally imported vapes that do not list nicotine as an ingredient, despite containing it. She said: “Nicotine is illegal in Australia, so by not having it on the packaging, it's a way for sellers to stop the seizing of the samples.”

Dr Kelso is from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience.

ONGOING LONELINESS AFTER COVID LOCKDOWNS

Associate Professor Roger Patulny is an expert in sociology and can talk about new research in the Australian Journal of Social Issues which found many Australians experienced heightened loneliness during COVID lockdowns, and continue to do so. In an article published in The Conversation Professor Paltuny and Dr Marlee Bower (USYD) write:

“The pandemic opened up new “inequalities” in loneliness, by creating barriers to socialising for several types of people. These difficulties remained even after lockdowns ended, as they had higher rates of loneliness months later.”

Professor Patulny is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.

INCREASE IN SCREEN TIME DURING COVID PANDEMIC

Professor Lisa Kervin can discuss new research in eClinicalMedicine which found primary-age children’s screen time went up by 83 minutes a day during the pandemic, with adverse effects on diet, sleep, mental health and eye health. Professor Kervin says families are dealing with mixed messages about what is and isn’t appropriate for their children. Professor Kervin is an expert in how children use technology and the Research Director at UOW’s Early Start.

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.