July 5, 2022

UOW experts available for comment (4 - 8 July)

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

CHINA AND THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Dr Charles Hawksley can discuss the current situation in the Solomon Islands, particularly in relation to China and increasing trade opportunities. Dr Hawksley is a Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Studies and is an expert on food security, state building, police building, intervention, aid and development in the region.

NAIDOC WEEK

Dr Marlene Longbottom is available to talk about NAIDOC week and the 200-year anniversary of Alexander Berry’s invasion of the Shoalhaven and South Coast NSW. Dr Longbottom is a Yuin woman from the Jerrinja Aboriginal Community and is Associate Professor with the Ngarruwan Ngadju First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre at UOW.

THE FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Dr Armin Alimardani can talk about legal practitioners using AI to automate tasks such as document review, contract analysis and predicting court outcomes. Dr Alimardani will chair a panel discussion this Thursday 7 July, where panellists will discuss how is AI being used in the legal profession, the impact AI will have on the practice of law and complexities around regulation. Dr Alimardani is a Lecturer in the School of Law and an expert in the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies. 

NEW WORKFORCE AUSTRALIA POINTS BASED SYSTEM FOR JOBSEEKERS

Dr Mona Nikidehaghani and Dr Michael Mehmet can discuss the new Workforce Australia Points Based System that has replaced Jobseeker. Welfare advocates are worried the new system could prove just as punitive as the old one.

In an article for The Conversation published last week the Dr Nikidehaghani, Dr Mehmet and Associate Professor Corinne Cortese wrote: “There are certainly anomalies, such as the differing time commitments per point values. The greater discretion given to employment service providers over job plans could also contribute to inequalities, particularly for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

“But in most respects the points-based activation system is an improvement over what it replaces. It provides greater flexibility and emphasises activities that contributes to employability, not just activity involving applying for jobs.”

Dr Nikidehaghani is an expert in the relationship between accounting and public policies. She is a Lecturer in the School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law. Dr Mehmet is a digital marketing researcher in the School of Marketing.