August 1, 2023

UOW expert commentary (1 August)

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

UNESCO report on the Great Barrier Reef

Dr Marian Wong can provide commentary on UNESCO's draft decision not to declare the Great Barrier Reef in danger ahead of the World Heritage Committee's final vote in September.  Dr Wong is a behavioural ecologist who studies social behaviour in marine and freshwater fishes. She is a senior lecturer in the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences.  

Climate change and social tipping points

In an article for The Conversation Associate Professor Sonia Graham says her new research shows climate change is causing social tipping points.

Social science shows we’re more likely to be concerned about an issue when we have experienced it, such as being directly affected by fires or floods. But until then, we’re often unlikely to support policies which may radically change everyday life. We can see this in planning for sea-level rise. Coastal communities that have experienced significant coastal erosion are much more supportive of coastal protection policies than those that haven’t.

Associate Professor Graham is is a rural and environmental geographer in the School of Geography and Sustainable Communities. She uses social science methods and computer modelling to understand how the relationships between individuals and institutions affect the management of natural resources.

Industrial relations changes for casual workers

Dr Betty Frino is available for interviews about proposed industrial relations changes set to be introduced to parliament later this year that will give casual workers a pathway to permanent employment. Dr Frino is an expert in human resources, employment relations and organisational psychology. She is a Lecturer in the School of Business.

Draft National AI In Schools Framework

Dr Armin Alimardani can discuss the development of the draft National AI in Schools Framework. The Framework sets out elements and principles to guide education systems, schools and teachers in using AI safely and ethically. Dr Alimardani is a Lecturer in the School of Law and an expert in the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies. 

NRL pay negotiations

Professor Troy Heffernan is available to talk about the latest developments in the NRL stalled pay negotiations, including the decision by players to cover the NRL logo on their jerseys at the weekend. Professor Heffernan is an expert in sports marketing from the School of Business.

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.