September 19, 2023

UOW expert commentary (19 September)

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

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NSW state budget

Associate Professor Martin O’Brien is an economist who can comment on budget announcements related to the labour market, public sector wages, skills shortages and household budgets. Associate Professor O’Brien is from the Centre for Human & Social Capital Research in the Faculty of Business and Law. 

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Dr Betty Frino can discuss the labour market, employment and workplace relations issues. Dr Frino is an expert in human resources, employment relations and organisational psychology. She is a lecturer in the School of Business.

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Professor Caleb Ferguson can comment on health-related budget announcements. He is a Professor of Nursing who can discuss investment in health, chronic disease management, cardiovascular disease and stroke, digital health and nursing. Professor Ferguson is a registered nurse, Principal Research Fellow and Associate Head of School (Research Strategy, Development & Partnerships) in the School of Nursing.

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Honorary Fellow Ty Christopher can comment on announcements related to energy. He is the Director of UOW’s Energy Futures Network. The Energy Futures Network’s research includes renewable energy systems and integration, power systems, sustainability (including building design), power quality and reliability, battery energy storage and management systems, distributed energy generation, microgrids, infrastructure modelling and economics, and R&D leading to a more hydrogen-intensive economy.

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Associate Professor Tam Ha is an expert in public health and says socio-economic factors such as income, employment, housing and education were the highest contributing influences on a person's health, making up about 40 per cent of their overall health and well-being outcomes. Associate Professor Ha is from the School of Health and Society.

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Dr Mona Nikidehaghani is an expert in the relationship between accounting and public policies. She is a Lecturer in the School of Business. Dr Nikidehaghani is particularly interested in accounting and social welfare.

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Corporations taking a stance on the Voice to Parliament

Dr Nadia Zainuddin can discuss corporations taking a stance on the Voice to Parliament. She says a company's decision to take a stance on a social issue comes down to its vision, mission and values. Dr Zainuddin believes there is growing expectation from the public for organisations to take a stance on social issues. Dr Zainuddin is a behaviour and social change researcher in the School of Business.

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Improving safety on online dating sites

Dr Rachel Loney-Howes can talk about renewed calls for online dating sites to improve safety for Australian users by implementing a code of practice by 30 June 2024. This comes after the Australian Institute of Criminology found three in every four people using online dating platforms had experienced some form of sexual violence last year. Dr Loney-Howes is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology in the School of Health and Society. Please note Dr Loney-Howes is only available on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

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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.