May 23, 2023

UOW expert commentary (23 May)

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

Buy now, pay later regulation

Associate Professor Andy Schmulow can talk about plans to regulate the buy now, pay later industry. Associate Professor Schmulow is concerned about the lack of dispute resolution processes and says regulation of the industry is needed: “Anything that involves credit involves a risk to consumers that they will be caught in a debt trap.” Associate Professor Schmulow is from the School of Law and is a prudential regulation expert.

Russia – Ukraine conflict

Dr Stephen Brown can provide expert commentary on recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Russian history expert says Putin has thrown out his own playbook with this conflict. Dr Brown is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.

Dementia training in aged care homes

Professor Victoria Traynor can discuss calls for calls for better training for workers who interact with dementia sufferers. Professor Traynor is from the School of Nursing. She is the Founding Director of Aged and Dementia Health Education Research, and Founding Co-President of the Gerontological Alliance of Nurses Australia.  

Usefulness of medical reviews

Mr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz can talk about the usefulness of major medical reviews. Cochrane reviews recently came under fire after a controversial review that looked at whether wearing masks in the community during COVID worked to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. In an article for The Conversation Mr Meyerowitz-Katz writes:

Cochrane reviews can be flawed, cannot answer all medical questions and, while comprehensive, can take long to complete. But there’s a reason that these reviews are considered the gold standard in medical research. They are detailed, lengthy, and very impressive pieces of work.

Mr Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz is an epidemiologist and UOW PhD candidate.

Kidney Health Week (21 – 27 May)

Associate Professor Kelly Lambert is available to talk about Kidney Health Week, with new research revealing one in 10 Australians unknowingly have kidney disease. Associate Professor Lambert says it’s important to catch the disease at its early stages to prevent progression and give people the best chance to maintain a good quality of life. Associate Professor Lambert is an expert in nutrition and dietetics in the School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences.

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.