September 17, 2024

UOW expert commentary (17 September)

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

---

Dementia Action Week (16 – 22 September)

Associate Professor Lyn Phillipson can talk about Dementia Action Week (16 to 22 September). The week encourages people to take the first step to learn more about dementia and how they can help shape their communities for the better. Associate Professor Phillipson is an award-winning public health academic who engages in research and action to promote aged and dementia-friendly communities. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Health and Society.

---

Using AI to reduce fast fashion’s carbon footprint

Professor Shahriar Akter can talk about new research that reveals how AI-driven technologies can be used improve a company’s emissions-related targets. Professor Akter says AI can improve supply chain efficiencies which can reduce fast fashion’s carbon footprint. The fast fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, responsible for about 10 per cent of global carbon emissions. Professor Akter specialises in the study of advanced analytics and AI, algorithmic biases and digital innovation in business studies. He is a Professor of Analytics and Innovation in the School of Business.

---

High-speed rail

Honorary Principal Fellow Philip Laird can talk about the development of a high-speed rail network in Australia. In an article for The Conversation Associate Professor Laird says high-speed rail would help Australia in its urgent task to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. He writes:

High-speed rail could greatly reduce transport emissions by replacing air travel in particular. For example, the 7.92 million passengers flying between Melbourne and Sydney in 2023-24 produced about 1.5 million tonnes of emissions. Including travel to and from airports and other flight routes along the corridor (Sydney or Melbourne to Canberra, Albury etc), this adds up to about 2% of annual domestic transport emissions.

The railway expert is passionate about the evolution of railways and how railway networks are operated around the globe. His research work has examined options for rail track upgrades in Australia to reduce its operational costs and cut emissions. He is an Honorary Principal Fellow within the School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics.

---

What parents can do to protect kids online

Dr Karley Beckman is available for interviews about protecting children online. In an article she co-authored for The Conversation Dr Beckman says many social media risks and harms are associated with the design that prioritises profit over user safety. The authors write:

Australian researchers have been calling for a “Children’s Code” or Age-Appropriate Design Code, which have improved platforms in the United Kingdom. The federal government’s plan announced on Thursday to require technology companies to redesign their services to better protect children, is a step in the right direction.

Dr Beckman is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Technologies for Learning in the School of Education. Her research explores children, young people and adult learners’ technology practice.

---

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. 

---

FIND AN EXPERT

The University of Wollongong boasts world-leading experts across a range of disciplines. Visit our Find an expert page for a selection of our experts who can speak to current ongoing and breaking news stories, or contact the Media and Public Relations Unit for help finding relevant experts, organising interviews and providing answers to specific questions.