October 21, 2024

UOW expert commentary (21 October)

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

Aboriginal Languages Week (20 – 27 October)

Ms Ash Markstone can talk about Aboriginal Languages Week (20 – 27 October). This year’s theme is ‘Languages Alive, Culture Thrives’ and recognises that revitalising and sustaining languages will ensure they are maintained for future generations. NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia to enact legislation that recognises the importance of Aboriginal languages. Ms Markstone is a proud Dunghutti and Birpai woman and passionate advocate for Indigenous peoples. She is a Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Studies in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry. 

Critical shortage of health care workers in rural towns

Dr Colin Cortie can discuss his recent research which found a critical shortage of health care workers in small rural towns. Dr Cortie says there are three times as many doctors per capita in metropolitan areas than in small rural towns, and twice as many nurses and allied health workers. This means that people in rural areas have a much harder time accessing healthcare. Dr Cortie is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Graduate School of Medicine.

Persuasive design keeping us hooked on digital media

Dr Sumudu Mallawaarachchi can talk about how digital media platforms use psychological principles to keep us hooked on games and apps. She says persuasive design was a concept initially developed to promote positive behaviours such as exercising or to drinking water, however game and app designers now employ it to keep users engaged for as long as possible. Dr Mallawaarachchi has researched persuasive design and how it's implemented in apps targeted at children. She is a Research Fellow with the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child.

Forever chemicals in tap water

Professor Faisal Hai can provide expert commentary on Australia’s plans to reduce forever chemicals in tap water. The civil engineering expert says the toxicity, mobility, persistence and bioaccumulation potential of PFOS and PFOA pose potential concerns for the environment and for human health. Professor Hai is the Head of the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and Director of UOW’s Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab.

US election

Dr Daniel Fleming can talk about the latest developments in the US presidential election. Dr Fleming is a historian with expertise in the US civil rights movement, US history and politics, race, gender and class. He is a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.

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.