September 3, 2024

UOW expert commentary (3 September)

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

---

Shark nets

Ms Teaniel Mifsud is available for interviews about the use of shark nets in NSW. Ms Mifsud’s research explores human interactions with sharks. While she acknowledges there is an intense fascination with understanding the risk or threat sharks pose, there is a minimal chance of being bitten by a shark. Ms Mifsud is a PhD candidate in the School of Geography and Sustainable Communities.

---

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.

---

Proposed changes to domestic violence laws in NSW

Dr Kelly Lewer is available for interviews about the NSW government’s proposed changes to domestic violence laws. Dr Lewer’s research focuses on the impacts of domestic violence on health and wellbeing, and emphasises improving support responses across many settings. Dr Lewer is a researcher in the School of Nursing.

---

Women’s Health Week (2 – 6 September)

Associate Professor Theresa Larkin can discuss Women’s Health Week (2 – 6 September). Associate Professor Larkin can talk about female sex hormones and their effects across the menstrual cycle on physical and mental health, pregnancy related hormones, back pain during pregnancy, and limitations of previous research in women’s health. Associate Professor Larkin is an expert in anatomy and medical science. She is a Senior Lecturer in UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine. Associate Professor Larkin was recently named a Superstar of STEM by Science & Technology Australia.

---

Public high school students’ sense of belonging

Dr Peter Andersen can talk about recent data from the Tell Them From Me survey which found only 55 per cent of NSW’s public high school students reported a positive sense of belonging last year. Dr Andersen has worked as a primary and secondary teacher in Australia and the UK. He is now a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education whose teaching and research is underpinned by his belief that children should be given opportunities to have a voice in addressing global social and environmental issues relevant to them. 

---

How to support year 12 students in final exams

Professor Penny Van Bergen can discuss how parents can best help their children navigate exam season. In an article she co-authored in The Conversation Professor Van Bergen says when it comes to studying, it’s helpful to know how the brain works:

One common misconception is multitasking can help students do more in less time. In fact, this can drain our capacity to pay attention. You may think you are multitasking but what you are really doing is switching from one task to the next. Each switch has a “cost” for performance, in that it slows you down.

Professor Van Bergen is passionate about educational psychology and about evidence-based teaching practice. She is an Educational Psychologist in the School of Education.

---

Should you trust wine reviews?

Dr Paul Chad is available to talk about wine reviews and wine show results. In an article for The Conversation Dr Chad explores whether wine reviews are trustworthy. He writes:

There are differing views as to whether an upfront fee for a wine review is appropriate – as well as how this compares to offering free reviews and then subsequently charging wineries annual memberships for their use.

Dr Chad is a marketing expert in the School of Business. His research interests include the marketing of wine, sustainability, the circular economy, consumer behaviour of shoppers of second-hand goods, corporate rebranding and the use of marketing by not-for-profit organisations.

---

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.