July 31, 2024

UOW expert commentary (31 July)

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

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Water quality of the Siene

Professor Faisal Hai can talk about water quality issues of the Siene in Paris. Professor Hai is a civil engineering expert and director of the Strategic Water Infrastructure Lab. He says the underlying issue is the combined sewer carrying wastewater and rain and how the wastewater treatment plants upstream are designed and operated. Professor Hai is the Head of the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

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Rex Airlines

Professor Ann Rogerson can discuss Rex Airlines entering voluntary administration. Before entering academia Professor Rogerson worked in operations and human resources management within the travel and airline sector. She was employed by Ansett Australia when the airline was placed into administration in 2001. Professor Rogerson is an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Business and Law.

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Delayed opening of Sydney Metro 

Honorary Principal Fellow Philip Laird is available to discuss the delayed opening of Sydney’s new metro train line. 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.

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Final report of the disability royal commission - Government response

Social welfare expert Dr Mona Nikidehaghani can some aspects of the Federal Government’s response to the final report of the disability royal commission. The report was released 10 months ago and made 200 recommendations, including the recommendation for inclusive employment. Dr Nikidehaghani is an expert in the relationship between accounting and public policies, with a particular interest in the NDIS. She is a Lecturer in the School of Business.

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Interest rates

Dr Paul Mazzola can discuss the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) interest rates decision, which will be made next week (Tuesday 6 August 2024). Dr Mazzola is a Lecturer in banking and finance in the School of Business. He has more than 25 years’ banking and finance experience in the Australian, European and Asian Pacific markets. He is the author of Countdown to the Global Financial Crisis: A Story of Power and Greed.

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Is Tik Tok making you fat?

Associate Professor Theresa Larkin is available to talk about whether Tik Tok and social media trends promoting different ways to balance hormones are causing more harm than good. Associate Professor Larkin is an expert in anatomy and medical science. She is a Senior Lecturer in UOW’s Graduate School of Medicine. In 2023 Associate Professor Larkin was named a Superstar of STEM by Science & Technology Australia.

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Violent metaphors in political speech

Dr Shoshana Dreyfus can discuss Barnaby Joyce’s choice of language and metaphors in his recent speech at an anti-windfarm rally at the weekend. Dr Dreyfus says it’s typical to use metaphors in politics because they cut through. Associate Professor Dreyfus is a linguist in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.

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2024 Olympics – Performance under pressure

Dr Matthew Schweickle is a sports psychologist who is interested in the areas of performance under pressure in sport, mental health and sports participation, psychological safety in sports, and the use of goal setting in sport and exercise settings. Dr Schweickle has written numerous research articles on clutch performance in sport, including a reconceptualisation and definition of the concept. He is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology.

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2024 Olympics – breast injuries and gender equity in sport

Associate Professor Deirdre McGhee is an exercise physiologist and expert on breast injuries and protective equipment in female contact and combat sports, sports bra design and fit, and breast-related issues that limit physical activity and athletic performance.

Associate Professor McGhee was recently chosen to advise the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on gender equity in sport. Her work, alongside 15 other international experts, will contribute to the development of new guidelines that will help female athletes to straddle the worlds of pregnancy and elite sport. She is the Co-founder and Director of Breast Research Australia at UOW.

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2024 Olympics – Sports marketing

Professor Troy Heffernan is an expert in sports marketing in the School of Business. Professor Heffernan can discuss the role marketing principles play in the operations of sport organisations, sports marketing trends and how sport is used by sponsors to enhance their brand.

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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.