The powerful role of music in the process of reconciliation has been highlighted by a Griffith University researcher.
Associate Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet made her comments as Griffith marks National Reconciliation Week 2017 with the annual Walk and Talk events on Tuesday (May 30) and Thursday (June 1).
This year’s events have added significance nationwide as 2017 marks 25 years since the historic Mabo decision and the 50th anniversary of 1967 referendum where Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them.
It is also the 10th anniversary of the launch of Griffith’s Statement on Reconciliation—a public declaration of the university’s commitment to promoting an environment valuing the traditions, protocols and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“Through music and through songs we’re able to acknowledge both past and present injustices,” Associate Professor Bartleet said. “I think that acknowledgement is
Category: Griffith University Feed
Principals lead the way in lifting literacy levels
An innovative reading program focusing on school principals as leaders and change makers is raising literacy levels across Australia.
The Principals as Literacy Leaders (PALL) program, originally developed and presented by Griffith University, Edith Cowan University and the Australian Catholic University in 2009, aimed to improve students’ literacy outcomes by empowering principals to become literacy leaders.
The program was developed under the sponsorship of the Australian Primary Principals Association, and was funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Closing the Gap initiative.
More than 1500 people in Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia have now undertaken the program.
Professor Tony Townsend from the Griffith Institute for Educational Research offers the research and development program in partnership with Anne Bayetto, a literacy and numeracy expert from Flinders University.
“In the early days, it was just the principals that were involved, but we found that having a single person in the school was not as effective as
Double degree sets Benita on new career path
When she was a young girl Benita Richmond’s parents told her she should become a lawyer when she grew up.
“That was usually when I was arguing with them,’’ the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Government/International Relations student recalled.
But it was to be many years and a circuitous route before Benita pursued that dream.
Although achieving quite well at school, after starting a family at a young age, she opted not to pursue tertiary education.
“With young children, a career was never really a consideration for me and I accepted jobs based primarily on their ability to fit around family commitments,’’ she said.
This included running a kitchen at a specialty cake shop and working in her husband’s building business, eventually leading to several roles in architectural sales and account management.
“I was successful because I am gregarious and good at talking but I didn’t feel like it was where I was meant to be long-term,’’
Cross-cultural research takes Niels to EU forum
After completing his PhD through Griffith University, Dr Niels Kraaier’s comparison of government communications in Australia and the Netherlands has culminated in an invitation to the prestigious EU-Australia Leadership Forum (EUALF) in June.
A unique project in the European Union’s suite of diplomacy actions, the forum will be held in Sydney from 4-6 June, bringing together representatives from business, civil society, academia, media and government to discuss, design and collaborate on ideas around the future of the EU-Australian relationship.
A dual citizen of Australia and the Netherlands, Dr Kraaier’s thesis – The Politics of Government Communications – has attracted attention for its insight into political, societal and cultural understanding between the two countries.
“My PhD was in Organisational and Cross-Cultural Communication and my interviews with government communication personnel provided an intriguing insight into how national cultures and political systems impact upon work practices,” says Dr Kraaier.
“While both Australia and the Netherlands are advanced
A brave new world
Griffith Film School grads are taking the plunge into the brave new world of online content.
It’s not all cat videos and viral home movies – the web is now a legitimate platform for young filmmakers who are attracting large audiences and scooping up awards.
Fresh, funny and irreverent
Griffith Film School graduate Connor McDuff is the creator and star of the Cracker Milk YouTube channel.
Last year, he produced the first web series on the Griffith Film School graduate slate. The resulting three-part comedy series, F****ed Fairytales, was nominated for an Australian Online Video Award last month.
“Most people do a short film for their graduate project, but I’ve loved online for years, and I thought I may as well make something I’m passionate about,” he says.
“I think you can create stuff for online that is irreverent, individual and unique.
“It was loads of fun and the biggest project of my career to date.”
The young filmmaker
Mutt as well go to DogFest
Dog owners rejoice – if your fur friends are inclined to ignore your pleas and commands, help could be at hand.
Social Marketing @ Griffith, in partnership with Redland City Council, is launching ‘Leave It’ a pilot dog training program that starts with a dog friendly event, called DogFest.
A 2017 Griffith University survey of Redland dog owners found that:
57% of dogs dig holes
32% have chewed furniture
10% have caught wildlife and 9% have killed wildlife
DogFest, to be held from 10am to 3pm on Sunday June 4 at Capalaba Regional Park, will feature live music, food trucks, plenty of giveaways and, of course, dog competitions and demonstrations for your four-legged companions.
“Free puppicinos, temporary tattoos, dog tea and more will also be on offer,” said Sharyn Rundle-Thiele, Director, Social Marketing @ Griffith.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the fun-focussed event has a more serious purpose – encouraging dog training.
“This is an exciting initiative that uses innovative techniques
Griffith researcher secures first nursing visiting professorship at Peking University First Hospital
Dr Frances Lin, a senior lecturer of School of Nursing and Midwifery has been awarded the first visiting professorship at Peking University First Hospital (PKUFH). The visiting professorship is in recognition of Dr Frances Lin’s ongoing commitment and contribution to the hospital’s research program development, and her efforts in promoting evidence based practice, and translating research evidence into clinical practice in China. Dr Frances Lin, in collaboration with Prof Andrea Marshall, hosted two visitor scholars (Ms Jing Li, and Ms Shuhui YU) from PKUFH on conducting translational research in 2016. Dr Lin is a key collaborator on a number of projects being conducted at the PKUFH. Ms Yanjing Ding, Director of Nursing of PKUFH, presented the certificate to Dr Frances Lin at a research seminar.
“It’s such an honor to receive this award. Peking University First Hospital is one of the best tertiary teaching hospitals in China”, said Dr Lin who
Sugar – The sweet new frontier to attack cancer
A multi-million dollar investment by Griffith University to establish a world leading cancer research centre is now challenging traditional approaches to cancer testing and treatments.
The Institute for Glycomics at the University’s Gold Coast campus is now home to the newly-established Australian Centre for Cancer Glycomics.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said more than 7 million dollars has been invested in the new centre, the only one of its kind in Australia.
“Our researchers are pushing the boundaries in biomedical research and working towards the discovery of new cancer diagnostics, drugs and vaccines which will have global impact,” Professor O’Connor said.
Local Federal Member and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment the Honourable Steven Ciobo MP has toured the Institute and appreciates the wide-ranging impacts the centre has to offer.
Minister Ciobo said the Gold Coast is now attracting the world’s premier biomedical scientists in this highly specialised field
“This Centre is
City experts tackle world’s challenges
As cities and urban populations continue to grow and present vigorous new challenges, Griffith University is answering the call by establishing Australia’s largest research facility to tackle the issue.
The leading Cities Research Institute, which began as the Urban Research Program in 2004, has drawn in expertise from several disciplines and grown to have 70 academic members, 35-plus adjunct members and more than 120 PhD scholars who are committed to tackling these complex issues.
The research team, based across Griffith’s Gold Coast and Nathan campuses, is focussed on four key themes of intelligent infrastructure, quality places and changing communities, smart cities and coastal resilience and urban water.
Experts including transport and land use planners, civil engineers, system modellers, environmental scientists, economic and social researchers, coastal engineers, geographers and architects drive research in these themes and collaborate on a range of projects.
Institute Director Professor Paul Burton said current research projects were designed to bring
National redress scheme a step in the right direction
Griffith University criminologist Professor Kathleen Daly has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of an initial $33.4 million to establish a national redress scheme for children who were sexually abused in institutional contexts.
Professor Daly, a member of the Independent Advisory Council on Redress announced by the Turnbull Government in December 2016, said the scheme will begin taking applications for redress from survivors of Commonwealth institutions from July 2018. In time, it is expected that other governments and non-government institutions will opt into the scheme.
Joining Professor Daly on the 15-member Council are survivors of institutional abuse and representatives from support organisations, as well as legal and psychological experts, Indigenous and disability experts, institutional interest groups and those with a background in government.
Establishing the Council was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The Council has been asked to provide advice on the governing principles of the