Sarah Pearson from the University of Newcastle will represent Australia in the Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkey and Australia innovation group. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced Dr Pearson’s appointment yesterday. The MIKTA, “aims to increase mutual understanding, deepen bilateral ties and find common grounds for cooperation.” Dr Pearson joined UniNewcastle in March, becoming PVC Industry Engagement and Innovation (CMM March 22).
Linden Ashcroft and Kelly McKinley are joint winners of the 2018 Moran Award for History of Science Research. Dr Ashcroft will study the motivation and findings of Australian weather observers before the creation of the Bureau of Meteorology in 1908. Ms McKinley, a PhD student at the University of Adelaide will study Australian attitudes to genetic modification starting in the ‘70s.
Curtin University has named Kingsley Dixon and Steven Tingay, John Curtin Distinguished Professors. Professor Dixon was WA Scientist of the Year in 2016. Professor Tingay was WA Science Ambassador in 2012.
The University of Western Australia Business School Board has new members, much like the old ones. Shell Australia’s chairman Zoe Yujnovich joins the board replacing a member who is standing down, former Shell Australia Chairman Andrew Smith. Incoming Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott replace present Wesfarmers MD Richard Goyder. And CEO-elect of grain coop CBH Group Jimmy Wilson rejoins the board.
The National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education, at Curtin University, has announced its 13 research grants for 2017
Lead researchers and projects are:
Natalie Lloyd (Curtin U): how communities in engineering can increase equity group participation in the industry.
Robin Barnes (UniTas): impact of positive community attributes on regional students participation in higher education
Bernadette Walker-Gibbs (Deakin U): aspiration and outcomes in low SES students first university assessment
Lisa Hartley (Curtin U): barriers and support in accessing higher education for people seeking asylum
Jenny Gore (Deakin U): role of communities in shaping student aspirations toward higher education
Sarah O’Shea (UniWollongong): a “digital story telling” exploration of attrition in a low SES regional cohort
Wojtek Tomaszewski (UofQueensland): socioeconomic outcomes of graduates from advantaged/disadvantaged students
Ryan Naylor (LaTrobe U): institutional culture and structural bias in support/retention of low SES students
Fiona Shalley (Charles Darwin U): Indigenous student completion rates at two regional universities
Andrew Harvey (La Trobe U): design principles to protect student equity in performance based funding
Matt Brett (La Trobe U): establishing baseline data on student demographics and outcomes of students enrolled via third party providers and non university providers as basis for analysis of performance funding, sub bachelor programmes and provider category reform
Deanna Grant-Smith (QUT): low SES participation in postgraduate study and outcomes after completion
Ian Li (UWA): comparison of equity/non equity student pathways after graduation