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THE MAGAZINE OF CURTIN UNIVERSITY ISSUE 24_SUMMER 2014/2015

Curtin graduate wins Emmy for hit TV show title sequence

WORTH WATCHING

LIvING uNdeR sHARed skIes

INvesTING WIseLy

A collision of astronomy, art and culture from around the globe

Creating a brighter future for mining education

Cover Raoul Marks – Curtin alumnus and Emmy winner.

Editorial Team Editor: Jarrad Long

Sub Editor: Anita Shore

Staff Writers: Carmen Reilly, Courtney Schuur, Jessica Ibacache

Creative Direction Luisa Rheinlander

Design Manifesto Design

Contributing Writers Claire Bradshaw, Sue Emmett, Andrea Lewis, Steve Packer

Contributing Photographers Alana Blowfield, Jessica Ibacache, Sam Proctor, James Rogers

Cover Photography Alana Blowfield

Print Scott Print

Editorial Enquiries Corporate Relations and Development Curtin University GPO Box U1987 Perth WA 6845

Tel: +61 8 9266 1598 Email: [email protected]

Cite is available online and in PDF at curtin.edu.au/cite. Alternative formats are available on request.

curtin.edu.au/cite

Cite (s∂it) v. To put forward thought-provoking arguments; to offer insightful discussion and new perspectives on topics of social, political, economic or environmental relevance; to report on new thinking. Sight (s∂it) n. A feature or object in a particular place considered especially worth seeing. v. To frame or scrutinise community, research and business initiatives; to present points of view on current issues. Site (s∂it) n. The location of a building or an organisation, esp. as to its environment. v. To place or position in a physical and social context.

cite_Summer 2014/2015

cite_contributors

Sue EmmettSue is a freelance writer and photojournalist, with special interests in science, technology, Western Australian business, education and the marine environment.

Andrea LewisAndrea is a freelance writer and editor. She was formerly publications manager in Curtin’s corporate communications area.

Claire BradshawClaire is a freelance writer, editor and scriptwriter, with more than 20 years’ experience in the communications field. She completed her creative writing degree at Curtin.

Steve Packer Steve is a freelance journalist who has 30 years’ experience working for newspapers, magazines and corporate publications.

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Under shared skiesthe Square Kilometre array promises to connect scientists with the universe like never before, but the project, yet to enter construction, is already connecting us with one another.

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08

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16 All things being equal ACurtinresearchteamis

developingawaytomeasurejusthowequitableuniversityis.

20 Going for gold Buildingabrightfuturefor

CurtinWASchoolofMines.

snap_shots

06 Living Aboriginal history Perth’sAboriginalheritage

hasbeenputbackonthemapthankstotheKarlaYarningproject.

19 Building bicycles inspires teens

BicycleworkshopsinPerth’shillsarehelpinghighschoolstudentsdreambig.

regular_features

02 VC’s view

03 In brief

05 Campus life

07 Alumni profile Worth watching

RaoulMarkshaswonanEmmyforhisworkonthetitlesequencetohitTVshow,TrueDetective.

07 Alumni profile A healthy attitude

JulieMeekisarenownedsportsperformancespecialistanddieticianwithapassionformakingadifference.

18 Alumni profile Taking London by storm

AcommercedegreehastakenMelissaWhitesidetotheworld-famousinsurancemarket,Lloyd’sofLondon.

18 Alumni profile Space and power

ProfessorOrenYiftachelisascholarofinternationalstandingwhocurrentlyteachesatauniversityinIsrael.

22 Rear view

24 In perspective Answering the big questions

ThediscoveriesthatareyettocomearewhatinspireCurtinastronomerDrJohnMorgan.

Cite magazine is now online. read and share your favourite stories and access web-exclusive content at curtin.edu.au/cite

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02 cite_Summer 2014/2015

vc’s_view

vICe-CHANCeLLORCuRTIN uNIveRsITy

THe AusTRALIAN university sector is facing unprecedented change due in-part to the proposed Federal Government’s higher education reforms. Although many challenges lie ahead, the successes highlighted in this edition of Cite indicate that Curtin is well placed to continue growing as a global innovator in the areas of teaching, learning and research.

The university’s meteoric rise in the Academic ranking of World universities 2014 reflects Curtin’s commitment to engaging in high- impact research and providing high-quality education. Now in the top two per cent of universities worldwide according to the Times World university rankings 2014, our 2030 goal of becoming a leading international university is firmly in sight.

Two budding Curtin researchers were recognised at the Premier’s Science Awards 2014. You can read about their winning research programs, which have significant bearing in the fields of mathematics and applied physics, on page 3.

As the higher education industry transforms teaching and learning capabilities, the work of the Director of the National Centre for Student equity in Higher education, Professor Sue Trinidad, will become all the more pertinent. Her valuable work and the Centre’s proactive approach to ensuring equal access to higher education is featured on page 16.

October marked the start of construction on the Agricola student accommodation redevelopment in Kalgoorlie. This modern facility will enable more Curtin science and engineering students to study on-location at one of Australia’s major mining hubs (see page 20).

It was my pleasure to present the 2014 John Curtin medal to Clinton Heal, a young melanoma survivor and founder of melanomaWA. Clinton’s outstanding contribution to the community can be found on page 3.

Indigenous artists from Australia and South Africa recently showcased work in the Shared Skies exhibition at John Curtin Gallery. Linking ancestral stories with the major Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, this stunning exhibition reflects the scale and power of the SKA project and the potential role it can play in reconciliation (see page 8).

Page 6 covers the successful ‘Karla Yarning – stories of the home fires’ project. A major step toward Indigenous healing and inclusion, the two maps locate important Wadjuk Noongar sites across Perth’s CBD.

I hope you enjoy this exciting edition of Cite. You can access these articles, as well as exclusive content, online at curtin.edu.au/cite.

Professor Deborah Terry

The successes highlighted in this edition of Cite indicate that Curtin is very well placed to continue growing as a global innovator in the areas of teaching, learning and research.

in_brief

03cite_Summer 2014/2015

Students pose with fashion icon Jimmy Choo, designer Illiza Ho (far left) Head of School Design and Art, Anne Farren (back right) and Vice- Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry (far right)

MelanomaWA founder Clinton Heal with his nominator for the medal, Associate Professor Jan McKay

Fashion students meet icon Jimmy Choo

Curtinfinal-yearfashionstudentsexperiencedtheopportunityofalifetimeinAugustwhentheymetandexhibitedtheirworktoglobalfashionicon,ProfessorJimmyChooOBE.

Theworld-renownedshoedesignervisitedCurtin’sSchoolofDesignandArtlastweekaspartofFashionAdvocate,aproposedneweducationprogramtohelpboostWesternAustralia’screativeindustry.

Vice-Chancellor,ProfessorDeborahTerryandProfessorMajellaFranzmannFacultyofHumanitiesPro-ViceChancellor,welcomedProfessorChooandhiscurrentprotégé,handbagdesignerIllizaHo.

StudentsMalloryMaduka-Ika,JaydeChristie,TiaTokic,MaeganDaSilva,MelanieLamandChanelleGibbseachhadtheopportunitytodiscusstheirlatestdesignprojects,receivingsomevaluablefeedback.Theaffablefashioniconsharedhisbusinesscardwitheachstudent,sayingtheywerewelcometocontacthimforfurtheradvice.

TheFashionAdvocateprogramaimstobringtolifethedisappearingartofcraftsmanship,encouragingyoungpeopletotakeupcareersindesign.

HisfirsttimeinAustralia,ProfessorChoospoketoaudiencesinPerthonbehalfofTheWestAustraliannewspaper’sFashionAgendainitiative.

BorninMalaysiain1961,ProfessorChoofollowedinhiscobblerfather’sfootstepsandmadehisfirstpairofshoesatjust11yearsofage.

Melanoma crusader wins John Curtin Medal

Thirty-oneyearoldClintonHealhasbeenawardedtheprestigious2014JohnCurtinMedalforhisoutstandingpersonalresilienceandthecommunityservicehehasgiventoraisingawarenessaboutmelanomaacrossWesternAustralia.

In2005,Heal,then22andaradiographeratPeelHealthCampus,wasdiagnosedwithmetasticmelanoma.Sincethenhehashad35tumoursremovedfromhisbody.Proactivefromthestartinmanaginghislife-threateningdisease,itdidnottaketheyoungCurtingraduatewithadegreeinMedicalImagingScienceandanMBAlongtorecognisetherewaslittlesupportinWAformelanomavictimsandtheirfamilies.

In2008,Healestablishedthenot-for-profitorganisationMelanomaWA,whichtodayprovidesimmediateinformation,adviceandsupportforsufferers,theirfamilies,friendsandcarersandthebroadercommunity,includingschoolsandsportingclubs.

In2011,hewasnamedWAYoungAustralianoftheYear.

“Ihavealwayshadapassiontohelppeoplegetbetterandwhenthethoughtofstartingamelanoma-specificorganisationcameabout,myMBAeducationandgenerousvolunteersupportplayedasignificantpartinsettingupthefacilityandmakingithappen,”saysHeal.

Young scientists honoured at 2014 Premier’s Science Awards

CurtinUniversityyoungscientistshavewontopstateawardstakingoutboththeWoodsideEarlyCareerScientistoftheYearandtheExxonMobilStudentScientistoftheYearcategoriesinthe2014Premier’sScienceAwards.

DrRyanLoxton,SeniorLecturerinCurtin’sDepartmentofMathematicsandStatistics,wontheWoodsideEarlyCareerScientistoftheYearcategorywithhisresearch,whichusesmathematicaltechniquestofindwaysofcontrollingreal-worldrobotic,electronicandchemicalengineeringsystems.

MrMarkZammit,aPhDcandidateintheDepartmentofImagingandAppliedPhysics,wasnamedtheExxonMobilStudentScientistoftheYear,forhisworkdevelopingtheworld’smostaccuratemodelfordescribingthecollisionsofatomsandmolecules.

Curtin’sDeputyVice-Chancellor,ResearchandDevelopment,ProfessorGraemeWrightsaiditwasexcitingtoseetheUniversity’syoungscientistsbeingrewardedfortheirresearch.

“Itisfantastictoseethenextgenerationofscientistscarryingoutresearchthatisattheleadingedgeofsignificantscientificdiscoveries,andthenforthoseresearcherstoberecognisedfortheirwork,”saysProfessorWright.

Award winners Dr Ryan Loxton and Mark Zammit


in_brief

The Curtin Ignition team growing stronger

Curtin Growth Ignition program

TheCurtinCentreforEntrepreneurship’sIgnitionprogramcontinuedtogrowthisyearwith54ofWesternAustralia’sentrepreneursattendingtheeventinPerth.

Theprogram,establishedin2011,allowsbuddingentrepreneurstocometogetherforanintenseweekoflearningandcollaboration,withthepurposeofturninginnovativeideasintocommercialreality.

IgnitionProgramDirectorJaneGarrett,saidthecoursewasauniqueandprovenentrepreneuriallearningprogramtakingparticipantsthroughadisciplined,intensiveprocess.

“Theprogramenablesentrepreneurstofirstlyvalidatetheirbusinessconcepts,thentobuildthebasisofabusinessplanandafundingproposition,allinoneweek.

“Thisyear’sprogramfeaturedawho’swhofromthestart-up,investmentandinnovationcommunityinPerth,andbeyond.Thisisreflectedbythequalityofapplicantswereceivedandtheawardssomeoftheprogram’salumnihaveachieved,”Garrettsays.

ThecourseisbasedonthesuccessfulIgniteprogram,managedanddeliveredbytheUniversityofCambridgeJudgeBusinessSchool’sCentreforEntrepreneurialLearning.

Thelong-termaimofIgnitionistohelpbroadentheWesternAustralianandAustralianeconomicbaseandtodrivegrowth,newbusinessactivityandemployment.

Laurie Oakes optimistic about future of journalism

Laurie Oakes public lecture

AspartofCurtin’s40-yearanniversaryofjournalism,politicaleditorfortheNineNetworkandrespectedpoliticalcommentatorLaurieOakes,presentedapubliclectureattheBentleyCampusinSeptember.

Oakesprovidedvaluableinsightsintothecurrentstateofpoliticaljournalismanditsuncertainfutureinthedigitalage.

“There’sbeenalotofpessimisticcommentaryaboutthefutureofjournalism,especiallyqualityjournalism,”hesaid.

Whiletraditionalprintandbroadcastreportingareinretreat,theinternetmeanspoliticianscanbypassjournaliststoproducetheirowncontent.

“Asjournalistswefacethethreatofreducedrelevance,”Oakessaid.

However,heremainedoptimisticabouttheprofession’ssurvival,notingmanyjournalistshaveembracedonlinereportingduetothepublic’spreferenceforonlinenewsandrenewedappreciationforunbiased,accreditedarticles.

“Journalismmattersinoursociety.It’sfundamentaltotheoperationofourdemocraticsystem,”hesaid.

Withacareerspanning50yearsandfourWalkleyAwards,includingtheGoldin2010,Oakes’scogentreportinghasearnedhimtherespectofpeers,politicians,thepublicandaspiringjournalists.

Oakes’sachievementsreflecttheaimsandpurposeofCurtin’sDepartmentofJournalism,whichhasproducedsomeofAustralia’smostsuccessfulmediaprofessionals.

Curtin’s strength in research is a major factor for the jump up the international rankings.

Curtin improves world ranking by more than 100 places

CurtinUniversityhassignificantlyimproveditsrankingsinthehighlyregardedAcademicRankingofWorldUniversities(ARWU).

Curtinisnowplaced303withinthe301-400band,upfromthe401-500bandin2013.TheUniversitywasoneofonly19Australianuniversitiesrankedin2014andisplacedequal10thnationally.

CurtinUniversityVice-Chancellor,ProfessorDeborahTerrysaidshewasdelightedCurtinhadsignificantlyimproveditspositionintheARWU.

“TheARWUiswidelyrecognisedasthemostrelevantresearch-orienteduniversityrankingsystemworldwideandthisisthesixthconsecutiveyearCurtinhasfeatured,”ProfessorTerrysaid.

“Curtin’ssignificantimprovementinthe2014rankingsisareflectionofthefocustheUniversityhasput,overaperiodoftime,onincreasingitsresearchperformance.

“OneofthefactorsforthisimprovementisthatThomsonReutersrecentlyrevisedthepublishedlistofHighlyCitedresearchers.CurtinnowhasthreeresearchersincludedwhichsubstantiallyimprovesCurtin’spositionintherankings,andisreallygratifying,”ProfessorTerrysaid.

Curtin’s2013-2017StrategicPlanoutlinestheintentiontoattractandretainiconicscholarstoundertakeworld-leadingresearchinareasofglobalsignificance.

Superheroes, giant fuzzy animals and Star Wars characters took over Curtin’s edinburgh Oval for 24 hours in October. The groups were part of Curtin’s annual relay for Life event to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, education and support services.

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The Karla Yarning maps of Perth city centre are helping to restore public awareness of the city’s Aboriginal heritage.

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PHOTOGrAPHY JAMes ROGeRs

Tod Joneswasneverindoubtaboutthevalueof‘KarlaYarning–storiesofthehomefires’,theAboriginalhistoryandcultureprojecthestartedworkingoninmid-2013fortheCityofPerth.Andwhenthefirst5,000copiesoftheproject’sinformationbrochuresweresnappedupwithintwomonthsofpublicationinJune,itwasconfirmationthatmanyotherpeoplesharehisview.

ThetwobrochuresdescribeandmapsitesincentralPerthwhichwere,andcontinuetobe,ofsignificancetotheWadjukpeople,thearea’straditionalowners.Onebrochure(ThiscityisWadjukcountry)isbasedonthemany

thousandsofyearsofAboriginalhistorybeforethearrivalofthefirstwhitesettlersin1829.Theother(Fightingforcountry,rightsandrecognition)detailspost-1829events,resistanceandprotest,andorganisationsthatworkedtoimprovethelivesofAboriginalpeople.

Ideally,localsandtouristsusethebrochurestoguidethemonwalkingtourswhicheachtakeabout90minutes.

“Obviouslythere’sarealappetiteforthiskindofinformation,”saysJones,aseniorlectureratCurtin’sSchoolofBuiltEnvironment.

“MostoftheinteresthascomefromPerthresidents,andteachershavebeenkeentogettheirhandsonthebrochuresaswell.”

JonesandProfessorLenCollard,fromTheUniversityofWesternAustralia,ledtheprojectanddrewoninputfromeightAboriginalculturaladvisors.There’salsoawebsitewherethebrochuresareavailabletodownload(perth.wa.gov.au/our-city/things-see-and-do/karla-yarning-stories-home-fires).

“Ithinkthisprojectisimportantfortworeasons,”saysJones.“Firstly,withtheguidanceofthearea’straditionalowners,itexpressestheircontinuingconnectiontocountrythatexiststhere,anditalignswithabiggerprojectofrecognisingallAboriginalconnectionstocountryandtherelatedhistory.

“Secondly,it’saboutthediversityofPerthitself.Ifwecancreateacitywherewerecognisethattherearemanydifferentgroupswithconnectionstoplaces,anddifferentwaysofseeingthoseplaces,thenwe’recreatingamulticulturalsocietythatcancopewithdifferenceanddiversity.”

Theillustratedbrochurespulltogetherawealthoffascinatinginformationandmakeitaccessibleinawaythathasn’tbeendonebefore.

“Thelandscapehasbeenthroughbigchanges,”saysJones,“butthehistoryisstillthere,andknowingaboutitenricheslifeinthecurrentcity.Atthesametime,ithelpsthefamiliesofthetraditionalownersre-enlivenandreclaimtheirheritage.”

Living Aboriginal history


alumni_profile

RaoulMarks’workasadigitalanimatorhastakenhimfromapublishinghouseinPerthtotheredcarpetofHollywood.TheCurtingraduate’sstrikingvisualstyle,whichrecentlyearnedhimanEmmy,isasmultilayeredashiscareer.

RaisedinFremantle,MarkscompletedadegreeinmultimediadesignatCurtin.Hefondlyremembersanumberoflecturerswhoplayedaroleinhisformativeyears,notablyDrAndrewHutchison,XavierNgCheongTin,

GeorginaNoble(retired)andSteveRubeck(retired).

Markssayssomeofthecourse’smostvaluableaspectsweretherobustdebatesthattookplacein-classabouttheabilityofdesigntoexploredeeperissues.

“Findingthatlinkbetweenbroaderpoliticsanddesignwasareallyengagingandilluminatingpartofthecourse,”hesays.

Aftergraduating,MarksdesignedpublicationsforPerthcompaniesandthentookupafilm-advertisingjobinEdinburgh,

Scotland.There,helearnedthe“artfulskillofaddingexplodingcars,muscledsuperstarsandmachineguns”toDVDboxart.

Theexperiencesparkedhisinterestintheentertainmentindustryandmotiongraphics.HejoinedAntibody,acreativeproductionteambasedinSydney,anddesignedgraphicsforcommercialsandcomputergames,includingTomClancy’sTheDivisionandGhostRecon.

CatchingtheattentionofmajorUSproducers,AntibodywasinvitedtopitchforTrueDetective.Theteambeatfourindustry-experiencedfirmstotakeontheprojectand,withMarksasheadanimator,wonthe2014EmmyforOutstandingMainTitleDesign.

Marks’appreciationofcomplexityandnuanceisperhapsbestdemonstratedinthework.Incorporatingintricatedetailandcarefullyoverlaidimagery,thetalentedanimatorshowsakeenunderstandingofvisualallegory.Inthemontage,imagesoffire,streetscapesandpolluted

Louisianawaterwaysfillupthecharacters’silhouettes.

“Welikedtheideathatthecharactersandthelandscapewereintrinsicallylinked,”Markssays.“Theyarebornofthatenvironment,inthewaythatatreegrowscrookedontopofawindyhill.Thesecharactersarepeoplebornofapsychologicalwasteland.”

Inrecentyears,TVserieslikeTrueBloodandGameofThroneshavecementedthetitlessequenceasanartform.

“[ForTrueDetective]themostcrucialelementwastohelptelltheshow’sstory,toenrichit,”saysMarks.“Thebiggestcomplimentformeisbeingtold,‘wedidn’tskipthetitles’.”

MarkshassincebeeninvolvedinthehighlysuccessfulAdidasFIFAWorldCupcampaignandworkedonthetitlesfortheacclaimednewAMCTVshow,HaltandCatchFire.NowbasedinMelbourne,Marksiscontinuinghisworkasafreelancemotiondesignerforlocalandoverseasclients.

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In yeaR9atschool,JulieMeekrealisedshewantedtohelppeoplechooseahealthylifestyleandfoodasacareer.Shesoughtadvicefromaguidancecounsellorandcameupwithaplantoachievehergoalofbecomingadietician.

AfteracompletingthreedegreesatCurtin–aBachelorinNutritionandFoodScience;aGraduateDiplomainDietetics;

andaPostgraduateDiplomainHealthPromotion,Meekhadasolidfoundationtobecomethesought-afterperformancespecialistandsportsdieticiansheistoday.

Meek’spassionforhealthyeatinghasledtoanincrediblyvariedandsuccessful15-yearcareer,whichshehaslovedfromdayone.“Itwasasmallcohortoflike-mindedpeopleandsome

ofthosefriendshipsstillremaintoday,”saysMeek.

MeekhasworkedasasoledieticianinruralNewSouthWales,helpedsportsorganisationsfromgrassrootstotheelitelevel,establishedBellyBlasters(aweightreductionprogram),startedherownbusinessandwrittentwobooks.SheisperhapsbestknownforherworkasasportsdieticianforthePerthWildcatsbasketballteamandtheFremantleDockersfootballclubaswellaswritingandpublishingabookentitledentitledTruth,LiesandChocolate,whichbecameafinalistintheWorldFoodMediaAwards.

Shenowspendshertimewritingandspeakingtocorporategroupsabouthowtoembraceworld-classathletesinthebusinessrealm.

Asherwhirlwindcareermightindicate,Meekisnotonetositstillforlong.Meek,herhusbandandthreechildrenrecentlybought

an800-year-oldapartmentinTuscanytheyplantoslowlyrenovate.

“IwouldliketoestablishspeakingworkinItalyandEuropeinthenextcoupleofyearsandbecomebilingual,”shesays.“IfeelverypassionateaboutwhatIdoandthedifferenceIcanmakeinpeople’slives–thatalwaysdrivesmeforward.”A healthy attitude _Julie meek

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STOrY CLAIRe BRAdsHAW


WHIleseparatedbyavastocean,theYamajipeopleofWesternAustraliaandthepeopleofSandescentinSouthAfricahavemuchincommon:theysharethesamelatitudeandviewofthesouthernsky,theyhaveasimilarhistoryofculturaldispossessionfollowingcolonisation,andbothhaverecentlymarkedthearrivalofsomeverymodernandsophisticatedtechnologyintheirquiet,ancestrallandscapes.

TheirtraditionallandsintheMurchisonregionofWesternAustraliaandtheKarooregioninSouthAfrica’sEasternCapearethechosensitesfortheA$2billioninternationalSquareKilometreArray(SKA)project.Differenttypesoftelescopeinfrastructurearebeinghostedateachsite,combiningtocreatetheworld’slargestandmostsensitiveradiotelescope,capableofcapturingunprecedentedlevelsofinformationfromsomeofthefarthestreachesoftheuniverse.

Whileitistheirremoteness,sparsenessandlackofradioactivitythatlendsthesesitestheirscientificattraction–theyare,literally,someofthequietestplacesonEarth–thecelestialknowledgeoftheirfirst

inhabitantsisalsoexcitingthescientistsworkingontheSKA,asarethepossibilitiestheprojectoffersforreconciliation.

“Wehavelearnedanenormousamountfromeachother,andIthinkweareshowinghowsciencecandriveactivitiesthatworktowardsreconciliationininterestingways,”explainsCurtin’sProfessorofRadioAstronomyandco-directoroftheInternationalCentreforRadioAstronomyResearch(ICRAR)ProfessorStevenTingay.

Tingay,likeothersinvolvedintheproject,wasinaweoftheflat,ancient,pristinelandonwhichtheAustralianSKAradiotelescopeanditsprecursorinfrastructurewastobesituatedandwaskeentolearnmoreaboutitshistory.In2009,discussionsbetweenastronomers,astrophysicistsandlocalIndigenousartistsstartedtoopensomeinterestingdoors.

“WegottogetherwithagroupofindigenousartistsfromaroundtheregionwhohadalreadybeenpaintingtheirstoriesaboutthenightskyandvisitedBoolardystationwheretheAustralianSKAsiteislocated,”heelaborates.“Theywalkedtheirlandwithusandsharedtheirperspectivesonthenightsky.Inreturn,weshowedthem

The Square Kilometre Array mega science project has ambitious celestial aims: looking deeper than ever before into time and space to help answer our questions about the early history of the universe. However, the new connections it is creating on the ground are also proving an extremely important aspect of the project, as its Shared Sky exhibition clearly demonstrates.


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newviewsoftheskythroughbinocularsandtelescopesandtalkedabouttheproposedSKAprojectandwhatwehopedtoachieve.

“Thesewereeye-openingdiscussionsforusasscientists.AnimportantreferencepointformanyAboriginalpeopleisthehuge‘emuinthesky’,whichisnotmadeupofbrightstars,butofdarkpatchesrunningalongthecentreoftheMilkyWaygalaxy.Thestudyofblackholes,darkenergyandmatterisrelativelynew,butwerealisedthatAboriginalpeoplehadbeenrelatingtothedarkspacesintheskyforaverylongtime.Itwasincrediblyinspiring.”

Theartworksresultingfromtheseinitialinteractions,exploringbothtraditionaland

telescopicviewsofthesky,formedtheexhibitionIlgarijri–thingsbelongingtothesky–whichwasshownatCurtinbeforetouringinternationally.

Whenitwasannouncedin2012thattheSKAprojectwouldbesplitbetweenAustraliaandSouthAfrica,extendingtheartprojecttotheKarooregionwasseenasanidealwayfortheSKAtobuildconnectionsacrosscountriesaswellascultures.

WhiletheWesternAustralianIndigenousartistscontinuedtoexploretheirrelationshiptotheskythroughpaintings,collages,sculpturalinstallationsandemueggcarvings,artistsofSandescentworkedcollaborativelyattheBethesdaArtCentre,ontheedgeoftheKaroo,toproducelargeembroideredquiltsinspiredbythecelestialcreationmythsoftheirancestors.Fortunately,theseancientstoriesweremeticulouslyrecordedpriortotheextinctionoftheirlanguageinthelate19thcentury.

TheseworkshavenowbeenbroughttogetherintheSharedSkyexhibition,curatedbytheJohnCurtinGallery’sdirector,ChrisMalcolm.Excitingly,twooftheSandescentartiststravelledtoPerthfortheexhibitionopeningatCurtin,alongwiththeBethesdaArtCentre’sfounder,andallthreespenttimeintheMurchisonregionwiththeYamajiartists,furtheringopportunitiesforcollaborationandexchange.

“SharedSkyisallaboutlearningfromoneanother,respectingandcelebratingtheancientculturalwisdomtheartistsareconnectedto,alongsidethenewknowledgeandvisionoftheSKA,”Malcolmexplainsoftheexhibition,whichseesthedistinctlydifferent(thoughequallyrichandcolourful)artworksfrombothcountrieslinkedbyspectaculartime-lapseimagesofthenightsky,astrackedbytheSKAastronomers.

“ItreflectstheinternationallycollaborativespiritattheheartoftheSKAandreinforcesitspotentialforrespect,healingandreconciliation.Bothofthesecommunitieshavehadtheirconnectionstotheirland,theirlanguagesandtheirculturalidentityseriouslydisrupted.Thisprojectprovidesanopportunityforreconnectionwiththerichnessoftheirpastsinthecontextoftheirlivestoday.”

In2015,theexhibitionwillstartitsglobaltourinCapeTown,SouthAfricabeforetravellingtomorethan10SKApartnernationsacrossfivecontinents,encouragingmanymorepeopletoreflectontheimportantlinksbetweenart,cultureandscience.

“The study of black holes, dark energy andmatter is relatively new, but we realised thatAboriginal people had been relating to thedark spaces in the sky for a very long time.It was incredibly inspiring.”

toP: the girl Who made StarS, 230Cm x 186Cm, Collaborative art quilt, FirSt PeoPle artiStS, betheSda artS Centre above: Collaborative Painting, 2014, aCryliC on CanvaS, yamaJi art Centre, image Charmaine green

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Pasar malam – malay for ‘night market’ - is a not-for-profit student initiative, organised annually by the International Students Committee and Curtin Student Guild. It’s a celebration of Curtin’s diversity, with food and entertainment from around the globe, put together to conclude multicultural Week.

A feast for the senses

PHOTOGrAPHY JessICA IBACACHe


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With around 10,000 attendees each year, Pasar malam has grown from Curtin’s “best kept secret” to the biggest cultural event on the university’s calendar. more than 40 stallholders and perfect spring weather made for an unforgettable event in 2014.


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The art of bicycle restoration has given a group of Perth teenagers a renewed enthusiasm for learning.

STOrY JessICA IBACACHe

FoRateenager,ridingabicycleisliberating,butridingabicycleyoubuiltwithyourownhandsisanachievement.Atoneofthestate’soldestyouth-focusednot-for-profitorganisations,they’regettingtheopportunitytodojustthat.

TheteenagersarestudentsinParkervilleChildrenandYouthCare’sEducation,EmploymentandTrainingProgramandparticipateinRideAHEAD–acollaborationbetweenParkerville,CurtinUniversityand

Dismantle,abicyclerescuegroupthatoffersbicyclerepairingmentoringsessions.

WithhelpfromDismantlebicyclemechanics,theteenagersrestoretwobicycles:oneforcharityandoneforthemselves.ThroughbicyclerestorationandcareerassistancefromParkervilleandCurtinstaff,studentslearnbasicmechanics,gainconfidenceinthemselvesandacquireinterpersonalskillsessentialforemploymentandfurtheringtheireducation.

TheprogramisassociatedwiththeCurtinAHEADinitiative,whichseekstoraiseawarenessandunderstandingofthebenefitsofhighereducation.

LenNielsen,astaffvolunteerfromCurtinStudentEquitywhohelpedkick-starttheprogram,saysRideAHEADisthestepping-stoneforinspiringyouthintouniversitystudy.

“It’salong-termthingthatcanactuallyhaveaninfluenceonthemgoingtouniversityinyearstocome,”hesays.

CurtinprovidesParkervillestudentswithcareerdevelopmentsessions,aCurtincareerdayexcursionandregularvolunteersattheworkshops.

“Weprovideguidanceandanexcursionthatincludesatourofthecampusandthechancetospeaktostudentambassadors,whoareofasimilarage,”Nielsensays.

“WithoutRideAHEADthestudentsmightnothavetheexposuretouniversityandmaynotconsideritasanoption.Wegivethemaglimpseintoapossiblefuture.”

TheParkervilleprogramenablesdisengagedyouthtograduatefromsecondaryeducationandpreparesthemforemploymentthroughpracticaltraining,careerdevelopmentandclassroomsessionsinawelcomingenvironment.

ParkervilleEducation,EmploymentandTrainingProgramManagerAnnaEllishasnoticedasignificantchangeinthestudentswhoattendtheworkshops.

“Forstudentswhohavenotsucceededinmainstreamschoolthebikeworkshophasbeenagreatincentivetore-engageineducation.”

ParkervillestudentMelissaBenfieldlooksforwardtothebikeworkshopeveryweek.

“Wemadebikestodonatefirstandnowwe’remakingourownwithalotofhelpfromthestaff,soIfeelveryconfidentinmakingbikesnow,”shesays.

EllissaystheRideAHEADprogramhascontributedtoParkerville’salreadyestablishedstudentcareerdevelopmentfocusbyintroducingthepossibilitiesofhighereducationtostudents.

“HavingpeopleinfromCurtinhasgiventhemtheideatodosomethingmoreafterschool.”

Nielsensaystheoutcomesoftheprogramcan’tbemeasuredbyacademicresultsoruniversityrecruitmentnumbers,butthroughstudents’personalgrowthanddevelopment.

“They’remuchmoreconfidentintheirabilitytofixbikesandfeelthattheyhaveactuallyachievedsomething,”hesays.

“They’reproudofthefactthatthisistheirbike,theychosethecolourandputitbacktogetherandunderstandwhat’sgoingon.There’ssomeownership,confidenceandprideinwhatthey’redoing.”

ProjectCoordinatorSilviaLozevahopesRideAHEADwillmaintainitsmomentumin2015,andhasplanstotaketheinitiativetoothereducationalproviders.

Curtin aHeadcurtin.edu.au/ahead

Parkerville Children and youth Careparkerville.org.au

dismantle dismantle.org.au


feature_story

STOrY sTeve PACkeR


Australia will soon have a comprehensive framework to monitor and help overcome inequities for disadvantaged groups in higher education.

WHenProfessorSueTrinidadtalksaboutdisadvantagedstudentscomingthroughthehighereducationsystem,it’sfrompersonalexperienceaswellasinhercapacityasdirectoroftheNationalCentreforStudentEquityinHigherEducation(NCSEHE).

TrinidadgrewupinregionalWesternAustraliaandwasthefirstmemberofherfamilytogotouniversity.EarlyinhercareershewasateacherofIndigenousstudentsinaremoteWAtown.

HerbackgroundhasdeepenedherunderstandingofthebarriersandproblemsfacedbymanyofthesixgroupsidentifiedinAustralianhighereducationpolicyasrequiringbetterequity:regionalandremotestudents;lndigenousstudents;lowsocioeconomicstatusstudents;studentswithadisability;studentsfromnon-Englishspeakingbackgrounds;andwomeninnon-traditionalareasofstudysuchas

engineering,architectureandinformationtechnology.

Thesegroupsareunder-representedinhighereducationandthereforedon’texperienceitslifelongbenefitsequally.Forexample,lowSESappliesto25percentoftheAustralianpopulation,butonly17.3percentofhighereducationstudents.ForIndigenousAustralians,thecomparativefiguresare2.5and1.5percent.Forpeoplewithawithadisability,theyareeightandfivepercent.

“Iwasveryluckytocomethroughafreeeducationsystem,butit’snotlikethatnow,”saysTrinidad,whoachievedadoctorateatCurtinintheearly1990s.“Thatmakesitallthemoreimportantwecanmonitorandevaluateequityinhighereducationandseeifthereareinitiativesthatcanbeusedtogivedisadvantagedstudentseveryopportunitytosucceed.”

Monitoringandevaluatingthesystem’sequityisadeceptivelycomplextask.LastyeartheCurtin-basedNCSEHEstartedworkonaninnovativenewmethod,theEquityPerformanceFramework(EFP),forthefederalgovernment.Theinitialdrafthashadfeedbackfromanumberofstakeholdersandhasgoneouttothebroaderstakeholdergroup.TheprojectisscheduledforcompletioninDecember2015.

“We’rebuildingflexibilityintotheframeworksothat,aspoliticalpoliciesandotherfactorsshift,theperformanceofdifferentoradditionalequitygroupscanbemonitored,givingusamoreholisticunderstandingofhighereducationequity,”saysTrinidad.

Trinidadistheproject’sdirector,withAndrewBroadleyasprojectmanager.TheNCSEHEteamalsoincludesthedraftframework’swriters,productdeveloperTimPitmananddataanalystPaulKoshy.

Theprojecthasa10-personsteeringgroupwithrepresentativesfromtheDepartmentofEducation(theNCSEHE’smainfunder),NationalCentreforVocationalEducationResearch,AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHigherEducationAdvisoryCouncil,AustralianBureauofStatistics,UniversitiesAustraliaandEquityPractitionersinHigherEducationAustralasia.

aCHIeVInGgreaterequityhasbeenbackedbybothsidesofpolitics,resultinginmanyinitiativestocounteranissuewhichwasbarelyacknowledgedtwodecadesago.TheEPFhashadbipartisansupportsinceitsconception.


Butpoliticalprioritiesaresubjecttouncertainty.“We’rewaitingtoseewhathappenswiththedecisionaboutderegulationofhighereducationcurrentlygoingthroughparliament,”saysTrinidad.

Theprojectteamhasalreadyhadtodealwithachangetotheproposedframeworkthisyearwhenaskedtoextendthestakeholdersbeyonduniversities,totakeinallprovidersofhighereducationincludingTAFEs–about160institutionsintotal.

Thecomplexitywithequityitselfisthatit’snotjustaboutwhoisatuniversityandhowmanygraduate.“Oneofthereasonstheframeworkisimportantisthatit’snotjustmonitoringhighereducation.It’smonitoringdisadvantagedstudentsrightfromenteringeducationataveryyoungage,uptoleavingthesystem.Thewholeeducationjourney,”saysTrinidad.“Weknowthatequalopportunitystartsfrombirth,andoneinfiveAustralianchildrenisgrowingupwithouttheopportunitiestheyneedtosucceed.Wehavetobeabletoidentifythesechildrenearlyandensuretheinterventionsaremakingadifference.”

Thisisofinteresttonon-governmentorganisationsaswell,saysNCSEHEmediaandcommunicationsofficerLouisaBowman.“Forexample,TheSmithFamily,whichworksintheeducationspacewithdisadvantagedchildren,isinterestedintheframeworkbecauseitcomesbacktotheinterventionsthegovernmentfundstoprovideoutreach,accessandsupporttodisadvantagedandmarginalisedgroups.”

AsPitmanandKoshynoteintheframework’sfirstdraft:“Itisimportanttostatefromtheoutsetthatmembershipofoneofthesegroupsdoesnotnecessarilyconstitutedisadvantageattheindividuallevel ...Someindividualswithinoneormoreoftheequitygroupsmightnotconsiderthemselvesdisadvantagedandmightresentbeinglabelledassuch.

“However,explicationofthesegroupsisanacknowledgementbyandthroughpublicpolicythat,inmostcases,under-representationinhighereducationleadstofuturesocioeconomicdisadvantage,suchashigherlevelsofunemployment,lowerlevelsoflifetimeearningsandworsehealthoutcomes.”

a laCKofself-recognitionofbeinginanequitygroupissomethingBowmancanrelateto.“IwastechnicallyanequitystudentbecauseIcamefromalowSESfamily,andIwasthefirstinmyfamilytogotouniversity,”shesays.“ButwhenIwascomingthroughCurtin10yearsago,Ihadnoideaequitygroupsevenexisted.”

AddsTrinidad:“Thepointis,we’vemovedquitealongwayinadecadebecauseofthegovernmentpolicyofrecognisingtheimportanceofsupportingstudentslikeLouisaandI.Wemanagedtocomethroughwithoutmanysupportmechanisms,butnowstudentslikeusarelikelytogetpickedupearlyandgivenmoresupporttosucceed.

“It’soneofthereasonsLouisaandI,andeveryoneelseattheNCSEHE,aresopassionateaboutthisproject.”


PRoFessoR OrenYiftachel’scareerhasnotbeenatypicalone.TheIsraelinativeisnotonlyaprominentacademicinthefieldofurbanandregionalplanning,butanactivistwhoseworkconcentratesonhumanrightsfortheminoritiesandIndigenouspeopleoftheMiddleEast.

Hisinterestinurbanplanningstartedinthe1980sstudyingaBachelorofArtsinUrbanandRegionalStudiesatCurtin’spreviousincarnation,theWesternAustralianInstituteof

Technology(WAIT)asCurtinUniversitywaspreviouslyknown.

YiftachelsayshewasstudyingatWAITwhenhefirstrealisedhowurbanandregionalplanningcouldbenefitsociety.

“WAITwasagoodinfluence”,herecalls.“SomeofuswereinvolvedintheSwanBrewerybattle.Wehadatentcityandweslepttherewiththefringedwellers,whoweregroupsofAboriginalAustralianswhocampedontheoutskirtsofAustraliantownsandcitiesand

hadbecomeexcluded,throughlaworlandalienation.

“Iwasalsopartoftheaffordablehousingassociationforpeoplewhohadhardshipsinthehousingmarket,sothisinformedmuchofmyactivisminlateryears.”

YiftachelsubsequentlywentontocompletehisPhDinIsrael,workforsomeoftheworld’smostrenowneduniversitiesincludingColumbia,Pennsylvania,andBerkeleyintheUnitedStates,andpublishmorethan120articlesand13books.

Hehasalsofoundedanumberofactivistandprofessionalorganisations.

“IheadedthebiggestactivismorganisationinBeersheba,Gaza,whichdealswithhumanrightsviolationsintheoccupiedterritoriesbyworkingalotwithPalestinianorganisations,”hesays.

“I’vealsoworkedwithIndigenouscommunitiesinIsrael.Iusedmyskillsasaplannertodevisearegionalplanfortherecognitionofthesecommunities

–about100,000people–sotheycouldhavesomesafetyintheirlivesandnotbeconstantlyunderthreatofhousedemolition.

“Wedon’tknowhowmanydisasterswouldhavehappenedwithouttheactivistsaroundtheworld,soI’mgladI’moneofthem,”hesays.

Yiftachelpartlyattributeshisworldviewtohisupbringing.BorninGalileeinIsrael,hewasraisedinakibbutz,acollectivecommunitybasedonagricultureandsocialistideals.

“IgrewupinwhatcouldbecalledthesocialistutopiathatwaslocatedinamixedregionofArabsandJews.Propertywassharedbyeverybodyandwedidn’thaveanypossessions,”hesays.

YiftachelnowholdsadistinguishedacademicpositionatBen-GurionUniversityoftheNegev,Israel,andcontinueshisquestofhumanrightsthroughplanning.

“Themissionofeveryplanneristomakeabettersocietyandabettercity”,Yiftachelsays.

alumni_profile

a CommeRCedegreefromCurtinhastakenMelissaWhitesideallthewaytoaprestigiouspositionwithintheworld-famousinsurancemarketatLloyd’sofLondon.

FollowinggraduationfromCurtinBusinessSchool,Whitesidespentafewyearsworkingforanaccountingfirm,gainingexperienceinofficeadministrationandbusinesssupport.

ShethenjoinedthePerthofficeoftheglobalconglomerate,

JLTGroup,whosecompaniesincludeLloydandPartners.Inhergraduatepositionsherotatedthroughthecompany’svarioussegmentsgivinghertheabilitytodiscoverherownnicheatthecompany.

WhitesidewasappointedAccountExecutive,MiningandConstructionin2012andwasresponsibleforplacinginsuranceonbehalfofclientsbymarketingandbrokingtotheAustralianandglobalmarket.

“BeingaretailbrokeratLloydandPartnersprovidedmewiththeskillsettobeaclientfirstserviceproviderandtothinkquicklyonmyfeet,”saysWhiteside.“Mytimeonthegraduateprogramprovidedmanynetworksandcontactsacrossourglobalorganisation.Andofcourse,likemostachievementsinlife,anelementofluckaidedmeinreachingmycurrentrole.”

Whiteside’sgreatestcareerachievementtodate,andadefiningmomentinherlife,wasbeingofferedasecondmentwiththeLloydandPartnersofficeinLondon.Shedescribesitas“asurrealmomentwhichremindedmethatputtinginhardworkdoesreaprewards.”

WhitesidehasembracedLondonlife,settlinginthesoutheastofthecity.Althoughsheinitiallyfoundherfamousworkplacealittleintimidating,shenowsays“walkingintoLloyd’severydayisafunexperienceandaveryuniquewayoftransactingbusiness.”

Asawholesalebroker,Whitesideanalysesherclients’risksanddeterminesthemosteffectivewaysofmarketingeachrisktotheLondonmarketatLloyd’sofLondononbehalfoftheirnetworkpartnersandretailbrokers.“MyfirstattemptofbrokinginLloydswasanintimidatingbutgreatexperienceandnowsomethingIdoonadailybasis,”saysWhiteside.Shecreditsthebusinessacumen,analyticalskills,reportwritingandunderstandingofeconomicsthatshegainedatCurtinasvaluableskillsusedinhercurrentrole.

Lloyd’sofLondonwasfounded325yearsagoandmaintainsmanyofthetraditionsbuiltupoverthoseyears,includingthehistoricalLutineBell–traditionallystruckonceforbadnewsandtwiceforgoodsnews–andthedoormenwearredcoatsandtophats.ForWhiteside,theseaspectsarefascinatingandmakeLloyd’sofLondonauniqueplacetowork.

Taking London by storm _melissa WhitesideSTOrY COuRTNey sCHuuR

Space and power_Oren YiftachelSTOrY JessICA IBACACHe


feature_story

GoinG for GoLd

STOrY ANdReA LeWIs

A series of investments in the Curtin WA School of mines in Kalgoorlie

underpins the university’s commitment to the region and is ensuring that

students get the best possible educational experience.


FoRstudentsstudyingmininggeology,miningengineering,minesurveyingormetallurgicalengineeringatCurtin’sKalgoorlieCampus,livinginAustralia’sgoldminingcapitalduringthistimeoffersauniqueeducationalopportunity.

Almostall,however,arelivingawayfromhomeforthefourormoreyearsoftheirKalgoorlieexperience.Whereandhowtheyliveduringthistimeplaysanimportantroleintheirstudentexperience.

ThehistoricAgricolaCollegehasbeenthehubofstudentaccommodationformorethan40years.Whileitsvariousfaceliftshavekeptthecollegerelativelymodernised,itisnolongerabletokeepupwithgrowingstudentnumbers.Forthefirsttimeinitsfour-decadehistory,muchofthecollegeisabouttoberebuilt.

There-developmentwillconsistofanew180-bedfacilityandtherefurbishmentofanexisting48-bedfacility.Expandingitshousingcapabilityfrom160to228students,thenewcollegewillbethetemporaryhomeforaroundonethirdofCurtinWASchoolofMines’studentbody.

Importantly,thenewandmodernaccommodationhasbeendesignedtomakethecollegeasocialhub.Currentdormitory-styleroomswillbereplacedby‘apartment-style’living,withstudentseachhavingtheirownroom,whilesharinglounges,bathroomandkitchenfacilitieswithfiveothers.

“Withinternationalstudentnumbersstrong–justover200currentlyrepresentmorethan35nations–andAustralianstudentscomingfromallpartsofWAandaroundAustralia,theirfirstlivingawayfromhomeexperiencecanhaveagreatimpactonthem,”saysCurtinWASchoolofMinesDirectorSteveHall.

“It’simportantthattheyhaveahigh-qualityandwelcomingresidencewaitingforthem.Thismeanshavinggoodinfrastructure,goodsecurityandawarmandfriendlystudentexperience.RebuildingAgricolaisverymuchaboutsocialisingthecampus,aboutlookingafterthehealthandwelfareofstudentsforwhomKalgoorlieisnothome.”

Theconstructionofthenewcollegewillbegininearly2015andisexpectedtobecompletedtwoyearslater.TheprojecthasreceivedA$20millionfromtheRoyaltiestoRegionsprogram,withCurtincontributingA$10million.

TheAgricolabuildingprojectmakesuponepartofalargerpictureofdevelopmentfortheschoolwithrecentinfrastructureandequipmentinvestmentsinexcessofA$5millionandafurtherA$5milliontobespentinlate2014andearly2015.

Somelearninginfrastructurehasalreadybeenupgraded.LaunchedinMaythisyear,thenewlibraryandlearningcentreisasignificantinvestmentandhasalreadybeguntocreateanewheartofcampus.Openfrom6amto2amsevendaysaweek,thelibraryisacontemporaryplaceoflearningwithavarietyofindividualandgroupstudyspaces,moderntechnologyandround-the-clocksecurity.

Importantly,ithasthesameacademicresourcesasthelibraryattheBentleyCampus,alongwithaccesstospecificminingandmetallurgysoftware.Nearly300students,staffandcommunitymembersadayusethelibraryprecinct.

TheSchoolisalsoreceivingnewlecturetheatres,alongwithimprovementtothequalityoflaboratoriesandITupgrades.

Anew64-seatminedesignlaboratorycommissionedin2013isinfullusebybothstudentsandstaff.ItallowsstudentstoaccessoverA$10millioninspecialistsoftware.Anewminingequipmentsimulatorisbeingusedforstudentteachingandprojectwork.

TheSchool’scurriculumdevelopmenttakesplacecollaborativelyandwithinputfromindustry,ensuringitshighqualityandresponsivenesstoindustryneeds.ThisisachievedthroughMiningEducationAustralia–aconsortiumofuniversitiesteachingminingengineeringthatincludestheUniversityofNewSouthWales,theUniversityofQueenslandandtheUniversityofAdelaide,andissupportedbytheMineralsCouncilofAustralia.

“MiningEducationAustraliagraduatesover85percentofAustralia’sminingengineers,”saysHall.“Aboutninety-fivepercentofthesegraduatesfindemploymentwithinsixmonthsofgraduating.Curtin,forexample,suppliesasmanygraduatestoBHPBillitonasdoesanyotheruniversity.

“Growthinstudentnumbersremainsstrongandisprojectedtocontinue.ThatistrueforourundergraduateprogramsbutwearealsoexpandingourresearchPhDstudentnumbers.Currently,wearequicklyapproaching50doctoralstudentsinminingengineeringandmetallurgicalengineering.”

Curtin’sVice-ChancellorProfessorDeborahTerrysaystheUniversityremainsverycommittedtotheWASchoolofMinesandCurtin’spresenceinKalgoorlie.

“TheWASchoolofMinesisoneofthejewelsinthecrownforCurtin,”shesays.“IthasalongandproudhistoryofproducingexcellentgraduatesandofsupportinganindustrythatisabsolutelycriticaltoWesternAustralia.

“Inadditiontosupportingthehostofchangescurrentlytakingplace,IamalsopleasedtobepartoftherevitalisedKalgoorlieCampusCouncil,whichis,amongstotherthings,currentlydevelopinganewstrategicplanforthecampus.

“It’svitalthat,inastatelikeWA,regionalcommunitieshaveaccesstohigh-qualityeducation.OurpresenceinKalgoorlieiscriticaltomeetingthisgoal.”


rear_view

Curtin university research shows milk drinkers may gain digestion benefits by drinking milk containing the A2 protein rather than the A1 protein, which is currently the most common type of milk sold in supermarkets.

research Academic at Curtin’s School of Public Health Associate Professor Sebely Pal, conducted a cross over trial of 41 people, where both groups drank either A1 or A2 milk.

She said animal evidence from earlier research, and in cell culture, evidence indicated the BCm7 peptide released only in A1 milk appeared to affect some biological processes in the body due to the way the milk was digested.

“Based on animal evidence that produced gut inflammation and other side effects we ran a crossover human trial to see if there was a similar response,” Sebely said.

“Thirty three people in our study were normal milk drinkers and eight were milk intolerant. The study showed that when the participants drank A1, they had significantly higher stool consistency (softer stools) which was correlated to more abdominal pain. This was not observed when the same participants drank A2 milk.”

The Curtin researcher hopes to follow up the trial with a larger study with an aim to find milk that is well tolerated by most humans, as it is an excellent source of calcium.

A2 milk protein could yield health benefits

Thirteenremarkablepeopleinspiredandenergisedthe1,700-strongaudienceattendingTEDxPerth2014atthePerthConcertHallonSaturday4October.ItwasthethirdyearthatCurtinUniversitypartneredwiththehighlysuccessfulnot-for-profitconference.

Speakersincludedentrepreneurs,organisationalleaders,educatorsandauthorsfromawiderangeofdisciplines,amongthemthreefromtheCurtincommunity:sustainabilityexpertProfessorPeterNewman,astronomerAndrewWalshandcomedienneandactress,AndreaGibbs.

Duringsessionbreaksattendeesenjoyedhands-oninteractionwithCurtintechnologyincludingtheempathysimulator,CurtinRoboticsandtheoculusriftheadset.AttendeescouldalsolistentoCurtinstudents’mini-TEDxtalks.

CurtinUniversity’sChiefMarketingOfficer,TyHayessaidTEDxPerthprovidedtheperfectplatformforCurtintojoininthedisseminationofideaswithanaimtochangeminds,livesandtheworld.

“ItwasgreattoagainbepartofsuchaninnovativeeventinWA.”Hayessaid.

ThedaywasstreamedlivetotheNorthbridgePiazza,Curtin’sHIVEfacility,andWestlinkonChannel602inregionalandremoteareas.

SPREADING IDEAS AT TEDxPERTH

AreportintoWesternAustralia’slabourforceshowsthenextdecadewillbeoneofdiversification,withsectorsotherthanminingandconstructionlookingtocapitalise.

TheBankwestCurtinEconomicCentre(BCEC)report,titledWorkforceandSkills:WesternAustralianlabourmarketsintransition,examinesWA’slabourmarketcomposition,workersatisfaction,changingworkenvironmentsandwork-familybalance.Itisthethirdreportinthecentre’sFocusonWesternAustraliaseries.

BCECDirector,ProfessorAlanDuncansaidWA’slabourforcewouldincreaseby30percentto1.75millionby2025.

“Ournewmodellingshowsthatwhileconstructionwillremainstrong,thegrowthinemploymentfromminingwillmoderateoverthenextdecade.”ProfessorDuncansaid.

“Agribusiness,nichemanufacturing,andthehealth,educationandtourismsectorsarelikelytoofferemploymentopportunitiestoWA’sworkforce,aswillthestate’sgrowingoil,gasandsustainableenergyindustries.”

“TomaintainWA’seconomicprosperity,wewillneedtobridgethegenderequalitygapandensurethestate’seducationandtrainingsectorsarewellplacedtosupportemerginglabourdemands.Wemustalsogivemoreconsiderationtothework-familybalanceandtothoselivingatthemarginsofsociety.”

Report shows WA industry needs to diversify


Ananalyticaldevicethatoptimisesthegoldextractionprocesshaswonfirstprizeatthe2014CurtinCommercialInnovationAwards.

AdjunctProfessorBillStauntonandhisteamreceivedtheawardforcreatingacarbonmeterthatincreasesefficiency,reducescostsandcanconsiderablyimproveyieldsingoldminingandgoldrecoveryfromtailings.

DirectorofCurtin’sOfficeofIPCommercialisation,RohanMcDougallsaidmorethan75percentoftheworld’sgoldproducersusedthecarboninpulp(CIP)goldextractionprocess.Thecurrentmethodofcheckingthelevelsofactivatedcarbonusedtoextractgoldfromtheslurryisamanualprocess,whichisofteninaccurateandgoldcanbelost.

“ThecarbonmeterdevelopedbytheProfessorStauntonandhisteamautomaticallytakes20litresamplesfromCIPtanksevery15minutes,24hoursaday,thusensuringmoreaccuratecarbonlevelassessmentandmaximumgoldrecovery,”McDougallsaid.

“Thisnewautomatedprocesswillsignificantlybenefitlargeandsmallgoldminers,andAustraliaasawholebeing,asoneoftheworld’slargestgoldproducers,hasalottogainfromthismethod.”

Thecarbonmeterisplannedtobecommerciallyavailablewithin12to18months.

Midas touch at Commercial Innovation Awards

up_coming events

John Curtin Gallery SoDA1421 November – 14 December 2014

the John Curtin gallery in partnership with Curtin’s School of design and art (Soda) is proud to present the work of graduates from the school’s postgraduate program. this annual project has been ongoing since the gallery’s inception in 1998.

tel: +61 8 9266 4155 johncurtingallery.curtin.edu.au

Fringe world23 January – 22 February

For the first time, Curtin will partner with Perth’s annual arts festival, Fringe World. a diverse and exciting array of performers will fill the Perth Cultural Centre every day and night for four weeks.

fringeworld.com.au

Outdoor movies13 February – 11 April 2015

Curtin’s outdoor cinema season will kick off in February 2015. now known as mcdonald’s Community Cinemas, the family-friendly cinema donates all profits to charity. edinburgh oval will replace henderson Court as the venue.

communitycinemas.com.au

Jar

ra

d S

eng

Curtin University will partner with FRINGE WORLD in January and February 2015

L-R: Vice-Chancellor Terry, Teresa McGrath and Bill Staunton

TheCurtinUniversitySustainablePolicyInstitute(CUSP)andtheCityofFremantlearejointlyhostingtencommunitysustainablecafé-stylemeetingsoverthenexttenmonths,designedtohelpresidents,ratepayersandlocalstakeholdersdevelopandsharetheirsustainabilityissues,ideasandachievements.

Theseries,launchedattheVictoriaHall,Fremantleon25August,isbasedontheOnePlanetLivingCouncilsprogram.Meetingswillcovertopicssuchaszerocarbonandwaste,sustainabletransportandwater,localandsustainablefood,landcareandwildlife,equityandeconomy,cultureandcommunitywellbeing.

CUSPOutreachOfficerAinslieBeattiesaidguestssitinformallyattablesinthe“Café”,enjoytalksbyleadingacademics,localgovernmentofficersandbusinesspeople,samplelocalproduceanddiscussthemajorissuesfacingtheirlocalenvironmentnowandintothefuture.

“Ouraimistofindwaystolinkandencouragethecommunityandlocalcorporationstoworktogetherforbettersustainability”Beattiesaid.

CUSPisalsorunningseminarswiththeShireofMargaretRiver-AugustaandtheCityofGeraldton.

Sustainable living café series


in_perspective

I Wasnotalwaysinterestedinexaminingthenightsky.AsachildgrowingupinEnglandIspentmoretimelookingthroughamicroscopethanatelescope.Ienjoyedtheprocessofdiscoveryandformedanearlyappreciationforwhatscienceisandforwhatitcanachieve.

InprimaryschoolIwasfortunatetobetaughtbypeoplewhounderstoodthe‘scientificmethod’.Wewereallowedtocreateourownexperiments,whichwasatremendousfreedomandencouragedustothinkforourselves.WhenIgotoschoolsnowaspartoftheScientistsinSchoolsprogram,Ienjoyteachingkidsofallagesthebasicsofscience.

Ibelievethatlearningsciencecanhelpbuildimportantcriticalthinkingandproblemsolvingskills.IndependentthoughtiskeytoademocraticsocietyandIstronglysupportequalaccesstoeducationtoensureeveryonehasasayinourfuture.Ifwewantthebestpeopleworkingontomorrow’sproblems,weneedtodrawscientistsfromacrossallareasofsociety.Thismeansprovidinghighqualityscienceeducationtochildrenfromeverybackground.

WhenIdesignedCurtin’s‘Astronomy:DiscoveringtheUniverse’MassiveOpenOnlineCourse(MOOC),Iwantedtoconnectpeoplefromallwalksoflifetoscienceandastronomy.Iampleasedtheresultsshowaverybroadrangeofpeoplehavebenefitedfromthiscourse,whichaimstointroducepeopletoastronomyandprovidesomeinsightintohowgreatsciencediscoveriesaremade.Ihope,too,thatstudentsleavetheMOOCwithanappreciationforastronomyasadiscipline.

Ifinallychoseacareerinthefieldatuniversity.AsateenagerIhadreadsciencefiction,ownedabackyardtelescopeandvisitedtheLondonPlanetarium,butitwastheJodrellBanktelescopeattheUniversityofManchesterthatreeledmein.Tome,thesehugetelescopesarecathedralsofscience.Theyembodywhatscienceisallabout:thefeelingofbeingonthefrontieranduncoveringsomethingnew.

Manyofusarefascinatedbythepotentialforastronomytoanswerthe‘big’questions:Howdidtheuniversebegin?Arewealone?Iamintriguedbythesequestionsandultimatelyhopeastronomycanhelpanswer

them,buttheyarenotthesolereasonwhyIfindmytopicsointriguing.Astronomyhasleddirectlyorindirectlytoadvancesinnavigation,radiocommunication,digitalphotographyandwi-fi.Ourunderstandingofthelawsofphysicshasnotchangedsignificantlyforalmostacentury,yettherateatwhichweuncovernewinformationabouttheuniverseisonlyaccelerating.Thediscoveriesyettocomearewhatmotivatemyresearch.

Whencompleted,theSquareKilometreArray(SKA)telescope,inwhichCurtinisinvolved,willbetheworld’slargestandmostsensitivetelescope.ThereisalonglistofbigscienceprojectswewanttousetheSKAfor,butoneofitsmaingoalsistoprobetheEpochofReionisation,acrucialperiodintheuniverse’searlyhistorywhenthefirststarsandgalaxiesformed.Stillinitsdevelopmentalstages,theprojectneedsexpertsfromarangeofdisciplinestoensuretheSKAhaseveryopportunitytoconductbreakthroughscienceinthefuture.Inscience,oftenthemostincrediblediscoveriesaretheleastexpected.

Excitingtimeslieaheadforscienceandastronomy.Throughmyresearchandteaching,Ihopetocommunicatetoasmanypeopleaspossiblethewonderofscienceanditspotentialtoimpactourunderstandingoftheworld.Iamlookingforwardtoseeingwhatwerevealandwelcomethenextgenerationofastronomersandstargazerstoasktomorrow’sbigquestions.courses.curtin.edu.au/courseoverview/moocs.cfm

Combining his passions for science, research and teaching, Dr John morgan strives to unlock the universe’s secrets and share them with the world.

STOrY dR JOHN MORGAN

ANSWERING THE BIG qUESTIONS

about_curtinCurtin University is an inspiring, vibrant, international organisation, committed to making tomorrow better. It is a beacon for innovation, driving advances in technology though high-impact research and offering more than 100 practical, industry-aligned courses connecting to workplaces of tomorrow.

Curtin University is ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2014. It is ranked 25th in the world for universities under the age of 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2014 and has received an overall five-star overall excellence rating in the QS stars rating 2014.

The university has a multitude of global connections with campuses in Perth, Sydney, Singapore and Sarawak, a strong presence in South-East Asia and partnerships with over 90 institutions worldwide.

Everything at Curtin from teaching to research, from collaboration to community engagement is done with integrity, courage, respect, excellence and impact in mind. These are the values that our staff and students embrace. They allow us to create an environment where everyone can make tomorrow better.

Vision_2030A recognised international leader in research and education.

Our_missionTo change minds, lives and the world through leadership, innovation and excellence in teaching and research.

curtin.edu.au

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ALumNI reLATIONS THANK YOu Curtin university would like to recognise and thank the alumni who continue to connect and grow through our alumni relations program. Your involvement and enthusiasm helps us nurture new opportunities to let our alumni make positive contributions in their respective communities around the world.

The Curtin alumni community spans 150 countries and comprises more than 190,000 Curtin graduates worldwide. every graduate matters and with our international community, alumni are able to connect with like-minded people across the world.

Curtin Alumni relations offers a wide range of programs that foster personal and professional growth from networking events to lectures and reunions. In addition, connect through our online avenues where you can share your experiences and knowledge with your fellow Curtin graduates.

Thank you to our active alumni community – we look forward to seeing you again soon.

alumni.curtin.edu.au

facebook.com/

@curtinalumni

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