UQ athletes off to Beijing

UQnews

GOLD RUSH

ISSUE 576 AUGUST 2008

ST LUCIA IPSWICH GATTON

���������������������������

���������������������

���������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������

������������������������

2557•Open Day Program Final.indd 1 8/7/08 12:30:27 PM

CONTENTS

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 3

Professor Paul Greenfield AO

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

COVER: Bachelor of Science student and Beijing Olympian Melanie Schlanger PHOTO: BARRY ALSOP

UQ NEWS is produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia. Telephone: (07) 3365 3367. Facsimile: (07) 3365 1488 Editor: Cameron Pegg (07) 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au Deputy Editor: Tegan TaylorProofing: Shirley Glaister and Eliza Plant Contributors: Charu Agarwal, Wendy Burford, Kate Derbyshire, Andrew Dunne, Brooke Hargraves, Miguel Holland, Fiona Kennedy, Jan King, Loretta Porche, Penny Robinson, Cathy Stacey, Melanie Sullivan, Leanne Wyvill and Emma Young Design: Wendy Oakley Photography: Diana Lilley (photo librarian) (07) 3365 2753, d.lilley@uq.edu.au, Stewart Gould and Jeremy Patten Printing: GEON Scanlon Printing Virginia Circulation: 15,000 Advertising: Tina Hannan (07) 5460 1739Registered by Australia Post Publication No. QBH 0104The University of Queensland’s Web address is www.uq.edu.au

www.uq.edu.au/news ➔ issue 576 august 2008

UQ News is delivered off-campus to our neighbours at St Lucia and across the Eleanor Schonell Bridge. We hope you enjoy catching up with news and events at the University. If you would like to comment on the magazine, telephone (07) 3365 3367 or email communications@uq.edu.au

SHORTCUTS – A monthly wrap up of UQ innovation and discovery

COVER STORY – UQ athletes Beijing-bound

EXPERT VIEW – Dr David Pritchard on the Ancient Olympic Games

INPRINT – Covering the lastest releases from UQ writers

AROUND CAMPUS – Upcoming public lectures, concerts and events

Two new initiatives – merit-based scholarships and a bonus rank scheme – designed for in-coming undergraduates build on UQ traditions of rewarding excellence and fostering potential.

A package of 275 Academic Scholarships will be funded by UQ to the value of more than $1.6 million in 2009, with the annual investment to grow to more than $4 million from 2013.

We are offering Academic Scholarships of two types: 100 UQ Excellence Scholarships valued at $6000 per annum for the normal duration of the program, and 175 UQ Merit Scholarships worth $6000 for the first year of study.

Distributed across all seven faculties, they will reward academic accomplishment as well as leadership qualities. This is one of Australia’s biggest schemes of its type, and UQ will assess requests for relocation funding from interstate recipients and those from across Queensland.

Academic Scholarships complement the 500-plus scholarships that are determined each year on equity grounds. The new package responds to schools, parents and students who have demanded more recognition for achievement in the absence of socio-economic need.

While I am certain assisting gifted young

$4 millio

n scholarship

scheme o

pens

Co

nference crosses tim

e zones

UQ

launches its latest learning hub

Pro

ject explo

res pand

a tourism

Co

lourful b

rain research beg

ins 2415 17100706

CONTENTS

people to finance a high-quality university education will benefit the nation, the initiative of a bonus rank scheme has the national interest as a very explicit target.

The scheme will also apply to all school-leavers from 2009 onwards. School-leavers applying to UQ will improve their prospects if they have successfully studied year 12 advanced maths and/or a language other than English (often called LOTE).This is a significant incentive for senior high school students to take up these subjects, which are among Australia’s most challenging and important – but neglected – disciplines. Successful completion of an Australian university-level course will also improve a student’s UQ entry rank.

On the 1-99 university entry rank scale, which is applicable nation-wide, students will receive: two points for passing a Queensland Studies Authority or comparable interstate LOTE subject; two points for passing Mathematics C or its equivalent and one point for successfully completing a university-level course.

These points could bring a student over the line into their UQ program of choice – particularly if they have attained the maximum five bonus ranks.

Australia languishes below comparable

nations for the proportion of school-leavers who study a foreign language. Nationally the rate is about 13 percent (compared to 40 percent 30 years ago) and Queensland is at rock-bottom with only about six percent.

Only about 12 percent of Australian year 12s take advanced maths, and Queensland’s rate sits around eight percent. Mathematics is an enabler for many disciplines, and a foundation for many professions, including some where graduates are in critically short supply in key industries.

By stoking school students’ interest in languages and complex mathematics, UQ hopes that our new initiatives will buttress national competitiveness as well as improve the opportunities of young Australians.

04

11

18

20

23

Go

thic art takes over U

Q

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 4

Convicting organised crime syndicates such as the Mafia, motorcycle gangs, and Chinese Triads may soon become easier through a project involving UQ TC Beirne School of Law researcher Dr Andreas Schloenhardt.

Dr Schloenhardt is working in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Australian Federal Police and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to develop recommendations for law reform and policy change in the fight against organised crime in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

This research project coincides with a Federal parliamentary inquiry into the effectiveness of organised crime laws and South Australia’s introduction of the controversial Serious and Organised Crime Act 2008.

A group of UQ students promoting touch-screens, intelligent beds and holograms has won the second annual Holiday Inn Hotel Technology Competition.

The competition is part of the UQ School of Tourism’s Hotel Management Technology Applications course and pits hospitality management students against each other as they compete to win a fictitious hotel consultancy contract.

The students work in teams or “companies” to design a company name, branding and mission; and research, analyse and make recommendations on technological systems for an invented South Bank property, “The Holiday Inn Virtuoso Hotel”.

The event is sponsored by Holiday Inn Brisbane and was the culmination of the students’ work over the semester.

The top three student groups were invited to present their technology concepts to a judging panel comprising Holiday Inn Brisbane General Manager, Raymond Faulkner, Holiday Inn Brisbane Information Technology Manager, Duncan Stevens, and School of Tourism senior lecturer, Dr Noel Scott.

A team of researchers from UQ’s Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) has proved you don’t have to be psychic to predict the future.

Led by Professor Bob Stimson, and funded through an ARC Linkage grant, the research group has developed a suite of models that simulate potential patterns of population and housing growth and the location of jobs across the south-east Queensland region.

The Large Scale Urban Model (LSUM) is dependent on a number of accurate spatial databases, many of which have been provided by State Government departments.

“The models can’t tell us what will actually happen but they are able to simulate potential urban futures based on alternative planning and development assumptions,” Professor Stimson said.

“Those might include an urban growth boundary, variable housing densities, transport-oriented developments, new transport and infrastructure provision.”

The project, which has been a joint venture between UQ and the Queensland Treasury, involves staff and graduate students from the School of Geography, Planning and Architecture, and is due for completion at the end of the year.

SHOR

TCUTS

HOTELS AND HOLOGRAMSThe winning group Future Intelligence

Technology (or F.I.T.) presented several innovative ideas including touch-screen tables, automatically moulding beds, 3D and holographic conference call technologies, self check-in/out kiosks and biometric security systems including face-scanning technology.

Mr Faulkner said the judging panel was impressed by the standard and professionalism of the presentations, particularly in relation to their consideration of environmental, social and financial impacts.

“Certainly all of the big international hotel groups have a growing interest in the triple bottom line focus,” he said.

“Sustainability doesn’t just cover green solutions, it covers an interest in the social responsibility to the community around you.

“We don’t see that as a marketing edge, we actually see that as being the right thing to do.”

Dr Scott said this type of collaboration was valuable to both students and industry in an ever-changing environment.

“This is a wonderful example of universities and business working together for the benefit of the next generation of tourism professionals,” he said.

“Dealing with such change and opportunity requires keen, intelligent people who can manage technology and people.”

“Organised crime continues to be of great concern to the Australian public and governments are aware of the significant challenges they face in the criminal justice system,” Dr Schloenhardt said.

“The ‘bikie gang war’ on the Gold Coast and in Adelaide, and the gangland killings in Melbourne have again brought the topic of organised crime back into the public eye in recent years.

“The current system makes it difficult to hold directors and financiers of organised crime responsible if they have no actual involvement in the execution of the criminal activities.”

With the exception of New South Wales and South Australia, no state or territory in the country has any specific offences in relation to organised crime.

ON THE MAFIA TRAIL

FUTURE PLANNING

STO

CK

.XC

HN

G

STE

WA

RT G

OU

LD

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 5

Killer hotspots of over-heated ocean water that destroy huge areas of coral and bring starvation to birds, fish and other sea creatures can now be pinpointed, thanks to a major advance in satellite technology by Australian and American researchers.

Working under the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) program, advanced satellites and smart mathematics are enabling scientists to detect the events that cause mass bleaching of corals and disruption of marine food chains with unprecedented precision.

“Until now we have only been able to detect large-scale events under typical seasonal

UQ medical graduate and US-based developmental pediatrician, Dr Lane Strathearn, has found a baby’s smile can trigger much more than just a fuzzy feeling for a new mother.

Dr Strathearn and his team conducted a study that involved asking 28 first-time mothers to watch photos of their own babies, and other infants, while they were in a functional magnetic resonance imaging scanner.

The findings of the research, which appear in the July edition of Pediatrics, revealed that when a mother sees a photograph of her own child smiling, the reward centres of her brain light up.

Dr Strathearn said the finding could help scientists explain the mother-infant bond, and how it sometimes goes wrong.

Two entrepreneurial researchers from UQ and the University of Southern Queensland have taken their collaborative research further along the commercialisation pathway with their appearance on the ABC’s The New Inventors program.

Neal Finch from UQ (pictured) and Mark Dunn (USQ) have developed a novel animal recognition technology that uses solar panels, a mini computer and a webcam to separate cattle and sheep from feral animals and wildlife.

The patented technology will enable producers to ensure their livestock get the water and feed they need while reducing the grazing pressure on already drought-ravaged livestock properties.

The researchers have used Machine Vision Technology to identify animals and control their movements through automated gates to access watering or feed points. It can distinguish between sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, kangaroos and emus and has application for other species and uses.

The Federal Government has provided more than $600,000 from the Natural Heritage Trust to support the development, while UniQuest is commercialising the technology.

conditions,” MTSRF team leader and University of Queensland researcher Dr Scarla Weeks said.

“The new technology gives us the power to see what is happening in the ocean around the Great Barrier Reef in much finer scale in both space and time.”

Dr Weeks said that eddies of hot water, at 31 or 32 degrees Celsius, which lingered over the reef for a number of days, could kill some corals completely, while others took years to recover.

“The corals are like the canary in the coal mine,” she said.

“By bleaching they are telling us there is something amiss. The cause is these increasing thermal anomalies.

“Now we can see them happening with far greater clarity and precision than before.”

A UQ academic is overseeing a unique art project that will bridge the environmental and cultural history of Brisbane and Japan.

Dr Kumi Kato, from the School of Languages and Comparative Cultural Studies, has received $50,000 in funding from Arts Queensland for the installation of a “sound garden” in the Roma Street Parklands, which should be completed in August and will be used as part of the 2008 Queensland Multicultural Festival.

Dr Kato said the site would provide a meditative public space with its central feature a purpose-built Japanese water harp, known as a suikinkutsu (pictured).

The harp will be installed by sinking an inverted earthenware pot into the ground, with drops of water falling through on to a

permanent layer of water at the base creating a pleasant musical effect.

This will be accompanied by surrounding natural sounds such as the calls of birds and frogs, and those generated by trees, wind, water and human interaction.

The building of the sound garden will involve local architect Will Marcus working alongside Mr Kubo Yoshinobu, a master suikinkutsu builder from Kyoto who recently collaborated with Dr Kato with an installation in a Tasmanian forest.

“The installation will address the importance of public space in the ever-changing urban environment and will also help the general public to regain a sense of connection with the surrounding environment,” Dr Kato said.

THE SECRETS OF A SMILE

TRACKING CORAL HOT SPOTS

ARTWORK SINGS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

FERALS FACEBOOKED

JER

EM

Y PATTE

NS

CA

RLA

WE

EK

S

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y K

UM

I KATO

CH

RIS

STA

CE

Y

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 6

NEW SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR BUSINESSUQ has launched a new multi-million dollar merit-based scholarships package for students starting University in 2009.

Valued at more than $1.6m in 2009 and growing to $4m over the next five years, the program has been designed to support high-achieving undergraduate students at UQ.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Deborah Terry said 275 scholarships would be made available to outstanding year 12 students who also demonstrated the potential to be future leaders.

“This is the richest university merit scholarship package for school leavers in Queensland and one of Australia’s biggest,” Professor Terry said.

The announcement of the 2008 Fulbright Scholars has reinforced UQ’s status as a hub of international academic exchange.

The Fulbright program is the largest educational scholarship of its kind and operates between the US and 150 countries.

Under the awards scheme, UQ’s David Liu and Jenny Giles will study at the University of Utah and Nova Southeastern University, Florida, respectively, where they will make use of specialist expertise in their research areas.

For Ms Giles, a PhD student with UQ’s School of Integrative Biology who heads overseas in May, this means utilising the resources of the world’s only laboratory specialising in shark DNA forensics and fin trade research – the Nova Southeastern University’s Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI).

“Shark and ray resources are being over-exploited globally, primarily for the lucrative international trade in fins for shark-fin soup and the GHRI offers an exceptional collaborative environment to develop techniques for trade monitoring in our region,” she said.

“My work aims to provide valuable forensic tools for collecting species-level and population-level data on the trade and harvest of shark fins in Australia, which is vital for identifying national shark and ray conservation priorities.”

Mr Liu, who will make his way to the University of Utah in January, is equally excited about the

chance to further his research towards his PhD in computer science.

“I feel extremely honoured to be awarded a scholarship with such a rich history,” he said.

“When I first applied for the scholarship, I was only aware of the opportunities that the funding directly provided.

“However, having experienced the induction program and attended various Fulbright-related events, I now feel like I’ve been accepted with open arms into a large network of former Fulbright scholars, who are now successful leaders in their respective fields.

“I’ll be collaborating with Utah’s Anaesthesiology Bioengineering Laboratory to develop software that will make it easier for doctors to simulate patients’ vital signs, such as ECGs (electrocardiograms) and pulse oximetry (the beep-beep sound you hear in operating rooms).

“This software would give doctors the same level of flexibility in manipulating vital signs as Apple’s Final Cut Pro software provides for video editors and Adobe’s Photoshop provides for photographers.”

Coming to UQ as part of the program will be 2008 US Fulbright Scholar Maggie O’Haire, who will undertake research with the University’s Centre for Companion Animal Health.

Her project will investigate the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Australia.

UQ has a strong record for hosting US Fulbright Scholars, last year luring a record of five American researchers.

INFO ➔ Details of the 2009 scholarship round can be found at www.fulbright.com.au

– FIONA KENNEDY

“These scholarships, which will be spread across all faculties, will be awarded to students demonstrating academic excellence as well as significant leadership qualities.”

There will be two types of Academic Scholarships awarded –100 UQ Excellence Scholarships valued at $6000 per year for the normal duration of the program, and 175 UQ Merit Scholarships valued at $6000 for the recipient’s first year of study.

“The scholarships are available to Australian citizens, permanent residents and humanitarian visa holders,” Professor Terry said.

“In addition to their scholarship, interstate and outer regional Queensland recipients may also receive financial assistance to help with the costs of relocation.”

The new academic scholarships are additional to UQ’s Equity Scholarship program, and students will be advised whether they have been successful within days of receiving their year 12 results.

INFO ➔ www.uq.edu.au/scholarships

FULBRIGHTS off to the US

UQ’s newest Fulbright Scholars David Liu and Jenny Giles

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y JE

NN

Y G

ILES

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y D

AV

ID LIU

CH

RIS

STA

CE

Y

From left: Equity scholars Yimesret

Gebrewold, Brannon Haycroft, Sophia Do

and Penny Moore

Water harvesting, solar panels and a strategic shading system are among the environmentally sustainable features of UQ’s newest smart building.

The V-shaped, General Purpose North 4 (GPN4), built at an estimated cost of $54 million, includes an Australian-first Advanced Concepts Teaching Space (UQ ACTS), a Collaborative Teaching and Learning Space, and will also be the new home of the Institute for Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ).

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the building set the pace for Australian university learning space design.

“It includes an interactive lecture theatre and a ‘third generation’ collaborative teaching and learning centre focused on postgraduate students with busy work schedules,” Professor Greenfield said.

“Together these spaces will encourage levels of student-teacher interaction seen nowhere else in Australia.

“For example the 100-seat lecture theatre (ACTS) will enable students to give instantaneous feedback, so a teacher can know immediately if a student is struggling to grasp a concept or is losing interest.

“Used to full effect, this technology can give a large class the personalised quality of a small tutorial.”

The building’s environmental features match its student-friendly innovations.

The building maximises natural light and has 10 kilowatt rooftop solar cells, automatic controls and movement sensors for internal lighting and air-conditioning and efficient light fittings.

Underground tanks (up to 220,000 litres) will hold enough rainwater and run-off for the building’s landscaping and non-potable water needs.

Professor Greenfield said UQ’s capacity to build GPN4 was significantly due to the strength of ICTE-UQ and the success of its director, Ms Christine Bundesen, and her team.

The self-funding ICTE-UQ is the building’s main resident, with almost 4200 square metres of floorspace.

ICTE-UQ is this year estimated to generate $20 million in revenue, largely from provision of international English language and English teacher training, English language testing, and continuing and professional education.

Ms Bundesen said the new headquarters featured stand-up email terminals in teaching floor lobbies, a dedicated learning centre with three multi-media laboratories, and IT facilities integrated in all teaching rooms and shared learning spaces.

A 200-seat auditorium and multi-function Terrace Room will accommodate orientations, lectures, workshops, events and functions.

Additional student advantages from GPN4 include:

• Access to individual touch-screens to capture classroom interactions on to iPods,

laptops, organisers and mobile phones;• Two types of electronic

whiteboard technology including the use of plasma monitors with

touch sensitive facilities;• Pods for up to 10

students with metre-wide screens that pop-up and

retract depending on the teaching mode.

– ELIZA PLANT

smart money ON GPN4

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 7

STE

WA

RT G

OU

LD

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 8

The University recently celebrated 40 years of chaplaincy services at a special ecumenical service.

Held at King’s College on May 29, the ecumenical service highlighted the important role chaplaincy has played at UQ since 1968.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield also used the occasion to launch the chaplaincy appeal, asking people to donate to help further the important work of the service.

“The UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service provides a model of the way different religious groups representing very different traditions can work together harmoniously, respecting one another’s distinctive faith and culture,” Professor Greenfield said.

“I have pleasure in launching the UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Appeal and would encourage people to support their work.”

Current chaplaincy administrator the Reverend Peter Rama Rau said it had been quite

REFUGEE WEEK prompts debate The UQ Library recognised Refugee Week with a seminar intended to promote discussion and debate.

Inspired by the Fryer Library’s Burnside/Durham collection, which contains correspondence between Australian activists and refugees detained on Nauru, the discussion brought together academics and community members.

Fryer Library Manager, Mark Cryle, said it was the first time this type of event had been held and it had proven to be a great success.

“The Refugee Narratives seminar was an opportunity for us to not only showcase the significant collection of material on the topic held in the Fryer Library, but to provide a forum for academics and researchers to mix with members of the community and discuss refugee issues,” Mr Cryle said.

“The Burnside/Durham collection is an important example of the community value of preserving the narratives of real people and learning from their experiences.”

The four-hour seminar included presentations from UQ’s Professor Gillian Whitlock, from the School of English, Media Studies and Art History, whose most recent book Soft Weapons: Autobiography in Transit is about life narrative and the war on terror, Dr Jeff Rickertt, a librarian at the Fryer Library, Dr Karen Dooley from QUT’s School of Cultural and Language Studies in Education, and Bruce Henry, an immigration lawyer who was formerly on the Immigration Review Tribunal.

Mr Cryle said he hoped the seminar, which was booked out within days of being announced, had encouraged debate and inspired people to document and preserve the remarkable narratives of refugees.

a journey from when the University appointed its first chaplain, the Reverend Tom Rees-Thomas, on June 13, 1968.

“From an initial Christian chaplain, this has now grown to become the UQ Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service, representing the Buddhist, Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths,” Mr Rama Rau said.

After Mr Rees-Thomas’ appointment, chaplains representing other Christian churches were recognised, including a Lutheran chaplain in 1972.

The Senate approved the nomination of the first non-Christian, Rabbi Skolnick, who served as a Jewish chaplain from 1973 to 1976.

By 1996, the chaplaincy’s work had extended to the Gatton campus and then Ipswich in 1999.

At around the same time a Muslim Imam, though not part of the chaplaincy team, took part in the annual Thanksgiving Service.

Major additions to the chaplaincy team took place in 2005, when a representative of the Greek Orthodox Church was recognised, along with representatives of the Buddhist and Islamic faiths.

Chaplaincy marks milestone

OLDER PEOPLE HAVE MORE FUNUQ research is turning conventional wisdom on its head when it comes to grumpy old men and women.

Professor Bill von Hippel, from UQ’s School of Psychology, has been examining the links between people’s age and their social satisfaction and has turned up some surprising results.

In collaboration with Julie Henry and Diana Matovic from the University of New South Wales, Professor von Hippel measured social activities and social satisfaction in older adults between the ages of 66 and 91, and younger adults between the ages of 18 and 30.

He said they found younger adults engaged in more social activities, but were no happier with their social lives than older adults.

“Despite older people engaging in fewer social activities with others and spending more time alone each day, they are just as socially satisfied as their younger counterparts,” Professor von Hippel said.

The reason for this social resilience seems to lie in how older and younger adults perceive their social activities.

“Our research suggests that if a young person and an old person have the same experience, the older adult is likely to find it more uplifting,” he said.

“Older adults appear to see the good things in life more easily and are less likely to be upset by the little things that go wrong.

“As a consequence, their daily experiences bring them just as much satisfaction as younger adults, even if they have lost friends or a spouse, or if they can no longer get out as much as they would like.”

The research was published in the June issue of the American Psychological Association journal Psychology and Aging.

Cause for celebration: Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall (left) and Greek Orthodox Chaplain Reverend Father Anastasios Bozikis

PH

OTO

S JE

RE

MY

PATTEN

PH

OTO

CO

UR

TES

Y U

Q LIB

RA

RY

From left: Trung Nguyen, Rafael Pacheco, Adele Rice, Ali Karimi and Magdalena Kuyang

UQ PhD student Amanda Niehaus has worn many hats in her time: partner, mother and breast cancer patient, and has now donned another, her graduation cap.

Dr Niehaus’s graduation coincided with The Kim Walters Choices Program’s Think Pink Week, which aims to raise breast and ovarian cancer awareness and offer support, counselling and treatment to patients and their families.

The 32-year-old student said her graduation presented a unique opportunity to educate women about the age-indiscriminate nature of the disease and demonstrate that a cancer diagnosis needn’t undermine one’s goals.

“When I would go in for treatment, most of

the other patients were older than I was, which is something that people often don’t realise: cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of age,” she said.

Dr Niehaus’s research into how organisms allocate energy in response to different environmental conditions presents a notable parallel between her area of study and lifestyle approach.

After receiving her breast cancer diagnosis, Dr Niehaus realised that she would have to reallocate her energy in accordance with this new life challenge.

“The tadpoles (in the experiments) had no choice or way to escape their environment once they were born into it, so it was interesting to see how they would adjust to less-than-ideal conditions,” Dr Niehaus said.

“This is really what I’ve taken away from my study and cancer experiences so far: the

(Closing date – 1 September 2008)

Applications are invited from women and men aged between 19 and 25 for the Queensland Rhodes Scholarship for 2009.

Information seminars will be held at The University of Queensland, Griffith University, QUT and Bond University.

Rhodes Scholarshipfor study at theUniversity of Oxfordwww.uq.edu.au/rhodesscholarship

Details of dates and venues are available by ringing (07) 3365-1318 during office hours.

Information about the Scholarship and application forms can be obtained from Mr D Porter, Honorary Secretary, Queensland Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, The University of Queensland, Qld 4072.

importance of being adaptable and creating a work/life balance.”

Dr Niehaus’s PhD supervisor, Professor Craig Franklin, described her as motivated, optimistic and ready for a challenge, such as that presented by the birth of her daughter Nelle, the day before her initial thesis submission date.

“PhDs never go exactly according to plan, and Amanda has used the knock backs to set her up for future challenges,” Professor Franklin said.

When asked what advice she would give other cancer patients, Dr Niehaus emphasised the importance of a positive attitude, learning from experiences, leaning on family and friends and asking what can they change about their life to make it better or more balanced.

INFO ➔ For more on The Kim Walters Choices Program, visit www.wesley.com.au

– MELANIE SULLIVAN

GRADUATE IN THE pink

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 9

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

Dr Amanda Niehaus and her daughter Nelle in the Great Court

MONEY SPINNERSUQ Business School will offer students the chance to team with Australia’s leading university-based research commercialisation company in a unique and popular course this semester.

The course is a collaboration between UQBS and UniQuest – which ranks in the top 10 percent of university technology transfer organisations in the world – and allows students to take a hands-on role in the journey of a start-up company.

One of the first projects students were involved in was XeroCoat, the high-performance anti-reflective coating for solar energy systems, which was developed by UQ researchers and progressed by business students enrolled in Commercialisation in Practice.

The successful entry of XeroCoat into the highly competitive renewable energy market in California was announced by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh in San Diego in June.

UQBS course co-ordinator Dr Martie-Louise Verreynne said Commercialisation in Practice was invaluable in bringing together theory and practice.

“Students doing this course are constantly faced with real life business decisions and have to develop methods to deal with these situations by drawing on previous learning,” Dr Verreynne said.

UniQuest Entrepreneur-in-Residence Clint Ramsay, who is responsible for choosing and co-ordinating commercialisation projects for students to work on, said it was not only the students who benefited from the course.

“It is a win-win situation because (the companies) get very intelligent, very enthusiastic volunteers, which is a good thing for a start-up company. The companies do appreciate all the work the students do and every bit helps when you are small,” Mr Ramsay said.

He said the course had been offered once a year for three years and in the first two years alone, the students’ efforts had assisted in UniQuest securing more than $20 million of venture capital investment for its spin off companies.

In addition, many of the students who completed the course went on to get jobs in the technology commercialisation sector.

Institute of Technology and incoming UQ staff member Dr Phil Long, and Dr David Nicol from the Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement at the University of Strathclyde, Scotland.

UQ experts from fields including pharmacy, law, journalism and chemical engineering offered demonstrations of technological tools such as videoconferencing, virtual reality systems, social networking, e-learning, podcasting and mobile technologies and discussed their potential for improving education.

Dr Helen Farley, from the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics, and Margaret Stephenson from the School of Law were two such speakers who are currently incorporating modern technology into their areas of expertise.

Ms Stephenson teaches an Indigenous Law course via video-link technology with classes in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, while Dr Farley is currently involved in a project to create a space in which to teach tertiary-level religious studies in the virtual world of Second Life.

Technology boosts learningApproximately 600 delegates collaborated across three time zones to discuss the role of technology in education during a Blended Learning Conference recently held at the University.

Two hundred participants at UQ’s St Lucia campus were linked via the web to a conference at Hertfordshire University in the UK and an e-learning event at the University of Calgary in Canada.

The conferences explored how embedding the use of technology alongside traditional teaching methods can enhance the student experience.

UQ event manager Trish Andrews said she and her international counterparts felt blended learning needed to be discussed at a global level.

“We’re really trying to address the range of technology used in blended learning around the world,” Ms Andrews said.

International academics addressing the conference included Associate Director of Education and Technology for the Massachusetts

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 10

UQ will give high school students new incentives to learn languages and advanced maths by launching a bonus rank scheme.

School-leavers will improve their entry rank by successfully studying year 12 advanced maths (Queensland’s Maths C or its equivalent) and/or a language other than English.

Successful completion of a course through any Australian university will also improve entry ranks for the purposes of study at UQ.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Debbie Terry said the bonuses took effect immediately, starting with 2008 year 12s who want to enrol at UQ in 2009.

“For some, the extra points could mean the difference that gets them over the line into their UQ program of choice,” Professor Terry said.

“Students eligible for a bonus would not need to fill in any special application forms, as UQ will automatically recognise them and allocate the bonus points.”

On the 1–99 university entry rank scale, to which all Australian Year 12 results can be converted, students will receive:

• 2 points for passing a Queensland Studies Authority or comparable interstate LOTE subject

• 2 points for passing Mathematics C or its equivalent

• 1 point for successfully completing a university-level course such as UQ’s Enhanced Studies Program or equivalent.

The scheme will be open to all school-leavers who complete year 12 in Australia, including students of the International Baccalaureate, and will also apply to Australian citizens who complete year 12 while living overseas.

BONUS RANKS REWARD STUDENTS

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

KAY

LEN

E B

IGG

S

UQ MBA graduate Samuel Festa

Dr Phil Long with students in UQ’s new Science Learning Centre

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 11

Butterflies are beginning to flutter in the stomach of UQ science student Melanie Schlanger as she prepares to don the green and gold at the 2008 Olympics.

The Clem Jones Scholarship holder has been excitedly awaiting the Games after being selected for the Australian Olympic swim team in March.

The 21-year-old from St Lucia will compete in the 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle relays.

“Hearing people say the word Olympics makes my hair stand on the back of my neck,” Ms Schlanger said.

“I’m just making sure all the preparation is complete.

“Once I get there it will feel more real.”Ms Schlanger has definitely clocked up her

time in the pool of late, training for about 40 hours a week, with several sessions a day.

“We get Sundays off, but every other day is about two to three training sessions a day,” she said.

“I think our relay team in the 4x100 definitely have a good shot at the gold medal.

“I need to definitely be on my game and swim really fast.

“I have a personal goal for the time I would like to swim.”

Studying a Bachelor of Science with a major in biomedicine, Ms Schlanger will make her first Olympic appearance, after representing Australia at the Pan Pacific Championships in 2006 and the World Championships in Melbourne in 2007.

“When I started swimming I never thought I would be part of any Australian Olympic team,” she said.

Ms Schlanger said she really enjoyed science and biology in school so biomedicine was a natural path to follow, and when it came to juggling a university degree with swimming, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“The life I live is absolutely incredible,” she said.

UQ’s Beijing Olympians ATHLETICSMitchell Kealey (1500m)

Alana Boyd (Pole vault)

Bronwyn Thompson (Long jump)

DIVING Robert Newbery (10m synchronised,

3m individual and synchronised)

ROWINGPippa Savage (Women’s single scull)

Sam Conrad (Coxed men’s eights)

Marguerite Houston (Lightweight

doubles scull)

SOFTBALL Tanya Harding

SWIMMING Melanie Schlanger (4 x 100m / 4 x

200m freestyle relay)

Leith Brodie (200m individual medley)

TRIATHLON Emma Moffatt

WATER POLO Suzie Fraser

Amy Hetzel

Anthony Martin

Robert Maitland

OFFICIALS Triathlon – Shaun Stephens

“It’s been quite easy with UQ being so supportive of me.

“Being part of the Olympic team has always been an honour.”

Fellow UQ student Leith Brodie, who is completing a Bachelor of International Hotel

and Tourism Management, will also compete for Australia in the

200m individual medley.

GOLD&GLORY

COVER STORY

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

UQ IS SET TO BE WELL REPRESENTED AT THE 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS, AS CAMERON PEGG AND ELIZA PLANT REPORT.

Many Australian athletes hope to hit new heights at the Beijing Olympics, but Alana Boyd will likely trump them all.

The UQ business management graduate is Australia’s sole representative in the women’s pole vault, and earned her place on the team after taking out the event at the 2008 National Athletics Championships with an A-qualifying jump of 4.45 metres.

Both her parents have tasted Olympic success already – her father Ray in 1972 and 1976 in the pole vault and her mother Denise in the sprints and relay events in 1976 and 1980.

“I used to be a hurdler and was always involved in athletics,” Ms Boyd said.

“My dad was a pole vaulter and asked my siblings and I if we’d like to ‘have a swing on a pole’ and my brother and I gave it a go. I guess I was a natural and haven’t looked back.”

Coached by her father, Ms Boyd holds the Queensland Under 23 record and represented Australia at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.

Her selection for Beijing marks the first time an Australian athlete has followed both parents into the Olympic arena.

“Making the team was very exciting and a bit of a relief. It was extra special because I joined my parents as Olympians and created Australian Olympic history,” she said.

“I remember writing on my report card when I was about eight that my goal was to one day represent Australia at the Olympic Games. I had no idea I would be competing in the pole vault.”

While studying at UQ Ms Boyd was the recipient of a sporting scholarship that helped take the pressure off training and physiotherapy expenses, and since graduating in 2004 has honed her skills as a development officer with Athletics Queensland.

And with the biggest meet of her career on the horizon, the 24-year-old is already looking forward to future challenges.

“Right now my goal is to make the final in Beijing and then anything can happen. I am in good shape and ready to jump some big heights,” she said.

“Beijing will only be the start of my career. Come London in 2012 I think I am capable of being very competitive with the top pole vaulters in the world. To win gold in London would be amazing!”

A group of UQ journalism students will live and breathe sporting glory as they report the news at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Twenty-one young reporters have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to participate as volunteer cadets, working for the Official News Service (ONS), after a rigorous interviewing process.

The students’ main role will be to gather responses from athletes directly after their competitions and rush them to foreign journalists.

The ONS delegation, who were recently in Brisbane, were impressed with the group and delighted by their interest in being part of the Games.

The cohort is currently undergoing training in Beijing in preparation for the opening ceremony on August 8.

The students will stay at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) during the Games and have the option of continuing on for the Paralympics in September.

Head of the School of Journalism and Communication Professor Michael Bromley said the cadetship allowed students to gain first-hand experience of how the world’s biggest sporting event was organised and covered by global media – a rare opportunity for undergraduates.

“This wonderful experience grants students the opportunity to apply their studies and reporting abilities to not only a real world news event but one of the great events of all time,” he said.

“They will still be working as journalism interns but under the supervision of leading international journalists and producers and under the gaze of the sports-loving world.”

The group will perform as Flash Quote Reporters, with two students appointed volunteer photo-room assistants.

The students will cover badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, boxing and beach volleyball, spanning several locations including the Capital Indoor Stadium, Chaoyong Park, Worker’s Indoor Arena, Beijing University of Technology and the Beijing Institute of Technology Gymnasium.

SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

UQ JOURNALISTS

beijing-bound

On track: UQ journalism students and Olympic interns Michael Zheng and Emily Dunn

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 12

STE

WA

RT G

OU

LD

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

OLYMPIC EFFORT Australian triathletes are poised to make history at the 2008 Olympics, and UQ physiotherapy graduate Mark Alexander will be playing his part in the attempt.

Mr Alexander is a sports physiotherapist with the national triathlon team, and heads to China with high hopes they can come away with their first gold medal in the event.

“It was always my dream to go to the Olympics as an athlete but genetics didn’t help me out so I made a goal to go as a physiotherapist,” he said.

“I was a volunteer at the Sydney Olympics, an official team member in Athens 2004 and am now off to my third Games. It is always an awesome experience and being a member of the Australian team really is an amazing honour.”

Triathlon is part of the Olympic program for only the third time, with the 1.5km swim, 40km bike leg and 10km run taking place in and around the historic Ming Tomb Reservoir site.

Mr Alexander said physiotherapists played an increasingly important role in taxing events like the triathlon.

“It isn’t only about treatment and relieving pain anymore, it is operating in a high performance team with the athlete, coach and support staff such as biomechanists, physiologists and sports psychologists,” he said.

“It’s all about getting the athlete to the start line, in the best possible shape in the best possible frame of mind.”

He said the preparation for Beijing would be finely tuned to provide the team with the best chance of performing at its peak.

“The athletes and support staff will arrive in Beijing from various places only three or four days prior to the event to reduce the risk of getting sick over there and ensuring the athletes can get good quality training in as well,” he said.

On top of his Olympic duties, Mr Alexander also lectures at La Trobe University and runs his own company selling a self-treatment device that relieves back pain.

An avid sports fan, he has previously worked with the London Broncos rugby league team and looked after the Australian triathletes during the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Once the serious side of competition in Beijing is over, Mr Alexander said he looked forward to discovering the surrounding sights, particularly the Great Wall of China.

UQ graduate Suzie Fraser is no fish out of water when it comes to representing Australia in water polo.

In August, Ms Fraser will put her skills to the test as part of the Australian Olympic Women’s water polo team.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” she said.“I get tingles every time wearing the green

and gold robe and walking out with my 12 other team mates.

“There’s an immense feeling of pride not many people get to experience to stand by your team mates, sing the national anthem and play water polo for your country.”

Ms Fraser graduated last year with a Bachelor of Science/Law dual degree after juggling seven years of studying and a burgeoning sporting career.

“I found it was good to balance study and water polo because it forces you to manage your time effectively and gives you a focus outside water polo,” she said.

“It also helped to have some fantastic note-takers at uni who would send me through the lecture notes.”

The 2007 UQ SPORT sporting scholarship holder was introduced to water polo at age 13 and played for her high school club at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar.

“Playing at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne was a highlight because it was great to play in front of a home crowd,” she said.

“The crowd at the gold medal match was particularly awesome.

“Probably my ultimate highlight so far though is winning a gold medal at the World Cup in Tianjin, China, in 2006.

“The team played really well right through the tournament and we beat Italy comprehensively in the final.”

As the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing draws near, Ms Fraser is busy preparing for the competition of her career.

To win Olympic gold is a dream she holds dear, nurtured by the care and support of her family, friends and team mates.

“My mum and dad have played a huge role in where I am today,” she said.

“They are behind me no matter what and provide so much support, encouragement and advice. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Ms Fraser’s lasting advice for fellow aspiring water polo stars is to follow your dreams.

“If you have a dream, do every possible thing that you can do to get there so at the end of the day you know there was nothing else you could have done,” she said.

“What’s more – enjoy it.”Ms Fraser is joined on the women’s team by

fellow UQ graduate Amy Hetzel, while current students Anthony Martin and Robert Maitland will fight for gold in the men’s competition.

Waterbaby

Physiotherapist Mark Alexander with champion swimmer Ian Thorpe at the 2004 closing ceremony in Athens

13

CO

UR

TES

Y M

AR

K A

LEX

AN

DE

R

BA

RR

Y A

LSO

P

UQNEWS, AUGUST 2008 ➔

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 14

GREENHOUSE SOLUTIONUQ researchers are taking their expertise in dealing with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to China.

Dr Paul Massarotto, a Principal Research Fellow in Energy and Environment with UQ’s School of Engineering, said China was currently building 100 coal-fired power plants a year, which would discharge as much greenhouse gas as Australia’s entire annual emissions.

WORK IN THE USA FROM 3 TO 12 MONTHSINTERVIEW IN PERSON WITH ASPEN, VAIL, HEAVENLY, TELLURIDE AND MORE

CCUSA Brisbane Ski Resort Employer Job FairHiring for the Working Holiday USA and Work Experience USA programs.

Monday August 18th, 1pm - 5pmStudent Union Complex, Innes RoomsUniversity of Qld, St Lucia

Aspen, Vail, Heavenly, Telluride, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Northstar at Tahoe are coming to Australia to hire YOU.

Working Holiday USAUp to 12 monthsGraduates (within 12 months), current & deferred students 19+Depart any time during the yearWork one or multiple jobs at summer resorts or winter ski resortsEmployer Job Fairs held August 18th, 2008

Work Experience USAUp to 3 monthsCurrent full-time students 18+Depart November / DecemberWork winter jobs at a ski resortEmployer Job Fairs held August 18th, 2008

Camp Counselors USA 3 to 4 monthsAnyone over 18Depart May / JuneWork at a summer camp in America with childrenFree food / accommodation, salaryCamp Job Fairs held in Australia in February

All CCUSA programs include: visa, visa assistance, job placement (if required), insurance, discounted flights,

program assistance in Australia & the USA, 24 hour emergency assistance in the USA & much more.

Camp Counselors USA applications NOW OPEN.

APPLY TODAY! Don’t miss out on your visa, employer and the chance to be More Than

Just a Tourist!1300 859 040

www.ccusa.com

But research being conducted by Dr Massarotto into CO2 geosequestration – capturing greenhouse gas emissions and pumping them into underground coal seams – could help deal with this problem.

“We believe the world’s economy would be better off by financing commercial CO2 geosequestration projects in developing countries like China, where capital and operating costs per tonne of CO2 sequestered are only 60 percent of the costs in Australia, Europe and North America,” Dr Massarotto said.

“We have done the numbers for a pilot project to be located in China, showing 40 percent cost reductions are indeed achievable today, with big savings for drilling and CO2 costs and good returns for extra methane which is produced as a by-product of the CO2 geosequestration process.

“By starting early testing of the coal-based CO2 geosequestration technology developed at UQ, and with strong financial support from international institutions and industry, the full commercialisation of this technology in China could be as near as five to 10 years away.”

He said China had just passed the USA as the largest greenhouse gas-emitting country in the world and more needed to be done to help deal with the problem.

“The best way forward for China and the world is to attack CO2 emissions where costs per tonne of reduction are the lowest in the world,” he said.

“This approach will be a win-win for both the developing countries and the industrialised developed world.”

The UQ team, consisting also of Professor Victor Rudolph of Engineering, Associate Professor Sue Golding of Earth Sciences and Dr Geoff Wang of Engineering, have held seminars around China with collaborating academics from China University of Mining & Technology and Xi’an Jiaotong University, and with commercial partners.

BR

IAN

CO

ND

RO

N

Dr Massarotto (left) and Professor Rudolph

Tourists who see pandas at China’s leading zoos consider it a spiritual experience but are unsure how they can help in the

conservation of the animals, a UQ tourism study has found.

Study author, UQ PhD student Julia Chen, spent two months quizzing tourists about their giant panda ecotourism experiences in China covering their travel motivations and visitor profiles.

Ms Chen was based at the Chengdu and Wolong Giant Panda Research Centres in the Sichuan Province, which house the largest number of captive giant pandas in the world.

She said there were differences between Western and Chinese visitors’ environmental perceptions and wildlife tourism experiences.

“Chinese tourists placed greater importance in the spiritual experience than Western visitors,” Ms Chen said.

“This might be because many Chinese visitors felt that seeing the co-existence between wildlife and humans represents the traditional Chinese Taoist philosophy of harmony between man and nature.

“This may have fulfilled the spiritual values in Chinese visitors’ ecotourism experience, but not in Western visitors.”

The young researcher said she did the study to increase visitors’ conservation awareness and learning.

“A lot of zoos put big conservation signs around, but do not explain to visitors why and how to conserve,” she said.

“We need to educate Chinese visitors about practical ways to contribute to conservation.

“We could tell them that in order to let the

in br

ief

pandas roam free in nature we could help by making donations or become a zoo volunteer to help with bamboo planting.

“It will be important to take a cross-cultural approach and develop ecotourism management and conservation learning that is more suited to Chinese culture.”

Ms Chen was supervised by UQ’s Professor Roy Ballantyne and Dr Jan Packer, who have also worked with the Chengdu Centre.

– MIGUEL HOLLAND

PRECIOUS PANDASTHEY PROVIDE A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE TO TOURISTS BUT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CONSERVE GIANT PANDAS.

Clockwise from top: Pandas at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre and Julia Chen during her research

IN B

R IEF

ART 4 AID UQ staff and students are encouraged

to make submissions for World Vision

Australia’s annual youth art competition,

Art 4 Aid. The theme of this year’s event is

“Stop Child Labour”.

Open to anyone under the age of

26, the competition presents young

Australians with a chance to showcase

their talents while spreading an important

message.

For competition details, visit www.stir.

org.au/art4aid

FLU FIGHTERSUQ researchers are seeking volunteers who

have regular colds to participate in a new

study.

Associate Professor Luis Vitetta from

the School of Medicine is investigating

the use of Lactoferrin/Immunoglobulin

(a protein found in milk) in treating the

common cold.

Participants need to be 18 years and

older and will be paid for their involvement,

and can contact l.vitetta@uq.edu.au or

uqsdu@uq.edu.au for further information.

PACIFIC HONOUR A UQ academic has launched his

autobiography of Sir Peter Kenilorea as part

of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of

Solomon Islands independence on July 7.

Professor of Pacific and Australia History

Clive Moore has been a constant visitor to

the Solomon Islands since 1976, and was

awarded a Cross of Solomon Islands for his

work in 2005.

He is now completing a similar project

with the Solomon Islands Governor-General

Sir Nathaniel Waena.

PH

OTO

S C

OU

RTE

SY

JULIA

CH

EN

AN

D TH

E W

OLO

NG

GIA

NT PA

ND

A R

ES

EA

RC

H C

EN

TRE

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 15

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 16

UQ’s Dr Trent Woodruff has been recognised for his research into a new drug to help sufferers of neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr Woodruff (pictured) was recently awarded the Queensland Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research for his work into an anti-inflammatory drug.

The new drug class aims to ease symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington’s, motor neuron and Alzheimer’s.

The $5000 cash prize was awarded for excellence in post-doctoral (up to five years post-PhD) medical research in Queensland.

Dr Woodruff said the drug had successfully completed early-phase safety clinical trials and was being developed by Arana Therapeutics in Sydney.

“Although further human trials are required to assess its efficacy in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, it holds promise as a new drug class to treat these debilitating conditions,” he said.

The UQ graduate completed a PhD in pharmacology and formerly worked for Promics Ltd to further develop the drug for use in humans.

“The work our lab is doing is at the forefront of research in this field (complement-mediated diseases) and is a really exciting area of medical research,” Dr Woodruff said.

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�������������������������������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�������������������������������������������������

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

������ ������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

������ ����������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ������������������

������������������������������������������ ��������������������������� ��������������������

��������������������������������������������������������

2589a•UQNewsUniQuestAd.indd 1 15/7/08 10:25:49 AM

“Indeed, the drug we have developed is now internationally recognised as the most advanced in its field, and is the gold standard amongst other researchers.

“Our drug is now routinely used by international researchers to determine the role of (protein inflammatory molecule) C5a in a wide variety of immuno-inflammatory diseases and this is a gratifying achievement, especially as it was discovered here at UQ.”

Dr Woodruff also recently received the Denis Wade Johnson & Johnson New Investigator Award from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists.

As part of the award, he has been invited to speak at the upcoming Australian Health and Medical Research Congress held in Brisbane in November.

Dr Woodruff will be presented with the award at the event.

The young scientist’s list of accolades also includes fellowships from the Australian Research Council and the Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute, and a Career Development Award from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

“Being a young research scientist can be tough so it is a great honour to be awarded these grants and prizes to enable me to focus on my

effort to improve therapeutic treatment of some truly dreadful diseases,” Dr Woodruff said.

“I am looking forward to continuing my work here at UQ, in the School of Biomedical Sciences, which has fostered my development for the past 10 years since I was an undergraduate.”

– ELIZA PLANT

Drug gains recognitionS

TEW

AR

T GO

ULD

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 17

A UQ team are seeking volunteers to take part in research into the world of synaesthesia, where people may hear colours.

Rebecca Rainbow (pictured), a researcher from UQ’s School of Psychology, is running a study in conjunction with UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute to try and understand what is happening in the brains of people who have these unusual experiences.

“Synaesthesia is the phenomenon where perception in one sense triggers experiences in another,” Ms Rainbow said.

“This can mean people experience colours when they see or hear words, letters or numbers.”

Ms Rainbow said rather than seeing the condition as a negative, many people said it enriches their lives.

“They often report that it assists them in some way, such as when they are learning people’s names,” she said.

“For example, if the letter ‘P’ is a dusky orange for a particular synaesthete this might help them remember that a particular person is called ‘Peter’

because his name is also dusky orange since it starts with the letter ‘P’.

“When asked, most synaesthetes say that they could not imagine life without synaesthesia and would not wish to have it taken away.”

She said the aim of the study was to examine the brain responses associated with these synaesthetic experiences by using EEG, which measured electrical activity in the brain.

“It is not yet understood why synaesthesia occurs or why it occurs in some people but not others,” she said.

“The study of synaesthesia may help us understand how and why this particular phenomenon occurs. It may also help inform us about the processes underlying normal multi-sensory integration, which occurs in us all.”

Participants in the study will be paid for their involvement and for

reasonable transport expenses to the

University from the Brisbane metropolitan area.

INFO ➔ Contact Ms Rainbow on 0403 869 962 or email rainbowr@ psy.uq.edu.au

Sights and sounds

For sufferers of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, daily trembling can be unbearable, however, new research could assist in helping patients regain control.

A team of UQ researchers is working to help improve the success rate of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery.

DBS surgery has been used in patients with neurological and movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, depression, dystonia, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome and recently Alzheimer’s disease on an experimental basis.

It involves the placement of microelectrodes in problem brain cells, which transmit electrical impulses to correct the troubled area.

The electrodes are connected to a pacemaker-like device and for the surgery to be successful doctors have to pinpoint the problem area, guided by the conscious patient.

UQ researchers have been able to interpret brain signals from the microelectrodes directly implanted into the brain of patients with Parkinson’s during the surgery.

Team member and mechanical engineer Dr Paul Meehan said simple linguistic tasks were given to the patient while awake during the surgery to directly monitor the human brain cells.

“We then look for differences and correlations in their brain activity depending on the outcome,” Dr Meehan said.

“Our preliminary results show discrimination between different linguistic tasks as well as between left and right brain behaviour.”

Dr Meehan said at present, the surgery’s progress was dependent upon experimental research, with no concrete indications as to why certain stimulations worked and others failed.

The group is seeking funding to extend the research to investigate different types of brain functioning and the development of optimised DBS tuning, microelectrodes and instrumentation.

The research team includes Professor Helen Chenery, Dr Andrew Bradley, Professor Peter Silburn, Dr Terry Coyne and PhD candidates Paul Bellette and Joanna Castner.

Shocks fight neuro disease

STE

WA

RT G

OU

LD

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

From left: PhD candidate Paul Bellette and Dr Meehan

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8 ➔

18

Sport has long remained a paradox for historians of ancient Athens. This city may have opened up politics to every citizen but failed entirely to democratise sport.

Athletics continued to be an exclusive pursuit of the wealthy, who alone could pay for the training necessary and the costs of taking part in the Ancient Olympics and other games.

In spite of this, the vast majority of Athenians, who as poor men were otherwise very critical of the upper classes, actually lavished time and public money on local sporting festivals and sporting facilities, esteemed elite sports stars above all other public figures, and handed victors at the Olympics and the three other international sporting festivals the metaphorical keys to the city.

In the lead-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, we are constantly reminded of the cherished belief of the modern Olympic movement that international sport reconciles hostile countries and encourages world peace.

As noble as this may be, a generation of scholarship has shown this belief to be almost entirely false.

Sociologists have shown how games between national teams frequently heighten tension between countries, social psychologists have demonstrated competitive sports increase aggression among players and spectators, and anthropologists have highlighted how sport and war often have similar values and tend to legitimise each other.

This understanding of sport provides a clue to understanding the sporting life of ancient Athens: perhaps it was the militarism of the most developed democracy of pre-modern times that accounted for its unusual treatment of upper-class athletics.

Classical Athenians described athletics and battles with a common set of words.

Both were considered an ago-n or contest decided by mutually agreed rules.

These activities involved ponoi or painful toils, bringing honour and kindunoi or dangers, with athletes, especially in boxing, wrestling and the no-holds-barred pankration, frequently being injured, maimed or killed.

They believed it was the arete- or manly excellence of individual soldiers and athletes, inherited from ancestors, and the support of gods and demigods, which secured nike- or victory.

Although Athenian warfare, before democracy, was predominantly an upper-class activity, in the next century it was subject to a profound democratisation practically and ideologically.

With the creation of a city-based army of hoplites, a navy and the introduction of military pay, soldiering was opened to every class of Athenian.

Under democracy, the power-poor citizens had to shape the city’s popular culture and ensured that every hoplite or sailor was recognised for his arete- and ponoi in battle and considered equally responsible for victory.

As a result, lower-class citizens came to believe that upper-class athletes exhibited the same moral qualities and experienced the same ordeals as they did when fighting battles.

This non-elite affinity with the values of sport ruled out public criticism of athletes and underwrote the exceptionally high standing of athletics under the democracy. Thus the democratic style of warfare in classical Athens legitimised and supported elite sport.

INFO ➔ Dr Pritchard will present “War minus the shootings: sport, war and democracy in Classical Athens” on August 21 from 4.15pm in Room 402, Forgan Smith building, St Lucia. All are welcome at this free event.

EXPERT

VIE

W

War by other means at the Ancient OlympicsDr David Pritchard Centre for the History of European Discourses

AN OLYMPIC HISTORYThe world’s best athletes may steal the spotlight at the Olympic Games in Beijing, but sporting champions from 2000 years ago still live on at UQ.

The R D Milns Antiquities Museum houses several Olympics-related artefacts in its collection, and is open free to the public throughout the Games.

Lecturer in Ancient History and museum curator Dr Sonia Puttock said interesting items on show included a kylix, or Athenian clay drinking cup depicting a long jumper and a Greek silver coin from 360 BC depicting two wrestlers locked in competition.

Like many Ancient Olympic sports, the long jump has changed over time, with athletes originally leaping from a stationary position with the help of weights which they swung and released to gain momentum.

UQ Cultural History Project member and Olympics expert Dr David Pritchard said the museum contains several valuable objects which depicted ancient sports or were used by athletes training for the Olympics or other sporting festivals of ancient Greece.

“Among these captivating pieces are bronze strigils, which were used by athletes to remove sweat and dirt from their bodies after their training sessions, and tiny spherical containers, called aruballoi, which once contained the olive oil sportsmen applied before training and competing in local and international games,” he said.

Dr Puttock said the Ancient Olympics were an important religious festival to honour Zeus of Olympia and attracted athletes from right across the Mediterranean for competition in a wide range of “track and field” and combat events.

“Ancient Greece was a variety of city states, so to win at the Olympic Games was very important as your name and the name of your state took the honour. It’s the same today really,” she said.

The Ancient Olympic Games were staged every four years from 776 BC until 393 AD, with the first Games of the modern Olympic Movement taking place in Athens in 1896.

INFO ➔ To find out more visit www.uq.edu.au/antiquities

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

STE

WA

RT G

OU

LD

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8 ➔

19

At just 17 years of age, UQ engineering student and 2007 Australian Muslim of the Year, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, already has an impressive list of achievements to her name.

Leader of the Queensland Youth Parliament, a member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland and the United Nations Youth Association, and Deputy Chair of the Queensland Youth Council, the determined young student is no stranger to involvement in public affairs.

But despite her ongoing involvement in a range of high-profile organisations and causes, it is one of her newest roles that has Ms Abdel-Magied most excited about making a difference.

In 2007 Ms Abdel-Magied founded Youth Without Borders, an advocacy group that strives to empower youth to work together for the implementation of positive change within their communities.

“Youth Without Borders is a group I initiated in September last year as a

result of attending the Asia Pacific Cities Summit,” Ms Abdel-Magied said.

“It has a number of objectives, however the main ones revolve around collaborating with different

groups in order to create bigger change through project-based collaboration.”

The major focus for Youth Without Borders at the moment is launching the Indonesian Mobile Library project.

“Basically, one of our members told us that in her city of Depok, in greater Jakarta, they don’t have a public library, and the city has around one million people,” Ms Abdel-Magied said.

“So we have gotten in contact with the Embassy there who put us in contact with the Centre for Indonesian Reform, and they are linking with a number of other organisations.”

Originally from Sudan, Ms Abdel-Magied has long had a passion for social issues.

“I remember at a young age always being indignant when I saw social injustices occurring on the news, and could not understand why nothing was being done to correct these issues,” she said.

“I have this tendency to feel others’ hardship, whether it be physical, mental, social or psychological – I just cannot stand anyone else being in a disadvantaged or unfavorable position.

“So whenever I see someone in that situation, I do anything I can in my power to rectify that.”

INFO ➔ www.youthwithoutborders.com.au

LOOKING outward

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

A historical account of the Brisbane Exhibition has revealed much more about Queensland than its love of show bags, fairy floss and cattle displays.

Dr Ross Laurie, a lecturer in Australian History at UQ Ipswich, and co-author Associate Professor Joanne Scott from the University of the Sunshine Coast, delved into the event’s 132-year history to produce Showtime: A History of the Brisbane Exhibition, which is published by UQP and was launched by Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce on July 24.

The colourful 250-page publication explores everything from Ekka favourites such as strawberry ice creams and dagwood dogs to entertainment in the main ring and provides a fascinating sense of the state’s development.

“We had always wondered why a comprehensive history of this iconic event had not been done, so when we had the opportunity we began the project,” Dr Laurie said.

GALLERY UNVEILED The UQ Ipswich campus has affirmed its commitment to the local community and the arts after launching its sponsorship and naming rights of The University of Queensland Gallery on July 8.

The gallery, which forms part of the Ipswich Art Gallery, also unveiled its inaugural exhibition, a unique photographic tribute to Indigenous artists.

UQ Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Alan Rix said the University’s sponsorship demonstrated its support of Ipswich and the cultural agenda of the city.

“Art is a powerful barometer of what’s happening in society and Ipswich is home to a thriving artistic community,” Professor Rix said.

“I’m delighted the University will be able to reach out to the people of Ipswich in new ways through this gallery.”

The University of Queensland Gallery’s first exhibition, Indigenous Artists of Australia: A photographic exhibition by Silvana van Dijk, showcases the global success, scale and impact of Indigenous art through film and photography.

The exhibition, which is touring through Queensland Arts Council, features Indigenous singers, dancers and other artists performing on beaches, in deserts and on stage.

“Silvana van Dijk’s work is a moving and fascinating exploration of modern indigenous art,” Professor Rix said.

“UQ has demonstrated its commitment to Indigenous art in the past through exhibitions such as last year’s Our Way: Contemporary Indigenous Art from Lockhart River showcase at the UQ Art Museum at St Lucia, so this is a fitting debut exhibition for The University of Queensland Gallery.”

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale welcomed the new partnership.

“The gallery is the window of our cultural heart and soul and the University is now a vital part of our city’s culture and education,” Cr Pisasale said.

“Part of the exhibition in the new University of Queensland Gallery includes a film documenting the journey of Indigenous art groups Culturebank and Nunukul-Yuggera and culminating in a performance at the Cultural Olympiad.”

Coinciding with the gallery’s launch and NAIDOC week, Ipswich Indigenous artist Charmaine Davis presented an exhibition of recent artworks.

Indigenous Artists of Australia: A photographic exhibition runs at The Ipswich Art Gallery until Sunday August 31.

INPRINT

THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND BOOKSHOPCURRENT BESTSELLERS

1 SHIFTING VIEWS – Leach, A, et al UQP PB $59.95 Architecture

2 BRIGHT SHINY MORNING – Frey, J HODDER PB $32.99 Fiction

3 MY MISTRESS’S SPARROW IS DEAD – Eugenides, J HARPER COLLINS HB $29.99 Fiction

4 WATER FOR ELEPHANTS – Gruen, S ALLEN & UNWIN PB $22.95 Fiction

5 FORGOTTEN GARDEN – Morton, K ALLEN & UNWIN PB $32.95 Fiction

SIDESHOW ALLEY

6 BALCONY – Brooks, D UQP PB $24.95 Poetry

7 A NEW EARTH – Tolle, E MICHAEL JOSEPH PB $29.95 New Age

8 SEX LIVES OF AUSTRALIAN WOMEN – Sauers, J RANDOM HOUSE PB $34.95 Health

9 1434: THE YEAR A CHINESE FLEET SAILED TO ITALY – Menzies, G HARPER COLLINS PB $35.00 History

10 ONE FOOT WRONG – Laguna, S ALLEN & UNWIN PB $24.95 Fiction

“We were able to chart the development of Brisbane through the lens of the exhibition – changes in dress, behaviour, cuisine etc.”

Since 1876, the 10-day event, which was originally intended to showcase the state’s agricultural, pastoral and industrial resources, has attracted Queenslanders to their capital city.

And while the 2008 crowd may be more interested in show bags than the showcase, the fact the event has survived for more than 130 years suggests it holds clues to the state’s history.

“One of the themes we explore is ‘the country comes to town’,” Dr Laurie said.

“The impact of the bush ethos through ring events, wood chop, sheepdog trials and other rural events demonstrates that abiding connection, which does seem stronger in the case of the Brisbane Show than for other states.

“Also, aspects of Queensland’s tragic race relations history are visible at the Ekka, including the display of Aboriginal people early in the twentieth century, as an illustration of the government’s ‘enlightened’ policies.”

In researching Showtime, the authors drew upon a variety of historical sources, including materials held by the RNA.

They conducted approximately 50 interviews on the Ekka experience, a highlight of the research, according to Dr Laurie.

– PENNY ROBINSON

From left: Ipswich councillor Charlie Pisasale, Silvana van Dijk and Professor Alan Rix

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 20

LYLE

RA

DFO

RD

GIVEAW

AY UQP is giving away five copies of of Showtime

to UQ News readers. To enter, simply email your contact details to

communications@uq.edu.au with “UQP giveaway” in the subject line.

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 21

A PhD student is creating medical magic under the big top with her research into treatment for children with cerebral palsy.

Paediatric occupational therapist Leanne Sakzewski’s project mixes rehabilitation with circus training and aims to improve treatment of children with cerebral palsy who have had a stroke affecting one side of their bodies.

Ms Sakzewski said the circus activities were a drawcard, holding a successful performance in Brisbane during the July school holidays.

“Novelty in therapy is the key to optimising children’s engagement and motivation,” she said.

“There are so many different activities that fall under the circus banner which require upper arm strength, manipulation, movement and coordination. It creates an environment that children want to be in.”

Ms Sakzewski’s doctoral program is part of the INCITE trial, believed to be the first rehabilitation trial in cerebral palsy to be funded by the National Heath and Medial Research Council (NHMRC).

The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Smart State Department of Innovation are also major sponsors of the program.

The data collected evaluates upper limb activity performance, participation in home, school and community life and perceived quality of life. It uses advanced brain imaging to study the relationship between brain structure and function, with the findings to be investigated at the Brain Research Institute in Melbourne.

Ms Sakzewski said she intended to compare traditional training with a new approach called Constraint Induced Movement Therapy.

This method involves children wearing a glove on their unimpaired hand to optimise training of the other to determine whether the method helps improve upper limb function and participation.

The study investigators and doctoral supervisors, Associate Professor Roslyn Boyd and Associate Professor Jenny Ziviani, are based in the Schools of Medicine and Occupational Therapy in UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences.

– BROOKE HARGRAVES

the

science ofcircus

All hands on deck: children perform at the Brisbane Powerhouse with members of Flipside circus

PH

OTO

S JE

RE

MY

PATTEN

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 22

SUPERbugsA review article authored by a UQ academic has found overcrowding and understaffing in hospitals are key factors in the transmission of MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) infections worldwide.

Dr Archie Clements, from the School of Population Health, reported overcrowding and understaffing increased levels of MRSA infections, which lead to increased inpatient hospital stay, bed blocking, overcrowding and more MRSA infections. The review included information from 140 papers and Dr Clements was part of a team of seven authors.

The article titled “Overcrowding and understaffing in modern health-care systems: key determinants in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) transmission” was published in the July edition of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Dr Clements said MRSA was an antibiotic-resistant type of Staphylococcus Aureus, a common bacteria present on the skin and in the nostrils of many healthy people.

“MRSA often colonises hospital patients to no ill effect but, if present in a surgical wound or carried to the bloodstream by an intravenous

catheter, it can cause serious infection and possibly the death of the patient,” he said.

Dr Clements said overcrowding and understaffing caused higher levels of MRSA because of its impact on hand hygiene, the number of contacts between healthcare workers and different patients, and the overburdening of screening programmes.

Researchers from UQ’s Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) have developed a new framework that can be used to monitor and report on a company’s community engagement strategies.

Developed by CSRM Director Professor David Brereton and researcher Dr Cath Pattenden, the framework is a major new initiative in this area.

Unlike traditional social impact assessments, which usually assess mining outcomes retrospectively, this framework enables companies to establish monitoring and reporting procedures that address broad sustainability issues throughout the life of a mine.

“It is early days yet, but initial feedback from site indicates that the monitoring system is proving to be a useful tool for both management and community,” Dr Pattenden said.

“Mining companies are telling us that monitoring systems of this type are of increasing importance to the minerals industry as they tackle issues of legacy, community development, and sustainability.”

The framework has been designed to specifically monitor the social and economic impacts of BHP Billiton’s Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (RNO).

RNO is a major new mine and processing

plant located near the small towns of Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun in the far south of Western Australia.

The area is a lightly populated agricultural region, with no modern history of large-scale industrial development.

The mine, which had its official opening in May this year, has an estimated life of 25 years and will employ a significant number of local workers.

According to Dr Pattenden, social and economic development of this scale will bring a range of opportunities and risks for both the company and the local community, and

IMPACT assessment

IN B

R IEF

understanding these impacts is essential to the sustainable development of the region.

“The RNO project provides a unique opportunity for us to establish a monitoring and reporting framework that addresses all of the impacts – environmental, human, social, infrastructure and economic, on the local community,” she said.

“We worked in close consultation with the local community, company management and the RNO Community Liaison Committee to collect baseline data that will enable the operation to monitor community impacts over the entire life of the mine.”

STAFF SURVEYEDUQ will hold its first University-

wide staff engagement survey in

August.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul

Greenfield said the survey of the 6000-

plus academic and general fixed term

and continuing staff would give them

the chance to have their say about the

University’s planning for the future.

Professor Greenfield said he had

already received valuable staff feedback

at campus-wide information sessions

earlier this year.

The Staff Engagement Survey

would be conducted between August

18 and September 5 both online and by

paper survey.

Staff feedback would be sought in

areas including leadership, teamwork,

job satisfaction, issues that affect job

satisfaction and overall effectiveness.

INFO ➔ http://www.voiceproject.com.au/uq.aspx

JER

EM

Y PATTE

N

JER

EM

Y P

ATTE

N

Dr Cath Pattenden and Professor David Brereton

Nursing student Jaulna Fereti (left) changes a dressing as clinical lecturer Sandra Goetz looks on

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 23

AROUND

CAMPUS

Library hours are available at www.library.uq.edu.au

ISSUENO

COPYDEADLINE

PUBLICATION DATE

577 August 15 September 3

578 September 19 October 8

Mid-semester break Sept 29-Oct 4

579 October 31 November 19

Semester 2 ends Nov 15

UQNEWS DEADL INES 08

EVENTS

Tuesday, August 26UQ Multifaith Chaplaincy Services

seminar “Denial is not a river in Egypt,

it’s just a bad habit: Israelis, the Hebrew

Bible and the Arabs” with Associate Professor

Ghil’ad Zuckermann (2.30pm, Chaplaincy Centre,

Social Sciences Annexe Bldg 38, St Lucia campus).

Information: l.peiris@uq.edu.au

Saturday, August 30UQ Mediaeval Society 10 year Reunion Ball (6pm-

11.30pm, Ukrainian Community Centre, 70 Cordelia

St, South Brisbane). Cost: $50. Information: jamesb.

hudson@uq.edu.au

September 22-23Free public lecture series “Science and Christianity:

Conflict or Coherence?” (7.30pm, Queensland

Theological College, Emmanuel College, St Lucia

campus). Information: 07 3871 9347.

September 4-6 The Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict

Studies Workplace Conflict Management workshop.

Information: profstudy@uq.edu.au, visit www.uq.edu.

au/acpacs or call 1300 364 562.

Thursday, October 23UQ Secretaries’ and Office Professionals’

Association Annual Conference: “Completely

Organised!” (8.30am-4pm, SMI Auditorium, Level

4, Sir James Foots Building 47A, St Lucia campus)

Cost: UQSOPA members free, non-members $80.

Information: k.hendrickson@uq.edu.au or 07 3346

7754.

•

•

•

•

•

GENERAL CLASS IF IEDS*

TO RENT: Shared, partly furnished three-bedroom house located in the UQ Pinjarra Hills campus. Rent approx $100 per week, including electricity and water, depending upon number of tenants. Information: Partha on 0437 399 481.

SOFTWARE TRAINING: Training in the Microsoft Office 2007 applications is available to all students via Ask I.T. For the latest list of available classes please visit http://askit.uq.edu.au/classes

TO RENT: Small f/f house overlooks forest reserve. Peaceful, spacious rooms incl large home office. $440 p/wk incl electricity, broadband, crockery, linen. Suit visiting academic/prof couple. Avail early Aug. Information: Nicole on 07 3843 3334.

HOUSESITTING: Free, reliable house/pet sitting. Current UQ employee, trustworthy, clean, organised, loves animals. Previous experience with references. Looking for house-sits of 2+months, Western suburbs/CBD area. Information: Hayley on 0447 789 108

CIVIL CELEBRANT: UQ Alumna celebrant for weddings/christenings/naming of children. Information: Lynda Flower on 0488 101 266.

HOUSESITTING: Prof. couple seek housesit or granny flat to rent Sept-Jan in Brisbane area. Love animals, help with gardening/housekeeping. Organised and clean non-smokers. References available. Information: f.gibson@uq.edu.au

•

•

•

•

•

•

*Classifieds are free, but are available only to staff, students and visiting academics. Please send listings to t.taylor@uq.edu.au

SCHOLARSHIPS

Thomas Morrow Prize 2008 Awarded to an undergraduate student who writes

the best essay on a topic in the field of Australian

literature. Essays written within the School of English,

Media Studies and Art History will be automatically

considered. Well-presented honours theses may also

be submitted. Worth: approx $450 (at least $100

is to be used for the purchase of books). Closing:

November 14. Information: 07 3365 1412.

UQ Merit Scholarships 2009Awarded to year 12 students commencing their

tertiary study at UQ. Based on year 12 academic

achievement and demonstrated leadership qualities

and achievements. Worth: $6000 for the first year.

Closing: October 31. Information: 07 3365 7113.

•

•

�����������������������������

������������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

���������������������������������������������� ■������������������

����������������� �������������������������������������������� �����������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ■������������������

����������������� �������������������������������������������� ���������������������������

���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

��������������������������������

�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

���������������������������������������

UQNews_Profs.indd 1 27/5/08 3:39:53 PM

�����������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

� ■�������������������������� ■��������������������������������� ■������������������������������������

����������������� ��������������������������������������������������

����������������������������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

���������������������������������������

������������������������������

���������������

UQNews_Students.indd 1 27/5/08 3:38:24 PM

UQ

NE

WS

, A

UG

US

T 2

00

8

➔ 24

Snakes, skulls and a spare headstone have taken over UQ as part of neo goth: back in black, which is open free to the

public until September 21 and is one of the largest and most ambitious art exhibitions ever staged by the University.

Incorporating 170 works from 60 contemporary artists, the show also bleeds into Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, with retailer Jean Brown decking its window front with a selection of Gothic-inspired fashion.

Museum Director Nick Mitzevich said the timing of the exhibition reflected our growing fascination with the dark and otherworldly.

“Mainstream culture has really embraced the motifs of the Goth era recently, particularly images of mortality, and we thought it was an ideal time to curate an exhibition about this phenomena,” Mr Mitzevich said.

“Street culture is such a potent force within our society and young people are very much involved in music, fashion, film and literature and, for me, it was a perfect fit.”

Several of the participating artists were on hand for the show’s official opening on July

25, with entertainment provided by DJ Coffin Boppin’ and organist DRAB VLAD.

Exhibition curator and UQ graduate Alison Kubler said she crossed the country to assemble the exhibition and was surprised by the scope and strength of Gothic-themed pieces being produced by artists.

Contributors to neo goth include multiple Venice Biennale representative Shaun Gladwell, photo-artist Rosemary Laing and winner of the University’s inaugural National Artists Self-Portrait Prize Ben Quilty, with a number of pieces specially created for the exhibition.

The exhibition also features for the first time in Queensland the work of 2008 Archibald Prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton.

Mr Mitzevich said the Gothic had proved popular for centuries and enjoyed regular resurrections, as seen in recent “emo” and punk fashion and music.

“The show is fun and engaging, but there’s also an underbelly to it which does pose the question: why is mortality and the iconography associated with it so widespread in society today?” he said.

“We really want people from all walks of life to come along to enjoy the exhibition and take something from it.”

Both floors of the museum are filled with Gothic-inspired sculpture, film, photography, painting and jewellery for the duration the exhibition, with a weekend of free talks by several of the artists, the curator and catalogue authors taking place on July 26-27.

“There’s a little bit of Goth in us all, and I think everyone at some time thinks about mortality and their place in the world and this exhibition explores that in many different ways,” Mr Mitzevich said.

neo goth: back in black runs at the UQ Art Museum, St Lucia until September 21. The exhibition is open from 10am – 4pm daily with parking free on weekends.

An 88-page illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition, with essays by Ms Kubler, Ashley Crawford, Louise Martin-Chew and Lisa Slade.

INFO ➔ www.artmuseum.uq.edu.au/

– Cameron Pegg

IF YOU VISIT THE UQ ART MUSEUM IN THE COMING MONTHS, BEWARE OF THE TOMBSTONE OUT FRONT.

DARKNESS&LIGHT

CO

UR

TES

Y H

EIS

ER

GA

LLER

Y, BR

ISB

AN

E

Above: Detail of Jane Burton’s Wormwood 1 (2006-7)