Research stories
Lost without words
By Dr Sonia PertsinidisApart from wreaking havoc across the globe, the COVID-19 crisis has spawned a host of new jargon, from ‘social distancing’, ‘herd immunity’ and ‘flattening the curve’ to ‘PPE’ (Personal Protective Equipment), and ‘The Great Lockdown’. But, a lot of the vocabulary that we have…
ANU Ceramics researcher aiding doctors on frontline of Coronavirus
ANU School of Art & Design researcher Mr Rod Bamford is applying his design expertise to create face shields for doctors on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. Mr Bamford, a Senior Lecturer in Ceramics, has been using designs developed by members of the global …
1 in 10 children affected by bushfires is Indigenous - We've been ignoring them for too long
The catastrophic bushfire season is officially over, but governments, agencies and communities have failed to recognise the specific and disproportionate impact the fires have had on Aboriginal peoples. Addressing this in bushfire response and recovery is part of Unfinished Business: the work…
How Australia’s response to the Spanish flu of 1919 sounds warnings on dealing with coronavirus
Most Australians - Indigenous people under the protection acts were an exception - have long taken for granted their right to cross state borders. They have treated them much as they do the often unmarked boundaries dividing their suburbs. Not any more. Australia has closed its international…
Cyclone baby study to capture experiences of pregnant women during disasters
Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) are studying how natural disasters affect pregnant women, to help better understand this vulnerable group and the potential impact of future disasters. The study, being conducted by PhD scholar, Cynthia Parayiwa and Associate Professor…
Partners pay a high toll when it comes to gambling
New research examining the full impact of gambling-related harm on loved ones has just been released by The Australian National University (ANU). The 2019 ACT Gambling Survey found 17,000 adults in the ACT, or five per cent of the adult population, had been personally affected by a loved…
Tireless advocate for Forgotten Australians honoured
Dr Adele Chynoweth, a Lecturer in the ANU Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies, was awarded the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia for service to public history this year on Australia Day. Here is an account of her work that led to this honour, and her continuing contribution. On a warm…