Griffith appoints Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business leadership

Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business Leadership, Dr Andrew White.

International business leadership expert Dr Andrew White has been appointed the founding Blackmore Family Foundation Chair of Business Leadership, and will oversee a world-class executive education program delivered by Griffith Business School in South East Queensland. 

Griffith University is renowned for its innovative approach to values-based leadership education and has been ranked number one globally as the leading MBA program on sustainability, and number one in Australia for online education. 

The chair role was endowed by the

Human speech development linked to whale song structure

Language has long been considered a uniquely human trait, with features that mark it out as distinct from the communication of all other species.  

However, research published today in Science has uncovered the same statistical structure in humpback whale song that is a hallmark of human language.  

Dr Jenny Allen.

Dr Jenny Allen is a leading expert in

Griffith and Supercars partner to launch SuperGEMS

Griffith University and Supercars have partnered to launch SuperGEMS, an innovative, female-focused program designed to inspire the next generation of young women to pursue careers in motorsport and STEM industries.

The SuperGEMS

Griffith music graduate receives knighthood in Denmark

Queensland Conservatorium graduate Steven Moore received a knighthood in Denmark for his work with the Royal Danish Opera. Photo: Camilla Winther

Queensland Conservatorium alumnus Steven Moore has been knighted in Denmark for his contribution to the arts. 

Steven, who is chorus master for the Royal Danish Opera, was made a Ridder af Dannebrogordenen (a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog), which is an honour that dates back to 1671. 

Queen Margrethe presented him with the award at

Griffith girls in gear for 2021 AON Rugby 7s campaign

Griffith's 2021 Rugby 7s squad at a training camp ahead of the first games of the season.

Griffith University has named the squad for its 2021 AON University 7s campaign, with high hopes for a successful season after Covid impacted the interstate rugby sevens competition last year.

The 22-strong squad includes a host of new young faces and some seasoned veterans as well, with Bachelor of Public Relations and Communications student Kiri Lingman returning to the side as co-Captain along with seasoned players Sophie Quirk, a Clinical Exercise Physiology student, and Education student Kahli Henwood.

Some of Griffith’s 2021 Rugby 7s squad faced Bond University players in pre-season matches.

Last weekend the group came together for a

Remarkable Ron Clarke Griffith Futures scholars revealed

 

Bianca Crisp is one of two Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship recipients.

Two stellar up-and-coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sport stars at Griffith have been named the first ever recipients of Ron Clarke Griffith Futures Scholarship.

Education student and netballer Beryl Friday and health science student and pool and open water swimmer Bianca Crisp were awarded the scholarships, worth $11,000 per year of full-time study for up to four years for each student in a joint funding arrangement between Griffith University and Commonwealth Games Australia.

Griffith Sports Engagement Director Duncan Free OAM said the athletes were selected from a talented pool of individuals and that the scholarship was a significant opportunity for them.

“I’ve learnt so much about Bianca and Beryl and the works and connectivity they have

Griffith part of new initiative to transform national mental health system

Griffith University will play a major role in a new national academy purposely designed to ensure members with experience of mental illness are at the forefront of research to transform Australia’s mental health care system. 

Launched by Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, the National Academy of LIVed-Experience (ALIVE) will be funded over five years through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Special Initiative in Mental Health grant. 

The Academy led by Associate Professor Victoria Palmer from University of

Griffith showcases art and science at Curiocity Festival

Lecturers at Griffith University have created the world’s largest acoustic guitar – a mind-blowing multi-disciplinary collaboration that will take centre stage at Curiocity Festival this month.

The Immersive Guitar (TIG) is one of the highlights of the 17-day celebration of science, art and technology, taking pride of place at South Bank, in front of the Wheel of Brisbane.

Created by lecturers from both the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre and Griffith Sciences, TIG is 12 times the size of an ordinary guitar and can seat 25 people.

Made of plantation-grown Queensland Hoop Pine set atop a steel frame with nylon

Griffith alumni inspire young girls to dream big

School students at the launch of the She Dreams Big book launch

A new collaboration between Griffith alumni is encouraging young girls to dream big, with the launch of a social enterprise project breaking down gender stereotypes in early childhood.

She Dreams Big was co-founded by Griffith Business School alumnus Michael McGee, who was inspired to launch the project after noticing a lack of positive role models for his three young daughters.

“My daughters were interested in space exploration, but everything out there for young girls is very passive – it’s all butterflies and princesses,” he said.

“Research has shown that kids pick up these entrepreneurial and risk-taking skills very

Australian research institutes lead the way in climate change adaptation

Griffith University, CSIRO and Australian National University are all in the top five institutions globally for publishing climate change adaptation research a new study has found.

From more than 11000 papers (published during 1978-2020), Griffith University researchers identified the top five key institutions as Wageningen University, Chinese Academy of Science, CSIRO, Griffith University, and Australian National University.

Dr Johanna Nalau, a co-author of the paper from the Cities Research Institute

“That Griffith University is ranked

Virtual production pushes boundaries of filmmaking

Griffith Film School students, alumni and staff collaborated on a new virtual production, Decommissioned.

Griffith Film School students are pioneering new technology that is revolutionising the screen industry. 

Master of Screen Production students, staff and alumni have collaborated with industry on a virtual production called Decommissioned, which uses the same technology Hollywood productions like The Mandalorian are employing.

GFS lecturer Sue Swinburne

Griffith Film School (GFS) lecturer Sue Swinburne called the technology a “game-changer”. 

“This allows you to create environments that you can’t get to, or don’t exist,” she said. 

“Instead of taking a crew to a physical location, feeding them, finding accommodation and relying on weather and light, we were able to do everything from the GFS studios at South Bank. 

“It gives you the freedom to experiment and it will allow independent filmmakers the opportunity to make really high–quality content.” 

Set aboard the International Space Station, the sci-fi / horror short Decommissioned was created using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. 

Behind the scenes of Decommissioned

By piping Unreal Engine through rear

New research may be key to making safe, durable COVID-19 vaccines

Representative microscopy image of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells stained with antibodies in convalescent plasma. Image credit: Dr Michael Joyce, University of Alberta.

Using convalescent plasma, Griffith University researchers have identified how it may be possible to make a future vaccine that will provide protection against all major strains of COVID-19.

Vaccines work by inducing antibodies that block the interaction between the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2’s Spike protein and its receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is present on human lungs.

To understand how antibodies block infection, the researchers from the Institute for

Griffith celebrates 2021 International Women’s Day

Remarkable University leaders have shared their experience, advice and learnings on leadership on International Women’s Day. 

Vice Chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans and Dr Leanne Kenway

Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Carolyn Evans, was the first woman to hold that role at Griffith and welcomed the focus on the importance of women’s leadership for this year’s International Women’s Day. 

“Griffith has women across the university

Using whales to study Antarctica’s changing environment

Humpback whales across the southern hemisphere are being used as indicators of environmental and climatic change in Antarctica through Griffith University-led research.

Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash, Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security

The Humpback Whale Sentinel Program, headed by Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash from the Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security, uses whale health data, collected annually for the past 13 years from migrating whale populations across the southern hemisphere, to provide important clues about the status of the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem.

“Conducting research in Antarctica is extremely challenging due to the travel logistics, the expense, and now with the number of expeditioners kept to an absolute minimum due to COVID-19,” says Associate Professor Bengtson Nash.

“The Humpback Whale Sentinel Program, however, avoids all of these problems by

Griffith’s Gold Coast campus ecosystem flourishes

Chick and adult Bush stone curlews found on the Gold Coast campus during a recent survey.

The biodiversity of Griffith’s Gold Coast campus continues to bloom, with a recent survey revealing an increase in wildlife species on site to more than 130 different types.

Threatened species the Powerful Owl spotted on campus.

From frogs and flying foxes, to owls and cute koalas, researchers have now identified 11 new species living at the campus.

School of Environment and Science senior lecturer Dr Guy Castley said the biodiversity blitz had a focus on vertebrate species and was conducted over five days, with bird surveys beginning at 6am.

“We recorded 39 (bird) species across six established transects,” Dr Castley said.

Hemicordulia dragonfly.

“Of these, four were new species for the campus,

Queensland Conservatorium launches 2021 season

Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium has unveiled its 2021 concert season, which will feature epic symphonies, movie musicals, theatre classics and contemporary opera.

Associate Professor Peter Morris

Acting Queensland Conservatorium Director Associate Professor Peter Morris said after a year of disruption, audiences could expect a standout program showcasing the breadth of talent among students, staff and alumni.

“Last year, COVID restrictions forced us to think outside the box and find new ways of sharing music and performing arts,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be back in 2021 with a season that will challenge our students and delight audiences.

“Whether you love opera or jazz, orchestral works or musical theatre, there are a host of