La Trobe University has academic experts, available to talk to the media during the summer period on the following topics (please note the University is shut December 24 to January 1).
WHAT LIES AHEAD IN 2020?
- Social media and technology
Dr Stanley Shanapinda, Research Fellow in Computer Science and Information Technology at the Optus La Trobe Cyber Security Research Hub
Mobile: 0416 304 394 / Email: s.shanapinda@latrobe.edu.au - Australian politics
Tony Walker, La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow & Adjunct Professor
Mobile: 0416 258 776 / Email: antonyhwalker@gmail.com
BUSHFIRE/CLIMATE CHANGE
- Bushfire season, risks, planned burns and summer in Australia
Professor Mike Clarke, La Trobe University School of Life Sciences
Mobile: 0427 368 851 / Email: m.clarke@latrobe.edu.au - Bushfire preparedness, particularly in areas that have not traditionally experienced such events
Adjunct Professor Jim McLennan, La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
Mobile: 0438 096 548 / Email: j.mclennan@latrobe.edu.au - The impacts of climate change on bushfire risk, frequency, intensity and effects of bushfire on biodiversity
Dr Jim Radford, Principal Research Fellow in the La Trobe Research Centre for Future Landscapes
Mobile: 0400 815 811 / Email: j.radford@latrobe.edu.au - Service outages, network congestion, communications infrastructure and ‘fire warning’ alerts in bushfires
Dr Stanley Shanapinda, Research Fellow in Computer Science and Information Technology at the Optus La Trobe Cyber Security Research Hub
Mobile: 0416 304 394 / Email: s.shanapinda@latrobe.edu.au - Existential threats, in particular climate change and nuclear weapons
Joseph Camilleri, La Trobe University Emeritus Professor in Politics
Mobile: 0448 002 483 / Email: j.camilleri@latrobe.edu.au
DIET
- The meanings of food in people’s lives, how food embodies cultural values, veganism/vegetarianism
Dr Matt Ruby, La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
Mobile: 0490 854 736 / Email: m.ruby@latrobe.edu.au
EDUCATION/KIDS/FAMILY
- Students starting tertiary education in 2020 and other education issues
Associate Professor Buly Cardak, La Trobe University Business School
Email: b.cardak@latrobe.edu.au - The importance of monitoring/controlling children’s screen-time over the holiday season & the neurological benefits of early childhood education, the benefits of State Government funding for three year old kindergarten programs starting in 2020 in six council areas across Victoria
Leanne Grogan, La Trobe University School of Education
Email: l.grogan@latrobe.edu.au - Improving your child’s reading abilities before they head back to school, what to look for in how your child’s school is approaching reading instruction
Pamela Snow, Professor of Cognitive Psychology La Trobe School of Education (Bendigo-based)
Mobile: 0458 377 253 / Email: p.snow@latrobe.edu.au
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
- Working over the holiday season, the importance of recharging your batteries
Associate Professor Jodi Oakman, La Trobe University Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors
Mobile: 0447 152 944 / Email: j.oakman@latrobe.edu.au - Work practices for entrepreneurs and seniorpreneaurs over the holiday season
Professor Alex Maritz, La Trobe University Business School
Email: a.maritz@latrobe.edu.au
TRENDS IN ALCOHOL/DRUG USE
- Alcohol consumption and harms during the festive season
Dr Jason (Heng) Jiang, La Trobe University Centre for Alcohol Policy Research
Mobile: 0430 067 296 / Email: jason.jiang@latrobe.edu.au - Effects of drugs on the brain, drug use at music festivals, drug addiction/deaths, pill testing
Professor Maarten van den Buuse – La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health
Mobile: 0402 025 097 / Email: m.vandenbuuse@latrobe.edu.au
EXERCISE/SPORT
- 2020 exercise trends, keeping fit over the holidays
Dr Christian Barton, La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre
Mobile: 0403 012 914 / Email: c.barton@latrobe.edu.au
RELIGION
- Religion in Australia and internationally, in particular Christianity and Islam
Joseph Camilleri, La Trobe University Emeritus Professor in Politics
Mobile: 0448 002 483 / Email: j.camilleri@latrobe.edu.au
