“Leadership is simply a series of moments, and every moment gives you the opportunity to leave a positive legacy for those you lead.”

This insight, from leadership expert and keynote speaker Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM, was one of many shared at the University’s second annual Professional Staff Leadership Conference on 17 November.

More than 300 professional staff came together for the full-day program, which featured inspiring personal reflections, case studies of leadership in practice and discussions on topics including continuous improvement, service excellence and developing teams.

Aspiring leaders were also encouraged to attend this year’s conference via an expression-of-interest process. One attendee remarked that their inclusion was indicative of the “positive working culture” at Macquarie: “It is a great example of how the University values and encourages not only current leaders but also potential leaders.”

Nicole Gower, Vice-President Professional Services, said she was pleased to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from conference attendees, many of whom commended the University’s investment in developing staff and fostering connection.

“We know Macquarie’s professional staff value the opportunity to reflect on their practices in supporting the University’s research, education and health missions,” Ms Gower said. “This year’s conference sparked many insightful conversations about leadership and best practice, which are already starting to flow through to teams.”

Highlights from the 2023 Professional Staff Leadership Conference

Keynote speaker Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM shared the eight key attributes of a “head and heart leader” – with attendees measuring themselves on Dr Ferguson’s Head and Heart Leader Scale.

Nicole Gower, Vice-President Professional Services, reflected on her personal journey as a woman in leadership.

Daniel Crippa (Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences) and Byron Wilson and Paul Dorrell (Office of Strategy, Planning and Performance) were among the presenters discussing leadership in practice.

The day concluded with a ‘You Can’t Ask That!’ Q&A session featuring Professor Lucy Marshall and Katrina Sealey (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Fiona Reyerink (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic) and Brad Windon (Student Shared Services).

The good news is you will still be seeing the same stories, updates and event listings on the intranet. And it will be easier to stay up to date. News will be posted on the intranet in real time instead of weekly, and displayed automatically in feeds that are personalised to your work area and interests.

How to use the intranet

For staff working on a University-owned PC, the intranet should automatically display when you open a Chrome or Edge web browser, or open a new tab in these browsers (you will need to restart your computer on, or after, 5 December for this to take effect). If this automatic display is not occurring – or if you are a Mac or Firefox user – please follow the instructions to set the staff intranet as your homepage.

The staff intranet user guide provides easy-to-follow instructions for accessing the staff intranet on various devices; navigating the homepage and News Hub; setting up quick links. and managing news channel subscriptions.

The guide will always be available in the ‘Intranet resource hub’ (under ‘Services’ in the top navigation of the intranet). The hub also contains information and training materials for content authors and site owners.

What do staff need to do from 5 December?

It is highly recommended that you take some time next week to set up your homepage quick links and subscribe to preferred news channels to ensure you continue to receive important updates relevant to your work. The user guide outlines the steps you need to follow.

Pop-up help desks will be available around campus and online from 5 to 11 December, should you need assistance with setting up your quick links and subscriptions. Ensure you have your laptop with you if attending one of the pop-ups.

If you would like to access the intranet on your smartphone, ensure you have the Microsoft Teams or Microsoft SharePoint applications downloaded (see the user guide for instructions for accessing the intranet via these apps).

Reporting bugs, broken links or errors

Each page in the intranet has a ‘Leave feedback/report a problem’ link at the bottom of the page where you can alert the page owner to broken links or bugs that may have occurred during the migration of staff portal content. Ideas or suggestions can also be made via this link.

The Macquarie e-card is an animated GIF that you can insert directly into an email, accompanied by a personal message. Please see helpful steps below to set up your email.

The process for adding an animated GIF animation is the same as inserting static images into emails. Simply:
1. Download the Macquarie e-card to your desktop.

2. Click where you want to paste the image into your personalised email message, then:

• PC users – Click on the ‘Insert’ tab. Select ‘Pictures’.
• Mac users – Drag and drop the downloaded e-card file into the email body, or select the ‘Insert Picture’ icon.

3. Select the Macquarie e-card file from your desktop or hard drive. Click ‘OK’ after you have selected your file.

4. Test if the process was successful and by emailing the card to yourself first.

Several security enhancements have been made through the Fortify program this year:

• Successful implementation of multi factor authentication (MFA) for the student systems iLearn, eStudent and ApplicantPortal, providing enhanced system and data security for more than 60,000 active users.
• Automated software updates, bolstering browser and critical application security for approximately 6000 staff computers at the University and Hospital.
• Activation of Microsoft’s Company Portal application, providing a safe way for staff to download commonly used software.
• Encryption of staff laptops, ensuring data is protected in the case of loss or theft.
• Regulation of Office application macros to minimise malware attack risks.

Upcoming changes

Wave three of Fortify will include further important changes to enhance our digital security:

PC (Windows) users

• User access to PCs will be limited to standard functions. Higher privilege access to install or run software will be provided through various new tools. This transition is scheduled to occur between January and March 2024. PC users can use the Company Portal application to download a wide range of software.
• Privilege management software will automatically detect if certain tasks require additional permissions to run. It will handle these situations appropriately after verifying the staff member’s identity.

Multi factor authentication

• From 11 December 2023, students will be required to use multi factor authentication (MFA) to access Microsoft 365 applications.
• From 13 December 2023, both students and staff will be required to use multi factor authentication (MFA) to access ServiceNow (OneHelp).

Information about multi factor authentication can be found on the staff portal (and the staff intranet from 5 December).

At its meeting on 21 November 2023, Academic Senate approved revisions/amendments to the following:

• Course of Study Monitoring and Review Policy
• Course of Study Reaccreditation Policy
• Graduate Research iThenticate Procedure
• Graduate Research Thesis Preparation, Submission and Examination Policy and Procedure (for implementation in 2024)
• Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

A summary of the changes made is captured under the Status and Details tab, located in the menu bar at the top of each document.

Open for consultation

All staff are invited to provide feedback through the Bulletin Board on the following policies currently under review/development:

• Reporting Wrongdoing – Public Interest Disclosures Policy (proposed to be retitled as the Public Interest Disclosures Policy)
• Data Breach Policy

If you need help or have any questions or feedback about any policy matter, please don’t hesitate to contact the Policy team in Governance and Compliance Services: policy@mq.edu.au.

In recognition of these challenges, we have developed a guidance note outlining the University’s position on the use of generative AI in research, to inform understanding about the obligations associated with the use of this technology.

Areas covered include the use of generative AI for research publications, theses, peer reviews, and grant applications.

Next year, researchers will be invited to workshops offered by various faculties and the Centre for Applied AI to learn more about the role of generative Al in research. Details about the workshops will be shared on the staff intranet. A hands-on introduction to large language models like Bing Chat and ChatGPT, featuring Dr Brian Ballsun-Stanton, Solutions Architect (Digital Humanities) from the Faculty of Arts, is now available to view.

Resources and workshops are listed on the Research Data Management Sharepoint, where you can register for updates about generative AI training.

If further information is required about responsible use of generative AI in research, contact your faculty research integrity advisor.

View the guidance note here.

US Consul General visits Wallumattagal Campus

Earlier this month, the University was pleased to welcome US Consul General Christine Elder to campus for a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Group members. A broad range of mutual interests and opportunities were discussed, including student exchange, study abroad, research collaboration and partnership projects with US-based entities.

Engineering Expo showcases opportunities for Research-Industry Collaboration

The Vice-Chancellor welcomed around 300 visitors to the School of Engineering’s Industry Expo on 8 November. In his opening speech, Professor Aman Oo, Head of the School of Engineering (pictured above, left) cited the importance of industry collaboration to advance such projects as photovoltaic cells for indoor light harvesting and innovative technologies for cancer diagnosis. Professor Grant Hose moderated a panel discussion on industry-academia collaboration featuring Professor Lucy Marshall (Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering) in conversation with representatives from SmartCrete CRC, Beca Group, Multigate Medical Products and City of Ryde Council.

The Expo showcased innovative industry-collaboration projects, from dynamic virtual power plants and waste-to-resources thermochemical conversion, to high-performing IoT drones, human respiratory devices and artificial inner-ear hair sensors.

“We are committed to industry collaboration, not only to partner on producing quality research and timely solutions but also to support the research-teaching nexus,” says Professor Oo.

“This approach ensures that the academic knowledge gained is directly imparted to students, preparing them for a globally connected world.”

Pictured L to R: Dr Matt van Breugel, Research Partnerships; Dr Ondrej Kitzler, Macquarie Photonics Research Centre; Professor Helen Pask, Macquarie Photonics Research Centre and Professor Dan Johnson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise).

Macquarie attends Indo Pacific 2023

Macquarie participated in the 2023 Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition held recently in Sydney. This three-day trade and conference event for Australian and international defence, industry, government, academia and technology leaders included 832 exhibitors and a specialist conference program. Over 27,000 people attended the event, representing 52 nations.

Macquarie undertakes research and development activities with Australia’s defence research community through the Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN) which is aligned with Australia’s Defence priorities.

“Macquarie is a research leader across a range of defence, science and technology strategic areas with core research and development themes including cybersecurity, future communications, space systems and enhanced human performance,” says Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Enterprise) Professor Dan Johnson.

“This event is a great opportunity to showcase the breadth of our research and capability to an international network.”

Pictured L to R: Professor Surya Deva, Director of the Centre for Environmental Law; Professor Donna Craig, founding director; Professor Ben Boer, founding director; Dr Constantinos Yiallourides, Deputy Director

Australia’s longest-running environmental law centre celebrates 40 years of impact 

Established in 1983, Macquarie University’s Centre for Environmental Law (CEL) is Australia’s longest-running environmental law centre, celebrating 40 years of transformative change across law reform, research and education.

Over the last 40 years, the centre has maintained a strong interdisciplinary education focus across both undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, while strengthening its focus on research excellence. With expertise across sustainable development, business and human rights, environmental law, climate change, ecocide, food systems, ocean governance and biodiversity law, CEL conducts cutting-edge research to address the triple planetary crisis: environmental pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.

CEL marked its 40^th anniversary with an international conference on 1 and 2 November 2023, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners to discuss pathways to just transitions. Read more here.

Macquarie Law School’s annual Blackshield Lecture 2023 

The Honourable Justice Brian J Preston FRSN SC, Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court in New South Wales (pictured above, left), recently delivered Macquarie Law School’s 2023 Blackshield Lecture at the University’s City Campus.

Justice Preston presented an insightful framework for understanding the nature of our right to a healthy environment, and how states can better respect, protect and fulfil this right.

This year’s Blackshield Lecture concluded a two-day international conference celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Macquarie’s Centre for Environmental Law – Australia’s oldest and longest-running environmental law centre.

Old meets new: Macquarie Business School researchers visit world-class ancient coin collection on campus

Recently, a group from Macquarie Business School was hosted by Associate Professor Ken Sheedy, Director of the Australian Centre for Ancient Numismatic Studies (ACANS) in the Faculty of Arts. Numismatics is the study of ancient coins, and ACANS has one of the largest and most valuable collections of ancient coins at any university in the world – over 6500 Greek, Roman and Byzantine gold, silver and bronze pieces.

Macquarie Business School visitors handled examples of Lydian electrum – the earliest coin issues known (over 2500 years old), the silver tetradrachms of Alexander the Great, and large Roman bronze coins with the portrait of the great emperor Hadrian, among other coins.

Professor Worthington (pictured left) and co-author Captain Michael Ferguson present their analysis in a neat framework, breaking down Alexander the Great’s rule and talking about the lessons he brings to the modern world.

The book details how leadership and warfare have some consistent themes over time, especially relevant in our digital age. But this tome is not just a history lesson on military adventures, it also looks at the security scene in the 21st century. If you are interested in peace, war and strategy, this book shares insights from Alexander the Great’s story that might change your perspective.

“This book may make you feel uncomfortable, but then again, so it should. As the character or even the nature of war changes because of disruptive emerging technologies, it is crucial that the human aspects of generalship, statesmanship, strategic thought and good old boots on the ground are not left behind,” says Professor Worthington.

“Alexander the Great embodies all these things and more. Our book uses a thematic approach to tell a new military history of Alexander within the context and nature of modern warfare and what leaders today should learn and apply from his successes, and especially, his failures.”

The book also includes concluding commentary from Lt Gen HR McMaster, the 25th National Security Advisor to the President of the United States.

Arguing that Alexander’s old campaigns still have something to teach us today, Professor Worthington and Captain Ferguson note how vital it is to have leaders who can adapt and understand history in our tech-heavy world.

Whether you are a student or scholar with interest in the classics, ancient history, modern history, peace studies or military studies, this book is relevant to you. It is not just for academics, but also for defence leaders, military scholars and anyone curious about warfare, military history or history in general.

The Military Legacy of Alexander the Great: Lessons for the Information Age is published by Routledge.

The three-year project, entitled ‘Embedding genomics in primary care: using implementation science to design a robust national approach’, will ensure a nationally consistent, ethically robust approach to support GPs offering genetic tests and the consumers considering them.

“While the scientific and technological challenges of genomic testing are being met through rigorous research programs, the practice of genomics is a complex area,” Professor Brathwaite says.

“We will support GPs and consumers by ensuring existing resources and newly created support tools are freely available and useful through a rigorous implementation process with GPs.”

The project will be coordinated by Dr Janet Long, and involves partners Australian Genomics, Human Genetics Society of Australasia, the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia, Cystic Fibrosis Australia, Fragile X Association of Australia, Genetic Support Network of Victoria, and Rare Voices Australia.

Genomics medicine is revolutionising healthcare, particularly for people with rare diseases and cancer, by offering prompt and accurate diagnosis, identifying a patient’s risk based on their genes and providing personalised treatments.

The MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission has funded 25 projects for a total of $66 million.

The evening was supported by Macquarie’s Young Alumni Advisory Board (YAAB), led by Ki Yan Baldwin and members Alistair Booth and Delia Deng. Beer with the Boss was an opportunity to engage with nine accomplished bosses, including three from YAAB.

“Networking at alumni events is always insightful and inspiring,” said alumni Viraj Dugar. Selena Chua added that the event provides attendees with opportunities to strike up interesting conversations with senior leaders and alumni, making new connections. “I am looking forward to more events like this,” she said.

“It is like speed dating but with bosses,” joked Dr Prashan Karunaratne, referring to the event where attendees move between bosses every 15 minutes, gathering tips and insights.

The bosses included Karen Ganschow, Head of Data Sciences at Aware Super; Heidi Han, Communications Consultant; Rakin Hasan, Manager of Technology and Systems Assurance at HLB Mann Judd; Kaylene Hubbard, Tax Partner at KPMG; Michelle Hutchison, Chief Operating Officer at Schebesta Ventures; Richard Norrie, Cyber Resilience Consulting Lead at Dell Technologies; and Alejandro Ortiz, CEO and Founder of Alejandro Ortiz Consulting.

As the bosses shared their expertise, alumni listened intently, asking questions and soaking up the knowledge on offer. “There was a real buzz in the air. The alumni were super-engaged and asked so many great questions,” said Ms Hutchison.

Ms Hubbard agreed: “The energy in the room was incredible; the diversity of attendees and their confidence and enthusiasm were inspiring. I was in awe of them and their self-awareness.”

Mr Norrie noted: “All the bosses were really passionate about what they do. And this is what I attempted to instil in the attendees – passion will get you places that even raw talent cannot.”

Michelle Hutchison, Chief Operating Officer at Schebesta Ventures, engages with alumni

The bosses addressed practical aspects of employment, guiding graduates on breaking into the corporate world and tackling questions about negotiating tricky situations, entering new fields or managing tech start-ups. The rise of cybersecurity, risk and AI emerged as particularly hot topics.

Ms Ganschow addressed fears about job loss, saying, “There will always be challenges so be bold, be curious and don’t stay still. Put a light on the hill and watch people swarm.”

Mr Ortiz shared his insights on making informed and meaningful career choices. He encouraged introspection in alumni to identify core talents and align them with passion to achieve a fulfilling career.

Ms Han connected with alumni who had been international students and shared her insights on building a supportive network.

Mr Hasan said: “It’s important to remember, we’re all running our own race. It’s not about reaching the finish line; it’s about enjoying the journey and what we learn along the way.”

Referring to the alumni in the room, Ms Hubbard concluded: “The future is in good hands.”

Activities to further support the employability of Macquarie alumni are now being planned for 2024. If you would like to get involved or share ideas, please email alumni@mq.edu.au