The Senior Lecturer in STEM Education says her highlights include the initiation of the MyScience@MQ program, which brings scientist mentors into schools to transform the way kids see and experience science;  developing resources for the Dr Egg Adventures Laboratory; co-writing the soon-to-be-published  STEM Education in the Primary School: A teacher’s toolkit; and leading the development of IBM’s Artificial Intelligence for Teachers project, including the recent launch of its Coursera course.

Anne says the course is a great milestone for the Macquarie-IBM partnership, and she hopes it will support more students to enter the IBM EdTech Youth Challenge.

In a nutshell, my job is to…
Find effective ways to open doors to the world of science and STEM for young learners and their teachers.

My definition of success is…
Feeling peaceful.

A person at Macquarie that inspires me is…
My daughter Dr Miri Forbes. She is a world leader working on redefining and shaping future options for evaluating and treating mental disorders.

This year I want to…
Welcome my third and fourth grandchild into the world and begin writing my second Primary Science Education textbook.

The scariest thing I’ve ever done is…
Have a baby – four times!

As a kid, I was…
Obsessed with competitive running – now I’m just obsessed with running.

My guilty pleasure is…
Pleasures shouldn’t make you feel guilty – I love ice cream – as frequently as possible.

I’m scared of…
Spiders.

The most important thing I’ve learned this year is…
I need to live my university life on my own terms.

I’m happiest when…
I am creating something – no matter the domain.

Later today, 18 February, The Hon Linda Burney MP will launch the

The report reveals a lack of support and services, with many families feeling isolated and uncertain about their children’s futures. While autism is likely to be as common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as other groups, the report reveals that there are fewer tailored services and support available to these families meaning that autism supports fail to be inclusive of the distinctive cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Among the report’s co-authors is Rozanna Lilley, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Educational Studies.  Rozanna’s memoir Do Oysters Get Bored? A Curious Life – where she reflects on family life with a child on the autism spectrum – was shortlisted for a National Biography Award in 2019.

1) In a nutshell, my job is…
To conduct qualitative research on autism highlighting the lived experiences of autistic people and their families, especially those who are currently underrepresented in the literature, using my skills as an anthropologist and an author.

2) My definition of success is…
Influencing policy to positively impact on the lives of autistic people and their families, and reframing perceptions of autism to highlight capacities and abilities.

3) A person at Macquarie that inspires me is…
My Professor (and report co-author) Liz Pellicano, for her commitment to social justice research in the autism field, as well as to research practice that builds the capacity of autistic researchers.

4) This year I want to…
Publish more of our research on autism in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, analyse a large set of interviews I have just completed with people all over Australia who donated biological materials to the Australian Autism Biobank, and work on a poetry manuscript.

5) As a kid, I was…
Introverted and imaginative.

6) My guilty pleasure is…
Reality TV and ice-cream (preferably together)

7) The most important thing I’ve learned in the last five years is…
To enjoy the process and have confidence in myself.

8) I’m happiest when…
I’m getting a nature fix.

9) If I had the day off today, you would find me…
Spending time with my adult autistic son and retired husband.

12) To me, the best thing about the Macquarie community is…
The many different opportunities it’s offered me over the years, at various stages of my career. During the last 25 years I’ve completed a research fellowship in Hong Kong cinema (1995-1997), a lectureship in anthropology (1998), a second PhD in Early Childhood (2009-2014) and a research fellowship in autism (since 2018) – there’s a whole life story there!

Associate Professor Ronika Power (main picture) from the Department of Ancient History – and one of Australia’s foremost experts in bioarcheology – is the recipient of the Australian Academy of the Humanities’ 2019 Max Crawford Medal.

The Medal is Australia’s most prestigious award for achievement and promise in the humanities and it is awarded to an Australia-based, early career scholar for outstanding achievement.

“I am profoundly honoured to receive the 2019 Max Crawford Medal from the Australian Academy of the Humanities. In accepting this award, I stand alongside our nation’s greatest champions of the arts and culture to celebrate the multifaceted and critical role of the humanities in every aspect of society,” she said.

Read more >>

Congratulations to Dr Rozanna Lilley from the Department of Educational Studies who has been shortlisted for the 2019 National Biography Award for her work Do Oysters Get Bored? A Curious Life.

The award is the richest prize in Australia for biography and memoir writing and Rozanna’s title is amongst six powerful memoirs by debut authors and compelling personal stories of incredible women.

Through personal essays, Rozanna works through the ongoing repercussions of childhood trauma and captures her autistic son Oscar’s rich inner world, as revealed through his vivid fantasy life and curious observations.

The prize winners will be announced on Monday 12 August at a Champagne breakfast event at the State Library of NSW.

Professor Darryll Hull in the Macquarie Business School has been named Faculty Adviser of the Year by Enactus Australia at their 2019 National Conference.

Enactus is a global student organisation, operating in 36 countries, who’s mission is to ‘enabling progress through entrepreneurial action’.

Professor Hull says the award really belongs to the whole Enactus Macquarie University chapter.

“The award is theirs as much as mine,” he says. “It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to work with such a passionate and talented group of volunteers who are totally committed to their projects and to each other.”

Macquarie subjects in World’s top 100

 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) 2019 has ranked more than 4000 universities around the world across 54 subjects. Six subjects within Macquarie University ranked in the Top 100.

• Earth Sciences
• Ecology
• Education
• Geography
• Psychology
• Telecommunication Engineering

“We are proud that several subjects at Macquarie University are performing in the world’s top 100. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication from our research and teaching staff across our faculties, who continually strive to challenge their students, as well as themselves,” said Professor David Wilkinson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement).

Read more >>

Macquarie University moves up in 2020 QS Global Rankings

Macquarie University has again been ranked as a leading institution, moving up 13 places to 237th in the QS World University Rankings 2020. This result consolidates Macquarie’s position in the top one percent of universities worldwide.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Engagement), Professor David Wilkinson, said: “These results cement Macquarie’s place among the leading universities worldwide.

“It is pleasing to see Macquarie’s rise in international rankings, and while this is only one indicator of performance, it is a strong reflection of our commitment to quality research, teaching, international engagement and industry partnerships.”

Read the full media release.

Reimagining the MBA for a future, global workforce

Earlier this month the Macquarie Business School launched its Global MBA to industry partners and the public at an event at our City Campus. The first session with 60+ Global MBA students commenced this month with the cohort representing a talented group of professionals from all over the world who want to future-proof and accelerate their careers.

The exciting new program features an innovative model that is stackable, affordable and future-focused to address tomorrow’s workplace. Structured around six key future-focused capabilities, the discipline knowledge and skills integrated into every capability will equip students to meet challenges head on.

The launch event included engaging addresses from Dr Stephanie Fahey, Austrade CEO; Warren Bingham, founder and Executive Chairman of MedTech International; and Professor Stephen Brammer, Executive Dean of Macquarie Business School. Find out more about our Global MBA.

Scientists and mothers (L-R) : Dr Lizzy Lowe and baby Riley, Dr Alex Carthey and baby Stella, Dr Jemma Geoghegan and baby Zephy.

Having kids in STEM: staff praise Macquarie for its support of new parents

The Faculty of Science and Engineering Women in STEM group regularly organises events to promote and support the women in STEM in the Faculty.  Recently, the Department of Biological Sciences hosted a morning tea with the theme: STEM and having kids.

Specifically invited were colleagues who are currently on parental leave. The guest speakers were Dr Lizzy Lowe and Dr Chris Reid who both had recently taken parental leave (and Lizzy is still on it). They told of their experiences of being a parent of a newborn, of the support they received from the University in taking leave, and how to maintain contact with colleagues during leave. The morning tea was also enhanced by some delicious baking by the biologists.

The faculty committee is chaired by Professor Judith Dawes and Professor Rob Harcourt, who captured this beautiful photo.

Another successful CAFRAL program concludes

Strategy and Leadership in the Digital Age was the focus for Macquarie Business School’s annual professional development program in partnership with the Reserve Bank of India’s Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL) earlier this month.

The week-long event saw the School host a delegation of senior officers and executives from India’s major banks and financial institutions. The program focused on the fast-developing Australia-India relationships between governments, entrepreneurs, financial services and banks. The week of intensive dialogue has set the scene for further engagements between the Business School, its experts in banking and finance, and the Indian banking sector.

“This is a very important opportunity for Macquarie Business School to work on strategic issues with senior bankers in India,” says Professor Philomena Leung. “We were thrilled to receive very positive feedback on the timeliness and relevance of the topics and the quality of the content.”

L-R: Professor Matt Bower, Dr Anja Augsdörfer, Professor Sakkie Pretorius (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research) and Kate Roth (Deputy Director, HDR Partnerships and Scholarships)

German Visiting Research Fellow explores teacher education through technology

Macquarie is currently hosting Dr Anja Augsdörfer from the University of Hamburg as a Joint Post-doctoral Research Fellow. Associate Professor Matt Bower and Anja are working on a project sponsored by Google to increase the understanding and utilisation of video in the training and development of teachers.

This project links areas of research strength in education at Macquarie University and the University of Hamburg and contributes to world-leading research in linking educational pedagogy to computational language.

Macquarie stars shine at Global Young Academy

The University was represented by two honoured staff members at this year’s Global Young Academy – Professor Anina Rich and Dr Shima Taheri.

The Global Young Academy (GYA) was founded in 2010 with the vision to give a voice to young scientists around the world. The GYA empowers early-career researchers to lead international, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational dialogue by developing and mobilising talent from six continents.

During the week, delegates met with many distinguished parties including the Secretary General of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and senior Members of the German Parliament.

Professor Rich participated in many activities across the itinerary such as acting as a mentor/facilitator during new member training, moderating member talks, and facilitating interactive sessions on the panels.

Congratulations to Anina who was also re-elected to the Executive Committee.

(Photo credit: Markus Scholz)

MQ swim team competes with the best!

Twelve Macquarie University students recently competed in the UniSport Swimming Nationals which was run as a combined meet with the Sydney Open. This meant the team competed against the top clubs and universities in Australia as well as an invitational team from Japan.

In a spectacular three days of swimming, the team made the finals for 19 events, coming away with two silvers and one bronze medal:

• Thomas Peregrina (400IM, Bronze)
• Natasha Ramsden (50m Freestyle, Silver)
• Finn O’Connor (200m Breaststroke, Silver)

(L-R): David Malouf, Judith Crispin, Juno Gemes and Robert Adamson. Photo: Effy Alexakis, photowrite.

Renowned authors open Macquarie University Art Gallery’s latest exhibition

Three of Australia’s most eminent authors made a special visit to the Macquarie University Art Gallery earlier this month for the opening of the Gallery’s latest exhibition celebrating photographer Juno Gemes.

David Malouf, Judith Crispin and Robert Adamson performed special readings in honour of the Hungarian-born photographer, who is known for her literary portraiture and works exploring social justice.

Juno Gemes: The Quiet Activist A Survey 1979-2019 is open at the Macquarie University Art Gallery until 28 June 2019.

Luke brings to Mia Mia over 20 years’ experience as a teacher, researcher and manager in early childhood education. He is particularly interested in the impacts of physical design and layout in children’s services, a topic he investigated in his PhD thesis Designing for Children.

“A well-organised and well-resourced physical environment is key in supporting quality early childhood practice,” Luke says. “I’m passionate about incorporating ‘real’ experiences like cooking, gardening and woodwork into early childhood programs and I believe strongly in the role of educators to inspire, support and guide children’s learning.”

1) In a nutshell, my job is to…
Manage Mia Mia, as well as teach early childhood students at the University. A typical day can go from working with children, to teaching a class, to fixing a broken piece of equipment, to sorting out rosters for the following week.

2)  The question I hear most often in my work is…
“Why?” Children are innately curious – it’s one of the best things about working with them.

3) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
Being a part of the amazing and surprising things that happen every day when you work with children.

4) The bravest thing I’ve done is…
My first job as a teacher was horrific – probably the worst early childhood service I have ever seen. I somehow lasted nine months and the bravest thing I did was to confront the director about some of the worst problems before I resigned. We had a stand-up argument in the playground in front of everyone.

5) A place that’s special to me is…
The house where I grew up, which backs onto bushland. There’s a creek with a small waterfall that runs through it. Growing up, the waterfall was a beautifully peaceful place to sit and think. Whenever I visit my dad, I still like to walk down and check it’s still running.

6) My mother always told me…
“What are minds for, if not to change?”.  She was usually talking about my brother, who was always changing his mind much to our dismay! It still pops into my head whenever someone makes a gear-wrenching change of direction in their thinking, or their life.

7) My guilty pleasure is…
A good teen drama. Growing up as a teeneager in the ‘80s, I loved Grange Hill, Degrassi and Press Gang. I’ve recently been watching Next Step with my daughter (who is similarly addicted to teen ‘dance’ drama).

8) I’m scared of…
Despite the previous answer – dancing! It’s sadly not a skill that I possess.

9) My hidden talent is…
Lego building. One of the best things about being a parent (or working with children) is having an excuse to play with Lego again as an adult.

10) A moment I’ll always remember is…
The first time it snowed at our house (in the Blue Mountains). There is something amazingly quiet, still and magical about snow falling, especially when it’s not something that happens very often.

Originally hailing from the UK, Rebecca’s research draws on a number of disciplines ­– including education, cognitive science and psychology – to better understand the typical and atypical development of numeracy and cognitive skills in children, and how educators can best support this development.

1) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
Seeing students and research staff proactively engage in research because they WANT to, not because they HAVE to.

2) The question I hear most often in my work is…
Are you analysing me? (when you tell them you are a psychologist).

3) My mother/father always told me…
Be polite, and never jump the queue (very British!)

4) My guilty pleasure is…
Watching Great British Bake Off.

5) This year I want to…
Grow more veggies and transition into a more sustainable lifestyle.

6) My hidden talent is…
Sailing – I am a certified bareboat skipper, but have only had a few opportunities to put my skills into practice. Anyone looking for novice competent crew for their yacht…..?

7) The bravest thing I’ve done is…
A night dive in an unexpectedly fast current.

8) Something I’ve never done but wanted to try is…
A very long distance multi-day walk, preferably accompanied by a dog.

9) A place that’s special to me is…
A little beach in the Philippines with basic accommodation, wonderful sunsets, a house reef for snorkelling and diving, and great margaritas.

10) A moment I’ll always remember is…
Sharing wedding vows on a deserted beach in Western Australia, and then going back to our campervan for a delicious wedding dinner of canned chilli con carne.

A virtual reality project that brings Torres Strait Islander culture to life has seen one of Macquarie’s brightest young Indigenous educators recognised with a CSIRO Indigenous STEM Award.

Rhett Loban, an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies, received the Career Achievement Award for his virtual reality game Torres Strait Virtual Reality (TSRV), at a special ceremony on campus on 12 March.

The awards recognise outstanding Indigenous students and scientists for their contributions to STEM, as well as their impact as role models for young Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

Rhett – who is completing a PhD on the power of virtual reality in learning and teaching – says he created the game as a way of sharing and celebrating his rich heritage.

“Torres Strait Islander people have such a vibrant and unique culture, and there isn’t currently that much material about them out there, so I wanted to fill that gap,” Rhett says.

The game follows a Torres Strait Islander person as he prepares for a traditional Tombstone Opening Ceremony, with players tasked with gathering key elements for the ceremony including drums, mats, spears and turtles.

Rhett has used the game in his own teaching of Indigenous culture, as well as the amazing potential for virtual reality tools in teaching.

“Virtual reality is a great new way of learning as it allows people to view the world from another perspective, which can be very powerful,” he says. “Using virtual reality and game-based learning creates a much more visual and interactive way of learning, helping students engage with the content and put what they are learning into context.”

Rhett plans to use his $20,000 prize to open the virtual door to Torres Strait Islander culture for a much wider audience.

“I have a learned a lot during this VR project and I hope to use this knowledge to create a new game for the public to play.”