Issue Four

Western Sydney Research: Empowering People Across The Globe

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Future-Makers publication, which showcases Western Sydney University’s innovative and impactful research.

At Western Sydney University, we proudly use our knowledge to help create a better future, locally, regionally and globally. The pioneering research highlighted in this edition focuses on four key themes: education and work; environment and sustainability; health and wellbeing; and urban living futures and society. The exciting stories that are shared intersect and address the challenges these global themes present. 

Western Sydney University’s breadth of research expertise and effective collaborations with external partners including industry, community, government and policy makers, are reflected in these stories of research excellence and shared-endeavour.

The accounts of research achievement presented in Future-Makers showcase Western’s efforts and approach to societal challenges – the grand and the everyday. The stories presented range from the benefits of controlled ‘cool’ burning of bushlands by Indigenous people, identifying the critical need to normalise naked foods to reduce plastic packaging waste, broadening gender diversity through curriculum change, developing language inventories and communication skills in Indigenous children, giving a voice to children and mothers in enhancing global nutrition, and boosting diabetes prevention among Samoan-Australians in Western Sydney through a community intervention program. 

We trust you will enjoy reading the stories of Western Sydney University’s world-class research and the extraordinary researchers behind the exemplary work. 

Professor Barney Glover AO
Vice-Chancellor and President 

Professor Deborah Sweeney
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research, Enterprise and International)

Explore Issue Four