Research Calendar

Upcoming events at Western Sydney University are listed below.

• Suggest a new event

• Apr 28
  Research Seminars - School of Medicine

  The School of Medicine Research Seminar Series will be held every Tuesday at 4.00pm via zoom.

  Conferences and seminars
  The School of Medicine Research Seminar Series will be held every Tuesday at 4.00pm via zoom.

  The School of Medicine warmly invites you to attend our weekly research seminars on Tuesday's at 4.00pm.

  Starting Tuesday, 28 April 2020, 4.00pm.

  PRESENTERS: Include HDR Students, SOM Academics and invited national and international speakers discussing their cutting-edge research.

  ZOOM INFO: ·https://uws.zoom.us/j/91764666589

  Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:00:00 +1000
• Oct 6
  Webinar: From PC to Cloud or High Performance Computing

  Webinar: From PC to Cloud or High Performance Computing

  Training and skill upgrade
  Webinar: From PC to Cloud or High Performance Computing

  Most of you would have heard of Cloud and High Performance Computing (HPC), or you may already be using it. HPC is not the same as cloud computing. Both technologies differ in a number of ways, and have some similarities as well. We may refer to both types as “large scale computing” – but what is the difference? Both systems target scalability of computing, but in different ways. This webinar will give a good overview to the researchers thinking to make a move from their local computer to Cloud or High Performance Computing Cluster.

  Tue, 06 Oct 2020 12:30:00 +1100
• Oct 13
  Challenging Racism Project seminar

  Human Right to Free Public Education and the Digital Divide

  Conferences and seminars; Information sessions; Online Events
  Friends, colleagues and students.
  Human Right to Free Public Education and the Digital Divide

  Dear Colleagues

  I'd like to draw your attention to an upcoming Challenging Racism Project seminar, titled ‘Human Right to Free Public Education and the Digital Divide’ presented by Associate Professor Azadeh Dastyari. Flyer is attached. All are welcome to attend.

  A summary of the details are:

  • Date: Tuesday 13 October 2020
  • Time: 12:00-1:00pm
  • Location: Zoom (link provided on registration)
  • Registration: challengingracism@westernsydney.edu.au

  Please feel free to distribute amongst your friends, colleagues and students. Registration is essential in order to obtain the zoom link. The zoom details are sent out the Friday before the talk.

  Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +1100
• Oct 14
  Intersect Online Training: Surveying with Qualtrics

  Intersect Online Training: Surveying with Qualtrics

  Training and skill upgrade
  Intersect Online Training: Surveying with Qualtrics

  Why do this course?

  Needing to collect data from people in a structured and intuitive way? Have you thought about using Qualtrics?

  Qualtrics in a powerful cloud-based survey tool, ideal for social scientists from all disciplines. This course will introduce the technical components of the whole research workflow from building a survey to analysing the results using Qualtrics. We will discover the numerous design elements available in order to get the most useful results and make life as easy as can be for your respondents.

  If your institution has a licence to Qualtrics, then this course is right for you.

  You’ll learn how to:

  • Format a survey using the Qualtrics online platform and import a pre-built survey
  • Configure the survey using a range of design feature to improve user experience
  • Decide which distribution channel is right for your needs
  • Analyse and interpret response data using the Qualtrics platform
  • Exporting response data in various formats for using in other applications
  Wed, 14 Oct 2020 09:30:00 +1100
• Oct 16
  Statistical Comparisons using R at Intersect Online

  Statistical Comparisons using R at Intersect Online

  Training and skill upgrade
  Statistical Comparisons using R at Intersect Online

  Why do this course?

  This practical workshop will help participants to choose and use the appropriate statistical test for their data by introducing key concepts of inferential statistics in R. Participants will learn how to compute, report, and interpret hypothesis tests for popular statistical models such as correlation, contingency tables, chi-square test, t-test and ANOVA.

  Who should take this course?

  This course is suitable for all researchers and research students from any discipline. Prior experience with R and the RStudio interface is required, as the basics of R will not be covered. Please consider attending our R101: Programming with R training course to come up to speed beforehand.

  You'll learn how to:

  • Choose the right statistical test appropriate for the data and the research questions
  • Carry out inferential statistics in R
  • Generate plots, figures and tables of hypothesis tests using specific R packages
  • Interpret and report the results of a range of commonly-used statistical tests
  • An introduction to hypothesis testing terminology
  • Correlation analysis between two continuous variables
  • Statistical tests for both categorial and continuous variables
  • ANOVA – testing with more than two groups
  Fri, 16 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  Partnering with People with Disability to Improve Equality: Research in Education and Work @ Western (Research Week 2020)

  A showcase of research partnerships which seek to promote high quality education and work for people with disability.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade
  Researchers and interested publics
  A showcase of research partnerships which seek to promote high quality education and work for people with disability.

  This online symposium brings together Western Sydney University researchers and leading government departments and community organisations to showcase research partnerships which seek to promote high quality education and work for people with disability. Importantly, processes of co-design, partnership and a strengths-based approach underpin these research stories. Topics featured include: > Supporting teachers to enhance inclusive practice in preschool > Understanding the transition experience from school to post school options, including employment > Advocating for collaboration in higher education to support student success > The online symposium culminates with a collaborative discussion where participants will be grouped by their area of interest to formulate future research priorities and projects.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  NICM HRI Webinar: Is control of blood pressure our best hope for dementia prevention?

  Join guest speaker, Dr Ruth Peters, as she provides an overview of evidence for raised blood pressure as a risk factor for dementia.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Information sessions; Online Events
  Researchers, academics, clinicians, professional staff, students, and anyone interested in dementia
  Join guest speaker, Dr Ruth Peters, as she provides an overview of evidence for raised blood pressure as a risk factor for dementia.

  NICM Health Research Institute presents Dr Ruth Peters, Senior Research Scientist, Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, UNSW Sydney.

  Hypertension or raised blood pressure is widely accepted to increase our risk of developing dementia or cognitive decline later in life, and seems to be a particularly potent risk factor when it occurs in midlife. This leads to the question of whether or not blood pressure lowering could reduce the risk of later dementia or cognitive decline. Dr Peters will discuss an overview of evidence for raised blood pressure as a risk factor for dementia, and the complexities in the evidence for reducing blood pressure to reduce the risk of dementia. This informative presentation will be followed by Q&A session.

  The webinar is free and open to all go attend. Registration, via the URL below, is required to receive the Zoom webinar link.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  The COVID-19 Pandemic and the education and work of people with disability (Research Week 2020)

  The COVID-19 Pandemic and the education and work of people with disability.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Disability interest
  The COVID-19 Pandemic and the education and work of people with disability.

  The COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent government management strategies, resulted in significant changes and uncertainties for the education and work of people around the world. These impacts were considerable for people with disability, their families, their education and work settings, and the professionals and organisations that support people with disability. Western Sydney University will host a public discussion with a panel of experts to explore the issues, challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Questions include: What are the experiences of people with disability as students and workers? What are the experience of their families? What are the experiences of people and organisations that support, educate, employ and/or partner with people with disability? What are the opportunities arising from this pandemic to improve education and work for people with disability? What are the opportunities for research to inform policy and practice improvements? The session will commence with a dialogue between the panel of experts to share their experiences and perspectives addressing these questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the evolving ideas. The session will conclude with reflections from panel members about what next positive actions can be taken in the areas of research, policy and practice to capitalise on the experience of COVID-19 pandemic to improve the education and work of people with disability.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 12:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  Community Support of Families with Young Children During times of Collective Crisis (Research Week 2020)

  Community Support of Families with Young Children During times of Collective Crisis.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Family research interest
  Community Support of Families with Young Children During times of Collective Crisis.

  This presentation will discuss the ways in which community members, often on a voluntary basis, mobilise to support families and young children during times of collective crisis. In recent times in Australia, communities have endured significant challenges, including as the result of fire, floods, drought and the COVID-19 Pandemic. As devastating as these events are, they have also been shown to be potential catalysts for community mindedness and reaching out to those who are most vulnerable or isolated. This presentation will discuss the importance of community connection for families of young children, and examine how we might sustain the renewed commitment to supporting families and children experiencing adversity in the post-COVID-19 world.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  Prioritising Healthy Placemaking post COVID-19

  Prioritising Healthy Placemaking post COVID-19.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Health and urban planning interest
  Prioritising Healthy Placemaking post COVID-19.

  What have we have learnt from living through COVID-19 and how do we build back better? How do we deliver placemaking that incorporates the explicit recognition of the need for social, environmental and economic sustainability and puts healthy placemaking at the top of everyone’s priorities? We invite all planners, urban designers, architects, engineers, developers and other built environment practitioners to hear our findings from a NSW state-wide survey about your experiences in making healthier places. We will report back on the barriers you face, and how many of you have overcome them so that your work can positively impact the health of our communities. Where you live shapes how easy it is to buy healthy food, use active transport, and make social connections. The evidence is clear. But how do we make places that improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for all? Let’s share our thinking and best practices to break down existing barriers and deliver places that genuinely provide: Healthy living through active living, active transport, access to healthy foods and social connectivity initiatives Interactive green infrastructure and open spaces Effective urban heat mitigation measures Alternative housing provision (integrating affordable housing into development schemes) Future learning – creating lifelong learning opportunities to reskill and expand minds Strengthening engagement with the wider community and especially vulnerable groups Innovative workplace hubs to stay connected and work from – to minimise daily commutes New employment opportunities connected to activation precincts and beyond New collaborative governance models that offer long term stewardship post-development.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +1100
• Oct 19
  Sharing Indigenous Knowledge – Always Was, Always Will Be (Research Week 2020)

  Sharing Indigenous Knowledge – Always Was, Always Will Be.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Indigenous interest
  Sharing Indigenous Knowledge – Always Was, Always Will Be.

  Western is deeply committed to supporting the dynamic Indigenous Research agenda which spans across disciplines. The Indigenous Research Forum will bring together HDR students and academics from the WSU Indigenous Research Network to showcase their research and answer questions.. The event will highlight the work of seven Indigenous Researchers who will each deliver a ten-minute presentation and answer questions on the resilience of our First Nations People.

  Mon, 19 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +1100
• Oct 20
  Gender Equity and COVID-19 (Research Week 2020)

  Gender Equity and COVID-19.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Gender equity interest
  Gender Equity and COVID-19.

  he COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped our society. In the rush to manage this global crisis, it has become increasingly apparent that there will be a gendered impact extending far beyond the initial crisis period. Both the United Nations and the Australian Human Rights Commission have warned that the various social and economic impacts of COVID-19 stand to undo decades of progress towards gender equality. The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has urged governments and institutions to put gender issues at the centre of COVID-19 responses. This year’s SAGE Research Week event will consider how Australian higher education leaders might work through emerging institutional complexities to mitigate the gendered impacts of COVID-19 within our organisations, with our industry partners, and across our communities. The event includes presentations from 2019 Vice-Chancellor’s Gender Equality Fund researchers, who will discuss how their findings might need to be recast in light of our new 2020 context, and a panel discussion with senior equity representatives from across the sector to address the making, negotiating, and implementing of the Australian Higher Education Joint Sector Position Statement, ‘Preserving Gender Equity as a Priority During and After the Pandemic’.

  Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 20
  Research ON children, ABOUT children, WITH children and BY children: Before and after the COVID-19 factor (Research Week 2020)

  Research ON children, ABOUT children, WITH children and BY children: Before and after the COVID-19 factor.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade
  Childhood research interest
  Research ON children, ABOUT children, WITH children and BY children: Before and after the COVID-19 factor.

  This presentation will explore: The many, evolving roles of children in research; Learning from the experiences of child researchers in Nicaragua; An analytical tool to help researchers develop partnerships with children and adolescents; The COVID Factor: Further evolution of children’s roles in research.

  Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 20
  Sustaining Success in Business Research (Research Week 2020)

  Sustaining Success in Business Research.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Business interest
  Sustaining Success in Business Research.

  It was the best of times and the worst of times; conducting business research through an unprecedented pandemic and regulatory changes has been a challenge for business researchers. However the pandemic has also offered extraordinary opportunities for new scientific discoveries and technologies as businesses reveal ideas and techniques that are ripe for rapid development into novel practices. Join the School of Business and our industry partners to hear about some of the latest joint research projects driving sustainable success to build a better tomorrow. These projects have a focus on improving financial, health and wellbeing outcomes and creating sustainable, liveable cities and communities.

  Tue, 20 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 20
  Research Impact Competition (Research Week 2020)

  Research Impact Competition.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Research story interest
  Research Impact Competition.

  Early and mid-career academics have five minutes to present, in layman’s terms, the positive impact of their research in addressing a wide-range of societal issues and real life challenges (using one slide).

  Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:30:00 +1100
• Oct 20
  Astrosite – Space Situational Awareness (Research Week 2020)

  Astrosite – Introduction to Space Situational Awareness and Event based Sensors.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Space and technology interest
  Astrosite – Introduction to Space Situational Awareness and Event based Sensors.

  As our world becomes more reliant on satellites, the potential for collisions between space objects is increasing. As a result, there is a critical need for accurate detection and tracking of satellites. Here at Western Sydney University, the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems have developed a novel way to track space objects. Please join us for a walk through of the Astrosite, a world first neuromorphic inspired mobile telescope observatory, and engage with leading researchers in the field of space situational awareness using event based sensors.

  Tue, 20 Oct 2020 19:00:00 +1100
• Oct 21
  Working with Communities in Challenging Times (Research Week 2020)

  Working with Communities in Challenging Times.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Health and community interest
  Working with Communities in Challenging Times.

  2020 has presented our community in Western Sydney and beyond with enormous challenges. Thousands were affected by drought and bushfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all. Western Sydney University researchers responded rapidly to these crises, collaborating to address important questions that directly affect our health and wellbeing. This work ranges from laboratory work developing small inhibitory RNA targeting the SarsCoV2 virus; to understanding the effectiveness of telehealth in delivering health services for children and adults; to the mental health impacts of COVID-19. This past year has been characterised by uncertainty, but also resilience. We would like to share what we have learned and discuss with you how these learnings can help to “build back better’, ensuring resilient and adaptive systems and services, not just for emergencies but for a healthier future.

  Wed, 21 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 21
  Resilience NSW & Western Sydney University: Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons (Research Week 2020)

  Resilience NSW & Western Sydney University: Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  General interest
  Resilience NSW & Western Sydney University: Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons

  Western Sydney University is proud to announce Resilience Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons as our keynote speaker for Western Sydney Research Week 2020 – Connect Today for Resilience Tomorrow. Western’s research is driven by impact – it is research determined to make a difference beyond the University’s gates. There has never been a more vital time for our research, for Australia and for the globe. Commissioner Fitzsimmons has been at the front line of some of Australia’s most recent challenges, his role as NSW Fire Commissioner saw him lead NSW in its response to the most catastrophic fire event ever experienced in this country. Joining the Volunteer Bushfire Brigade as a teenager, by 19 Commissioner Fitzsimmons was the youngest ever member elected captain of his brigade. His leadership in the face of bushfire and other disasters is informed by 35 years of experience facing the challenges and witnessing the devastation they present. Named as Resilience Commissioner in April 2020, Commissioner Fitzsimmons is focusing on helping the people of New South Wales rebuild and recover, not just from the bushfires and the drought, but importantly, the extraordinary implications of fighting COVID-19. Western Sydney University’s Research Week 2020 is also focused on recovery and resilience and we can think of no better voice to represent these issues than Commissioner Fitzsimmons. We invite you to be part of this live streamed event on Wednesday the 21st October from 1-3pm to be part of the conversation and contribution to the State’s and the Nation’s recovery and resilience.

  Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 21
  Research Hour

  Informal session for researchers to connect with research support staff from ITDS/Library/Research Services; share ideas and ask questions.

  academic events; Information sessions; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  All WSU researchers
  Informal session for researchers to connect with research support staff from ITDS/Library/Research Services; share ideas and ask questions. Researchers from across Western are invited to join us for ‘Research Hour’; hosted by ITDS, Research Services and the Library. Come along to ask questions, learn new techniques and share ideas. Incorporating ‘Hacky Hour’: swap notes, get help, learn techniques in programming and data science, code, digital tools, HPC etc. And offering general advice and assistance for Researchers (eg: managing your online researcher profile, Open Access advice, metrics and impact, data management plan, research data storage, equipment and facilities). Research Hour is open to Researchers from any discipline and at any level of their career: undergrads, HDR students, ECRs, MCRs and beyond… everyone is welcome.
  Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 21
  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Researching Resilience in Digital Society (Research Week 2020)

  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Researching Resilience in Digital Society.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Youth and digital research
  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Researching Resilience in Digital Society.

  Big social and technological changes present both challenges and opportunities for young people and their communities. The newly formed Young and Resilient Research Centre embraces an integrated mode of research and development, education, training and enterprise to research and develop technology-based products, services and policies that strengthen the resilience of young people and their communities, enabling them to live well and participate fully in social and economic life. Key to this is a unique conceptual and methodological approach to researching resilience with stakeholders, including non-profits, big business, government and young people themselves. In this session we will share and discuss how we approach the concept of resilience in critical, dynamic and different ways across the research centre, as demonstrated in three current research projects. Followed by a panel discussion with the presenters.

  Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +1100
• Oct 21
  Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering (Research Week 2020)

  Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Technology innovation interest
  Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering.

  Introduction to Neuromorphic Engineering including demonstrations followed by a Q&A to discuss real industry challenges with Neuromorphic Engineering.

  Wed, 21 Oct 2020 17:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  Exploring and Predicting Using Linear Regression at Intersect Online

  Exploring and Predicting Using Linear Regression at Intersect Online

  Training and skill upgrade
  Exploring and Predicting Using Linear Regression at Intersect Online

  Why do this course?

  This workshop is designed to increase participants' understanding of statistical relationships between data. It introduces principles and methods of regression models using R, and how to interpret relationships between variables. The course covers basic principles of regression methods through to interpreting the output of statistical analyses, and includes practical sessions giving hands-on experience with regression analysis in R.

  Who should take this course?

  This course is suitable for all researchers and research students from any discipline. Prior experience with R and the RStudio interface is required, as the basics of R will not be covered. Please consider taking our R101: Programming with R training course to come up to speed beforehand.

  You'll learn how to:

  • An introduction to continuous, discontinuous and categorical variables
  • Understanding the relationship between variables and plotting that relationship graphically
  • Calculating parametric and non-parametric correlation
  • Assumptions, errors, and what can go wrong in regression analysis
  • Understand the principles of linear regression methods
  • Identify the appropriate correlation or regression analysis for a dataset
  • Performing simple and multiple linear regression analysis using R Interpret and report on the results of that analysis
  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Training and skill upgrade
  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Why do this course? Are you drowning in research data? Do you want to know where you should be storing your data? Are you required to comply with funding body data management requirements, but don’t know how?

  This workshop is ideal for researchers who want to know how research data management can support project success and are interested in research data management services and support available at their institution. Combining slide-based background material, discussions, and case studies this workshop will equip participants with best practices for managing their valuable research data.

  You’ll learn about:

  • How to manage research data according to legal, statutory, ethical, funding body and university requirements.
  • Approaches to planning, collecting, organising, managing, storing, backing up, preserving, and sharing your data.
  • Services supporting research data at your institution.
  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:30:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  The Future of Smart Work (Research Week 2020)

  The Future of Smart Work.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Workplaces, future of work and employment interests
  The Future of Smart Work.

  Smart working is a set of practices that provide innovative ways to allow work to become more flexible in terms of location, hours, and shared responsibilities which is facilitated through a range of physical and digital infrastructure. Smart working arrangements are seen as environmentally sustainable, offer a way to be more connected to family and community, and as a method of reducing costs both to the individual worker and organisation. Popular smart work techniques individuals teleworking from home, collaborative shared co-worker hubs in dense CBD urban areas, and smart working hubs in suburban and regional areas. With recent critical emergencies such as drought, bushfires, floods and COVID-19, Australians have been forced to adopt agile smart working practices. Resilience has been at the heart of our ability to adopt agile smart work. Smart working hubs have been at the centre of suburban and regional development in Australia over the past several years, but have once again captured the attention of local councils, government, industry, and individual workers due to a string of emergencies, most noticeably COVID-19. As the Western Sydney Region grows and is urbanised, smart work arrangements, and particular smart working hubs offer a way of development that have the potential to provide flexibility and opportunity to the region. This workshop will highlight research and initiatives suitable for the region, progress ideas with the idea of working towards a collaborative agenda for councils, industry, communities, and critical public institutions such as universities, schools and hospitals. Within the resilience theme, we will also discuss the importance of digital resilience – without it, many smart working arrangements will not be possible going forward. The workshop will conclude by with the collective development of a collaborative smart work roadmap for Western Sydney.

  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  Career Empowerment for HDRs (Research Week 2020)

  Career Empowerment for HDRs.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Postgraduate research students and supervisors
  Career Empowerment for HDRs.

  Are you a Higher Degree Research candidate looking to build a career in academia or industry? Are you worried about how a climate of change and disruption in the wake of COVID-19 has impacted your employability? Join us for an interactive discussion with a focus on dynamic career planning and how you can apply your research skills and experience to take control of your career and be resilient in a challenging employment market.

  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  Progressing and Sharing Parenting Stories and Love Project (Research Week 2020)

  Co-designing in times of change: Progressing and Sharing Parenting Stories and Love Project.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Parenting and childhood interest
  Co-designing in times of change: Progressing and Sharing Parenting Stories and Love Project.

  In this webinar we will draw on examples from the field to explore the concept of co-designing. Co-design is increasingly emphasised in service design and delivery but interpretations of the process and approach can vary greatly. A central goal of the Centre for Transforming early Education and Child Health (TeEACH) is to actively engage with families to meet their needs in the delivery of services and to ensure service usability. Co-design is typically a very interactive process and of course this has been challenging with COVID-19 restrictions. This webinar focuses on the experiences of continuing the Sharing Parenting Stories and Love project over the COVID-19 lockdown period. The Sharing Parenting Stories and Love project aims to support and strengthen vulnerable families by engaging a small group of South Asian mothers in designing activities to build connections and collaborations for all mothers. By coming together to share, listen, explore, design and experience, five mothers have developed a strong friendship and agency in the design of a program of activities that support their children’s health and development and will be used to improve outcomes for ‘new’ mothers and their children in their local community.

  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  Using Arts and Health in Changing Times (Research Week 2020)

  Using Arts and Health in Changing Times.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Artistic and health wellbeing interest
  Using Arts and Health in Changing Times.

  Through personal engagement, work in the community, and in targeted therapeutic contexts, the creative arts and culture are powerful tools for enhancing health and wellbeing. Western Sydney researchers are collaborating to explore how we use the creative arts as a means to build connectedness to people and place in these changing environments, heightened by the recent global events of 2020. This work ranges from questions understanding the broader mechanisms behind arts engagement, to working alongside communities and organisations using the arts to cope with daily life. We would like to share brief reports of recent WSU research in arts and health and provide a networking opportunity to discuss how we can collaborate with arts and cultural organisations in Western Sydney. Together, we can further the evidence and opportunity to demonstrate that creative arts and culture is pivotal for health and wellbeing, transforming the conversation from staying alive to truly living.

  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:00:00 +1100
• Oct 22
  The Spirit of Endurance: learning about resilience from Australian vegetation (Research Week 2020)

  The Spirit of Endurance: learning about resilience from Australian vegetation.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Researcher and scientific interest
  The Spirit of Endurance: learning about resilience from Australian vegetation.

  The Spirit of Endurance: learning about resilience from Australian vegetation WSU’s first ARC Laureate, Professor Belinda Medlyn, has been researching the impact of climate change on Australia’s vegetation for nearly thirty years. Over that time, her work has shifted from trying to predict the likely effects decades into the future, to documenting the effects of droughts, heatwaves and fires as they happen around us. In this Laureate Address, Professor Medlyn will reflect on her career as a scientist, educator and mother. She will describe what we have learnt about the resilience of Australian vegetation to climate stress, and what lessons we can draw for the future.

  Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:30:00 +1100
• Oct 23
  Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable Construction and the Circular Economy (Research Week 2020)

  Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable Construction and the Circular Economy.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Manufacturing and Innovation interests
  Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable Construction and the Circular Economy.

  Environment and Sustainability have been a long-term concern for the globe including Australia. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the not-long ago bushfire, and the strong concern on waste treatment in recent years, our nation is facing more and more challenges. These new challenges have impacted various sectors including Advanced Manufacturing and Construction. Collaborative research partnerships are crucial for responding to these challenges. It is no time like now we need to work together for the sustainable development of economic, social environment to achieve a safer and higher quality of life for all people. This symposium will bring government, industries and researchers in one roof to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing to the advanced manufacturing, sustainable construction and circular economy. The symposium also aims to build partnerships between researchers, industries, government so that we can respond to these challenges well. Government and key industries will present the impact of these challenges and the opportunities, and WSU research leaders will showcase the university’s capability. All participants will be engaged actively in the roundtable discussions with industries discussing the key issues facing them and researchers providing expert views and advice.

  Fri, 23 Oct 2020 09:30:00 +1100
• Oct 23
  Research Creations Showcase (Research Week 2020)

  Research Creations Showcase.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Arts, communications, public relations and digital interests
  Research Creations Showcase.

  In 2020 Research Week, the Research Creation Showcase will be held online. It features practice-led and research outcomes from School staff and postgraduate students across Design, Music, Media Arts, Digital Humanities, Writing and Humanities. An online exhibition of creative works including posters, films, photography and music will be curated by a team drawn from School of Humanities and Communication Arts. As a showcase of creative practice (NTROs) and research, an exhibition will be developed in advance of research week offering a longer period of exposure than was the case in the past with the “live” event. A suite of artists talks, curators’ presentations and keynotes from both academics and industry partners will feature on the specified day in research week. A celebration of School-based research will be marked by a presentation to the top practice-led and traditional researchers.

  Fri, 23 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 23
  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Resilience in Methods (Research Week 2020)

  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Resilience in Methods.

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Youth and digital health and wellbeing interest
  The Young and Resilient Research Centre: Resilience in Methods.

  What is resilience and how can it be researched? This session will explore the unique strategies and methods our project teams have developed and deployed to investigate different phenomena that shape the experiences of resilience in contemporary society. We will share the approaches, findings and outcomes from some of our most impactful projects undertaken with young people, non-profit organisations, big business, and governments in Australia and around the world. Our work is organised around four inter-connecting themes include learning and work; participation and engagement; health and wellbeing; and places and platforms. These themes constitute our core Research Streams and are underpinned by the Intergener8 Living Lab – a co-research and co-design entity which brings young people together with community, industry and experts to collaboratively explore the relationship between young people, resilience and technology.

  Fri, 23 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Oct 23
  Strength Based Early Learning (TeEACH) (Research Week 2020)

  Strength Based Early Learning (TeEACH).

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Training and skill upgrade; Online Events
  Child and early health interest
  Strength Based Early Learning (TeEACH).

  Australia’s young children have recently been observers and participants of community disasters of unprecedented scale in living memory. With thousands of families across Australia directly impacted by a bushfire season of terrifying proportions and all Australian children experiencing life in a pandemic, early childhood education has faced significant challenges in adapting their curriculum and pedagogies to fit the circumstances, resulting in innovative practices and new learnings by parents and educators. This session explores findings from a small study of early education responses in 2 states. The findings highlight the resilience of educators, children and families in adapting to difficult circumstances and underscore the importance of early education as a community resource. A panel discussion of educators and a pictorial display will accompany the presentation.

  Fri, 23 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Oct 28
  FREE webinar: The politicisation of seeking asylum:

  Manus Prison theory and Australia’s response to asylum seekers

  academic events; Conferences and seminars; Exhibitions and performances; Information sessions; Online Events
  All Welcome
  Manus Prison theory and Australia’s response to asylum seekers

  Dear colleagues

  I'd like to draw your attention to an upcoming symposium ‘The politicisation of seeking asylum: Manus Prison theory and Australia’s response to asylum seekers’. The symposium is convened by Dr Rachel Sharples and Prof Linda Briskman in the School of Social Sciences. There is an exciting line-up of speakers, including: Behrouz Boochani, Omid Tofighian, Alison Mountz, Claire Loughnan, Anne McNevin, Maria Giannacopoulos, Andrew Burridge and Julie Macken. Flyer is attached. All are welcome to attend, but registration is essential.

  A summary of the details for this free webinar are:

  • Date: Wednesday 28 October 2020
  • Time: 10:00am-1:00pm AEST
  • Location: Zoom (link provided on registration and prior to event)
  • Registration: https://politicsseekasylum.eventbrite.com.au(opens in a new window).

  Please feel free to distribute amongst your friends, colleagues and students. Registration is essential in order to obtain the zoom link. The symposium is sponsored by the Challenging Racism Project and the Diversity and Human Rights Research Centre at Western Sydney University, and Academics for Refugees.

  Cheers Rachel and Linda

  Dr Rachel Sharples | Researcher Challenging Racism Project | School of Social Sciences P: +61 2 4736 0914 | E: r.sharples@westernsydney.edu.au Location: KW.V.1.23 westernsydney.edu.au

  Wed, 28 Oct 2020 10:00:00 +1100
• Nov 18
  Research Hour

  Informal session for researchers to connect with research support staff from ITDS/Library/Research Services; share ideas and ask questions.

  academic events; Information sessions; Online Events
  All WSU researchers
  Informal session for researchers to connect with research support staff from ITDS/Library/Research Services; share ideas and ask questions. Researchers from across Western are invited to join us for ‘Research Hour’; hosted by ITDS, Research Services and the Library. Come along to ask questions, learn new techniques and share ideas. Incorporating ‘Hacky Hour’: swap notes, get help, learn techniques in programming and data science, code, digital tools, HPC etc. And offering general advice and assistance for Researchers (eg: managing your online researcher profile, Open Access advice, metrics and impact, data management plan, research data storage, equipment and facilities). Research Hour is open to Researchers from any discipline and at any level of their career: undergrads, HDR students, ECRs, MCRs and beyond… everyone is welcome.
  Wed, 18 Nov 2020 13:00:00 +1100
• Nov 20
  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Training and skill upgrade
  Intersect Online Training: Research Data Management Techniques

  Why do this course? Are you drowning in research data? Do you want to know where you should be storing your data? Are you required to comply with funding body data management requirements, but don’t know how?

  This workshop is ideal for researchers who want to know how research data management can support project success and are interested in research data management services and support available at their institution. Combining slide-based background material, discussions, and case studies this workshop will equip participants with best practices for managing their valuable research data.

  You’ll learn about:

  • How to manage research data according to legal, statutory, ethical, funding body and university requirements.
  • Approaches to planning, collecting, organising, managing, storing, backing up, preserving, and sharing your data.
  • Services supporting research data at your institution.
  Fri, 20 Nov 2020 09:30:00 +1100