Murdoch University

Our vision is to become the first choice university for First Nations communities. The 2024-2030 First Nations Sub-Strategy, launched today, sets out how we will achieve that. At its heart are four essential commitments: truth telling, self-determination, Indigenous excellence, and Indigenisation. “The opportunity to pursue these commitments in a university environment is so significant because we have the potential to make an impact that reverberates far beyond our campuses,” Pro Vice Chancellor First Nations Chanelle van den Berg said. https://loom.ly/UsMsVM8

A recent study has resulted in a proposed action plan for cities in Southeast Asia to curb increasing local warming as a result of climate change. Associate Professor GM Shafiullah and Dr Kamrul Hassan joined researchers from Curtin University as chief investigators of the project titled 'Are City Climate Plans Adequate for Mitigating Weather Extremes? An Investigation of South Asian Cities.' Read more about the compelling research around ecosystem-based solutions. https://loom.ly/uFXLxTY

Where can a Bachelor of Creative Media: Screen Production from Murdoch take you? Graduate Carmel Fox has turned her skill set, taught by the School of Media and Communication at Murdoch University into a career as a filmmaker.

A new $41 million initiative will enable the development of new varieties of almond, apple, citrus, macadamia and mango. Delivered through Hort Innovation, the five-year initiative "Genetics for Next Generation Orchards” is led by a collaboration between Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Queensland (UQ) and Western Sydney University (WSU). Murdoch University will also be working with WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and The University of Adelaide. The initiative will help transform the future of tree crop industries across Australia and will ensure long-term viability and global competitiveness. Read more about this exciting work being undertaken by Murdoch's Centre for Crop and Food Innovation. https://loom.ly/YdEvvog

Associate Professor Rachel Standish from Murdoch University's School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences and Dr Tina Parkhurst, Research Fellow from University of Melbourne, have discovered the key to creating nature-based environmental solutions that last. In this piece written for The Conversation Australia + NZ, they discuss their research findings - that biological diversity at the level of genes, species and entire ecosystems, are a far more effective method than 'quick fix' solutions such as planting a single species of tree. These findings are crucial for informing biodiversity policies! https://loom.ly/ztti7ms

Congratulations to Dr Glen Stasiuk and team from the School of Media and Communication at Murdoch University whose short film DANDJOO: Be a Voice for Generations has won an Award of Merit at the Impact DOCS Awards. The documentary looks at the island of Wadjemup - Rottnest from the perspective of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Advisory Group. These members have not only a cultural obligation to oversee the protection of the island but also honour what is the largest Aboriginal deaths in custody site in Australia.

At the WA Agricultural Automation Games this weekend hundreds of students will take part in the WA Robotics Playoffs competition and an Innovation Challenge where students use ag-tech and science to solve real world challenges facing WA’s agricultural sector. The games are a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development, Murdoch University, Curtin University, and participating WA high schools. Learn more: https://loom.ly/A9D9eL4

Murdoch University students have shown their skills and passion for the red meat industry at the 2024 Intercollegiate Meat Judging Conference, where they competed against universities from Australia and overseas. Kristen Batten and Kristy Shadbolt were selected in the top 11 students from the entire competition. And both Kristy and Kristen, with coach’s pick Taite O’Neill, have been invited to attend the Brisbane ICMJ industry tour and the opportunity to be selected in the Australian Meat Judging team that will compete in the USA in January 2025. Read more: https://loom.ly/rfFYFbY

What do you do with a leftover $260,000 PCR machine? Give it to a university! Associate Professor Garth Maker was more than happy to accept the donation of a Roche Cobas Liat analyzer from global gold miner Newmont Australia recently. Originally purchased to use at Newmont's Telfer gold mine during the pandemic, when the machine wasn't needed anymore, Bruce Peebles (a Murdoch alumnus and former research assistant) knew exactly who would appreciate it. The machine will now be used for teaching in the Laboratory Medicine and Forensic Science programs in the School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences. Thank you Bruce and Newmont. Full story: https://loom.ly/RSNj6i0

Professor Rajeev Varshney and Dr Vanika Garg wrote this compelling piece for The Conversation Australia + NZ about the future of food security, linking in how plant genomes and the 'Super Pangenome' can help create more resilient crops. In September, Professor Varshney and Murdoch University's Centre for Crop and Food Innovation will host the 2024 International Wheat Congress, where researchers and experts from around the world will share their innovations and discoveries. https://loom.ly/lqNiIGw