Up For Research

About Up For Research

Hi! Welcome to Up For Research – the show from the frontline of science. In a world where powerful forces think misinformation (aka ‘alternative facts’) is the way to get things done, it is more important than ever to scrutinise information, question conventions and burst knowledge bubbles. This is what good researchers do all the time. In fact, good researchers apply the unambiguous principles of science – truthfulness, respect for the integrity of knowledge, transparency, and openness – all the time. Through their work, they become agents of change. This show is about good research. It gets you in the room with agents of change that work at Western Sydney University. You will hear from practitioners and managers of research in disciplines related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), but also from Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). The world today hopes for technological inventions to solve the biggest challenges faced by humanity, like climate change, biodiversity loss, global urbanization or eliminating hunger. However, besides inventing the next machine that goes ping, it is important that we nurture social change, compassion, respect, equity and equality, and defend human rights. Up For Research gives you a glance into this kaleidoscope of contemporary scientific work done at a young, ambitious university in Australia. In 2022, and among more than 1,400 universities worldwide, Western Sydney University was ranked #1 by the THE Impact Rankings for its efforts to deliver on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We live for good research. Our work delivers positive change and impacts societies and environments. Subscribe to Up For Research and you will not miss a single episode that unpacks what our agents of change are working on right now.

Category

education · health & fitness · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jan 2023

Latest episode

10 May 2024

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 May 2024

   Neurodegenerative disease and heat treatments

   Featured Scientist: Dr Rossana R. Porto (https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/thri/team/members/rossana_rosa_porto), School of Medicine; Translational Health Research Institute Rossana studies heat shock proteins (HSP) and how they can help patients who suffer from Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's and other diseases. In 2023, she received a Hands-on Research Grant from the Research Theme Program and in this episode, Rossana explains what she did with the grant. A highly engaged conversation about the human brain, sauna and mice. See omnystudio.com/listener (http://www.omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   30 Jun 2023

   Strategic insights into managing research

   Featured Scientists: Professor Deborah Sweeney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Research, Enterprise & International) and Professor Kevin Dunn, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research In this episode you will hear from the leaders of research at Western Sydney University. Professors Deborah Sweeney and Kevin Dunn talk about their own careers in research and passion for discovery and change. Contact lenses for Deborah, prevention of racism for Kevin. Very different career trajectories have led Deborah and Kevin to the positions they are in today. Both share valuable advice about research partnerships internally and externally. Listen carefully to learn where both see the positive developments from now until 2030 at Western. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   31 May 2023

   Scaling from nano to global impacts: mechanisms of tree mortality

   Featured Scientist: Professor Brendan Choat, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Brendan Choat is a world leader in plant water relations and interested in how plants, especially trees, cope with water stress. Brendan works on plants from the nanometer to continental scales, piecing together how native and also crop species cope with environmental stresses like drought and fire. Brendan explains in a great and easy to understand way how climate change is impacting our forested landscapes in Australia and how his work is helping conservation management. He also explains what cavitation is and how it leads to ‘popping’ sounds in trees. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

4. 

   30 Apr 2023

   Resolving latency in online music-making

   Featured Scientist: Dr Allison Fuller, School of Humanities & Communication Arts Dr Allison Fuller explores how music therapy can be a tool to help many different groups of people and ages, from infants in NICU to elderly struggling with dementia. Prior to COVID-19, music therapy was done face-to-face, but the pandemic required shifting to online delivery. But how can you make music together when audio and video is delayed? This problem of transmission of signals is called latency. Allison explains how her research resolves this problem. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

5. 

   31 Mar 2023

   Gerontology – How to create age-friendly environments

   Featured Scientist: Dr Jed Montayre, School of Nursing & Midwifery Dr Jed Montayre received the New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation (NZNO) Young Nurse of the Year Award, in recognition of his early-career contribution to gerontology nursing and research. It is a broad field of study that looks into ageing from multiple angles, which include biological and physiological as well as social aspects of what influences and drives ageing as a social process. He continues his outstanding research at Western where he uses Go-Pro cameras for ‘walking interviews’ with elderly participants. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

6. 

   1 Mar 2023

   Men's Health

   Featured Scientist: Dr Emma George, School of Health Sciences Sebastian and Emma discuss the issues and barriers around men’s health and Emma’s research program, Active Breed. They also talk about the importance of men having a regular GP and regular health checks and normalising the conversations around men’s health. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

7. 

   31 Jan 2023

   Climate Change and the World of Arts

   Climate Change is the most pressing environmental issue we are facing in the 21st Century. Dr Jacobs is a senior lecturer in creative arts education, former secondary teacher, and primary arts specialist. Her research centres around how embodied learning can result in deeper and lasting change. Rachael explores Dr Seuss’ work around The Lorax and how it can be used in drama to achieve deep learning and change of your own behaviour. Featured Scientist: Dr Rachael Jacobs, School of Education, Western Sydney University See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

8. 

   19 Jan 2023

   Trailer

   Good research changes the world – listen to Up For Research to hear how work at Western Sydney University delivers this change. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.