By DAVID MYTON The 2018 Global Innovation Index report is now in circulation and once again the annual update reveals a not-too-bad-but-not-spectacular performance by Australia. This year Australia ranks at No 20 in the world, up from 23 last year, with Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, UK, Singapore, US, Finland,...
By DAVID MYTON Universities will need to broaden their scope and purpose to meet the needs “of the future world of work” according to the Bank of England’s Chief Economist, Andy Haldane. This could include changing their traditional model of delivering education to mostly young people, to one...
By DAVID MYTON Intrinsic to much academic research is a spirit of discovery, adventure, and hope. Yes, it can be demanding hard work, but that’s ameliorated by all the thrilling boundary-pushing possibilities that lie just around the knowledge corner. Leah Bromfield’s research isn’t quite like that. To...
By DAVID MYTONAt heart Michelle Simmons is a builder and a maker. Her raw materials differ from those of more traditional trades and crafts. They are not bricks or wood, metals or glass. They are the fundamental building blocks of nature itself – atoms.The UNSW professor has always loved...
Higher Education Consulting Group's Dr Susie Robinson takes a closer look at the ARC engagement and impact exerciseAll around the country, universities are busily preparing engagement narratives and impact case studies, ready for ERA submission in May/June. Many are now realising the significant resources required...
By DAVID MYTONWisdom, to paraphrase George Bernard Shaw, comes from taking responsibility for our futures. By that yardstick, Hugh Bradlow is wise indeed.For Bradlow, the future is not something to be passively accepted. It is to be measured, analysed, strategised, constructively considered, and prepared for...
By DAVID MYTONTanya Monro is something of a regular at the Rob Roy Hotel, a popular watering hole in Adelaide’s CBD. But she’s not there for the grog. Rather, she can be found talking with her customary passion, answering questions about subjects such as string...
By DAVID MYTON It might be more an exploratory hop than a giant leap for mankind, but Australia nevertheless got serious about the science and business of space (the final frontier kind) in recent days. The Federal Government has committed to establishing a national agencywith the aim of...
By DAVID MYTON The good people at LinkedIn have crunched the numbers - some “billions of data points” - and have come up with the top 10 skills that will help you to get a job this year. They include cloud and distributed computing, statistical analysis and...
By DAVID MYTON A lone rower sculls across the placid surface of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, the passage of his craft marked by the ripples and eddies stirred by the vessel and the rhythmic lapping of the oars. Emeritus Professor Barry Ninham AO is taking his...