What's On at UWA

12.30pm – lunch 1.00pm – 2.00pm – presentation

William Cookson is Professor of Genomic Medicine at Imperial College London and Head of Respiratory Sciences for the College. He is Head of the Asmarley Centre for Genomic Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute. He won a Joint Welcome Senior Investigator Award with Professor Miriam Moffatt in 2011 and was elected to the College of NIHR Senior Investigators in 2013.

A public lecture by Professor R. Lee Lyman, Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri, Columbia and UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow.

All animals die, and many are eaten by predators. If the predators include humans, owls, or carnivores (e.g., Dingoes), skeletal remains of the prey may be deposited in a shelter used by the predator, such as a cave, and preserved for thousands of years. Such an ‘archive’ is an important source of information on past faunas, typically used to reconstruct past environments or investigate the subsistence practices of prehistoric peoples. But the data provided by palaeozoological remains can be used for so much more.

Palaeozoological data represent the results of long-term biological, ecological and evolutionary processes, including many natural ‘experiments’. Numerous questions of importance to conservation biologists can be answered using palaeozoological data: Is a species exotic/non-native, or is it native to an area? Is a species invasive or is it re-colonizing an area it previously occupied? Is the presence, absence, or abundance of a species the result of anthropogenic, or natural, causes? What might be the effects of translocation/assisted migration efforts focused on supplementing a depleted local population? Is one stock more appropriate than another for providing individuals that are to be reintroduced to a particular area? Will a planned modern development project disrupt a seasonal migration route used by animals for millennia? Palaeozoological data for mammals in western North America exemplify answers to all of these questions, and demonstrate the value to biodiversity conservation of information from archaeological (and palaeontological) investigations.

The UWA Friends of the Grounds are holding a Spring Plant Sale next week and you're invited!

Stock up on Christmas presents, improve your Mum's herb garden or add a succulent to your study space while supporting Friends of the Grounds. All plants are $3!

Fine Arts Major and Fine Arts Honours Graduating exhibition. Come along and view the work of our fabulous graduating Fine Arts students!

UWA's graduates have had a major influence on Western Australia's wine industry, from recommending areas for expansion to developing the vineyards and making and marketing the wine. As a result WA is recognised as the premium wine state in Australia with a huge international reputation.

In this, the second of Convocation's Conversations for 2017, WA's premier wine writer Ray Jordan will discuss with key players in this industry their roles, their background, the wines and the importance of their education and training at UWA.

We will also get the chance to sample some of their wonderful wines.

Lions Eye Institute World Diabetes Day Presentation - Diabetes in WA: The Local Story | If you would like to attend this presentation please RSVP by visiting Eventbrite or the Lions Eye Institute Facebook page

In this public lecture, Professor Nguyen will highlight the importance of grain legumes in sustainable agriculture and human health. Recent advances in the development of genomic resources and breeding for improve stress tolerance, adaptation to different climatic conditions, yield and nutritional quality in legume crops will also be discussed.

RSVP online at ioa.uwa.edu.au/events/register

We invite you to join us for our last public event for 2017 featuring Professor Simon Jackman, CEO of the United States Studies Centre (USSC) in Sydney who will analyse the first year of the divisive presidency of Donald J. Trump. When President Trump first took office, illegal immigration, the labor market and healthcare were key objectives of his administration. Since taking office President Trump has signed 49 Executive Orders. The last American President to sign this many executive orders through to 13 October in his first year of office was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. A number of questions remain: Despite signing a plethora of executive orders, how effective has the 45th President actually been? How far can he push the Republican Party? Does he still have significant support from those who voted for him in the primaries and the election? Join us to hear Professor Simon Jackman answer these and other questions. Please register your attendance and we look forward to seeing you then. Perth USAsia Centre

About the talk

For over a century aerial archaeology has been in the vanguard of archaeological discovery and recording. Thanks to a unique twenty year programme of aerial reconnaissance in Jordan combined with the growing availability of high-resolution satellite imagery we can now thickly ‘populate’ with often novel archaeological sites one of the most inhospitable landscapes in the world – interior ‘Arabia’ from Syria to Yemen and in particular the volcanic lavafields.

About the speaker

David Kennedy, BA (Manc), D.Phil. (Oxon), FSA, FAHA, FRGS: Emeritus Professor University of Western Australia and Associate Member of the School of Archaeology, University of Oxford.

My principal research focuses on the Roman Near East where I have conducted fieldwork since 1976 ranging from survey in the Southern Hauran (Jordan) and the hinterland of Jarash to excavation at Zeugma (Turkey). Of particular interest are the Roman army and military installations, landscape archaeology and Aerial Archaeology. The last of these has stimulated research on other periods from the Neolithic through the Umayyad to the Ottoman and British, on the archaeology of Saudi Arabia and on 19th century western exploration ‘east of Jordan’.

Founder in 1978 of the Aerial Photographic Archive for Archaeology in the Middle East (APAAME), co-director of the Aerial Archaeology in Jordan (AAJ) project since 1997 and Affiliate and Co-Founder of the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project since 2015.

Recent publications include Gerasa and the Decapolis (2007), Settlement and Soldiers in the Roman Near East (2013) and an eBook, Kites in ‘Arabia’ (with R. Banks and P. Houghton) (2014). In progress are books on the Hinterland of Roman Philadelphia, the Umayyad Palace at Muwaqqar and Travel and Travellers East of Jordan in the 19th Century. Members: Free, Guests: $5 donation

A public lecture by Philip Ainslie, Canada Research Chair in Cerebrovascular Physiology and Co-Director, Centre for Heart, Lung & Vascular Health, The University of British Columbia and UWA Institute of Advanced Studies Visiting Fellow.

Relative to its size, the brain is the most oxygen-dependent organ in the body, but many pathophysiological and environmental processes may either cause or result in an interruption to its oxygen supply. Arguably the most unique data in humans comes from free-divers and mountaineers, extreme athletes in whom the lowest oxygen tensions and greatest extremes of carbon dioxide have been recorded (from respiratory alkalosis in the mountaineer to acidosis in the free-diver). In this talk, with a focus on integration and punitive mechanism(s) of action, data will be highlighted to examine to what extent the brain likely contributes toward these athletes’ extraordinary abilities to survive in such harsh environments characterized by physiological extremes of hypoxemia, alkalosis, and acidosis helping define the human brain’s remarkable limits of tolerance. The consequences of extreme free diving and mountaineering from a physiological and clinical perspective will also be outlined.

You are invited to the 2017 Wesfarmers’ Harry Perkins Oration. The 2017 Orator is Professor Christina Mitchell, Dean of Medicine at Monash University.

Professor Mitchell trained as a physician scientist specialising in clinical haematology. She received her medical training from Melbourne University and consultant training in Haematology at the Alfred Hospital. Her advanced clinical training in Haematology included a Ph.D. characterizing the natural anticoagulants protein C and protein S. Her post-doctoral studies were undertaken in the field of intracellular signalling in Prof. Phil Majerus' laboratory at Washington University Medical School, St Louis USA.

On her return to Australia in 1991, Professor Mitchell became an independent investigator at the Department of Medicine, Box Hill Hospital. In 1999 she was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and in 2006 was appointed Head of School of Biomedical Sciences.

The research group led by Professor Mitchell is currently pursuing the identification and characterisation of novel proteins that regulate cell growth and differentiation.

A public talk by Professor Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow and Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies.

At times of great human suffering we see extraordinary courage and compassion. Receiving communities across Europe, such as Calais and Lesbos, have led with creativity, practical action, and costly generosity. Individuals and local groups have led where larger institutions and some governments have been slow, reluctant and mired in outdated thinking and ineffective solutions.

At the same time we have witnessed a rise in xenophobia and structural violence against refugees. This is something that Europe has witnessed before, in the aftermath of the Second World War, and we have much to learn from history. The last time Europe faced such numbers of refugees, it failed. In the face of this failure, in December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the 56 members of the United Nations. These very articles however, are now in peril.

In this talk, Alison Phipps will make a poetic and critical reflection on the borderzones and visa regimes operating across several large academic and artistic projects. She will argue that when homes, livelihoods, dignity and lives are destroyed, those of us with privilege and mandates should offer solidarity, practical action and learn from those with direct experience, rather than relying on second hand assumptions.

This presentation will also consider what it means to bear witness. Professor Phipps will discuss the uncomfortable, provoking and transformative dimensions of being physically immersed in experiences of refusal and separation and how it changes those who are witnesses, often profoundly.

Professor Phipps is a visiting Keynote Speaker at the 2017 Australian Sociological Association Conference being held at UWA from 27 -30 November.

Staff, students and all other interested parties are invited to attend the 2017 Fogarty Foundation Postgraduate Research Forum which showcases the education-related research being conducted by Higher Degree by Research students at WA universities.

The Forum will be held at the UWA Graduate School of Education on the afternoon of Thursday 30 November 2017. This is a free event to be followed by refreshments.

Please register via Eventbrite (link can be found on forum webpage).

Join the Alumni for Social Impact UWA and Centre for Social Impact UWA with special guests to hear the latest insights from around the world.

Alumni of the Centre for Social Impact UWA and special guests share their very recent experiences on fellowships, at conferences and summits, and participating in global leadership programs. Each speaker will present quickly to the whole room before breaking off into smaller groups to have deep dialogue with audience members on what is driving positive social change around the world.

Speakers include:

Karen Wellington (Fogarty Foundation / Coder Dojo) - Westpac Social Change Fellowship Nick Maisey (Befriend) - Westpac Social Change Fellowship Adam Jorlen (enkel) & Karun Cowper - New Economy Conference Katie Stubley (Centre for Social Impact UWA) – Presencing Foundation Program (Boston, US) + Global National Happiness (Bhutan) Cassie Dewar (Inspirationery) & Chandra Sundareswaran (Spacecubed) – Social Enterprise World Forum (New Zealand)

Enjoy some light refreshments, great conversation, networking, and learning about the latest in social change from around the world.

Arrive from 5.30pm for a 5.45pm start. Strictly limited places.

Venue: Carpe Diem Studio, UWA Centre for Education Futures, Hackett Hall (parking easiest in Car Park 1, accessed from the main entrance off Stirling Highway)

Join Australia Indonesia Youth Association / AIYA WA for a special public screening of As Worlds Divide. 100% of funds raised via the #wafsac screenings will be used to implement the Mentawai community’s indigenous education program over the next 10 years, enabling them to preserve their precious culture. The Mentawai Islands are located off the Western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Synopsis: After the collapse of the global economy in 2008, Australian Rob Henry decides to leave his job in Melbourne and go in search of a more sustainable way of life. Arriving to the tropical Islands of Mentawai, Indonesia, he finds himself living in a small coconut farming settlement.

Filmed over the course of eight years, As Worlds Divide takes us on an intimate journey inside the lives of an indigenous people who are losing connection with their land and culture. The impacts are devastating, but for the Mentawai there is hope amidst a small community of tribes-people still living traditionally and abundantly in the forest.

By attending and learning about Mentawai's fascinating culture you'll actively be helping to save it. Movie trailer here: https://iefprograms.vhx.tv/videos/awd-trailer-60sec

Seating is on a first come first served basis so get down early to secure the best spot. Screening starts at 7:40pm with no trailers or previews.

Welcome to TEDxUWA 2017, a multidisciplinary, full-day celebration of ideas worth spreading. Our theme for this year is: The Future Blueprint ... BLUEPRINT - noun 1. a detailed program of action that describes how something might be achieved; 2. an early-stage design plan

This year, we are focusing on showcasing a pioneering squad of speakers and performers, who'll spread their cutting-edge ideas to be added to the #TEDxUWABlueprint for a better future. Join us for a day of entertainment, excitement and enlightenment!

TEDxUWA is a 100% student-operated endeavour, based at the University of Western Australia.

Running Times: Start - 10:00am Finish - 4:00pm Please note, all times are approximate and subject to change.

About TEDx, x = independently organised event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organised TED event.

AGN are episodic in nature, cycling through periods of activity and quiescence. Their life-cycle is key for understanding the impact they have on their host galaxy. On the other hand, this cycle is also the result of the intricate interplay between various, and sometimes, competing processes. The role of the gas (accretion and outflowing) is thought to be particularly important behind onset and termination of the nuclear activity.

In this talk, I will present our studies aimed at understanding the life-cycle and the role of the gas in a particular class of active nuclei: the radio-loud AGN. These studies make use of the exciting possibilities offered by the new generation of radio telescopes.

For radio AGN, their evolutionary stage (young, adult, dying, restarted) can be derived from the radio spectra and morphology, in particular by using the capabilities of new low-frequencies radio telescopes. Our search of dying and restarted sources aims at understanding the time-scale of their evolution. The study of their duty-cycle has been done in the MHz-domain using the LOFAR radio telescope and the continuum surveys that are now in progress. I will summarise the results and compare them with evolutionary models of radio sources developed by our group.

In the second part of the talk, I will present the results of our study on the effect of the radio plasma on the surrounding medium. Surprisingly, and despite the extremely energetic phenomena, these effects can be traced by the cold component of the gas using the atomic HI-21cm and the molecular (CO) components. I will describe the presence and characteristics of these fast and massive outflows and how the effect of the radio jet can be described by numerical models. I will discuss the important connection between the evolutionary stage of the radio source and the effect of the radio plasma on the surrounding ISM, particularly relevant in their first phase of life of the radio source. The results presented represent and important starting point for the large surveys (in particular of HI absorption) that are about to start with SKA pathfinders and, in the near future, with SKA.

The UWA Winthrop Singers is an auditioned student choir from the UWA Music Department, which sings regularly in the chapel of St. George's College at UWA. The choir has released several CDs and has performed extensively around WA and overseas.

This service of Christmas Bible readings, carols and hymns is so popular that we offer it on two nights - at 6pm on Wednesday 13th December and Thursday 14th December.

There is no need to RSVP but we recommend you arrive early to secure a seat. The service is approx 90 minutes duration.

We invite you to make a donation on the evening. This will be distributed evenly between the Winthrop Singers Development Fund and The Christmas Bowl Appeal. Enquiries: UWA Chaplain Michael Wood. Ph. 0435 065326.

Parking is available behind the college in Park St. and the adjacent UWA car park. No parking on college grounds.

We invite you and your families to join us for our final concert of 2017! Set against the magnificent backdrop of Winthrop Hall, the UWA Christmas Concert will feature all your favourite Christmas classics performed by acclaimed staff and students from the UWA School of Music.

Ever wondered how Good King Wenceslas liked his pizzas?* Andrew Foote will have all the answers as he MC's the evening's proceedings, which will also feature the UWA Staff Community Choir. There will, of course, be the opportunity for the audience to sing-along to some classic carols, and balloon artists and face-painters will be on hand to keep the kids entertained.

Pack a picnic, don your Santa hat and bring the whole family along for a fun-filled musical evening!

We welcome guests from 6pm. Concert starts 7pm and finishes by 8.45pm

Please bring something to sit on (tall chairs only permitted on the grass bank).

*Deep-pan, crisp and even!

Tickets are free, but please book online at TryBooking

In an increasingly contested world between the emerging powers of the Indo-Pacific and the growing sentiment of anti-globalisation, Australian foreign policy has recently been revised in order to evolve with the rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Underpinning Australia’s foreign policy is the pillar of foreign aid, a critical tool that exercises Australia’s leadership in the region while promoting a vision of prosperity and stability. The Indo-Pacific region remains at the fulcrum of Australia’s aid program, spending more than 90% within neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. At the heart of Australia’s foreign policy and aid approach is the ambition to promote prosperity, reduce poverty and enhance stability. With the growing tides of anti-globalisation and the manifestation of a new world order, however, will Australia’s foreign aid strategy remain relevant? What will the geopolitical landscape look like in the coming year and will Australia’s foreign aid continue to make a significant impact on the lives on the ground? Will foreign aid still remain a crucial part of Australia’s foreign policy strategy in an attempt to pursue its vision and ambitions? Join the Perth USAsia Centre, the City of Perth Library and the McCusker Centre for Citizenship to explore the significance of Australia’s foreign aid amidst a turbulent and volatile geopolitical environment in the coming year.