November 28, 2023
UOW experts available for comment this week
UOW academics provide expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Professor Patricia M. Davidson and Professor Trish Mundy are available for interviews about 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an event held from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
Professor Davidson is a global leader in nursing, health care, and advocacy, and Vice-Chancellor and President of UOW. Professor Davidson serves as counsel general of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues, and was a past board member of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health and secretary general of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery. She can talk about the role of universities in changing the culture of violence against women and ender, sex and sexually diverse people.
Professor Mundy is Chief Integrity Officer and Professor of Law at UOW. Professor Mundy's principal research interests include issues of gender justice and equality before the law, with particular focus on the advancement of women within the legal profession; legal ethics and professional responsibility; rural and regional legal practice and access to law and justice.
Alternative reporting methods for victims of sexual assault
Dr Rachel Loney-Howes can provide commentary on new research which found well-designed alternative reporting options can help improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault. The criminologist and report co-author says there is vast under-reporting of sexual assault to police, with only 13 per cent of assaults ever reported to police. Dr Loney-Howes said:
“We found that alternative reporting options are seen as an ‘in-between’ pathway for victim-survivors who are unsure about making a formal report to police or do not wish to engage with police at all.
There is also some evidence showing victim-survivors who use alternative reporting options do go on to make formal reports.”
Dr Loney-Howes is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology in the School of Health and Society. Her research focusses on the use of digital platforms for activism against sexual violence and alternative reporting options for survivors of sexual violence.
The conflict in Gaza
Associate Professor Markus Wagner can provide commentary on the conflict in Gaza. Associate Professor Wagner is an expert in international law and former clerk at the Supreme Court of Israel for then-President Aharon Barak. He is the Director of the Transnational Law and Policy Centre at UOW. His research and teaching are in the areas of international and comparative law. During his former position on the Supreme Court, Professor Wagner witnessed first-hand the complexities of the situation in the Middle East and dealt with similar questions that the current outbreak of violence raises.
Disposable vapes import ban
Dr Jody Moller and Dr Celine Kelso can talk about the federal government’s import ban on single use vapes from the start of 2024. Dr Moller and Dr Kelso are both chemical toxicologists in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience.
Interest rates and baby boomers
Associate Professor Alfredo Paloyo can discuss interest rates and the spending habits of baby boomers. Associate Professor Paloyo is an economist in the School of Business. He is an expert in issues related to human capital, particularly in the fields of labour, health, and education economics.
AI in healthcare
Professor Stacy Carter can discuss the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Professor Carter recently spoke at the AI in our healthcare future conference about the importance of asking consumers and communities about what they want as Australia moves towards broader implementation of healthcare AI. Professor Carter is a Professor of Empirical ethics in health and the Director of the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values at UOW.
UOW academics exercise academic freedom by providing expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing social issues and current affairs. This expert commentary reflects the views of those individual academics and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the University of Wollongong.