May 6, 2025

UOW expert commentary (6 May)

UOW academics provide expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories

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Impact of Donald Trump on Australian federal election

Professor Markus Wagner can talk about the outcome of the federal election and impact US President Donald Trump may have had on how Australians voted. Professor Wagner is an internationally recognised expert in international law and governance, international peace and security, as well as US and Australian constitutional law. He is the Director of the Transnational Law and Policy Centre.

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Cookbook scandals

Dr Lauren Samuelsson is a food historian who can talk about the Brooke Bellamy and Nagi Maehashi plagiarism accusations. Dr Samuelsson says there is a long history of plagiarism, fraud and just plain misfortune that has plagued cookbook publishing for many years. In an article for The Conversation Dr Samuelsson writes:

Cookbooks are bound to attract these sorts of issues, particularly questions about plagiarism. Recipe copyright is a grey area, recipes are designed to be shared, and often similar dishes can spring up in tandem.

Dr Samuelsson is a historian in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry. Her research interests include the history of food and drink, women's history, and the history of popular culture.

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Unlawful strip-searches

Professor Julia Quilter can discuss the class action against the state of NSW about allegedly unlawful strip-searches conducted by police. Professor Quilter says the damage being done to a person through the process of a strip search far outweighs any benefit to the search in the first place.

Professor Quilter is a criminal law and justice expert in the School of Law. Prior to entering academia Professor Quilter spent a decade practising criminal and public law as both a solicitor at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office and as a barrister at the NSW Solicitor General and Crown Advocate’s Chambers. 

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Heat tolerant cows

Associate Professor Chris Degeling can talk about a world first genetic index that is helping Australian farmers breed heat tolerant cows. Associate Professor Degeling is a health social scientist and philosopher in the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values at UOW.

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Misplaced trust in artificial intelligence

Dr Armin Alimardani can discuss growing concerns about the misplaced trust people put in artificial intelligence (AI), including legal professionals. In an article for LSJ Online Dr Alimardani says that despite growing awareness of AI hallucinations, legal professionals continue misusing generative AI due to overreliance and subtle inaccuracies in its output. Dr Alimardani is a Lecturer in the School of Law and an expert in the ethical and legal implications of emerging technologies. 

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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.

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FIND AN EXPERT

The University of Wollongong boasts world-leading experts across a range of disciplines. Visit our Find an expert page for a selection of our experts who can speak to current ongoing and breaking news stories, or contact the Media and Public Relations Unit for help finding relevant experts, organising interviews and providing answers to specific questions.