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University of Tasmania

The University of Tasmania generates powerful and unique ideas and knowledge for the benefit of our island and the world. Through excellent research and teaching, we strive to stimulate economic growth, lift literacy, improve health outcomes for Tasmania and nurture our environment as it nurtures us.

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Displaying 801 - 820 of 1087 articles
Australia is experiencing a baby ‘boom’, with 13% more babies born between 2003 and 2012 than in the previous decade. Flickr/Lon Martin

The IGR focuses on the old, when the future belongs to the young

Brendan Churchill, University of Tasmania and Lisa Denny, University of Tasmania

Releasing Australia’s fourth Intergenerational Report, Joe Hockey described it as the “social compact between generations”, which would help “identify where the future opportunities will be” and “unlock…
The most recent allegations against George Brandis stem from Gillian Triggs’ evidence to a Senate estimates hearing. AAP/Lukas Coch

Did Brandis break the law in requesting Triggs’ resignation?

Brendan Gogarty, University of Tasmania and Helen Cockburn, University of Tasmania

Regardless of whether George Brandis’ action was illegal, it represents an attempt by the very institutions charged with protecting the rule of law to unduly influence it.
Orange roughy - one of the vulnerable fish species caught on the high seas. CSIRO Science Image

Close two-thirds of the ocean to make fishing better and fairer

Reg Watson, University of Tasmania

The high seas – the area outside any country’s national waters – cover nearly two-thirds of the oceans and are largely ungoverned. Some fishers do venture into the open ocean and over the past century…
Challenges to the patents for BRCA mutation tests in Australia and the United States resulted in opposing conclusions. Christiana Care/Flickr

Gene patents may sound scary but soon they may no longer matter

John Liddicoat, University of Tasmania and Dianne Nicol, University of Tasmania

Recent cases in Australia and the United States and a new case in Canada show how controversial the subject of gene patents is. But technological advances and the cost of patenting may soon mean gene patents…
Tony Abbott is offering logical evidence and emotional appeals, but the rhetorical problem is his own loss of credibility and authority. AAP/Mick Tsikas

The prime ministerial promise to change: can it work?

Dennis C Grube, University of Tasmania

“Is it me?” That was the question John Howard reportedly asked his cabinet colleagues as his government remained stubbornly behind in the polls in 2007. One of those colleagues, Tony Abbott, now confronts…
To help Australia meet its G20 commitments, infrastructure projects like Sydney’s WestConnex require a more stringent and transparent cost-benefit analysis. Dan Himbrechts/AAP

PM’s infrastructure plan failing growth and cost-benefit goals

Graeme Wells, University of Tasmania

The OECD’s Going for Growth report released this week is a good reminder of why Tony Abbott wants to be remembered as “the infrastructure Prime Minister”. The OECD argues addressing infrastructure service…
South Australia already mines uranium. Could it become a nuclear state? AAP Image/Quasar Resources

Royal commission into nuclear will open a world of possibilities

Ben Heard, University of Adelaide and Barry W. Brook, University of Tasmania

South Australian premier Jay Weatherill on Sunday announced a formal inquiry into the future role of the state in the nuclear fuel cycle, which will be tasked with considering options across the full gamut…
Young people can be both ambivalent and positive about Facebook, often at the same time, contrary to conventional wisdom. shutterstock

Logging out? Why young people love to hate Facebook

Brady Robards, University of Tasmania and Ariadne Vromen, University of Sydney

Researchers, journalists writing about research, and young people themselves have been writing about the perceived decline of Facebook for a while now. Young people are leaving Facebook in droves; Facebook…
The less surprised markets are on interest rate moves the better. Paul Miller/AAP

Quelle surprise? Why it’s good for markets to second-guess the RBA

Mardi Dungey, University of Tasmania

Though markets had somewhat priced in an Australian interest rate cut yesterday, many analysts and commentators were still left surprised. The rate had not been cut for 18 months. Over that period commentary…
The Australian dollar tumbled overnight. AAP Image/ LUKAS COCH

Australian dollar hits lowest point since GFC - experts react

Sunanda Creagh, The Conversation

The Australian dollar fell to US77.17¢ overnight on the back of strong US jobs data, hitting values not seen since the GFC in 2009. The currency recovered slightly over the course of Friday morning, tracking…
Lake Pedder is within Tasmania’s World Heritage Area. Could it benefit from greater tourism development? Romain

Paradise gained – how tourism could help Tasmania’s wilderness

Anne Hardy, University of Tasmania and Leonie Pearson, University of Canberra

The recent leaking of a new draft management plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) has prompted vigorous debate over the merits of tourism development in protected areas. Specifically…
At the Israeli separation barrier in Bethlehem, Palestinians watch a projection of Mahmoud Abbas speaking at the UN General Assembly before a November 2012 vote that paved the way for ICC membership. EPA/Abed al Hashlamoun

What admitting Palestine to the International Criminal Court means

Matt Killingsworth, University of Tasmania

2015 began with Palestinian leaders having submitted the paperwork to become signatories to the Rome Statute, the document that governs the International Criminal Court (ICC). Last week, United Nations…
Island getaway: Tasmanian Devils have been moved to offshore islands to save them from a devastating disease. AAP Image/David Beniuk

Ship Australia’s wildlife out to sea to save it from extinction

David Bowman, University of Tasmania and Áine Nicholson, University of Tasmania

Australia is in the grip of an extinction crisis. Our unique animals, plants, and ecosystems are rapidly ebbing away in a process that began more than 200 years ago with European settlement. Feral cats…
It’s normal to feel distressed after a such an attack, but this generally reduces in the following days and weeks. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Social supports build resilience and reduce distress after trauma

Kim Felmingham, University of Tasmania

People in Sydney and the broader community are feeling shocked, anxious, and sad about the actions of a lone, unstable person that led to the tragic loss of lives in the siege early this week. But there’s…
Energy supply including nuclear is the best way to fight climate change and conserve wildlife and ecosystems. James Marvin Phelps/Flickr

It’s time for environmentalists to give nuclear a fair go

Barry W. Brook, University of Tasmania and Corey J. A. Bradshaw, University of Adelaide

Should nuclear energy be part of Australia’s (and many other countries’) future energy mix? We think so, particularly as part of a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent dangerous climate…
Phytoplankton are responsible for half the world’s productivity. Here, a phytoplankton bloom in the northern Pacific. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr

Tiny marine plants face a mixed bag thanks to climate change

Philip Boyd, University of Tasmania

You may not have heard of them or given them much thought, but phytoplankton — the microscopic plants that grow throughout the world’s oceans — are the foundation of oceanic food webs. Although tiny, they…

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