Western Sydney University prides itself on challenging the traditional notion of what a university should be. We are deeply embedded in the community and the region we serve – Australia’s fastest growing economy.
Ranked in all major global rankings systems, we are delighted to be ranked the world’s best in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.
Assessing universities on their commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Western Sydney University topped the list out of more than 1,400 universities for our work tackling issues like sustainability, climate action, equality, inclusivity and social justice.
Western Sydney University is also a research leader – the result of focused investment in its research strengths and facilities. We see learning and research as connected aspects of the student experience. We work with regional, national and international partners to deliver research that has a positive impact on the economic, social and environmental well-being of our communities.
With a modern outlook, the University has an agile and contemporary take on traditional higher education offerings, affording students, both international and Australian-based, significant advantages and unique opportunities.
Not surprisingly, there was little excitement on the environmental policy front from this year’s Federal budget. This partly reflects the extensive environmental policy in the government’s Clean Energy…
The government recently accepted the recommendations made by an independent review team on the implementation, governance, and operating mandate for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). The CEFC…
In an effort to encourage the States to challenge the Federal government’s Clean Energy Future Policy (CEFP), a conservative think tank – the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) – recently commissioned a…
TRANSPARENCY AND MEDICINE – A series examining issues from ethics to the evidence in evidence-based medicine, the influence of medical journals to the role of Big Pharma in our present and future health…
“Our audience is our only agenda” is the tagline of The Global Mail, the Australian online venture being funded for its first five years by entrepreneur Graeme Wood. Along with the aim to produce public-interest…
Environmental policy in Australia and elsewhere would be more stringent if not for the disinformation campaign. ClimateEthics.org, one of Time Magazine’s top ten environmental websites, has recently published…
In “The tragedy of the commons”, Garrett Hardin argues that when natural resources can be openly accessed by all, over-exploitation results. For example, an open access pasture will be over-exploited by…
A major Australian Islamic group recently argued for a formal recognition of sharia or Muslim law in the Australian legal system. According to the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Australia should…
Wind farms make noise. Coal fired power stations pollute the air and atmosphere. Coal-seam gas mines pollute underground water aquifers. All electricity generating sources, to some people, pollute the…
Few countries have been left unscathed by the global financial crisis and it seems that they are all situated in the southern hemisphere. Brazil and Australia are some of them. Recently, their economies…
Is the confinement of animals for human purposes akin to slavery? Are some animals slaves? Slavery is an evocative concept. Treating someone as a slave is one of the worst things you can do to them. Using…
Last week in Baghdad, 17 men were executed. Nothing special to note here in the conflict ridden, post-US withdrawal landscape of Iraq, except that this time they were executed by an Iraqi court. This was…
We live in a world with many different perspectives on risk. Entire professions now exist to advise us on how to recognise, avoid and manage risk. And the maternity and obstetric professions are no different…
In Florida last week, Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich asserted that, under his leadership, the US would establish a “permanent moon base” by 2020. What’s more, he claimed, “it will be American…
The proportion of Queensland women giving birth via caesarean section has increased by a staggering 74% in the past 20 years. This wouldn’t be of concern if more babies’ lives were saved as a result but…
As immigrants from around the world have joined Australia’s cultural mix, an inevitable rise in religious diversity has followed. But has this made for a healthier society? A recent VicHealth study showed…
The Federal Government is still aiming to deliver a slimmed down surplus next financial year, but has downgraded economic growth forecasts amid a slowing world economy and news that Europe may already…
Australia’s urban waterways are often polluted and sick. They suffer from a condition called the “urban stream syndrome”. A common factor that contributes is contamination from sewage. How and why does…
As another set of high school exams roll through, there will undoubtedly be significant focus on how boys’ results differ from those of girls’. This is part of an ongoing focus on the trend of girls’ academic…
The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the official cash interest rate by 25 basis points, from 4.75% to 4.5%, in a move matching most economists’ expectations. It was the first cut since April 2009. Westpac…