UNSW

Established in 1949, UNSW Sydney is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, renowned for the quality of its graduates and its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and social impact.

Links

Articles

Passport officers had to decide if a person facing them was the same as the one pictured in the identity card. In this case, yes. David White

Passport staff miss one in seven fake ID checks

David White, UNSW

Staff responsible for issuing passports are no better than the average person at identifying if someone is holding a fake passport photo, my colleagues and I report in a study published in PLOS ONE today…
Consumers make subconscious decisions on what to consume. Zoe/Flickr

Emotions and eating: a marketer’s dream?

Nitika Garg, UNSW

Both research and popular media tell us that emotions and eating are intrinsically related. How many times have we seen a character in a TV show reaching for the ice-cream tub when feeling particularly…
The International Energy Agency was set up to avoid a repeat of the 1973 oil crisis - but four decades later the rules need updating. David Falconer/US Library of Congress/Wikimedia Commons

The G20 has a crucial role in preventing future energy crises

Christian Downie, UNSW

Next week, Brisbane hosts the final meeting of the G20 Energy Sustainability Working Group before the main G20 summit in November. Government officials and energy experts from 20 of the most powerful countries…
The “shock and kill” approach flushes out the infected cells in hiding Bo Insogna/Flickr

‘Shock and kill’ approach cures mice of HIV in world first

Alexandra Miller, The Conversation and Reema Rattan, The Conversation

A combination of four drugs can flush out HIV-infected cells from hidden reservoirs in the body and kill them with a boost to the immune system, according to research published in the journal Cell today…
You can shine light on a dog, but it’s still a dog. cabancreative/Flickr

Most ‘big data’ marketing is a waste of time, and here’s why

Peter Swan, UNSW

A passer-by happens upon a drunk searching for a lost wallet under a streetlight. With nothing in plain sight, the passer-by asks “Where did you drop your wallet?”. “Over there,” gestures the drunk across…
When the line blurs between ‘online’ and ‘offline’ is it really cause for concern? David Blackwell./Flickr

Gamer disclaimer: virtual worlds can be as fulfilling as real life

Michael Kasumovic, UNSW

Step aside Olympians – the new sporting pursuit of choice may soon be professional gaming. Electronic sports (or esports) are now mainstream, drawing more than a million viewers in large tournaments and…
For acting on a NSW Law Reform Commission review of bail laws, Greg Smith was pilloried for having gone from ‘Rambo’ in opposition to ‘marshmallow soft’ on crime as attorney-general. Daily Telegraph

Is rational law reform still possible in a shock‑jock tabloid world?

David Brown, UNSW

The New South Wales government’s decision to “review” and amend the new Bail Act after only one month in operation illustrates worrying trends in public policymaking relevant to all jurisdictions. It raises…
Rates of co-occurring substance use and mental disorders are particularly high among marginalised groups such as homeless people. glowcake Berlin/Flickr

The perfect storm: alcohol, drugs, and depression

Katherine Mills, UNSW ; Frances Kay-Lambkin, UNSW , and Maree Teesson, UNSW

Robin Williams’ death earlier this week has unleashed an outpouring of grief. It’s undeniable that Williams brought much joy and laughter to the world, but he also talked openly about his depression and…
It don’t matter if you’re black or white (or yellow, or beige, or brown). Suedehead/Flickr

Human races: biological reality or cultural delusion?

Darren Curnoe, UNSW

The issue of race has been in the news a lot lately with the canning of proposed amendments to Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act, attempts by extremists to commit genocide on cultural minorities in…
Economics isn’t about money, it’s about everything. Flickr/Trey Ratcliff

Making the world a better place, one economist at a time

Gigi Foster, UNSW

“The Economics of Just About Everything” is the latest contribution by Andrew Leigh MP, ex-ANU economics professor, to the bookshelf of the intellectually curious Australian. The book is a long-overdue…
You may find yourself talking to a therapist who is completely inappropriate to your needs. James Nash/Flickr

Talking therapies can harm too – here’s what to look out for

Gordon Parker, UNSW

People seeking therapy should always talk to a practitioner who provides good quality treatment that’s appropriate to their needs. Because research shows that even the innocuous-sounding “talking therapies…
Tired? I know how you feel, my friend. Fran Tapia/Flickr

Contagious yawns show social ties in humans and bonobos

Penny Orbell, The Conversation

Most of us have experienced the overwhelming urge to yawn in response to another person yawning – but we’re not the only species to do this. Research published in PeerJ today shows bonobos – our…
Teach instead of tell, and know your students. There are ways you can become a better teacher. Shutterstock

Expert panel: what makes a good teacher

David Zyngier, Monash University; Andrew J. Martin, UNSW ; John Loughran, Monash University, and Robyn Ewing, University of Sydney

Amid debates about teacher quality and training, and with the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group soon to report on teacher education, we asked a panel of experts just what makes a good teacher…
Australia’s trade relationship with Russia looked better in 2007. Dean Lewins/AAP

Tough talk but little to lose on Russian trade sanctions

Tim Harcourt, UNSW

Poke a Russian bear with a stick and he will retaliate. That’s the lesson facing Australian exporters today. When Australia announced it would join the United States and Europe in placing trade sanctions…
In his response to MH17, prime minister Tony Abbott acted according to some personal and cultural expectations of leadership. AAP/Alan Porritt

Abbott’s leadership role models serve him well in MH17 crisis

Mark Rolfe, UNSW

It was the bloodshot eyes that conveyed to one journalist the strain and weariness weighing upon prime minister Tony Abbott as he dealt with the MH17 tragedy. Australians learned of the office naps between…
Charles Tambiah’s unravelling of this basket star is a finalist in the 2014 Australian Museum New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography. Charles Tambiah/Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

Hendra virus to basket stars – Eureka Prize finalists announced

Penny Orbell, The Conversation

A climate change researcher, evolutionary biologist and science photographer are among the finalists for the 2014 Australia Museum Eureka Prizes. The annual Eureka Prizes recognise those who have made…
The government wants to toughen laws to prosecute and deter Australians, such as alleged Syria suicide bomber ‘Abu Asma al-Australi’, from fighting in foreign conflicts. Twitter/@AbuSiqr

Foreign fighter passports and prosecutions in government’s sights

Sangeetha Pillai, UNSW

The Abbott government will soon unveil the legislative details of its second tranche of revamped anti-terrorism measures. The government introduced the first set of reforms into the Senate in July. One…
Load more

Authors

More Authors