WATCH THIS SPACE Her ambition is to be an astronaut. And so far Beth Jens is on the right trajectory.
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melbourne university magazine WATCH THIS SPACE Her ambition is to be an astronaut. And so far Beth Jens is on the right trajectory. ISSUE 1, 2016
3
unimelb.edu.au/3010
MEDICINE
Care rises to
a new level 6
Inside Melbourne’s revolutionary new
$1 billion Victorian Comprehensive
Cancer Centre.
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Coming soon: Science Gallery 4
6 HOORAY FOR BOLLYWOOD
A foot in two cultural camps
POLITICS AND GENDER
10
Lighting the way for more women 12
LOOK, UP IN THE SKY!
A bold step into space 15
THE ESSAY
The power of staying positive 18
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
What Anna Funder did next 20
12 20
FIVE QUESTIONS
Explaining the “bionic spine” 22
THE TWO OF US
A mentor’s reward 24
FULL OF BEANS
Meet the Coffee King 26
DOWN THE GARDEN PATH
Paul Bangay goes back to Burnley 28
OUR ALUMNI IN PROFILE
Snapshot of a community 31
ALUMNI MILESTONES
22 28 Appointments and accolades
THE LAST WORD
A winemaker’s journey
36
38
The big EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
picture DR JAMES ALLAN DIRECTOR, ALUMNI
AND STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
SIÔN LUTLEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ADVANCEMENT AND DEPUTY
MAXINE McKEW
VICE-CHANCELLOR’S FELLOW
VICE-PRINCIPAL (ADVANCEMENT) COVER IMAGE: JULIAN KINGMA (DIGITALLY ALTERED)
Market stalls have EOIN HAHESSY ADVISOR PROFESSOR PETER McPHEE AM
become a regular COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (BA(Hons) 1969, MA 1973, PhD 1977, LLD
RELATIONS, ENGAGEMENT TIMOTHY LYNCH GRADUATE SCHOOL 2009, TRINITY COLLEGE) MELBOURNE
presence on the OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK This publication is produced on a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified
paper that is produced at an FSC certified paper mill under an ISO14001
Parkville campus. DR JENNIFER HENRY (BAgr(Hons) 1990,
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PUBLISHING Email your comments to: environmental management system, using elemental chlorine-free
ISSUE 1, 2016
Seen here on Open Day, PhD 2000) BEQUESTS MANAGER SIMON MANN EDITOR, THE CITIZEN,
CENTRE FOR ADVANCING JOURNALISM alumni-office@unimelb.edu.au whitening processes. Printed by Complete Colour, an ISO14001 environmental management
the farmers’ market PETER KRONBORG (MBA 1979) DR DAMIAN POWELL (BA(Hons) 1989) Write to us at: system and ISO9001 quality management system certified printer with FSC (Chain of Custody)
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE CATRIONA MAY CONTENT TEAM PRINCIPAL, JANET CLARKE HALL certification and Sustainability Victoria Wastewise Gold certification, on an ecologically rated
sets up once a month, The Advancement Office,
ALUMNI COUNCIL printing press using a chemical recirculation system and produced with vegetable-based inks
offering everything LEADER, EXTERNAL RELATIONS The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia made from renewable resources. This publication is fully recyclable — please dispose of it wisely.
from jam to fresh Call us on: +61 3 8344 1751 Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily endorsed by the University.
EDITORIAL TEAM For more exclusive content visit: unimelb.edu.au/3010 ISSN: 1442-1349 Produced for the University of Melbourne by MEDIAXPRESS mediaxpress.net.au
produce.
MANAGING EDITOR VAL McFARLANE EDITOR KEN MERRIGAN, MEDIAXPRESS DESIGN BILL FARR, MEDIAXPRESS
4 5
universitynews
SCIENCE GALLERY RESEARCH DONORS TECHNOLOGY RECORD
New ‘front door’ designed Pursuit tells the Campaign sets Project is Student offers
for creative collision latest stories new target primates’ play on the rise
University of Melbourne research Believe – the Campaign for the The University has made a record
is changing the world – from the University of Melbourne has passed number of offers to interstate and
development of 3D-printed its target two years ahead of schedule, Indigenous students for 2016,
replacement arteries, to revealing the thanks to the generosity of more than according to Victorian Tertiary
impact of a paleo diet on health, to 20,000 donors worldwide. Admissions Centre (VTAC) data.
finding novel ways of controlling The Campaign, launched publicly The University has provided 2059
Australia’s cane toad problem. in 2013, aimed to raise $500 million offers to interstate applicants, up
And now there’s a new place by the end of 2017. Having achieved from more than 1700 offers last year.
to learn about these discoveries: that, a new goal of raising $1 billion Indigenous applications also hit a new
the University’s new multi-media and engaging 100,000 alumni by 2021 five-year high, with 68 offers made,
> from a Melbourne education have to receive future MSc 2010) says previous research at
“We are committed to the and art,” he says. New face the power to create a legacy for editions of 3010 by the zoo has shown the orang-utans
principle that science is the future, Rose Hiscock, former Director of medicine: future generations. email. If you would are keen to engage. “They enjoyed
and a Science Gallery Melbourne will of the Museum of Applied Arts A report on the “The Campaign has achieved so prefer to have the using the tablet but we wanted to give
provide a whole generation of young and Sciences, which includes the development of much in developing new research magazine delivered them something more, something
people with science that is exciting, Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, 3D-printed arteries programs and making a difference to your inbox, sign they can use when they choose to,”
accessible, but also intellectually has been appointed the inaugural appeared on the to the lives of thousands of students.” up for the digital she says.
challenging.” Director of Science Gallery Pursuit multi-media version at unimelb.
Professor Karen Day, Dean of Melbourne. platform. Learn more: campaign.unimelb.edu.au edu.au/3010 Learn more: bit.ly/1SPYrlV
6 MEDICINE MEDICINE 7
Care
The needs of patients and of their linking it to the Royal Melbourne
unimelb.edu.au/3010
families were at the heart of the building Hospital and tunnels under the roads to
brief for the VCCC, the new home of the plug into the supercomputing grunt of
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, which the Victorian Life Sciences Computing
manages the facility, and specialists Initiative.
rises
from nine other research, clinical and “There are a couple of big revolutions
A striking educational institutions.
“People arrive with a diagnosis feeling
washing across medicine at the moment
– like genomics and bioinformatics,”
new building stressed and anxious and sick. The whole says Bishop. “We’re wanting to take
idea is to keep them calm, make them advantage of those developments that
gives Melbourne’s welcome, embrace them,” says Thomas, are transforming medicine to transform
to a
renowned medical and a director with Melbourne-based Silver
Thomas Hanley, healthcare architectural
cancer treatment.”
The University of Melbourne – which
research precinct a fitting specialists working as partners with contributed $25 million to the VCCC
DesignInc and McBride Charles Ryan project and is the only educational
entrance. But it’s what unfolds in imagining and realising the VCCC. institution in the partnership – has a
inside the $1 billion Victorian The last thing patients need is to be major focus on cancer research. Bishop
new
overwhelmed. “But at the same time is also the Herman Chair of Cancer
Comprehensive Cancer Centre the building should inspire hope and Medicine at the University.
courage, and a shared belief that progress
S
that is truly revolutionary. in beating the disease will come more tanding in the jaw-dropping
By Jo Chandler readily if a centre of excellence is created
to bring together the right people.”
13-storey atrium as swarms
of work crews apply finishing
level
That’s the mission of the touches to the sculptured spiral
comprehensive cancer centre model, of the “Welcome Stair”, Melina Thomas
borrowed from the US, where it has conjures up the scene come July, when
been operating for 40 years. It’s about the first patients find their way to the
the integration of research, education Welcome Hall.
and clinical care, and the streamlined Recognising that they may be feeling
translation of discovery into prevention sick and fatigued, the lower floors
programs, diagnostic tools, bedside are organised for easy navigation and
regimes and treatment options. proximity to clinical areas, pharmacy
Situated at the nexus of Flemington and pathology. There’s a wellbeing centre
Road, Elizabeth Street and Grattan Street,
the gateway to the renowned Parkville “The building should inspire
medical and research precinct, the VCCC
is “a magnificent piece of infrastructure”, hope and courage, and a
says the partnership’s executive director,
Professor Jim Bishop AO (MB BS 1972, shared belief that progress
MD 1990, MMed 1999).
But the structure is only part of the will come if a centre of
story. For him and others who have
championed its realisation for a decade, excellence is created to bring
the programs and philosophies it
A
embodies are equally impressive, a “once together the right people.”
t the junction of in a generation” opportunity to propel
Melbourne’s prime cancer care into a new realm.
medical, educational, They set out to create a cancer centre kitted out like an airport lounge, where
research and that would rank in the world’s top 10. patients and their families can visit, even
commercial worlds, a “And I think we stand a very good chance when their treatment is finished, and sit
colossal new $1 billion of getting there, based on the depth of the around a kitchen table and talk about
public institution will work,” says Bishop, who took the helm their experience, says Thomas.
soon open for business. Most of us hope at the VCCC in 2011. He was previously Most visitors will be day patients
we will never have cause to step inside. Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, and attending for treatments and
Yet in all likelihood we will. If not for has held senior posts in cancer institutes, consultations that will be provided in
ourselves, then for the people we love. research and education in NSW, Victoria either wide chemotherapy bays or more
Such is the pitiless reach of cancer across and the US. private spaces.
the population. The VCCC aims to provide “We’ve found in our work with cancer
When we do find ourselves within the individualised treatment to patients, hospitals in the past that a lot of patients
new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer facilitate more clinical trials, nurture like to share their experiences,” says
Centre, architect Melina Thomas hopes collaboration, support bench-to-bedside Thomas (BPD 1991, BArch(Hons) 1993).
ISSUE 1, 2016
that the structure she helped create over translation of research, and smooth “So in all the clinical areas our aim is to
the past six years will wrap itself around Designed to inspire hope: Architect the way for a seamless patient journey empower the patient in giving a choice
us, its form and function conveying Melina Thomas in the atrium of the through the system. between shared and private spaces.”
powerful support in ways we may never stunning Victorian Comprehensive It’s also explicitly designed to reach
consciously recognise. Cancer Centre. PICTURE: JULIAN KINGMA out to other institutions, with skywalks C O N T I N U E D PAG E 8
8 MEDICINE MEDICINE 9
the next 20, 30 years of breakthroughs.”
unimelb.edu.au/3010
VCCC: THE FACTS Tucked within the building’s seams
is capacity to expand to accommodate
The cancer
160 overnight inpatient beds 2
More than 25,000m of research space the kind of unimagined hardware or experiences researcher
laboratories or workforce that might
A
be required for the next generation of fter graduating as a nurse from St Vincent’s
A 42-bed-capacity intensive care unit Eight operating theatres patients. Hospital in 1985, in the last days of hospital-
Ultimately the best support for based training, Dr Donna Milne went back
people with a cancer diagnosis is an into study at La Trobe and the University of
110 same-day beds Eight radiation therapy bunkers environment that facilitates the efficient Melbourne to eventually emerge with a PhD and a role
daily work of the doctors, nurses and straddling the clinical and research worlds.
allied specialists treating them. Staff Today her working week is split between attending to
Dedicated clinical trials unit From six original partners, the VCCC has grown also have retreat areas and natural light the needs of individual melanoma patients at Peter Mac,
to a partnership of seven hospitals, two research and views. “We needed to create a place and investigating their wider experience of the disease
institutes and the University of Melbourne that would attract the best of the best and of the health system.
Eight medi-hotel beds, clinicians and researchers, to achieve “So my research role very much reflects what I do
with space for overnight the best outcomes for the patients.” DR DONNA MILNE clinically with patients,” Milne explains. “Broadly speaking
accommodation for families The prospects for patients today (MAdvNursPrac 2000, I’m asking ‘you’ve got this diagnosis. What’s it like? What
of country patients and in years to come will turn on PhD 2009) do you need?’
the collaboration of clinicians and Advanced Practice “My main interest is in the advanced disease realm,
researchers striving for the next Nurse and Cancer patients with stage 3 and 4 cancer, and in ensuring that
breakthrough, says Bishop. To that end, Experiences Researcher, their experiences are as positive as they can be.”
researchers and PhD students from Peter MacCallum To that end, she’s counting down the days to the shift
Melbourne’s leading research institutions Cancer Centre and to the VCCC.
will shortly settle into the laboratories University of Melbourne “The layout will help ensure we have the right people
in the upper floors. in the right place, so patients get what they need with a
“There is a lot of evidence in the minimal number of visits. It will certainly facilitate better
literature that it takes a long time for communications between their health professionals.
research discoveries to be translated into “Our patients are in the most stressful period of their
routine care,” says Bishop – often more lives when they walk in. So an environment that is calm,
than a decade, sometimes two. “I think appealing, not poky, with natural light – it all helps.”
we can do a lot better than that.”
Another big element of a
Professor Jim Bishop in one of the Centre’s high-rise gardens. PICTURE: CHRIS HOPKINS comprehensive cancer centre is outreach
to the wider population. So in addition
The molecular geneticist
“O
F R O M PAG E 7 “We wanted to create a building which natural motifs – leaves and flowers – to the core partnerships, there are also ur work is mostly about understanding
fosters this interaction.” are woven into the fabric of the building. collaborations being established with where an individual sits on the cancer
Public zones are also engineered to It’s about breaking down silos to The outside world is close, with patients Monash University, rural centres and risk spectrum,” explains Professor
bring patients into proximity with other capitalise on the central ambition shared given the best vantage points. Down in cancer programs. Melissa Southey. It requires painstaking
users of the building – doctors and nurses, by every patient, scientist and specialist the radiation bunker there are backlit tree It also has a mandate to focus on investigation of the interplay between genetics,
research scientists and technicians, in the building: to beat cancer. canopies and a light show of butterflies population health, exploring disease in environment, lifestyle, age and other variables.
medical students and educators – en route Natural light pours into the VCCC waiting to distract paediatric patients. the context of geography, culture and It’s powerful information, with the potential to
to the lifts that will take them to their courtesy of its hollowed core, swathes There’s nothing whimsical about such environment. anticipate, intervene in and even prevent cancers.
laboratories and workstations. of white balconies wrapping around the devices. “These biophilic design elements One of the big incentives for building But it’s also fraught with ethical, economic and logistical
Researchers will occupy the top six light, the quirky, organic shapes taking reinforce the connection to nature, and the VCCC was recognition that the complexities. The work of Southey and her team of 28
floors, clinical and hospital staff dominate the hard edges off what might have been in turn promote healing, relaxation, and number of cancer patients was inevitably researchers, soon to take up residence on level 10 of the
the bottom six. Educators are positioned a formidable construction. comfort,” says Thomas. going to increase as the population ages VCCC, is underwritten by a priceless resource – 1.5 million
in between, in a space where patients Every component of the building has and people don’t die of other things. biospecimens collected over the decades from studies
and families and staff also mingle in “These biophilic design been thrashed out with focus groups “This is not trivial,” says Bishop. PROFESSOR MELISSA including the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study,
the cafeteria, or step down a floor to a representing the various users – some 300 “We are anticipating a 30 per cent SOUTHEY (BSc(Hons) which alone involves 45,000 Victorians.
sprawling 1400-metre-plus rooftop garden elements reinforce the groups all vehemently championing their increase in the next 10 years as opposed 1988, PhD 1993, GDipIPLaw These specimens are now distributed across the
for some respite. work, needs and priorities. to the last 10.” 1996, Ormond College) University campus in liquid nitrogen tanks and scientific
The mixing of these populations connection to nature, “There were formal meetings with all For architect Melina Thomas, being Molecular Geneticist, freezers, with duplicates distributed to other research
is orchestrated to allow patients to be the doctors and nurses in every single part of the effort to create a facility University of Melbourne centres across the world.
fortified by the army working for their and in turn promote healing, department,” explains Thomas. Same again that will touch so many lives is deeply But the development of the VCCC gave Southey an
health, experts to be galvanised by the for the various research departments. rewarding. There has been substantial opportunity to design a custom-built, secure facility to
reality of the individuals whose lives relaxation, and comfort.” “We go room by room, and then into the international interest in the VCCC and bring together the samples and the researchers in a
they might change, and to encourage detail of the fixtures and fittings – where encouraging feedback from medical and single location for the first time.
serendipitous encounters between every power point goes. So these are quite architectural specialists. “We’re quite “I see that as a very positive thing,” says Southey,
research and clinical players. Stands of spotted gum trunks and intense meetings.” overwhelmed at the buzz,” she says. “let alone being in this environment where not only is
“The whole idea is to get people greenery soften the institutional look into Adding to the pressure was the “It’s creating a lot of excitement.” basic research being done, but we can witness its use
ISSUE 1, 2016
together to collaborate, to create formal something more akin to a top-flight hotel. recognition that there would be no similar But the true test will come when and how it changes medical practice. The environment
and informal spaces where they bump Clinical surfaces are warmed up with investment in Victoria for a long time to patients come through the doors and will also place us well to hear the current clinical issues
into each other, where they talk about palettes of earthy colours inspired by the come. “They had to have a building for the their carers get down to the business and to be able to pitch our research at these.”
the work in the laboratory or the cases bark of the Victorian snowgum. future – this was their only shot at it. So of healing them. Thomas will be in the
coming into the clinic,” says Thomas. Breakout areas with gardens and it had to be flexible enough to withstand wings waiting for the verdict.
10 C U LT U R E C U LT U R E 11
Dancing to a
unimelb.edu.au/3010
An all-singing,
all-dancing tradition
Bollywood beat
High emotion, spontaneous dance
routines and a plot that’s got
everything but the kitchen sink
– the perfect recipe for a classic
Bollywood movie, says Luke Devenish,
lecturer in screenwriting at the
Actor Pallavi Sharda has a foot in two Victorian College of the Arts.
The storytelling formula, based on the rasa tradition,
cultural camps – her homeland Australia, aims to inject nine emotional states into each tale to
create a masala experience – akin to a spicy meal.
and India where she passes for a local. And audiences find it irresistible. The Indian film
industry (Bollywood is just that part based in Mumbai,
But as she tells Val McFarlane, formerly Bombay; other major cities have their own
industries) is huge. India produces more movies than
she still thinks like an Australian. Hollywood and in 2013, nearly 2.7 billion cinema tickets
were sold across the country.
H
er Instagram profile describes happen when I was growing up. I’ve seen Indian movies really took off when sound films
her as a “raging Aussie”, yet she’s the change in the landscape in Melbourne (“talkies”) rose to prominence in the West in the early
also one of Bollywood’s leading and I think it’s really exciting.” 1930s. In particular, Indian filmmakers saw parallels
ladies. Contradictory? Not for Sharda’s parents, academics Dr Hema between the Western musical and their own performance
Pallavi Sharda, who’s as at home in Mumbai Sharda and Dr Nalin Kant Sharda, migrated tradition – and the all-singing, all-dancing classic Indian
as she is in Melbourne. to Perth in the 1980s. movie style was born.
This cultural fluidity does confuse some. As a young girl, she loved Indian dance Today, the tone of Indian films is changing to reflect
“When I speak to Australian people in and drama, but for a long time was too contemporary Indian culture. Movies (although still
Bombay all of a sudden my accent gets so nervous to even audition for lengthy by Western standards) are getting shorter,
strong because I’m dying to speak in it,” school plays. That changed and while music is still a crucial part of the soundtrack,
Sharda says in her soft Australian accent. in Year 12, when she won the characters are far less likely to suddenly burst into song.
“Literally people stop and their jaws open role of Ariel in The Tempest Yet the richness of the stories remains. Devenish
and they’re like (adopts strong Indian accent) and choreographed the whole says the films still offer great entertainment for Western
‘What happened to Pallavi madam?’ ” production with a Bollywood movie-goers willing to give them a go. “When you watch
Sharda’s ability to switch between her dance theme. “I realised my Indian cinema from a Western point of view you are
Australian and Indian identities has helped cross-cultural roots were “A good Bollywood film allows you to escape totally hooked up in the storylines,” he says.
her create a career that goes beyond her legitimate,” she says. from the real world,” says Pallavi Sharda.
childhood dream of appearing in Bollywood Her new-found confidence Inset: In one of her movie roles. To learn more about Indian cinema,
films. In India, Sharda (BA(Media&Comm), took her to the University of MAIN PICTURE: PENNY STEPHENS visit pursuit.unimelb.edu.au
LLB 2010, DipModLang(Fr) 2011) has Melbourne, where she fast-tracked
enjoyed success in films such as Besharam her studies, cramming in as many
and Hawaizaada. Her Australian credits subjects as possible – while also Having grown up in egalitarian watching these films and I think that it’s be good, bad or ugly there – everything
include Save Your Legs with Stephen Curry. running a course on Indian dance Australia, she struggles with India’s focus naive to suggest that there’s no value in that. changes so quickly. Right now the kind of
This year we’ll see her in international for her fellow students – and behind things, and in India working on on caste and class. “In India you have to “The music is a very celebratory sound films that are doing well are more serious,
productions Shambhala, opposite Jonathan devised a plan to get to Bollywood as soon an Indian film set there is often very little insert yourself into this hierarchy and even and at every wedding, every Indian international films, and I think if those
Rhys Meyers, and Lion, alongside Nicole as she could. reason behind anything. There is a constant though it’s something that you don’t want function, people know the same tunes and get made and get sanctioned in India, the
Kidman, Dev Patel and Rooney Mara. “I thought that just in case I decided clash between what is reasonable and what to do, if you don’t do it you get walked all they get up and they dance. I think it’s a audience will broaden internationally.”
She is also increasingly taking on the I really did want to be a lawyer or join the is happening,” she says. over,” she says. really great cohesive force in a community, But in the unlikely event that Sharda’s
role of cultural ambassador, promoting corporate world, I would need to be young And that’s not the only difficulty. “A lot of “It’s a constant navigation game, and I especially outside of India, which is why movie career flounders, she could have
Indian-Australian relations. She was Queen enough to be able to do it. So I planned this people don’t realise that I am Australian,” she still haven’t got it right because I don’t want Indian film music is so popular amongst another career option: barista. Desperate
(to Shane Warne’s King) of Melbourne’s weird thing that I would finish university, says. “I don’t feel the need to tom-tom about to lose sense of where I’m from. I don’t diasporic communities.” to enjoy the kind of skinny flat white she
multicultural festival Moomba last year, go to Bollywood for three or four years and that; I don’t need to add a point of difference. want to lose sense of the values that I grew However, the days of such films may orders in Melbourne, she admits to giving
and was in Melbourne recently to support then come back and either do a PhD or a I’m as Indian as anyone can be. I grew up up with because that’s what I would like to be numbered. As Indian society changes, the Indian baristas at Australian coffee
the Melbourne Renegades in cricket’s Big Masters or join the workforce.” speaking Hindi, I can speak in Indian- inculcate in my children one day.” so does its creative output. Sharda says franchises in Mumbai “Pallavi tutorials”.
Bash League. She might not have returned but accented English, and my mannerisms can While Sharda’s career is increasingly the burgeoning middle class want to see “I have gone in with a thermometer and
“It’s such a nice thing because it’s a the University is still close to her heart. switch seamlessly to Indian mannerisms. based outside India, she is still a huge fan the issues they grapple with reflected on actually measured the temperature of the
Melbourne institution and they’re looking “Melbourne Uni is Melbourne to me. “But it’s actually been a little bit of a of the classic Bollywood genre – colourful screen. milk before,” she says, laughing. “I had to
at someone of Indian heritage from It’s home,” she says. Last year she even did drawback because people don’t realise I epics packed with emotion and lavish dance “India is now starting to look at itself explain to them that they were burning the
Melbourne to support the team. That’s some filming on campus, shooting a scene think like an Australian. I might be fitting routines. and ask some serious questions – what do coffee beans.
something that didn’t happen when I was for Lion at a studio at Union House, where into all the cultural nuances but I am a “A good Bollywood film allows you we stand for, what is our identity? Being an “I said to the barista ‘I’m sorry, this is an
ISSUE 1, 2016
growing up,” she says. she used to teach dance. very free, uninhibited, strong Australian to escape from the real world and it’s incredibly pluralistic society these are very Aussie company and I’m Australian … so I
“If you go overseas, to the UK or Filming in India is quite a different woman, working in an industry that is aspirational,” she says. “If you have a hard questions. hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to tell
America, no one bats an eyelid at a woman experience. “Once you go to Melbourne often regressive. So there’s a constant country of a billion people, most of whom “It’s a really interesting time to see you how to do it!’”
in a sari or someone deciding to have a Law School it makes you think a certain clash of values, and I find that extremely are living below the poverty line, there is Bollywood cinema. I’ve seen how fickle
curry night at home. But again, that didn’t way … you want to understand the reason challenging.” this kind of escapism that occurs through it can be in terms of what it means to Follow Pallavi Sharda online: @pallavisharda
A POWER IMBALANCE
12 POLITICS 13
unimelb.edu.au/3010
With Australia
sliding steadily down
the world ranks of
female political
representation, a new
University program is
preparing to light the
path for aspiring
women politicians.
Gay Alcorn reports.
C
athy McGowan AO became
a politician when she was
nearly 60. But the independent
member for Indi was hardly a
political novice when she won the north-
eastern Victorian seat in 2013. She had
spent much of her adult life in politics of
one sort or another, especially as founding
member and later president of Women
in Agriculture – lobbying, networking,
pushing to get things done.
McGowan (DipEd 1976), now 62, has
some advice for women thinking seriously
about a political career: you’ve got to learn
the skills, preferably before you stand as
a candidate. And even before that, you’ve
got to work out what you really care about.
“The first thing I’d want to say is
you’ve got to work out yourself what your
platform is,” she says. “There’s not much
point unless you’ve got a bit of vision about
what you’ve got to say and that takes a lot
of work to refine.
“I’m a huge believer in people
explaining what the pathway is, because
it’s so rarely obvious and it’s not intuitive.”
The University of Melbourne’s Pathways Women of influence: Cathy McGowan, Julia Gillard, Julie Bishop, Kelly O’Dwyer and Sophie Mirabella
to Politics program is designed to “explain
what the pathway is” for women considering local, state and federal politics. The reason Parliament in 1943. In January this year, Julie Bishop pointed out the positives. over time, and will be run through the Fellow at the University in the School
a political career. A pilot begins in June, is obvious: while the “gender gap” in such the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Australia has had a female prime minister, University’s School of Government. of Government. Reece was formerly a
and is a first for an Australian university. areas as education and health has been that women made up 30.5 per cent of a female governor-general, and now has its A cohort of 20 to 25 women from senior adviser to prime minister Julia
The idea came from philanthropist largely closed in Australia, we are slipping federal parliamentarians. That had risen first female defence and foreign ministers. all political leanings will receive, free Gillard (LLB 1986, BA 1989) and was
Carol Schwartz AM, who in turn was behind other nations in female political just 5.5 percentage points since 2001. Many states, too, have had female leaders. of charge, 12 fortnightly sessions of Labor’s campaign director for the 2010
inspired by a Harvard Kennedy School representation. Women’s success in state politics varies. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk intensive training and discussion. Victorian election.
program, From Harvard Square to the In 2013, a comparison of women in As of 2014, about 24 per cent of NSW has a female deputy leader, Jackie Trad, and At each session, a female politician “There is something systemically
Oval Office. It offers selected graduates national parliaments ranked Australia parliamentarians were women, compared women make up more than half her cabinet. will speak – off the record – and answer that makes it harder for women,” says
hands-on, practical skills, mentoring 44th (behind countries such as Cuba, with almost 33 per cent in Victoria and a high “It’s important for women to fulfil these questions over dinner. Then someone Reece. “My personal political experience
and networking. Past speakers include Sweden, South Africa, Mexico and New of more than 41 per cent in the ACT. A survey leadership roles because unless others see a with detailed knowledge of the political having worked for the first female prime
ISSUE 1, 2016
presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and Zealand). We had slipped from 32nd in of local government councillors in 2011 found woman in that role they don’t imagine that process – campaigning, polling, speech minister was that I saw firsthand the
former Republican governor Christie 2008, and 20th in 2001. In a 2016 study, that women comprised nearly 28 per cent of it’s possible,” Bishop said. making and negotiating the media – gender lens that was put across a lot of
Todd Whitman. Australia had fallen to 54th. elected representatives. The first Pathways to Politics course will will speak and give advice. things that she was engaged in.”
The aim of Pathways to Politics is There has been slow progress Launching the Pathways to Politics be open only to University of Melbourne One of those will be Nicholas Reece
simple: increase female representation in since the first women entered Federal program late last year, Foreign Minister graduates, although this is expected to change (ExecMPubAdmin 2006), Principal C O N T I N U E D PAG E 1 4
14 POLITICS COVER STORY 15
A step into
does not support quotas as a matter of we will be able to then hold ourselves
unimelb.edu.au/3010
F R O M PAG E 1 3
principle, arguing that candidates should accountable for our progress in this
Gillard herself famously said when be selected only on merit. The party once regard,” O’Dwyer told the ABC recently.
she lost the leadership to Kevin Rudd: believed, too, that the number of female “I think that when you measure
“The reaction to being the first female MPs would gradually increase over time. something, you achieve better outcomes,
prime minister does not explain everything But when Tony Abbott’s first Cabinet and I’d like to think that we can achieve
the heavens
about my prime ministership, nor does after the 2013 election included just one better outcomes.
it explain nothing about my prime woman – Julie Bishop – it was a wake-up “I don’t think there’s one silver bullet
ministership.” call that waiting for things to change was that’s going to solve this issue. I think we
One of Gillard’s challenges, Reece says, not working. need to put in place a number of strategies
was that female politicians “could be either in order to encourage women to have
Margaret Thatcher the Iron Lady or you the confidence to put up their hand for
could be the girl next door, and they were Parliament, to make sure that they’re
the two archetypes you could choose from supported and set up for success.” Beth Jens had to plot a circuitous
as a female politician. That’s just bullshit.
There are just as many diverse characters
Lillian Kline, the project co-ordinator
of Pathways to Politics, says there is
route into space. A newly launched
who are women.
“Often there’s an underlying assumption
“enormous goodwill” around the idea,
with most politicians and strategists
University program should make
that women shouldn’t consider a career in approached keen to offer their time and it easier for the next generation
politics until they have children, or have expertise.
raised their children. If you follow that Schwartz has been involved in of students.
logic through, women wouldn’t enter the promoting women in leadership for many
political system until well into their 40s or years and is funding the pilot program
50s, but to get ahead in politics you need through her Trawalla Foundation.
to enter a parliamentary role in a relatively Although it is modelled on Harvard’s BY T I M T H WA I T E S
early stage in your career so you can do program, this one has a unique element, ( B S c ( H O N S ) 1 974 , T R I N I T Y C O L L E G E , J A N E T C L A R K E H A L L )
B
your time and be promoted to senior roles.” Schwartz says – a session on political ethics.
Male-dominated preselection processes “It gets back to that issue that all y following her dreams, Dr Beth Jens may well
also disadvantage women, but they have politicians who enter into politics are really
to learn to push themselves forward, very idealistic,” says Schwartz. “What are end up going as far as is humanly possible –
says Reece. the ethics around compromising those deep into outer space. It’s an adventure the
“Women are often not as forward in beliefs and values in order to sort of toe young engineer from Torquay has been chasing
these things and in a highly competitive the line with the party? That might make
since she decided at the age of 12 to become an astronaut.
area that is full of these overachieving some people think ‘I actually don’t want
hyper-ambitious types, they can just get “We definitely want to enter politics because I don’t want to And she’s certainly given herself a good chance to fulfil
pushed out.” do that’, or else ‘how can I negotiate those that ambition.
Pathways to Politics is non-partisan, people who really aspire to areas?’ Jens (BEng(MechEng)(Hons), BSc 2008) is now
and is looking for women of all ages “We definitely want people who really
from any political background. Yet it is entering a political life . . . aspire to entering a political life, who aren’t employed at Caltech’s famous Jet Propulsion
undeniable that the conservative side of just curious, but actually have read about Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California – the place
politics has struggled with this issue more and are really committed it, worked in it, and are really committed where the Mars rovers and much of NASA’s rocket
than Labor and the Greens. to political leadership and political life.”
technology were developed. She is working on new
“So let this conference declare, by 2025 to political leadership.” Cathy McGowan loves political life.
… 50 per cent of Labor’s representatives She is driving home from Canberra when ways of fuelling small space vehicles.
CAROL SCHWARTZ
will be women,” Labor leader Bill Shorten she takes my phone call. The woman she Getting this far has taken a lot of hard work, a fair
told the party’s national conference last defeated in Indi, Liberal Sophie Mirabella dollop of serendipity and that splash of ambition.
year. Labor’s affirmative action rules were A party report last year recommended (BCom/LLB 1994, LLM 1998), a former
adopted in 1994 when women comprised setting a 50 per cent target for women in Public Policy Fellow at the University, is “I love space exploration,” she says. “When I was young,
just 18.4 per cent of Labor members Parliament, and warned that the party standing again at this year’s election, and one of the Apollo astronauts was out in Australia. Dad
– it’s now 45 per cent. By comparison, risked losing relevance if it did not address McGowan is focused on the campaign. happened to sit beside him on an internal flight, and he
about 22 per cent of Liberal Party MPs are the issue. It listed various barriers to She is well known for her negotiating
skills, her ability to network, and for
invited us to his talk in Geelong. He showed pictures of
women, and 15 per cent of National MPs. women seeking to be candidates in the
“I do not believe that (the increase party, including a “boys’ club” culture and putting people together to achieve things. standing on the moon. And I thought, ‘Why couldn’t
in women MPs) would have happened a process designed to “keep outsiders out”. She says that women who want to be anyone who was passionate and worked hard get there?’
without the focus that a target provides,” The target would be aspirational, rather politicians shouldn’t try to ape the way I think that started it.
deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek told than mandatory. men do things. C O N T I N U E D PAG E 1 6
the launch of Pathways to Power. “Because Assistant treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer “I just think that the blokes have worked
in every individual seat there is always (LLB(Hons) 1999, BA 2000) has out their own pathway, and women have
an excuse to preselect the bloke, who’s so experienced the difficulties of being a got to work out their own pathway.”
exceptional. Or they say ‘I’m a supporter female politician firsthand, having last The Australian political system is
of equality, of course, I believe half our year been advised to express more breast “really biased against women”, McGowan
ISSUE 1, 2016
parliamentarians should be women, but in milk for her baby Olivia in order to avoid says. Quotas have worked for Labor, but
my case in this seat there’s a special reason missing parliamentary business. O’Dwyer they might not work for every party.
why that rule shouldn’t apply to me’.” does not support mandatory quotas, but “You’ve got to actually look at the Beth Jens on the beach at Torquay:
For the conservative side of politics, she believes targets are needed. systemic problems – what’s the barrier “I love space exploration.”
the issue is complex. The Liberal Party “Those targets can be measured and and what are you going to do about it?” PICTURE: JULIAN KINGMA
16 COVER STORY COVER STORY 17
CATCHING THE WAVE
unimelb.edu.au/3010
F R O M PAG E 1 5
“I was very single-minded about being
an astronaut, and I would do anything For Professor Andrew Melatos, the news “Up ’til now LIGO has been more or less
to get there. Now, I just love the idea of was momentous. The announcement in a physics experiment, to make that first
helping support the space effort, whether February that gravitational waves had been detection and prove Einstein was right,”
that’s as an engineer or going into space. detected changed the very way we look at Melatos says. “But now the astronomy
But I’d still like to be an astronaut.” space, he says. begins. What we expect is that over the
When she was a young student in the “Without exaggeration, it changes next five to 10 years the detectors will
1990s, no one laughed at Jens’ ambition humanity in a way,” he observes. “It’s a new dramatically improve in sensitivity and we
to go into space. Her school, Sacred Heart era, because from now onwards humans will see more and more things, perhaps
College in Geelong, and especially her will look at the sky with gravitational waves, even neutron stars.”
physics and maths teachers, encouraged as well as the other things we know, such as Melatos is one of a highly rated group
her. Yet she admits there was a little good- light and radio and X-rays.” of astrophysicists at the University
natured bewilderment on the part of the Melatos and the University are members who combine theory with practical
careers teacher, who then did her best to of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational- experimentation. Many of them are at the
find Jens a relevant placement, at a flying wave Observatory (LIGO), the huge forefront of research into one of the great
school in Essendon. international scientific collaboration that unknown periods of cosmic history, a dark
When Jens went on to the University eventually detected gravitational waves. age known as the Epoch of Reionisation
of Melbourne, it was natural to enrol in a These were predicted by Albert Einstein when the first stars and galaxies formed.
physics degree, but she also decided to take a century ago on the basis of his theory of During that time no light or other form of
on engineering, partly because she knew general relativity. electromagnetic radiation was generated –
Australia’s only astronaut, Andy Thomas, Gravitational waves should allow at least that we can analyse directly. So we
was an engineer. Despite the fact that her us to penetrate regions of space that have to rely on other means of acquiring
elder brother was also in engineering, her electromagnetic waves cannot, and information.
parents needed a little reassurance. “Mum therefore provide us with information about Researchers in the School of Physics are
was a little confused at first. ‘Are you sure black holes and other exotic objects in using today’s most powerful astronomical
it’s a respectable career?’ she asked me.” the distant universe. And it is one of those instruments to plug that information gap and
Even so, Jens suffered a little from exotic objects, neutron stars, the hugely ask questions that are shaping the design of
culture shock. No space or aeronautical dense remnants of supernova explosions, the next generation of instruments.
engineering subjects were offered at the that lie at the heart of Melatos’ work. “We’re trying to answer fundamental
University, so she opted for mechanical He and his students in the curiosity-driven questions, such as
engineering and found herself in a class School of Physics model their how did the universe come into
of young men who had been pulling cars theoretical properties and being and, indirectly, what
apart since they were kids. calculate what kinds of are the conditions for life?”
When asked in a programming course gravitational waves they says astrophysicist Professor
what languages she had, it took her a should generate. Then they sift Rachel Webster, a member of
moment to recognise it was computer through LIGO data to see if they the science working group for
languages that her lecturers were interested can pick up that signal. what will be the world’s largest
in rather than her experience of Japanese. Eye on the sky: Student Now the gravitational radio telescope, the Square
Things are changing. A new generation Rob Mearns is working wave announcement Kilometre Array, part of
of enterprising students are working on the University’s has changed which is to be built in
on a project that could make this Space Program. PICTURE: CHRIS HOPKINS everything. Western Australia.
progression into space exploration much
more straightforward. With support from
the School of Engineering, they have In recalling her journey into the field, enrolled in a Masters of Aeronautics and she says, her leap into the space industry up for a series of launches, starting with and advised by Skafidas, with strong
established a University of Melbourne Jens says it helped a lot to be living on Astronautics at Stanford University. would have been a lot easier if she’d had a simple prototype in 2017. in-kind support from the School of
Space Program with the aim of designing, campus in Newman College with the access At the end of it all she was taken on an opportunity to apply her skills earlier. Coincidentally, 50 years earlier a group Engineering, in little more than a year
constructing and launching a series that gave her to the university experience as an intern at JPL, which eventually put That is just what mechatronics graduate of engineering students at the University the program has recruited about 60
of kilogram-sized cube satellites from and to sports. With help from Professor her through her PhD at Stanford studying student Rob Mearns (BSc 2012, ME 2015) began constructing the first Earth satellite engineering students and nearly half that
next year. Ivan Marusic, she even managed to conjure a new, safer form of rocket propulsion and three engineering mates thought 18 built in Australia. The Australis Oscar 5, number again from other faculties.
They hope the experience they gain and up a final-year research project on the using a fast-burning hybrid fuel. One of months ago, several months after receiving or AO5, was completed in 1967 and This group is working on all aspects
the skills they develop will help to expand prospect of powering space probes on the potential uses for this type of hybrid an email from the Director of the Centre launched into orbit by a US Air Force of the project – from engineering design
the small Australian space industry and the Mars and Venus using wind energy. propulsion is in moving around cube for Neural Engineering, Professor Stan rocket in 1970. In the 45 years since then, and electrical circuitry through to legal
educational base to support it. Not only was she awarded first class satellites just like those being planned Skafidas (BE(ElecEng) 1992, BSc 1993, no Australian university has repeated this. issues, education and sponsorship.
“Space is a hole in our national research honours, she was also selected to present at the University. They are becoming an MEngSc 1996, PhD 1998). The message But now some universities – Another 70 or so students have expressed
profile,” says Professor Rachel Webster of her work in Glasgow at the world’s largest important and inexpensive space research invited them to a meeting open to anyone New South Wales, Sydney and Adelaide interest, and are attending meetings
the School of Physics, who was involved space conference. That was her introduction tool, used for jobs such as gathering data interested in building a cube satellite to be – have embarked on satellite projects. and workshops. The central idea, says
in a $40 million government effort to to the global space community, and the and assisting communication. launched in 2018. The student-run University of Melbourne Mearns, is to create a communications
encourage a local industry. “When you industry that supports it. “When I first got to Stanford I was a The four students saw the project as a Space Program, however, wants to do network in low-Earth orbit to facilitate
think of the observational platforms She then attended a general little concerned I might be behind the way to develop useful expertise in a field things differently. Although much basic the work of other satellites. The
ISSUE 1, 2016
above earth, these are now crucial for introductory course of the International other students,” says Jens. “But it soon critical to Australia’s future in areas such technology is freely available, the group University’s satellites typically will weigh
managing, monitoring and understanding Space University at NASA’s Ames Research became clear that the skill set in maths and as land management and emergency wants to develop its own skills, designing about a kilogram each, meaning they can
the environment – fires, for instance, and Center in Silicon Valley, and – with physics that the University of Melbourne response. So they wrote back proposing and customising the University of be taken up as secondary cargo in rockets
much else. Expertise in space is something support from her local Rotary Club had provided was very applicable – a very that they manage the project and, instead Melbourne satellites to their purpose. launching much larger space probes or
we cannot afford to be without.” and the Australian Fulbright Program – strong, sound theoretical basis.” Even so, of just one satellite, that plans be drawn Led by Mearns as engineering director supplying the International Space Station.
18 19
theessay psychology
PROFESSOR LEA WATERS (BA(HONS) 1992) GERRY HIGGINS CHAIR IN
POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR POSITIVE
PSYCHOLOGY, MELBOURNE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
How a positive ripple can shape our lives
I
became bulimic when I was 15. I didn’t tell anyone. I suffered in and your flaws and weaknesses will get a disproportionate amount have parents who adopt a strength-based approach. This is the how we can use social media to boost our moods and spread
silence. When I was 22 I went to a psychologist. By then I was of your attention. Yet science clearly shows that correcting weakness approach I use with my own son and daughter. happiness to others. There’s now a veritable swathe of research on
studying a PhD in psychology and had learnt that we can use takes us only so far on the journey to reaching our potential and that But positive psychology isn’t just for the young. Strength-based how moods and emotions spread through online social networks.
psychological exercises to reduce our negative emotions and doing more of what we do best opens up the most effective pathways parenting also improves life satisfaction and confidence in the According to a two-decade-long study conducted by researchers
thoughts. I overcame the eating disorder, but what followed was to success and happiness. parents. And strength-based approaches improve the wellbeing of at University of California, San Diego, happiness is contagious.
a decade of intermittent anxiety and depression. Again, I worked This doesn’t mean we should ignore our weaknesses or problems. adults in the workplace. In a series of studies conducted at the Centre We catch positive emotions off others in our online communities.
hard to overcome my negative thoughts and feelings and, thankfully, It just means we need to see fixing them for what it is – remediation. for Positive Psychology we have shown that positive psychology Positive emotions don’t just synchronise, they also spread.
came to a point where I was free of illness. Sure, fixing weakness is necessary, but the path to happiness is best approaches and wellbeing are significantly related to job satisfaction, University of California researchers tracked the emotional content of
But the absence of illness did not make me happy. It just made me achieved when we learn how to maximise our strengths. Positive work happiness, professional thriving, work contentment and work posts generated by a large sample of online platform users over three
someone who was no longer ill. I was in psychology moves us from enthusiasm across a range of industries. years and found each post expressing
a kind of psychological limbo – neither remediation to transformation. In one study, we asked a positive or negative emotion caused
unhappy nor happy. Psychologically Strengths can be many things, organisational leaders to adopt friends to generate one to two
speaking, I needed to get north of zero. including your character, talents, gratitude practices for one month. additional posts expressing the same
I needed to find psychological exercises aptitudes, ability and skills. The The leaders kept a gratitude journal in emotion. What’s more, these positive
to increase my positive emotions and strength-based approach is gaining which they recorded three things each posts then spread through social
thoughts (not just reduce my negative momentum in research and practice, day that they felt thankful for at work. networks by up to three degrees of
emotions and thoughts). and has been used successfully in They used gratitude in staff meetings, separation. With one positive post
It was around that time (1998) families, classrooms, social work on bulletin boards and in newsletters. you can brighten the day of someone
that Professor Martin Seligman, then teams, psychology clinics and They wrote letters of thanks to chosen you have never met. Happiness begets
president of the American Psychological workplaces across the globe. colleagues. happiness.
Association, introduced the simple At the Centre for Positive Gratitude is an emotion that puts At its core, a strength-based
yet profound idea that psychologists Psychology, we are conducting stress into perspective and is a form of approach is about bolstering the
should try to help people build positive research with students, teachers, relationship glue. So it’s no wonder that, positive qualities, positive states and
states and psychological strengths as education systems, parents, employees at the end of the month-long study, positive processes that support your
well as fixing their negative states and and workplaces to understand what the leaders reported that it was easier wellbeing and optimal functioning.
psychological limitations. The field helps people thrive. Our research has to see the bigger picture at work and In other words, it’s about cultivating
of positive psychology was born – shown that a strength-based approach that they better appreciated the value the right psychological soil from which
and my mental health got the change promotes wellbeing in young people of work relationships. Leaders also your strengths can grow – be that in
in direction it needed. and adults alike. said that integrating gratitude into your physical or virtual life.
Positive psychology provides new For example, school students who their work roles had brought them One of the first things people ask
answers to the age-old question of are taught positive psychology skills hope, happiness and optimism. me when contemplating the infinite
how we cultivate health and wellbeing. report increases in hope, resilience and Beyond the physical settings of number of ways to bolster their
At the same time, it gives scientific serenity as well as reductions in stress, school, home and work, positive strengths is: what should I focus on?
support to the everyday wisdom many anxiety and depression. In positive psychology plays a role in our virtual They want to know what they should
of us have gained through first-hand psychology classes, students learn a spaces. A big-data study comprising be putting into their soil.
experience – that happiness, virtue and range of exercises they can use to a research team from University In some ways, the answer is
“The path to happiness is best “There’s now a veritable swathe of
meaning help transform our lives. increase their positive emotions and of Pennsylvania, Northwestern unique to you, but a meta-review
The field had its sceptics, who feared achieved when we learn how thoughts. They learn how to notice University and the Centre for Positive research on how moods and emotions I conducted with one of my PhD
positive psychology was sugar-coating to maximise our strengths.” and savour the good moments, they Psychology found an association spread through online social networks.” students including more than 18,000
our troubles. But the supporters are learn about the importance of realistic between the language we use on social publications from over 700 psychology
growing en masse as study after study reveals how positive self-talk and they learn how to cultivate supportive relationships. In media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, with atherosclerotic journals shows that there are six areas that deserve the most emphasis
psychology builds emotional wellbeing, physical health, successful one fascinating study, researchers at the Centre found that positive heart disease mortality. when building positive psycho-social functioning: (1) awareness,
relationships, work satisfaction and longevity. psychology lessons literally get “under the skin” of a student in the You guessed it … use of negative words (such as hate, sick of, (2) emotion management, (3) coping, (4) goal setting, (5) virtues
Since positive psychology emerged, the number of published best kind of way by reducing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). bored, grrr) were associated with increased rates of heart attack, (for example, showing kindness, compassion, fairness) and
scientific articles has grown by a whopping 290 per cent and has The benefits of positive psychology for young people go beyond while use of positive words (such as strength, opportunities, hope, (6) positive relationships.
captured the hearts and minds of top researchers across the globe. the school grounds and can make a big difference in their family fantastic) were associated with lower rates. What’s more, language use It’s easy to feel negative in a 24/7 news culture that’s dominated
The field has offered new ways to unlock our wellbeing and potential lives. My own research shows that teenagers are better equipped to was a better indicator of atherosclerotic heart disease mortality than by stories about violence, war and corruption. Sometimes it’s hard
by showing us how to utilise the strengths and positive qualities that weather the challenges of adolescence if they have parents who adopt 10 other common predictors used by researchers, including gender, to remember that we are part of humankind. Positive psychology is a
already exist within us. a strength-based approach. When a parent sees and cultivates their socioeconomic status and health behaviours. This was a big-data field that brings our strengths to the fore and helps us all steer north
So let me ask you a question. How much of your attention is son or daughter’s strengths – for example humour, relationship skills, study and was done at the population level of analysis, but it makes of zero. It can set off a positive ripple across society, allowing us to
focused on fixing your flaws at the expense of building up your intellect or sporting ability – this helps build their teen’s confidence you think about how you express yourself on your own social media collectively access our deep wells of strength and use our best
strengths? If you’re like most people you’ll take your strengths for and life satisfaction. I’ve found similar results with younger children accounts, doesn’t it? resources to positively shape future generations.
granted (a phenomenon that psychologists call “strengths blindness”) who are more likely to use their strengths to cope with stress if they I recently gave a TEDx talk (bit.ly/1S9Acif) where I spoke about Twitter: @ProfLeaWaters
ILLUSTRATIONS: JUDY GREENYou can also read
