Staff updates
News, events and updates from and for UQ staff. Submit your news item.Sarina, a friendly, clever and energetic large dog, has been looking for a permanent home for over 2 years – could you be her new family? If you’ve been thinking about adopting a new pet, help Sarina or one of the other 6 dogs and cats at UQ VETS find a loving home in time for the holidays. Submit an application to adopt Sarina or another pet via PetRescue.
Explore more news, events, calls for volunteers, staff deals, and other updates from around UQ...
Want to embed career development and employability opportunities in your course or program? Career Development offers a range of workshops and online modules that can be embedded into courses and programs. Join a virtual drop-in session on Thursday 15 December 2022 (10–11am) or Tuesday 10 January 2023 (1–2pm) to find out more. Semester 1 requests close Sunday 15 January 2023.
Congratulations to Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Bronwyn Fredericks, School of Business marketing expert Professor Janet McColl-Kennedy, and School of Law researcher Professor Brad Sherman, who were elected as Fellows of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA) in recognition of their contributions to Australian society.
UQ has been awarded funding to establish 3 new ARC Centres of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology, for Indigenous Futures, and for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide. UQ was the only university to receive funding for 3 centres in this round and is the only university to have ever been awarded 3 Centre of Excellence grants in 2 consecutive rounds.
In early November, UQ presented its first Sustainability Award to fourth-year student Jayana, recognising 100 hours of volunteered sustainability service both at the University and in the wider community. Launched at the end of 2021, the program is an accredited supplementary activity towards the UQ Employability Award.
A new user interface in UQSafe will be live for all users from Sunday 1 January 2023. You can currently test the new interface by toggling to the ‘New Experience’ option in the current interface. System functionalities remain the same, however the new interface provides an updated look and mobile- friendly screen re-sizing for incident and hazard reporting. Users are encouraged to send feedback on your experience to uqsafe@uq.edu.au.
Congratulations to UQ’s UniQuest for taking out the Research Commercialisation Award in the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards last week. UniQuest licensed intellectual property from EAIT to Pure Battery Technologies, which is working to provide clean energy solutions to the global market through more efficient and cost-effective battery technology. UQ was also a finalist in 3 categories – an outstanding result.
UQ consumer behaviour expert Dr Felix Septianto has received a 2022 Paul Bourke Award for Early Career Research from the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Dr Septianto is one of only 4 researchers in the country to receive this award. Congratulations to Dr Septianto on this impressive achievement.
The Office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and Marketing and Communication (M&C) have developed usage criteria for the UQ RAP Artwork, now available in the Reconciliation Artwork Guidelines. The guide helps with the respectful and appropriate application of A Guidance Through Time by Quandamooka artists Casey Coolwell and Kyra Mancktelow. All uses of the RAP artwork and its elements must be approved by the PVC(IE), via M&C, unless using an approved template or print asset from the UQ DAM. To obtain approval, please familiarise yourself with the usage criteria and submit a request here.
Throughout January and February 2023, student Outlook mailboxes will be migrated to the same Microsoft 365 environment as staff. This will give students a significant uplift in collaboration capabilities and facilitate teamwork and efficiency wherever they are. All staff are encouraged to consider the opportunities this new functionality offers for how you work with and communicate with students.
Economist, climate campaigner, athlete and UQ alum Josephine Auer has been named Queensland’s 2023 Rhodes Scholar, a prestigious award earning her the opportunity to undertake a Master of Philosophy (Economics) at the University of Oxford. Ms Auer completed a Bachelor of Advanced Finance and Economics (Hons) at UQ in 2019 with a perfect GPA of 7, as Valedictorian of the School of Economics, and UQ’s Graduate of the Year.
The new Moderna (Spikevax Bivalent) vaccine is now available at UQHC as an alternative vaccine for any booster dose in people aged 18 years and older. This booster is predicted to generate a higher level of antibody response against multiple SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants. ATAGI is not advising any extra booster doses beyond the current booster recommendations.
UQ encourages staff and students to opt for sustainable transport options. This includes active travel – walking, cycling or riding an electronic device – to get to your destination. We have a range of great facilities and infrastructure to support pedestrians and active travellers across our campuses.
It’s nesting season for many birds, and that means magpies (and some others, including plovers and crows) can be highly protective and territorial. With the beautiful natural environment we enjoy at UQ, there are some places where pedestrians and cyclists may encounter swooping birds at this time of year. Signage will be installed in known swooping spots, but please take extra care and be ‘bird aware’ at all UQ locations over the coming weeks.
Congratulations to Dr Gary Chan, who has been named the 2022 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year for his work to combat drug and alcohol use worldwide. Four other early-career UQ researchers were recognised at the awards: Dr Jingwei Hou, Dr Larisa Labzin, Dr Sonia Shah and Dr Benjamin Pope.
UQ has publicly announced our bold pledge to break down all personal, financial and geographical barriers facing Queensland students. By 2032, any Queensland student aspiring to study with us will be offered that opportunity. We will make this a reality through expanded pathway programs, extensive regional and rural outreach, a renewed focus on equity in scholarships and accommodation support, and by ensuring our institutional mindset is one of inclusion.
Going on a work trip? The UQ Staff Disability Travel Fund covers the additional costs associated with a disability when staff with disability are travelling for work.
Staff with a disability are also eligible for financial help to buy work-related modifications, equipment, Auslan services, workplace assistance, and support services through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).
Staff with a disability are also eligible for financial help to buy work-related modifications, equipment, Auslan services, workplace assistance, and support services through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF).
Want to find out about the latest research discoveries at UQ? Stay up to date by subscribing to the new Research newsletter. Each month, the most compelling findings will be delivered straight to your inbox, so you can see exactly what our experts are up before they appear on TV or in the newspaper.