Ethics excellence

Congratulations to Professor Wendy Rogers (main picture, centre) who was recognised at the NHMRC Research Excellence Awards in Canberra on 13 March. Professor Rogers – who teaches clinical ethics in the Department of Philosophy and Department of Clinical Medicine, and is Deputy Director of the Macquarie University Research Centre for Agency, Values and Ethics – received NHMRC’s Ethics Award for her contributions to high ethical standards in health and medical research.

“It is a great honour to receive this award recognising my long-term contributions to policy and ethical guidance in Australia, on key topics including the ethics of organ donation and human research ethics,” says Professor Rogers.

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United for gender equity

Staff from all parts of the organisation came together at the beginning of the month for a highly stimulating calendar of Gender Equity Week events.

There were full houses for many of the events, with highlights including Catherine Fox’s thought-provoking lecture ‘Stop Changing Women’ and the inspiring ‘MQ Women Shaping the Future’ academic showcase.

Journalist Catherine Fox (left) discusses ‘fixing the system’ with Director of Human Resources Nicole Gower at the Gender Equity Week Lecture.

Panellists at the Women Who Change the World event – coinciding with International Women’s Day – reflected on the power of women to make a macro-level impact.

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Hearing Strategy launched

Professor Catherine McMahon and Professor David McAlpine (pictured) were joined by the Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton at the official launch of the Macquarie University Hearing Strategy 2030, which outlines the University’s plan to transform the lives of people affected by hearing loss.

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Macquarie in harmony

The weather didn’t stop the Macquarie community celebrating Harmony Day last Thursday 21 March. The campus-wide event saw staff engaging in discussions and drawing connections between diverse peoples, cultures, knowledge and healthy environments. Highlights included a ‘Big Draw’, with staff and students expressing themselves in chalk and reflecting on how we can live in harmony with each other and nature.

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Pasifika pals

The Widening Participation Unit hosted its first LEAP Pasifika meet and greet event earlier this month, with 20 current Macquarie students from South Pacific countries joining professional and academic staff, including Pro Vice-Chancellor Pathways and Programs Professor Sean Brawley. Read more >>

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Robots in deep space 

The Macquarie University-hosted FIRST^® Robotics Competition celebrated five years in Australia with students from 10 countries competing at the 2019 Southern Cross and South Pacific FIRST^® Robotics Competition at Sydney Olympic Park earlier this month.

The competition aims to ignite Australian children’s interest in STEM, with this year’s competition participants were tasked with building robots to survive and form alliances on a remote planet.

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Marketing mingle 

The Department of Marketing welcomed students, alumni and industry representatives to a Marketing and Media Meet and Greet event on 7 March.  Attendees heard from industry panellists and Macquarie alumni, who discussed industry challenges and career path expectations for marketing and media students.

“It was great to hear the panellists’ insights and learn from the recent graduates,” said a student attendee.