Southern Cross University is a contemporary and connected regional research university, with remarkable campus locations - Coffs Harbour and Lismore in New South Wales and the uniquely situated Gold Coast Airport campus in southern Queensland. Our regional environs provide living laboratories for learning and research and creative hubs for artistic endeavour. Southern Cross University has a growing research profile, with 24 research areas identified ‘at or above world standard’ in the most recent Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) national evaluation. Our research strengths include disciplines as diverse as plant genetics, zoology, geoscience, oceanography, engineering, nursing, and complementary and alternative medicine.
Prized species such as sea cucumbers are increasingly being poached from Australian waters. But if foreign aid can give fishing crews alternative livelihoods, the problem could ease.
Poker machines are wildly unpopular in the electorate – so why fight an election on them?
AAP/Paul Jeffers
The gambling lobby's failure to seriously influence the 2016 ACT election should embolden governments around Australia that have a mind to deal with gambling reform.
We propose a different way to look at the factors behind chronic disease, like obesity and diabetes.
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The Australian government will now accept licence applications for groups wanting to grow cannabis for scientific and medical purposes. But there's still a lot we don't know about this complex plant.
Domestic violence impacts should be considered when regulators make decisions about granting licenses for poker machines.
AAP/Tracey Nearmy
It's time for a fresh look at community and policy development in rural and regional NSW – one that recognises that doing things differently will deliver benefits to urban populations as well.
Since the 1960s, environmentalism in Australia has largely focused on defending “wilderness”.
yophotography/flickr
Since the 1960s, environmentalism in Australia has largely focused on defending "wilderness". However, protected areas in themselves are not stemming the destruction of biodiversity.
An emerging model for enabling people with disability to live to full capacity is through the use of social impact bonds.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Healthy, engaged people and communities will be crucial for a prosperous future for New South Wales. Here are four areas of policy focus that will help achieve that.
In a study, children with disability reported being insulted and physically abused while at school.
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Students with disability are experiencing a range of harms in schools, and teachers are struggling to support students with increasingly complex needs.
Melbournians rallied outside the Victorian State Library to show support for the Safe Schools program.
AAP/Mal Fairclough
As we take necessary steps towards shedding discrimination in relation to marriage in Australia, we must also consider removing it from our legislation.
The Northern Corroboree frog is among seven species at grave risk from fungal disease.
Michael McFadden
Chytrid fungus has already wiped out six species of Australian frogs since the disease arrived in the 1970s. Without urgent action, seven more are facing extinction.
Australian basketballer Alice Kunek (left) attracted the ire of a team-mate for this Instagram post where she had painted her face brown.
Instagram
Between 50-75% of all collaborations fail. Here are some tips on how to set up a successful collaboration between academia and industry.
According to new research, the more money people lose gambling, the greater their risk of developing gambling problems – even at relatively low levels of losses.
AAP/Julian Smith
Harm minimisation policies should seek to reduce the poker machine gambling of everyone, not just problem gamblers.
The bouquet held by Bolshy Divas member Jackie Softly represents the people with disability whose accounts of violence and abuse the Senate inquiry heard in Perth, but these are just the tip of the iceberg.
AAP/Sarah Motherwell
Accountability for the violence and abuse that people with disability experience begins with recording the offences. In fact, we have long ignored crimes against vulnerable members of our community.
Broadcaster Andrew Denton, speaking on Q&A, said the 550 babies claim was incorrect.
Q&A
Broadcaster Andrew Denton, an advocate for assisted dying law, told the Q&A audience it was not correct to say 550 newborn babies were killed last year under Dutch euthanasia laws. Is that right?
A recent exchange highlights the complicated nature of ownership when it comes to the Harry Potter universe.
Luke MacGregor/ Reuters
JK Rowling has come under fire for signing an open letter opposing a cultural boycott of Israel. The form of the complaints, and Rowling's response, tell us much about the author-fan relationship.
Associate Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, and Fellow of the Marine Ecology Research Centre, Southern Cross University