Ideas, Progress & the Future
Emerging leaders: Spotlight on early career researchers at UC Research Festival 2024
At the University of Canberra, early career researchers are emerging leaders in diverse fields – striving for impact in the capital region and beyond. As UC celebrates the Research Festival 2024 from 31 October to 28 November, meet some of the researchers who are destined for big things.
Eight early career researchers will be featured in the exhibition. They’re also part of the 2024-25 cohort of UC’s ‘ReD IGNITE’ (Researcher Development: Instilling Growth and Nurturing Innovation through Training and Education) Program, a program which aims to equip a cohort of emerging researchers with exceptional research and engagement capacity.
Learn more about the projects they’re busy working on, and how their research is connected to Canberra.
Brain health predictors to prevent dementia: Dr Ananthan Ambikairajah, Faculty of Health
For neuroscientist and psychology lecturer , research provides purpose, excitement and a connection to researchers around the world.
“I love being a researcher because it allows me to work in an intellectually challenging environment, and provides enriched opportunities to be a lifelong learner,” says Ananthan, who is also a passionate science communicator and host of the podcast Midnight Conversations.
Based at UC’s Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT), Ananthan’s research interests include the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors which influence ageing, brain health and disease.
One of his current projects focuses on the potential for risk reduction in dementia, particularly considering factors that have been recently updated in the
Ananthan is working on developing a dementia prediction model that could be accessible through a GP visit, through checks like blood tests, blood pressure and weight measurements – known predictive factors for brain health.
“We would use the results to get a sense of how old your brain is compared with how old you are chronologically,” explains Ananthan. “This would be monitored regularly to see if brain age can be improved over time, and contribute to reducing the risk of dementia.”
Ananthan’s research aims to help people be proactive about their brain health.
“I hope to contribute in a way that helps move the field of ageing and dementia research forward,” says Ananthan.
Healing with creative writing: Dr Diana Clarke, Faculty of Arts and Design
Author and creative writing lecturer is interested in the intersection between creative writing and health.
“I’m particularly interested in how fiction – both writing it and reading it – can improve mental and physical wellbeing by encouraging emotional disclosure and cognitive processing,” she says.
Diana has a wealth of experience in running programs that harness the mental health benefits of the arts. She’s part of a team of UC researchers facilitating the Australian Defence Force Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ADF ARRTS) program, which is held twice per year. This four-week program has been set up to help service personnel and veterans build confidence and resilience through three creative streams: visual arts, music and rhythm, and creative writing.
Diana is currently working to establish a writing residency for UC students centered around the mental health and healing needs of students. The program aims to help students develop their creative writing skills – while also serving as a therapeutic space.
“As a lecturer, I often see students struggling with various issues relating to their mental health,” says Diana. “This residency will expand research on the benefits of creative writing for our wellbeing.
“It will also offer a replicable model for any researchers or educators interested in using creative writing to aid in emotional health and trauma recovery, particularly among young adults.”
The future of architectural heritage: Dr Sally Farrah, Faculty of Arts and Design
Architecture lecturer is on a mission to demonstrate the importance of design to the places we live. Her research looks to both the past – including Australia’s post-World War II architectural and urban heritage – and the future of sustainable architecture.
“The construction industry is a significant contributor to emissions and embodied carbon – to address this, I hope to conduct research and prototyping into alternative materials,” explains Sally.
Earlier this year, Sally worked with faculty colleagues, heritage and design advocacy group Canberra Modern, and the Australian Institute of Architects ACT on the exhibition, which shone light on the demolished and lost architectural and urban histories within the ACT.
“This exhibition demonstrated the alarming rate of demolition of exemplary buildings from the 1950s and 1960s, aiming to raise awareness of this issue to the public,” says Sally. The project had a strong impact and was the recipient of the 2024 National Trust ACT’s award for Heritage Education and Promotion.
Sally’s research is highly collaborative. She’s currently working with academics from Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland on a book titled Canberra: A City by Design, which focuses on the National Capital Development Commission period (1957-1987) – which left a legacy of unique Brutalist architecture and urban design.
“My aim is to engage and educate the public in the wonderful histories of architecture in the twentieth century,” says Sally.
Boosting exercise confidence for people with neurological conditions: Dr Allyson Flynn, Faculty of Health
Physiotherapy lecturer ’s research passion is neurological rehabilitation.
“My research focuses on ways to provide sustainable physiotherapy and increase access to health care for people with neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and stroke,” says Allyson.
Allyson is part of a research team that works closely with the UC Student Led Physiotherapy Parkinson’s Clinic, which is attended by people from all over the capital region. The team has developed over 100 Parkinson’s disease-specific physiotherapy exercises – all freely available via the .
From 2017 to 2019, Allyson and researchers from UC and the University of Sydney led a pilot study to investigate home-based physiotherapy exercises for people with Parkinson’s disease. This research proved to be vital when COVID-19 lockdowns impacted clients’ access to physiotherapy: the pilot program helped the clinic quickly transition to delivering telehealth physiotherapy.
Allyson’s current project aims to assist people with Parkinson’s disease to increase their exercise self-efficacy – this refers to a person’s belief they can complete exercise, and their confidence that they can overcome any barriers to exercise.
“Developing exercise self-management skills and exercise self-efficacy is key for people with Parkinson’s disease to engage in and continue with exercise,” she says.
Allyson and her colleagues are co-designing a website with people with lived experience of the condition – they’re aiming to trial the use of the website in the clinic next year.
“I’m driven to produce high-quality research that is meaningful to people with neurological conditions and makes a positive impact on their lives,” says Allyson.
Vision care to prevent future falls: Dr Kam Chun (Terry) Ho, Faculty of Health
Optometrist and clinical researcher is dedicated to improving the accessibility and delivery of vision care.
“My research focuses on integrating evidence-based vision care into healthcare pathways, with an emphasis on reducing falls among older adults,” he explains.
Terry leads the falls prevention arm of the ongoing Vision Assessment Referral, Investigation, and Support (VA-RIS) study at UC Hospital. This project aims to address undiagnosed vision impairments among older adults undergoing rehabilitation after experiencing falls or strokes.
“Our approach ensures that patients receive a comprehensive vision check early in their rehabilitation,” says Terry.
“By identifying vision issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, we aim to reduce the risk of future falls and support patients in regaining their independence.”
The ongoing project has seen promising collaboration between healthcare professionals, including rehabilitation physicians, geriatricians and optometrists. Terry is particularly excited about the impact of this work, including – and beyond – improving individual patient outcomes.
“It offers a blueprint for how vision care can become a standard part of falls prevention strategies within healthcare systems,” he says.
“As the study progresses, I am eager to see how our findings can inform broader practices, benefiting not only Canberra’s community but potentially influencing care models across Australia.”
Social justice in the workplace: Dr Robin Ladwig, Faculty of Business, Government and Law
“Everyone has the right to decent work and dignity in the workplace,” says , a lecturer in the Canberra Business School.
Robin’s lived experience of workplace discrimination inspired them to pursue a PhD focusing on the experiences and career development of transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
Their research has since expanded to advocating for fair treatment of marginalised groups at work. As a Lecturer in Human Resources Management, Robin integrates their research findings into teaching the next generation of HR professionals.
“My research aim is to support social justice by exploring diversity and inclusion strategies in relation to organisational structures and workplace culture,” says Robin.
This involves collaborating with various professional organisations in the ACT to support workplaces in the development of inclusive organisational policies and procedures.
They are currently delving into the tricky question of how managers and leaders can ethically incorporate generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) into decision-making processes regarding employees' performance.
“It's important to note that genAI is integrated into communication that demands high levels of emotional intelligence,” says Robin.
“This raises the question of how we can harness the benefits of genAI without compromising our human connections, and the responsibility we owe to our colleagues.”
Shaping inclusive education: Dr Karen Oakley, Faculty of Education
Clinical neuropsychologist and lecturer ’s research aims to create inclusive educational opportunities for children, adolescents and adults who have neurodevelopmental conditions, and those who identify as neurodivergent.
“I love being involved in research that is going to positively contribute to people’s lives, experiences and opportunities,” says Karen, who is also Supervisor of Cognitive Assessments with the UC Psychology Clinic.
Karen’s current project focuses on primary and secondary school students with conditions such as ADHD, autism and intellectual disability, and will help determine how educators and the school system can best meet their diverse needs.
“We often assume we know what people need, but we are not always good at involving them in shaping this,” explains Karen.
“We hope this project will help develop ways to support teachers, schools and our school system involve students with diverse needs. This will contribute to our schools in Canberra being more inclusive and allowing all students to access quality education that supports them to thrive.”
Upholding the rights of welfare service users: Dr Amelia Wheeler, Faculty of Health
While working as a social worker with children and families, realised that children’s voices are often marginalised in situations such as mediation for separation or divorce. This led her to develop a research project exploring the inclusion of children’s perspectives in family law.
Amelia has gone on to empower the voices of diverse groups through her research. “My research interests include family violence, the inclusion of children and young people in social services, anti-racist practice and the use of ethics in everyday professional life,” she says.
She is currently working with colleagues from the Australian Catholic University to critically analyse Positive Behaviour Support Plans for welfare service users. These Plans are made for service users exhibiting ‘challenging behaviours’ that may risk harm to the self or others.
“They are subject to restrictive practices, which can include physical or environmental restraints, seclusion, and psychotropic medication,” explains Amelia.
The project explores how the rights, wishes and preferences service users are represented in the Plans. “A core aim of this project is to uphold service user rights,” she says.
The research team are working with the ACT Office of the Senior Practitioner and Behaviour Support Practitioners across the Canberra region to translate their findings into practice.
“In a future stage of our research, we plan to engage with service users, to understand how they experience the process and outcomes of the Plans,” says Amelia.
“This research is about building an ACT community where meaningful supports for disabled and neurodivergent people that uphold dignity and autonomy are fundamental.”
On 27 November, Amelia will host the panel discussion at the Life of a CBRn exhibit. This free public event is ideal for social workers, allied health professionals and anyone wanting to find out more about the sector.
will be open to the public in the Canberra Centre throughout November 2024. From December, it will move to UC.
To find out more about the UC ReD IGNITE program, contact UCReD@canberra.edu.au.
Words by Larissa Fedunik, photos supplied.