Research in the news

PhD candidate Cathy Xu from the School of Humanities & Languages explains how social media, particularly TikTok, is accelerating the evolution of language. She says this influence is "bringing in new varieties of English" rather than fundamentally altering language itself. [Timestamp 46:22]

Associate Professor Andrew Beattie from the School of Humanities & Languages discusses Germany’s political landscape following the historic success of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He examines the factors behind the party’s rise and what voting patterns reveal about its support, particularly among younger voters.

Honorary Associate Professor Marion Burgess from the School of Built Environment weighs in on concerns about noise from data centres. She notes that while they can generate significant noise, they are "unlikely to cause health effects", and compares Australian guidelines with international standards. [Timestamp 1:08:51]

Associate Professor Chris Martin from the City Futures Institute discusses Spain's deepening housing crisis, attributing it to increased acquisitions of rental housing by large corporate investors. He also outlines measures to support a "more structurally secure" and equitable housing system in Australia.

Professor Chris Pettit from the City Futures Research Centre weighs in on the unprecedented construction boom along the NSW coast, noting that migration from Sydney has fuelled housing demand, while lower property prices have "made larger construction projects viable."

Dr Robin Nagy from the School of Education discusses the value of evidence-based teaching while emphasising that educators must account for the unique contexts and nuances of their classrooms. He notes “research should inform their professional judgement, not replace it.” [Timestamp 1:34:09]

As Year 12 students approach the end of their schooling, Professor Jae Jung from the School of Humanities & Languages encourages them to consider their next steps without undue pressure. He notes that "there is no such thing as a perfect decision" and highlights "the new normal" of multiple career pivots. [Timestamp 1:59:30]

Associate Professor Chris Martin from the City Futures Institute describes the elevated rate of eviction applications in community housing as "a cause for concern" and calls for greater transparency around eviction data across the rental market. 

Professor Heidi Norman from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture shares her research into Aboriginal history and the ways it has been documented and communicated. She highlights the "incredible body of work" across contemporary film, literature and art, while noting a persistent gap in education and public understanding. [Timestamp 1:14:40]

PhD candidate Sala Walter from the School of Social Sciences reflects on the impact of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Western Sydney. Amid AI and global uncertainty, Sala emphasises the enduring value of books, writing and critical thinking for future generations: “In memory of Dolly, I think we just need to keep reading.”

Professor Erin Brannigan from the School of the Arts & Media explores why Australian men are perceived as less likely to dance. She explains that cultural ideas about masculinity can mean boys are often “not given a pathway” to continue, noting “there’s just not the cultural space for boys to keep learning dancing.”

Professor Heidi Norman from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture and Dr Anne Maree Payne from the School of Humanities & Languages discuss their research into public understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, highlighting the need for accessible and reliable educational resources.

PhD candidate Cathy Xu from the School of Humanities & Languages explains how social media is shaping the way we speak. She points out that “young people generally lead language change” and that this process is “happening a lot faster than usual” due to algorithm-driven viral videos, particularly on TikTok. [Timestamp 3:38:26]

As concerns grow around rising rates of peer-on-peer violence, Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences discusses the extent of schools' responsibilities in responding to misconduct and sexual assault. He points out that being “empowered to act” can be challenging when incidents occur off campus.

As Nepal continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent catastrophic flooding, Professor Krishna Shrestha from the School of Social Sciences reflects on public confidence in the national government, noting that “people are not really questioning whether this money will be spent and how it will be spent.”

Following his resignation from the Department of Education’s expert advisory group on consent and respectful relationships education, Professor Michael Salter from the School of Social Sciences says that a best-practice framework “may not be politically viable” given the current political climate.

Associate Professor Andrew Beattie from the School of Humanities & Languages explores the prospect of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) forming government for the first time. He highlights the party's growing political influence while while noting that the outcome does not necessarily reflect the views of the wider German electorate.

Dr Astrid Lorange from the School of Art & Design unpacks the pervasive phenomenon of tradwife culture, explaining how it draws on idealised versions of different historical periods to construct “a fantasy of what family, wealth, racial purity, authority and gender tradition look and feel like”, detached from the social realities of the time.