A timely book has been published to support researchers, academic to deliver talk on the significance of rock shelters to Indigenous Australians, while work begins on a new TV series set to share how Indigenous knowledge has contributed to modern science.
Indigenous knowledge to be showcased in new series
Dr Chris Wilson will be collaborating with film production company Butter Media and NITV for an upcoming series ‘The First Inventors: How Science Rewrote History’. Dr Wilson will be co-creator of the series, as both an advisor and presenter. Featuring an Indigenous cast of trailblazing scientists, this new series seeks to showcase how Indigenous knowledge has contributed to modern science.
Talk on significance of rock shelters to Indigenous Australians
The April Royal Society of South Australia (RSSA) lecture will be given by Associate Professor Amy Roberts on ‘An Exploration of the Aboriginal Significance of Rockshelters and Caves in the South Australian Riverland Region.’
Her talk will take place at 6.30 pm, this Thursday 9 April.
The RSSA hold monthly meetings, currently online via Zoom. These are open to the public. All current members will receive an email invitation with a link to the meeting, staff who are not members but would like to view the seminar can email Dr Alice Clement.
Timely book for researchers
A new book by Flinders University researcher Hugh Kearns is offering smart tips on how to stay well and overcome obstacles while completing difficult research tasks.
The timely book for researchers – whose lives have been disrupted in many ways through the current pandemic – is titled 52 Ways To Stay Well During Your Post-Doc, PhD or Research Career (Thinkwell Publications). It introduces an expansive set of tips and recommendations based on Mr Kearns’ 30 years of research work and lecturing in cognitive behavioural coaching and high performance in the fields of medicine and public health.
The book was planned for launch at a major international conference this month before becoming a casualty of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, but is already enjoying a strong commercial reception through online sales at ithinkwell.com.au – and one university in Ireland, where Mr Kearns has done previous work, has bought a licence to distribute the book to all its researchers and research students.
Mr Kearns is also in demand hosting webinars on the topic of staying well while social distancing and researching.
“The book is particularly relevant in the current times,” says Mr Kearns. “Research has always been an isolating experience and unfortunately mental health issues are very common amongst PhD candidates. Social distancing makes this isolation more acute. This and the general anxiety in the world right now are not good for your mental health. PhD candidates need to put strategies in place to help them stay well in these difficult times.”
The publication includes a mix of psychology, motivational aids, health tips, workplace strategies and practical advice, recognising that the demands of high-level research are significantly greater than many students anticipate.