Flinders success stories this week include the publication of a new book on US Presidential policies by Dr Luis Da Vinha, an award for an NT medical student, and a bright blue light being shone on ME/CFS research.

US lecture focuses on Presidential policies

Lecturer in international relations Dr Luis Da Vinha, from the College of Business, Government and Law, delivered a lecture last week at the Barnes County Historical Society (North Dakota, USA), speaking with Anthony Dutton, Professor and Chair of the Social Science Department at VCSU (ND, USA) about their latest book Three Approaches to Presidential Foreign Policy-Making in the Twenty-First Century; The Executive, the Magistrate, and the Maverick.

The book focuses on Presidential policy-making during foreign policy crises, highlighting how different advisory systems influence the decision-making process. The text analyses the management models employed by presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump throughout their presidencies by employing a structured-focus comparison method, framed around analysis of case studies involving their Middle East policies.

Dr Da Vinha and Professor Dutton have now started working on their second joint-book project, focusing on US National Security Strategies.

Excellence for NT med student

Arijeet Pal, a fourth year student in Flinders’ Northern Territory Medical Program, was presented with a Respiratory Research Excellence Award at last month’s annual general meeting of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Currently working as a general surgery intern at Royal Darwin Hospital, Arijeet received the TSANZ Oral Session: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease SIG Award, awarded for his presentation “Indigenous patient perspectives of COPD in the Northern Territory”.

Shining a light on ME/CFS research

Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero De Plaza from Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute is part of an interesting study at SAHMRI investigating how healthy productive lives are being upended by Long COVID, and that a high percentage of those with Long COVID are expected to develop the debilitating condition myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This research and innovation project will highlight the health and social inclusion needs of Frail, Homebound and Bedridden People (FHBP), and to help shine a light on the importance of this work, several iconic iconic buildings in Adelaide, including the SAHMRI building on North Tce, were illuminated in blue on the night of May 12, to be part of an international ME/CFS awareness campaign #LightUpTheNight.

Investigating post-lockdown schooling

Dr Grace Skrzypiec, Dr Mirella Wyra, Dr Jane Jarvis and Dr Julie McMillan have been awarded $110,000 from the Department of Education, Skills and Employments’ Emerging Priorities Program for their project “Promoting the social and psychological wellbeing of middle school and special needs students.” This study seeks to promote the social and psychological wellbeing of students returning to school following lockdown, using an evidenced-based intervention program.