News Archive

NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR
As we load our postgraduate courses to our online learning Virtual Learning Environment, we are constantly coming across new and up-to-date resources. It is difficult to choose a short list for our recommended reading lists – but the beauty of our social constructivist eLearning model is that we expect our students to read outside the lists and to critically evaluate new information themselves, and thus to contribute to course content.

It’s heartening, too, to discover that some government agencies are aware of the complexity of problems facing humans this century.  See “ Tackling Wicked Problems: A Public Policy Perspective ” (Commonwealth of Australia, 2007) for an intelligent analysis of policy formulation issues and identification of the kinds of skills public service employees and consultants will need in order to develop into effective researchers and project managers.

Not surprisingly, these skills  - broadly, “big picture thinking [that] helps policy makers to make the connection between the multiple causes and interdependencies of wicked problems that are necessary in order to avoid a narrow approach…” (p. 33) – are the very ones we promote in our courses with broad content, transdisciplinary methodologies and pedagogies that develop communication skills.

If you (or any friends or relatives) are interested in enrolling, you can find out more about the courses available, and the delivery options (on campus blended, and online) at our information session (see below). You can also go to our Centre website https://www.ihs.uwa.edu.au for information on course details and enrolment procedures, and to our Education for World Futures website https://learning.ewfi.org for information on content, concepts and goals of the courses.

Professor Neville Bruce
Director, Centre for Integrated Human Studies

POSTGRADUATE COURSES INFORMATION SESSION NOVEMBER 24
The Centre is holding an information session jointly with Professor Nancy Longnecker for students interested in postgraduate courses either in Integrated Human Studies or Science Communication.

Integrated Human Studies certificate, diploma and master courses give global context to your degree. The courses focus on 21st century global challenges and use transdisciplinary methodologies, collaborative research and Web 2.0 technologies to give students broad understandings, communication skills and cultural competencies identified as essential by employers. Graduates from any faculty are eligible to enroll in Integrated Human Studies courses.

Science Communication studies at UWA offer you the chance to share your passion for science with people from all walks of life. The Science Communication program is both flexible and practical. Links with organisations in the Western Australian science community and expert practitioners will allow you to involve yourself in real world projects and directly put your skills into practice. The science community has become increasingly aware of the need to connect with people and career prospects are excellent. On offer are Honours, Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma (Science Communication), Master of Science Communication, Master of Science Communication and Education and PhD. These courses of study provide opportunities to develop important skills in science communication, IT literacy, electronic publishing and related areas as well as communication research. Graduates of the MSc Comm/Ed are accredited to teach science in Western Australian high schools.

Connect your career to the world, enhance your degree and improve employment prospects.
Where: Molecular and Chemical Sciences Lecture Theatre (G33), MCS Building, UWA campus.
When: 7 – 9 pm, Tuesday November 24
For more information: Karen Connolly 6488 2324; Nancy Longnecker 6488 3926.

INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES PUBLIC LECTURES
The lecture by Professor Richard Hobbs on October 21, Defying Hanrahan , was an excellent example of skilled – and entertaining – communication by an expert in his field.  As previously mentioned in our newsletter (Vol 2 No 8), the IAS has a great program of free public lectures. See their website https://www.ias.uwa.edu.au/ for more information.

HIAM-HEALTH NEWS
The Malnutrition Rehabilitation and Education Centre was opened in Timor-Leste last week with TL First Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao in attendance.  The Centre will be fully operational soon but is still seeking self-funded volunteers both in the garden and the office.  Someone with permaculture skills is needed to continue the work of a previous volunteer; and Centre administrative staff need training in bookkeeping and other office skills.  The Centre can house volunteers.  These are perhaps ideal opportunities for retired people to pass on their skills where they are desperately needed.  See the HIAM-Health website www.hiamhealth.org for contact details, or phone Robyn on 0448 876 749.

ABOUT THE CENTRE FOR INTEGRATED HUMAN STUDIES You can find out more about the Centre and about IHS at our website . If you are interested in enrolling in postgraduate courses in IHS, please contact the Director, Prof Neville Bruce on 6488 3292 or email