NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Centre for Integrated Human Studies was officially established in February this year. We aim to offer undergraduate courses in Integrated Human Studies as soon as possible – we believe that the decision makers of the future need a broad tertiary education to grasp the complexities of the problems facing human beings in the 21st century and formulate socially equitable, environmentally sustainable solutions. An interdisciplinary approach is essential.
Our first semester seminar series is an example of this approach: for each topic we have tried to include an academic or theoretical overview, and both policy and experiential perspectives, with speakers from different disciplines. The “Seeking Wisdom” series was a great success, with between 50 and 100 people at each seminar hearing stimulating presentations and participating in thoughtful discussion. We thank all of our speakers and attendees for their contributions.
We welcome Dr Carmen Lawrence to our Policy and Management Committee. Carmen spoke atm our “Eternal/infernal economic growth” seminar in May and now joins me and Professors Dennis Haskell, Colin MacLeod, Graeme Martin, and Don Markwell in guiding the development of the Centre.
Our next seminar series is being planned now and will be equally thought-provoking; we have some excellent speakers lined up. I suggest you put the dates in your diary now! The first is on 6 August and there are five more at fortnightly intervals. Everyone is welcome – we are pleased that we are getting a good mix of students, staff, and members of the public attending and creating a great atmosphere of learning, discussion and concern for the future. Your comments are also welcome: feel free to contact us (email Karen on kconnnolly@anhb.uwa.edu.au) with your thoughts or suggestions about the seminars or the Centre.
Associate Professor Neville Bruce
Director, Centre for Integrated Human Studies
ANNOUNCING OUR NEXT SERIES – HUMAN WELLBEING
Our second semester seminar series is on Human Wellbeing and promises to stimulate lively discussion. All seminars will be held at 5.30 pm in Seminar room 1.81 in the School of Anatomy and Human Biology at the University of Western Australia (two buildings south of Shenton House on the Matilda Bay side of the campus – further directions below). The first one will be an overview of the topic:
Seminar 1, 6 August 08 : Human wellbeing
What constitutes human wellbeing? How do we measure it? The first world has conquered major diseases, hunger and many threats, but for the first time, human lifespan in affluent countries is becoming shorter and stress levels and working hours appear to be increasing. For individuals, what does it mean to be healthy in mind, body and spirit?
Speakers include Professors Colin MacLeod (on mind) and Dennis Haskell (on spirit and the importance of cultural expression).
The full program of the Human Wellbeing series will be available soon on our website at www.ihs.uwa.edu.au/seminars/integrated_human_studies.
COMING TO OUR SEMINARS
The School of Anatomy and Human Biology is two doors south of Shenton House on the eastern (Matilda Bay) side of the UWA campus. There is a map on our website. Bus routes Nos 23, 98, 102 and 107 pass UWA on Stirling Highway; after alighting you will enjoy a five-minute stroll through the campus. Go past the Guild Village and turn left immediately after the Psychology building. You’ll be facing the School of Anatomy and Human Biology and will see the lift to the left of the glass doors. The seminar room is on the first floor opposite the lift door.
If you are driving, we are closest to Hackett Entry No 2 to Carpark No 4. Free parking is
available after 5 pm in ticket parking areas in UWA, and after 6pm in Council ticket parking areas. When you arrive at the School, go to the rear and use the lift to come to the first floor.
NOTES FROM THE LAST SEMINAR, GREENING AUSTRALIA
Dr Harry Cohen began his talk with the observation that he feared, and believed many in the audience also feared, that babies born now will not be as well off as we have been. For twenty years he has been a member of Sustainable Population Australia
(http://www.population.org.au), an organisation that promotes the limiting of Australia’s population both through reduction of immigration and the reduction of the numbers of children that Australian residents have. He emphasised that the organisation’s eminent patrons woul not countenance a racist immigration policy.
Harry described some of the ecological issues facing Western Australia: problems with changing rainfall patterns, declining fish stocks, and salinisation of arable land (30% of the wheatbelt is now saline). Dr Mary White, a palaeobotanist and patron of SPA, predicts that in 25 years we may not be able to grow enough grain to feed ourselves, let alone export it.
Media references
Karen Connolly
Integrated Human Studies
School of Anatomy and Human Biology
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway Crawley WA 6009
+61 08 6488 3647 email: kconnolly@anhb.uwa.edu.au
In the office on Mondays and Thursdays - for urgent enquiries please phone Neville Bruce on +61 08 6488 3292
