Until recently, it seemed to be common knowledge that Aboriginal people did not live in the lava tubes (volcanic caves) that were created by the Undara volcano 190,000 years ago. JCU Adjunct Research Fellow Dr Alice Buhrich and Brian Bing, an Ewamian Elder, tell us what they found at Undara and at nearby Talaroo Hot Springs.
Human history, past and present, is a dynamic and diverse story. As cultures flourish and change they leave their mark in the earth and on history. Hear from JCU Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm and how his research highlights the importance of collaboration in the social sciences and the difference that trans-disciplinary work can have on our social, environmental, and cultural futures.
Cyclones are a constant threat in Northern Australia’s summer months. Dr Chrystopher Spicer writes about cyclones in literature in his book Cyclone Country, and he tells us why the red flag above the Cairns post office was so important during cyclone season.
Ten years ago, James Cook University initiated a data analysis project to answer the question: Is life in the Tropics getting better? Soon, the project was supported by university and research institution partners around the world. Though the initial aim was to create a one-time report about the condition of life in the Tropics, the State of the Tropics Report has become an annual event that brings advocacy for the region and provides a foundation for change.
Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Tynan tells us about the top-secret atomic tests in South Australia in the 1950s and 1960s, and why many Australians are still affected today by the fallout and dispossession.
Before border closures and local lockdowns became the new normal, tourism was a bright light in Australia’s economy. For JCU Alumni Dr Haipeng Jin, understanding the consumer habits of the nation’s biggest inbound market was important for the future of the industry. Now, like most things in the pandemic-shaped landscape, Haipeng’s research focus has taken a turn.
As many people rush to their keyboards to voice concern, contention and consternation over a variety of issues, JCU Master of Philosophy student Carly Lubicz is asking how social media users and media outlets are engaging with divisive environmental issues in these online spaces.
Bronwyn McBurnie, the Manager of JCU Library Special Collections, has the important task of preserving the past for future generations while also making archival items available to researchers today. Hear how Bronwyn’s work highlights the important task of preserving these special treasures from the past.