July 15, 2025
UOW expert commentary (15 July)
UOW academics provide expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing and breaking news stories
Housing crisis
Senior Professor David Johnstone can discuss revelations that the Albanese government will not meet its target of building 1.2 million new homes by 2030. is an economist in the School of Business. He has undertaken major consulting activities for various regulatory agencies in Australia and was recently appointed to the Australian Energy Regulator’s Panel of Experts in their review of electricity pricing in Australia.
World Youth Skills Day - Tuesday 15 July
Dr Oliver Guidetti can discuss this year’s World Youth Skills Day (Tuesday 15 July). The theme for 2025 is youth empowerment through artificial intelligence and digital skills. Dr Guidetti’s research spans psychology, cybersecurity, and human-computer interaction. is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology.
Aftermath of the floods in Texas
Dr Aziz Ahmed can discuss the devastating impacts of the floods in Texas on the local community and infrastructure. is a structural engineering expert who can talk about the impact of severe weather events on structures. He is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.
France agrees to New Caledonian state
Associate Professor Charles Hawksley can discuss France’s agreement to create a state for New Caledonia, granting New Caledonia more autonomy without independence. is an expert on the politics and development of the Pacific Islands. He has been involved in multiple projects conducting research in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fjii, Samoa and Tonga. Associate Professor Hawksley is a senior lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.
US politics and President Donald Trump
Professor Markus Wagner can talk about US President Donald Trump, US politics, constitutional law and trade tariffs. is an internationally recognised expert in international economic law and governance, international peace and security, as well as US and Australian constitutional law. He is the Director of the Transnational Law and Policy Centre at UOW.
Plastic Free July
Dr Babet de Groot can talk about Plastic Free July. specialises in the politics and governance of the global plastics crisis. In August she will travel to Geneva for the final negotiations to develop a global plastics treaty. Dr de Groot is also researching youth engagement in the plastics treaty negotiations. She is a lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry.
Giant volcanic eruptions
Associate Professor Nicolas Flament can talk about what fuels giant volcanic eruptions. In an article for , he writes:
Volcanic eruptions at Earth’s surface have significant consequences. Smaller ones can scare tourists on Mount Etna or disrupt air traffic.
Giant, large-scale eruptions can have more serious impacts. One such event contributed to the demise of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Giant volcanoes also triggered events that led to the largest mass dying on Earth, the Permian–Triassic extinction 252 million years ago).
In a new study published in Communications Earth and Environment, we show that columns of hot rock, which rise some 3,000 kilometres through Earth’s mantle and cause giant eruptions, are connected to continent-sized source regions we call BLOBS.
works in the School of Science and specialises in geodynamics, volcanology and structural geology and tectonics.
UOW academics exercise academic freedom by providing expert commentary, opinion and analysis on a range of ongoing social issues and current affairs. This expert commentary reflects the views of those individual academics and does not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp.