La Trobe University has academic experts available to talk to the media on a range of topics during the Christmas/summer period.
Media: please contact experts directly during this period. Some may not be available on all days. Availability is noted under their contact information.
SUMMER NEWS TOPICS
HOW VICTORIANS WILL SPEND THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS
Senior Lecturer Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, La Trobe Business School
Contact E: P.Strickland@latrobe.edu.au M: 0408 834 727
Topics include:
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How cost-of-living pressures are changing Victorians' summer holidays, with the majority likely to take only short stays and breaks (i.e. more than 2 nights, less than 5 nights) and stay within 3 hours' drive of Melbourne
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On average, it costs $120 to $160 per person per day for accommodation, petrol, and food and beverages; for an average family four, that's almost $650 per day
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Why pet friendly Airbnb's, caravan parks and campsites in regional Victoria are in high demand this summer, along with free activities such as national parks and beaches
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The huge growth in agri-businesses becoming family friendly, such as wineries and distilleries
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
Adjunct lecturer, School of Public Health and Psychology, La Trobe University Melbourne
Areas of expertise: laughter, positivity, humour, resilience
Contact E: r.ben-moshe@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0413 592 030
Topics include:
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Starting 2024 with a positive mindset, and how to achieve it
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How effective are new year resolutions? Do we need them, and how many people actually stick to them?
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What are the most common new year resolutions? And have they changed post-pandemic?
OLDER PEOPLE, ELDER ABUSE AND LONELINESS AT CHRISTMAS
Director, Care Economy Research Institute (CERI)
John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research (Albury-Wodonga-based)
Contact E: i.blackberry@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0410 626 880
Topics include:
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Christmas is a time to care about older people who are often alone and struggling financially
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Navigating Christmas and caring for ageing relatives
Associate Professor La Trobe Law School, Acting Director, Care Economy Research Institute (CERI)
Law in Context Research Cluster Lead
Contact E: c.maylea@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0439 463 255
Topics include:
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Looking for signs of elder abuse at Christmas
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Where to find help for victims of elder abuse
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Case studies available
THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL, DRUGS OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
Director of the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research
Contact E: E.Kuntsche@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0477 190 655
Topics include:
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Why is alcohol such a traditional part of Christmas and new year festivities?
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Why is it so hard to change drinking habits even if we experience the negative consequences of it
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Why is it so hard to stick to a new year’s resolutions to drink less?
NHMRC Emerging Leader, Centre for Alcohol Policy Research
Contact E: A.laslett@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0408 338 093
Limited availability over Christmas and New Year. Text request in the first instance
Topics include:
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Increased alcohol and drug use over the Christmas and NY period
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The impact of increased alcohol and drug use on the care economy, including hospitals and emergency services
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THIS SUMMER OF CRICKET
Dr Kane Middleton https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/kmiddleton
Senior Lecturer – Exercise Science
Contact E: K.Middleton@latrobe.edu.au M: 0422 280 631
Dr Corey Perrett https://scholars.latrobe.edu.au/cperrett
Research Fellow – Sport and Exercise Science
Contact: E: C.Perrett@latrobe.edu.au M: 0422 293 787
Topics include:
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The biomechanics of power hitting
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The biomechanics of fast bowling, including how players return from stress fractures
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The aerodynamics of bowling (e.g. swing)
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Illegal bowling actions and how they are assessed
SAFETY AND MINORITY GROUPS OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON
Researcher, Judith Lumley Centre
Contact E: J.Ison@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0481 880 596
Available most days, although limited availability over the new year’s eve period
Topics include:
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For some, Christmas is far from the season of cheer, with family violence incidents increasing over the Festive Season
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The summer of ‘fun’ – drink spiking, sexual assault and harassment, impact on women and LGBTQIA+ communities
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How can you get home from the party safely? - public transport and sexual harassment
CARING FOR PETS OVER SUMMER
Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology and Public Health
Contact E: t.howell@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0450 298 745
Topics include:
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Got a pet for Christmas? How to care for them, and how to ensure they remain a life-long friend
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Why do we buy gifts for our beloved pets at Christmas?
EATING WELL, THE MEANING OF FOOD IN OUR LIVES, AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WHAT WE EAT
Director, La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Food (LISAF)
Professor of Plant Biology
Contact E: t.bacic@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0409 855 852
Topics include:
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Summer food production – how climate change is affecting what we eat
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Is climate change affecting the traditional Christmas lunch?
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How Australia is changing the way we grow and produce food in a changing climate
School of Psychology and Public Health
Contact E: m.ruby@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0490 854 736
Topics include:
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The meaning of food in people’s lives
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How does food embody cultural values?
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Australian attitudes toward veganism/vegetarianism
Lecturer Exercise Science (Bendigo based)
Contact E: stephen.cousins@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0450 318 190
Topics include:
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How we can keep active, healthy and eating well over the summer period, and why it's important
La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Food (LISAF)
Contact E: K.Johnson@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0418 858 465
Not available 21 December - 1 January
Topics include:
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What will we be eating in a changing climate?
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Sustainable food production in a changing climate
USING AI TO MAKE WATER SAFER THIS SUMMER
Cisco Research Chair of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) and Director of Cisco-La Trobe Centre for AI and IoT, AquaWatch Australia
Contact E: w.xiang@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0458 685 500
Availability: Generally available by email. Some restrictions to availability in January.
Topics include:
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A new world-first weather forecast for water quality is helping farmers and water lovers navigate the summer safely
EDUCATION, BACK TO SCHOOL
Dr Stefan Schutt, Senior Lecturer in Learning Design, School of Education
Contact: M 0410 387 622, E s.schutt@latrobe.edu.au
Not available 16-21 January
Topics include:
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The role of online and remote learning in the future classroom
AUSTRALIAN POLITICS AND REGIONAL SAFETY
Professor of International Relations, Director, La Trobe Asia
Contact E: B.Strating@latrobe.edu.au, M: 0400287758,
Not available 24-25 Dec, 29 Dec
Topics include:
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International relations in Asia
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Maritime security, Australian foreign and defence policy
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE SEASON
For a full list of experts available to provide analysis and commentary on the Australian bushfire season, please see the separate Bushfire Expert Alert Season 2023/24.
For a full list of academic staff, search Scholars La Trobe