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Developing a psychology resource library.
We have gathered student and staff feedback (see Appendix for quotes), which will inform further library developments. Overall, the feedback received has been largely positive; participants have praised the library as an open-access "one-stop-shop" for statistics-related content. All interviewees have stated they would use this resource, though intended uses varied depending on degree stage (e.g., to understand basic concepts v. thesis writing) and role (staff noted they could use it to learn jamovi themselves and as a teaching aid). Highlighted features include the glossary, colour-coded write-up details, and table of contents page as a navigational tool. Participants wanted interactive definitions within individual resources and helpful visuals (e.g., images and tables). The fact that staff and students also suggested additional topics to be included in the library suggests that it will be a resource that can assist the Department in delivering better research methods education in online and flex delivery modes.
“Bonus chats”: A podcast series to build professional identity.
We successfully delivered 10 podcast episodes that involved Honours, HDR and ECR students and staff as interviewees. Anecdotal feedback from participants via email was very positive, with more students than required indicating interest in participating in subsequent seasons. The podcast series, Professionally Psyched, has been well received by students (as of Dec, 2024, there had been 179 plays of episodes and 50 Spotify followers). However, most engagement seems to have been from Honours students – likely due to their involvement as podcast interviewers. The impact on professional identity is too early to identify, however preliminary data from the baseline assessment survey has found that there is a significant positive moderate-strong correlation between professional identity and a sense of belonging at JCU (r(54)=.590, p<.001). This finding is promising in increasing professional identity may further build a sense of belonging and therefore have implications towards retention for JCU Psychology students.
Examining how focused and immersive music listening events can support well-being.
Stigma prevents many people from seeking well-being support; however, positive music listening experiences can buffer the impact of stigma on help-seeking. Recent research suggests that community-based, focused music listening experiences have real potential for improving individual well-being, but research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. This project uses a case study to examine people’s experiences of participating in communal, high-fidelity, and immersive music listening sessions. Expected outcomes include solidifying a research partnership
with a community organisation and disseminating evidence relating to substantiating the mechanisms underpinning the well-being benefits of focused and immersive music listening.
JCU College of Healthcare Sciences 2024 Research Seed Grant
Theo Murphy Initiative Grant - Participation Support
This grant is to support the career development activities of Australian EMCRs, such as attending conferences or training workshops.
Addressing key technical bottlenecks in the grouper supply chain in Vietnam (and Australia) through manufactured feed and hatchery developments that aim to improve SME sector profitability
This project aims to address bottlenecks in the aquaculture grouper supply chain in Vietnam and Australia by researching nutritional constraints, commercial feed adoption, and factors affecting the supply of high-quality eggs, larvae, and juveniles.
The Vietnamese grouper industry, which produces over 10,000 tonnes of grouper, is the most profitable sector of marine aquaculture in Vietnam. However, the use of 'trash fish' as feed can lead to pollution and suboptimal health outcomes.
The Australian grouper industry is limited by a lack of specific grouper feeds, but one company has recently used limited nutrient requirement data into a commercial feed. The Vietnam industry faces limitations in the availability of commercial-level volumes of high-quality fingerlings, as the 3 regionally located Research Institutes for Aquaculture (RIAs) provide limited fingerling supply services.
Understanding nutritional limitations at the hatchery and grow-out stages of grouper production is crucial for debottlenecking the sustainable expansion of grouper farming, facilitating profitability for Vietnamese smallholders and transitioning to small and medium enterprises.
The development of an appropriate formulated feed is also crucial for the growth of grouper farming. Disease is likely the largest threat to the growth of grouper farming, but the development and widespread implementation of formulated feed will reduce this risk and increase the potential for industry growth.
Circular economy and feed management approaches for inclusive and sustainable development of marine aquaculture in Vietnam
Marine fish farming in Vietnam traditionally relies on low-value wild-caught fish as feed; however, this feeding approach is inefficiently utilized. It also leads to environmental pollution, and faces significant challenges such as diminishing supply and the risk of disease transfer. In contrast, manufactured feed pellets offer a more efficient and less polluting alternative, although they necessitate a different feeding approach. Feed pellets present a versatile nutrient delivery method in fish farming that can be adapted to various ingredient inputs. By incorporating byproducts from aquaculture and other industries into fish feeds, a circular economy approach can be developed to recycle nutrients within the value chain. This approach transforms waste into valuable fish protein, generating smallholder profits instead of contributing to pollution.
The objective of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of marine fish farming in Vietnam by optimizing feeding protocols and training farmers to use feed more efficiently. Through capacity-building, knowledge transfer, and inclusive participation, this project will empower local coastal communities in the sustainable development of marine aquaculture. Additionally, the reduction in feed costs, the largest expense, will enhance the livelihoods of the family groups that constitute the majority in this sector. Collaboration with feed companies and farmers will be instrumental in fostering feed improvements for circular economy approaches and feed efficiency. Additionally, technological advancements will be employed to better manage fish feeding behaviour, thereby reducing waste and minimizing the cost of feed resources.
Sustaining Communities of Practice of Civil Society Organisations for Marine Resource Management in Indonesia
This two-year project aims to support the operational and capacity needs of the Communities of Practice (CoPs) of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) initiated in Indonesia in Phase I of Maritime 2.0 with the goal of enabling the CoPs to achieve financial and organisational sustainability upon project completion. These activities will consolidate the aim of Phase I Maritime 2.0 which was to foster improved collaboration between CSOs and government to strengthen marine resource management and maritime policies and local level implementation.
Understanding specificity and flexibility in coral symbioses
Coral health is underpinned by complex interactions between the host animal and its symbiotic partners, probably the most important of which are the photosynthetic alga. The interactions of reef-building corals with their photosymbionts are thought to be highly specific, but as yet the bases of this specificity and the nature of the dialogue that must occur during the establishment of a mutualistic relationship are unclear. By making use of model systems and recent advances in DNA sequencing technology, this study seeks to understand these molecular interactions, specifically in the context of some unique features on both sides of the interaction.
Melioidosis on the move: Informing the public health response.
Melioidosis is an often fatal infectious disease acquired from the environment and cases are rising in Australia. It mostly affects people living in regional locations who suffer from conditions like diabetes. Without the correct treatment, people die so awareness that this disease exists in communities is important for successful outcomes. This study will use innovative microbiology, genome and public health tools to detect and predict current and future melioidosis risk across the country