Responding to the Middle East uprisings
The rest of the world’s response to the rolling wave of “people’s revolutions” across North Africa and the Middle East will be the focus of a public discussion at Flinders University on March 3.
Politics and Public Policy
Flinders fellowships mark new way of research thinking
As ten early career researchers are recognised for outstanding individual achievement, Flinders University has announced three new initiatives to support academics seeking to boost their research activities and to attract international research collaborations.
Australia’s political system needs overhaul
Australia’s political system needs a major overhaul if it is to re-engage the public and produce effective government in the 21st century, according to Professor Dean Jaensch.
A repository of Labor leaders
Another Labor leader is giving his collected personal papers to the Flinders University Library’s Special Collections, but the donor, former SA Premier John Bannon, cautions that a considerable amount of work remains to be done before the resource is ready for researchers.
Federalism’s flickering fortunes
A revival of Australia’s system of federalism through stronger co-operation between States and Commonwealth was another casualty of the latter phase of Kevin Rudd’s prime ministership, according to a Flinders University political analyst.
Rethinking our trading relationship
The boom-bust cycle of Australia’s trade relationship with countries like China could be mitigated with a more sophisticated dialogue involving the Federal Government and the private sector, according to Mr Richard Leaver.
Universities should speak out
Universities have a responsibility to stimulate public debate over serious policy issues and help fill the vacuum left by a media demanding instantaneous news and politicians fixated with ‘spin’, according to Mr Geoff Anderson.
Key role for social scientists
The vexed nature of big environmental issues like climate change and water security underscore the role that social scientists can play in the development of public policy, according to Professor Phyllis Tharenou.