
CQUniversity is home to industry leaders in fields of research, work and study, so we want to bring this expertise straight to you. CQUniversity Commentary is a podcast series that explores topics, events and issues as they happen, with experts who will provide more than just the headlines.
Episodes

Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
In this next episode of Conversations with the Dean, Stephen Dobson chats with Dr Linda Lorenza about all things theatre - where is it heading in the digital age, how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact arts learning, and how can social media platform TikTok be successful in reaching disengaged youth for the better?
From Bell Shakespeare in Sydney to Tropical North Queensland, Dr Lorenza tells all about her journey into the Arts and how her research is shaping the use of theatre to tackle the tough issues, as the Arts morphs into a new era.
Transcript for this episode here.
Conversations with the Dean: Stephen Dobson is a regular podcast where Professor Dobson chats with interesting academics and researchers about their life's work and current affairs.
You can discover interesting career opportunities and learn about other people's study journeys via www.cqu.edu.au

Wednesday May 10, 2023
Wednesday May 10, 2023
What does it mean to be an historian in the 21st century? Do you still pour over dusty old books or has technology changed they way they work?
CQUniversity's Dean Professor Stephen Dobson chats with Dr Benjamin Jones about being an historian in the modern era and discovers that being an historian means you also play a role in the future.
Dr Jones was just 17 years old when the country last went to a referendum on whether Australia should become a republic, but it was to change the course of history for the young man who would spend a few decades unfolding the complex issue as part of his love of Australian history.
In this podcast, Dr Jones explains why Australia's journey to becoming a republic became a focus for his academic life.
In the second part of the podcast Dr Jones talks about his latest project a book he edited titled Australia on the World Stage: History, Politics, and International Relations.
Transcript for this episode here
Conversations with the Dean: Stephen Dobson is a regular podcast where Professor Dobson chats with interesting academics and researchers about their life's work and current affairs.
You can discover interesting career opportunities and learn about other people's study journeys via www.cqu.edu.au

Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Chancellor Graeme Innes AM for Zero Discrimination Day 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
CQUniversity Chancellor Graeme Innes AM has spent a lifetime fighting discrimination.
To mark global change initiative Zero Discrimination Day on Wednesday 1 March 2023, the human rights trailblazer has shared some of the journey with How to Change a Life.
A lawyer, company director and former Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Innes outlines his insights, successes, frustrations and hope for a more inclusive Australian community.
Read episode transcript here.
How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling for CQU Communications. Music by CQU alumnus Tristan Barton.
Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app for new episodes every Monday, and follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.
And explore CQUniversity's inclusive education and training at cqu.edu.au.

Friday Nov 11, 2022
IMPACT | S3 | Ep 5 | Outstanding Researchers LIVE
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Some big questions: How can new buildings help achieve our post-carbon future? How can female athletes best return to competition after having a baby? And how can trains stay on the rails, more efficiently and more safely?
Surprisingly, there's one answer for them all: outstanding research.
CQUniversity’s annual Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Outstanding Researchers recognise academics who have achieved exceptional research impacts.
This special edition of IMPACT research podcast, recorded live at CQU Rockhampton North in September 2022, welcomes the 2021 recipients to the stage:
- Associate Professor Xianbo (Bill) Zhao, School of Engineering and Technology, Mid-Career Research Award
- Dr Melanie Hayman, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Early Career Research Award
- Dr Qing Wu, School of Engineering and Technology, Early Career Research Award
IMPACT is CQUniversity's research podcast, exploring ground-breaking research projects, and their real world impacts. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/research.
And to start your own question-answering career with a research higher degree, visit cqu.edu.au/RHD.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CQUniversity recognises this episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Darumbal people in Rockhampton, and the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne.

Thursday Nov 10, 2022
IMPACT | S3 | Ep 4 | Research skills key to unlocking medical mystery
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
Thursday Nov 10, 2022
Her passion for surf lifesaving put CQUniversity physical activity researcher Dr Danya Hodgetts on a unique career path growing sport participation legacy from big events.
But the Rockhampton mum never expected her academic skills would help save her own life.
Dr Hodgetts shares how her inexplicable declining health meant putting a research focus on her own experience - and was vital in detecting a rare spinal fluid leak.
Now recovering and back at work, Dr Hodgetts is also lending her expertise to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, as one of 12 Queenslanders selected for the international event’s Legacy Committee. The importance topic was also the focus of her PhD with CQUniversity.
Scholarship opportunities for CQU research higher degree students are now open, to learn more book now for an RHD information webinar.
Follow Dr Hodgetts on Twitter here.
IMPACT is CQUniversity's research podcast, exploring ground-breaking research projects, and their real world impacts. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/research.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CQUniversity recognises this episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Darumbal people in Rockhampton, and the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne.

Wednesday Nov 09, 2022
IMPACT | S3 | Ep 3 | Passion for peak performance inspires sleep PhD
Wednesday Nov 09, 2022
Wednesday Nov 09, 2022
The science is in: better sleep helps humans perform better in elite sport, and in countless other facets of life.
But CQUniversity sleep researcher Dr Michele Lastella says there’s still a long road ahead to convince our sleep-resistant society of the benefits.
After more than a decade researching how sleep affects performance for elite athletes, Dr Lastella shares his research journey with CQU’s IMPACT podcast, for this new series focused on research higher degree alumni.
Dr Lastella’s PhD centred on sleep research with the Australian Institute of Sport, the largest of its kind.
Scholarship opportunities for CQU research higher degree students are now open, to learn more book now for an RHD information webinar.
Follow Dr Lastella on Twitter here.
IMPACT is CQUniversity's research podcast, exploring ground-breaking research projects, and their real world impacts. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/research.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CQUniversity recognises this episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Kuarna people of the Adelaide Plains, and the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne.

Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
IMPACT | S3 | Ep 2 | Research career opening doors for First Nations students
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
She’s transformed opportunities for countless First Nations students, and trailblazing Queensland researcher Professor Maria Raciti says her own success started with “giving it a crack”.
CQUniversity’s first Indigenous student to graduate with a PhD back in 2004, the Mackay-born academic is now Professor of Marketing in the School of Business at University of the Sunshine Coast, a Director of its Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre, and a Principal Fellow of the Academy of Higher Education in the United Kingdom.
Professor Raciti shares the challenges of her journey, and how her research meant influencing key policy, as this podcast series goes back to where the big impact begins - research higher degrees. .
Scholarship opportunities for CQU research higher degree students are now open, to learn more book now for an RHD information webinar.
Follow Professor Raciti on Twitter here.
IMPACT is CQUniversity's research podcast, exploring ground-breaking research projects, and their real world impacts. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/research.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CQUniversity recognises this episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi people on the Sunshine Coast, and the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne.

Monday Nov 07, 2022
IMPACT | S3 | Ep 1 | Truth trumps fiction for crime writing PhD
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Australian author Rachel Franks was a CQUniversity research student exploring crime fiction when her focused shifted to true crime.
The Sydney-based researcher began her CQUniversity Master of Letters in 2004, then graduated with her PhD in 2011, penning a historical crime novel as part of her work.
Dr Franks shares her research journey, as this series of IMPACT research podcast goes back to where the big questions begin - research higher degrees.
Explore CQU's RHD opportunities at cqu.edu.au/rhd.
Now the Coordinator of Scholarship at State Library of NSW, Dr Franks’ latest book An Uncommon Hangman: The Life and Deaths of Robert ‘Nosey Bob’ Howard explores a life through stories of the 62 criminals he executed.
Follow Dr Franks on Twitter, and find her book here.
Scholarship opportunities for CQU research higher degree students are now open, to learn more book now for an RHD information webinar.
IMPACT is CQUniversity's research podcast, exploring ground-breaking research projects, and their real world impacts. For more information visit cqu.edu.au/research.
In the spirit of reconciliation, CQUniversity recognises this episode was recorded and produced on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation in Sydney, and the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation in Melbourne.

Friday May 13, 2022
The Bulb | S3 | Ep 6 | They’re not monstrous: Paul Monsour
Friday May 13, 2022
Friday May 13, 2022
Paul Monsour has worked as a men's domestic and family violence behaviour change practitioner for 18 years. For much of that time, he has been the Coordinator of Services and Practitioners for the Elimination of Abuse (SPEAQ) network. In this podcast, Paul reveals perspectives that reflect his continuing to deepen his learning about the area of “working with men” and his vast experience in direct client services.
In each episode of The Bulb, the podcast will explore aspects of gendered violence – what is thought about it, what we know about it, and what is yet to be revealed.
The QCDFVR is funded by The Queensland Government and is based at CQUniversity Australia.
For victims and survivors of gendered violence who may have found the content of this podcast disturbing, free confidential 24 hour counselling is available nationally on 1800 737 732 through 1800Respect.
If you would like to know more about responding to domestic and family violence, CQUniversity offers a range of postgraduate and other study options. Visit cqu.edu.au and search courses for “domestic violence” to learn more.

Friday Apr 29, 2022
The Bulb | S3 | Ep 5 | Thinking with our hearts: Randal Ross
Friday Apr 29, 2022
Friday Apr 29, 2022
Senior Lore/Law Man, Yuru, Bindal Nation (Dyirbal and Birrigubba Language Group) Randal Ross is the Manager Cultural and Community Relations for North West Remote Health (NWRH). Randal has vast experience in the area of “working with men”, including as the Co-founder and Senior Facilitator for the Red Dust Healing program. It is this wonderful knowledge that informs this podcast in which Randal explores cultural aspects of this work.