National Science Week returns this month with local communities engaging in a variety of science activities.
The University of the Sunshine Coast is taking part in the celebrations, hosting a Decoding the Universe panel discussion on 14 August at the North Lakes Library.
“UniSC is committed to advancing our knowledge to improve the health of people and the planet, and this panel is a chance to hear from researchers doing just that,” Professor Karen Becker, Head of Moreton Bay Campuses, said.
The panel discussion is as broad as the world of science itself, featuring researchers from the fields of health to environmental science.
“Attendees will hear from experts taking on a range of the world’s wicked problems – issues like ageing populations and the health challenges posed by conditions like dementia, innovative solutions to stop unchecked waste from piling up in landfills, and how we keep our remarkable Australian landscapes thriving with the pressures of human impact,” Professor Becker said.
Panellist, Professor Matthew Summers, leads a research program in ageing and the brain, with a particular focus on non-pharmacological approaches to promoting healthy brain ageing as well as in developing early detection and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment.
It is predicted that Moreton Bay’s population will reach 690,000 by 2041 from a current population of 479,000. It is also expected that a much greater rate of increase in the proportion of the population will be those aged 65 years and older.
According to Professor Summers, there is a pressing need to prepare for this growth and ensure that infrastructure, health services and community support services are ready.
“Supporting positive ageing covers the capacity for our communities and service providers to enable an older adult to remain in their own home for as long as possible, even in the presence of emerging illnesses such as dementia,” he said.
For Professor Summers, local communities must engage with and co-design this research activity, as local solutions driven by local communities ensure implementation.
Professor Summers will be joined by Dr Savindi Caldera, lecturer in environmental science at UniSC, and Professor Alison Shapcott, professor of vegetation and plant ecology at UniSC.
National Science Week runs from 9-17 August.
Science Week: Decoding the Universe
- Thursday, 14 August, 6pm-8pm
- North Lakes Library
- Level 1/10 The Corso, North Lakes
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