Acumen

Australian Defence urgently needs STEM talent, yet our research shows STEM students don’t see it as an attractive career path. So how do we inspire STEM talent to contribute to national security before it’s too late?

Have you ever noticed more birthdays at certain times of the year? Perhaps you recall when you were surprised by lots of birthday invitations or remember being peppered by your favourite social media platform to send birthday messages in a particular month. This phenomenon isn’t random - there is an annual pattern in birth rates.

The Australian Red Cross Lifeblood aims to address a critical challenge in sustaining a volunteer donor base by understanding the motivations and barriers that influence blood donation. While existing research identifies factors like attitudes, perceived behavioural control, and donation anxiety as predictors of donor intentions, these studies largely overlook the 18–30-year-old cohort—a group with beliefs and behaviours distinct from older donors.

Should employers prioritise efficiency at all costs? It might seem like a good idea. More processes than ever before can now be automated with robotics, artificial intelligence and other technology.

Generation Z has been called “the sustainability generation”. Born between 1997 and 2013, 58% of this consumer cohort seek to buy products that are sourced sustainably. Australian Gen Zs say they are willing to pay more for brands that have a positive impact on society.

Playing and learning are often seen as a dichotomy. Even today, many parents still ask, 'Why are you playing games instead of studying?'.

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities generate significant amounts of waste, much of which is challenging to manage due to its potentially infectious or toxic nature. While single-use plastics are being phased-out in many households, their reduction in healthcare settings poses a greater challenge as they are often viewed as the safest or most convenient solution.

When humanitarian organizations respond to disasters, such as the recent Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam, they must rapidly deploy staff and materials to the affected areas. In these events, medical products are particularly crucial, and given the urgency, the aftermath of these operations, including the disposal of used materials is often overlooked.

Olympians have shown us the way; now we must carry the mental health advocacy torch.

Let's talk about charisma. When people describe born leaders, they are probably referring to that innate quality that some people have to command a room, to ooze confidence, and to dazzle. I do not believe people are born to be leaders. What is thought to be 'natural leadership' is often based on perceptions of charisma and underscored by extroversion or extroverted personality traits. Charisma can be deceiving.

When asked to describe an ideal organisational leader, many people might be inclined to use quite serious adjectives such as solemn, determined or results-oriented. Yet one trait is not only often overlooked, but also essential for managers. Humour – whether it manifests as a funny anecdote, joke, performance or witty remark – is a crucial tool for good leadership.

Championing Non-Western Insights and Community Self-Determination in Methods and Outcomes

Applying for ethics clearance for your research can feel like at best like an administrative hurdle, and at worst like a barrier to getting on with meaningful work. However, if you take the principles of ethical research seriously, it can not only improve the ethics of your research but also improve its quality. This blog tells you how.

The state of the Chinese economy holds significant relevance for Australia, given that China is Australia's top trading partner. Local investors and the business community are keenly observing how Chinese policymakers address the current economic challenges, particularly the ongoing real estate crisis.

Identifying ways to improve the outcomes delivered by social and community housing services is a crucial way of addressing Australia’s ongoing housing crisis.

Integrating AI into ESG goals marks a critical juncture for businesses. While AI holds promise, it is energy-intensive.

From asking our smart speakers for the weather to receiving personalised advice from smartwatches, devices powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly streamlining our routines and decision making. The technology is seeping into our lives in subtle ways.

Staying competitive in the finance sector is vital, with many companies moving quickly to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce costs and streamline operations.

The populations of Australia and New Zealand, like many countries around the world, are ageing.

Despite most businesses around the world returning to some form of normal after the pandemic, supply chain problems continue to disrupt the manufacturing and availability of new and second hand cars.