School of Psychology research seminar by A/Prof Nida Denson, Tue, Aug 6: Free to be Childfree?

UPCOMING SCHOOL WIDE

RESEARCH SEMINAR

ONE WEEK TO GO

TUESDAY 6th AUGUST 2019

GUEST SPEAKER: Associate Professor Nida Denson

TITLE: Free to be childfree? Evidence of bias towards people who are childfree by choice

People who consciously choose not to have children are increasing in Western countries, yet anecdotal evidence points to bias towards people who choose not to have children. In three studies, we empirically tested whether bias exists towards people who choose to be childfree, as well as some potential moderating or mediating factors of  perceptions of people from these groups. In the first two studies, we empirically examined whether people who are childfree by choice are targets of prejudice. We compared the childfree by choice with commonly prejudiced groups based on the stereotype content model (e.g., warmth, competence). We also examined possible gender differences in bias targets as well as bias sources. In the third study, we sought to examine possible mediating and moderating factors of the perceptions of people from these groups (e.g., dehumanization, moral outrage). We found that people who are childfree by choice were evaluated similar to, or more negative than some commonly prejudiced target groups but not others. We also found that people who are childfree by choice were evaluated more negatively than people who  have children, people who wanted children but could not  have children, and also people who have adopted children.

This research is the first quantitative work to show a small to moderate societal prejudice toward people who choose not to have children and among parent groups, they are perceived as lowest in warmth. Promoting awareness of this prejudice may eventually aid in its reduction.

Location: Keats AVLG-17 and Zoom link to Ourimbah IRC113 via Zoom link: https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/j/926033087 

Date: Tuesday 6th August 2019

Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Psychology speed mentoring, Ourimbah campus, August 6, 2019

The New South Wales Central Coast branch of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and University of Newcastle (UoN) are proud to host the first psychology speed mentoring event at the Ourimbah campus:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/apsuon-speed-mentoring-night-tickets-66441270629

·       Designed to connect Undergraduate and Postgraduate psychology students with industry professionals to help students gain insight and understanding of the psychology profession. 

·       Opportunity for professionals to share their experiences and passion to help guide and support those working towards a career in psychology.  

Where: The Millery, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah Campus

When: 6^th August 2019

Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Canapes will be provided and the bar will be open for purchasing drinks

New book on Transgender Health by A/Prof Rachel Heath & Dr Katie Wynne

Conjoint Associate Professor Rachel Heath from the School of Psychology and Dr Katie Wynne, Senior Staff Specialist in Endocrinology at the John Hunter Hospital and Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Medicine, have written about transgender health in a book published recently by ABC-CLIO located in Santa Barbara, USA, in their Praeger Book series.

The book provides the most up-to-date information on transgender science and its applications for gender-diverse people, their supporters and the professionals who assist them to lead healthy, happy and successful lives.

The number of people presenting at gender clinics worldwide for assistance has increased exponentially in the last decade. Transgender people also have become much more prominent in the media. An increase in political populism, however, has brought unprecedented attacks on trans* people. Covering a wealth of topics relevant to transgender people and their supporters, both social and professional, our book will help readers to see through the flawed arguments of those who wish to inflict damage on the trans* community. 

The content of this book ranges from theoretical ideas about the origin of gender diversity to practical solutions for trans* people to enjoy life in their chosen gender. Physical health topics include hormone therapy, puberty blockers, breast augmentation/reduction, gender confirmation surgery, and speech therapy. Mental health topics include dealing with discrimination, bullying, and transphobia.

The text is presented so that it can be understood with no scientific background but is also highly relevant to the health professional. Copious footnotes and references allow those wishing to delve more deeply into the topics to do so easily. The book is also supported by readily accessible resources available online and on social media.

For further information, please contact

Rachel Heath at rachel.heath@newcastle.edu.au

Katie Wynne at KatieJane.Wynne@health.nsw.gov.au

NOTE CHANGE OF TIME FOR AE&D SERIES: Research presentation on Improving STEM outcomes for social minority students by Prof Bowman from UofIowa, Wed 10th July 12-1pm

The School of Psychology's Outreach working party is proud of inviting you to join us for a research presentation of our Aboriginal Equity and Diversity Series.

WHAT: a research presentation by Prof Nicholas Bowman from the University of Iowa, USA,

TITLE: Improving STEM Outcomes for Postsecondary Students who Speak English as a Second Language: The Impact of a Social-Belonging Intervention

ABSTRACT: In the United States and other countries, substantial group disparities exist in terms of which university students study science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and ultimately receive a degree in these fields. Various efforts have attempted to improve the STEM outcomes of underrepresented groups, most notably women and racial minority students. However, very little research has explored the outcomes of postsecondary students who speak English as a second language (ESL). ESL students in the U.S. are underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields, and they likely face substantial psychological barriers within STEM learning environments. Therefore, the present study examined the impact of a social-belonging intervention on ESL students who were interested in pursuing a STEM degree. Specifically, it examined data from a large-scale study of over 12,000 STEM-interested students at 19 U.S. universities. The findings indicated positive effects of this belonging intervention on ESL students’ STEM GPA, STEM credits earned, and proportion of STEM credits obtained successfully; these relationships were generally larger among ESL students than non-ESL students. This work provides evidence for the benefits of psychological interventions for students whose marginalized identity is often overlooked.

WHEN: Wednesday 10th July, 2019, 12.30-1.30 (Note change of time)
WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; Zoom link:: https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

BIO: Nicholas A. Bowman is a professor of higher education and student affairs as well as the director of the Center for Research on Undergraduate Education at the University of Iowa. His research uses a social psychological lens to explore key issues in postsecondary education, including student success, diversity, admissions, rankings, and research methodology. His work has appeared in over 80 journal articles in education, psychology, and sociology. He is also a co-author of the third volume of How College Affects Students, which systematically reviewed over 1,800 studies on the short-term and long-term effects of undergraduate education. Professor Bowman is currently an associate editor of Journal of Higher Education and Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research.

Tor more information on Prof Bowmanm see: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicholas_Bowman4
To make contact with Prof Bowman, email: Mark.Rubin@newcastle.edu.au

School of Psychology research seminars -- semester 2, 2019

Dear All,

Please join our excitement for the following  school-wide research seminars taking place throughout semester 2 2019.

Save these dates.

Where:  Room-L326 in Auchmuty Library, via Zoom link to Ourimbah and beyond

When: 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Week 2 – 7^th August 2019 - Professor Tom Denson: From UNSW -  School of Psychology

Week 4 – 21^st August 2019 - Siobha Curran: Integrated Innovation Network (I2N)

Week 6 – 4^th September 2019 - Dr Cassandra Gauld: applied psychology field of road safety

Week 8 – 18^th September 2019 - Dr Heather Douglas: Confidence, workplace performance, and imposter phenomenon

Week 10 – 16^th October 2019 - ECR Group - TBC

Week 12 – 30^th October 2019 - Women in STEM: Panel discussion

Australasian Society for Social & Affective Neuroscience (AS4SAN) meeting in Newcastle

The Australasian Society for Social and Affective Neuroscience (AS4SAN) is a non-profit organisation that aims to promote basic and applied research investigating social and affective behaviour across a wide range of different species using a wide variety of neuroscience and neuropsychological techniques. AS4SAN sees social and affective neuroscience as an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of central nervous system mechanisms (e.g., neural, hormonal, cellular, genetic) underlying social and affective behaviour, in the context of both normal development and functioning, as well as relevant to clinical disorders.

This week, Dr Michelle Kelly (AS4SAN Vice President) led a conference committee of UON researchers Dr Linda Campbell and Professor Frances Martin in convening the society’s 6th annual meeting at NewSpace, University of Newcastle). A team of 6 students (RHD and undergraduate) also assisted with conference organisation and running.

It was the first time that the conference was hosted in Newcastle and we attracted 60 delegates representing Australia (12 universities), UK, USA and Germany. In keeping with the tradition of the conference, we had a single stream format consisting of 3 invited keynote speakers, 23 platform presentations, 14 datablitz presentations and 10 poster presentations. AS4SAN is dedicated to supporting student researchers and this is evident with 40% of the overall platform presentations and 64% of the overall poster and datablitz sessions being presented by students. AS4SAN is also proud to say they are working towards gender equity across all society activities. We had two female Keynote speakers (Dr Izelle Labuschagne and Dr Belinda Craig), and 62% of conference presenters overall were female.

We held welcome drinks at Brain @ Watt Space exposing the exhibit to 40 researchers across the country, and were pleased to have Professor Kristen Pammer attend and officially open the meeting. We held two preconference workshops and thank our local presenters Dr Bryan Paton and Dr Elise Kalokerinos for their time and expertise. I think all those who attended would agree that these were top quality workshops. This conference provided a platform for 8 UON students and 4 UON staff to present their research.

Overall the conference was very successful, enjoyed by all!

The conference organisers and AS4SAN Executive Committee thank the sponsors: Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, AD Instruments, Medilink and SR Research.

How Do You Play With Your Kids?

Dr Emily Freeman and PhD Candidate Mrs Erin Robinson have been looking at parent-child play interactions. “We want to know what sorts of things parents are doing with their children”, says Dr Freeman, “How often do you rough-and-tumble or play with toys?”. This research was born from previous work with Dr Freeman looking at rough-and-tumble play between Dads and their kids. “It’s so important that we are finally studying the important role that father’s play in child development, but I was finding that when I spoke with parents about these previous projects, lots of Mums were saying ‘but hey I do that too’ or ‘I do more of the rough-and-tumble than my partner!’ and so Erin and I thought maybe we should actually ask parents what types of play they are doing”.

If you would like further information on this study, or are a parent of a child aged 0-10 years and would like to participate, head on over to the survey page here: https://limesurvey.newcastle.edu.au/index.php/347555?lang=en

Dr Emily Freeman (left) and PhD Candidate Mrs Erin Robinson (right).

UON Psychology Welcomes Academics from the University of Sofia visiting through the ERASMUS Exchange Program

WHAT: research presentations by Prof Sonya Karabeliova and Dr Milen Milanov, University of Sofia, Bulgaria.

WHEN: Tuesday 11th June, 2019, 12-1pm

WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; zoom link::https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

TALK BY PROF KARABELIOVA:
Value Orientations and Cultural Practices - Similarities and Differences between Bulgaria and Australia (based on the Hofstede’s model)

PROF KARABELIOVA’S ABSTRACT: The lecture will present a short introduction to the theoretical model of Geert Hofstede on the topic of value measurement. This has served as a forming factor of culture on an individual and national level. The model is based on a large-scale empirical survey conducted in more than 80 countries around the world. The dominant value orientations reflect cultural practices which characterise people’s everyday behaviour. The lecture will present data from two national large-scale surveys conducted in Bulgaria according to Hofstede’s model. The results will be compared with findings about Australia taken from published research by Geert Hofstede. Finally, we will discuss similarities and differences between Bulgaria and Australia.

PROF KARABELIOVA’S BIO: Sonya Karabeliova is a Professor in Psychology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria. She graduated with a Master’s degree from the same university where she also successfully defended her PhD and earned a subsequent DSc. She is currently one of the Vice-Deans of the Faculty of Philosophy which includes the Department of Psychology. She is the leader of a Master’s and a PhD degree in Health Psychology. Her other research interests are within the field of Cross-Cultural Psychology. She has led and been a part of numerous national and international research projects. She has written three books: Career Choice; Values and Cultural Practices in Bulgaria; Human Potential Management and Development and is a co-author of three additional books and a number of research papers. Prof. Sonya Karabeliova also has a vast experience as a consultant for private organisations.

TALK BY DR MILANOV: When patriotism and sexism correlate: Some common socio-demographic determinants.

DR MILANOV’S: In this research we identify a number of socio-demographic factors that determine the levels of patriotism and sexism in two separate data sets with a total of 958 participants. The results of  independent samples t-tests and ANOVAs show that age, education level, marital status, and to some extend gender, all account for significant differences in the attitudes towards the common stereotypes of male and female roles in society. The same factors appear to predict different levels of patriotism as well. We discuss the relatively stable patterns of interactions between demographics and both patriotism and sexism in our samples and elaborate on the positive correlation between these phenomena.

DR MILANOV’S BIO: I completed my Master’s degree in Psychology at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria and worked in the private sector for several years. In 2006 I relocated to Australia and completed my PhD in social psychology at the University of Newcastle in 2010.  Shortly after, I accepted a tenured track assistant professor position at my home university back in Bulgaria and I have been there ever since. My research is in the areas of group identity, prejudice and discrimination. I am also interested in research methodology and teach various statistical courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Join us for a Research Presentation on Chronic Social Exclusion by Marco Marinucci on Tuesday 28th May, 12-1pm

The Social and Organisational Psychology Research Group is proud of inviting you to join....

WHAT: a research presentation by Marco Marinucci, University of Milan-Bicocca, Italy.

WHEN: Tuesday 28th May, 2019, 12-1pm

WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; zoom linkZoom link:: https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

A large body of literature showed that scarce social relationships are associated with poor psychological well-being (Lieberman, 2013), depression (Wong et al., 2016), different health conditions (Aldridge et al., 2018), and increased mortality rates (Rubin, 2017). In a series of studies, we investigated the psychological implications of being connected and disconnected from others in different social groups and contexts. In a primary line of research, we tested the Williams’ theoretical assumption that people exposed to a chronic condition of social exclusion would inescapably enter a stage of psychological resignation (2009). In two study we found that homeless people (N=140) and prisoners (N=138) showed higher level of resignation compared to the general Italian population, and in both the studies social support buffered against the resignation stage. We also found that the association between chronic social exclusion and resignation in asylum seeking immigrants (N=112) was buffered by social connections with the majority group and aggravated by the connections with other minorities, and these results were replicated and extended on a large-scale European survey (N=2206). Finally, we found preliminary longitudinal evidences that chronic social exclusion predicts the development over time of the resignation stage in asylum seeking-immigrants. In a parallel research line, we analysed the sociometric profiles of 15.000 European adolescents in school, showing how the quality of peer social connections and social status affected different psychological and health outcomes. Future research directions in social exclusion and intergroup relations are discussed.

Marco Marinucci is a Ph.D. student at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) advised by Dr. Paolo Riva and he is currently visiting the University of Newcastle under the supervision of Dr. Mark Rubin. Marco’s main research area focuses on social exclusion and social connectedness among disadvantaged social groups. He studies individual, social, and contextual factors that shape individuals’ responses to different conditions of social exclusion.

Pint of Science NEWCASTLE: bringing science out of the lab

Pint of Science - NEWCASTLE 

Pint of Science Australia is a 3-day event in May each year, and a part of an international festival of the same name. It aims to bring science out of the lab and into your local! In 2019 the festival will run over the 20th, 21st and 22nd of May.

This year we have our very own Romany McGuffog and Patrick Skippen from the School of Psychology presenting next Wednesday night 22nd May, 6.30pm at the Happy Wombat. The theme for the night is "Make up your Mind". Dr Elena Prieto from the Faculty of Education & Arts is also presenting. 

For more information and to book your tickets visit: https://pintofscience.com.au/events/newcastle

Working class or sleeping beauty? 

Ms Romany McGuffog 

People from lower social classes tend to have poorer mental and physical health. Through online surveys using higher education students, my research tests sleep as a possible explanation.

Gender and STEM education: one step forward? 

Dr Elena Prieto 

In this presentation I will talk about several initiatives aiming to increase female participation in STEM. I will talk about effectiveness but I will also reflect -with help from the audience- on possible dangers of a push for STEM.

Impulse and inhibition: what’s the link? 

Mr Patrick Skippen 

Topic/description: What leads to impulsive actions: Losing control at the wheel or not paying attention to the road rules? I will discuss what leads to people doing rash, often dangerous behaviours and how well-disciplined, inhibited mindset won’t necessarily stop you from being impulsive. I’ll use my own research into young people’s behaviour and brain activity to describe how we at the tipping point of discovery to understanding the links between how inhibited an individual is, whether this leads to them being more or less impulsive in the real world, and what the brain can tell us about why these two things aren’t as connected as they should be. I’ll finish by offering insight into how the amount of attention that is being payed to the world around us can assist in controlling our impulses.

Cross your fingers for Scott Brown's epic 50km Ultra Trail challenge

Prof Scott Brown from the School of Psychology at the University of Newcastle is on a quest to show that Psychologists can actually perform out of their research laboratory. Scott is leaving his computational models behind for a few days as he is taking the epic challenge of completing the Australia Ultra Trail Marathon, a grueling 50km run in the Blue Mts.

In the photo you can see Scott in his formal race attire, still smiling. Godspeed Scott.

UON Psychology and NORCCC run Super-Successful Peak International Conference on Social Cohesion at Newcastle

Researchers and experts on social cohesion from 18 countries and 6 continents have ‘talked research’ and discussed findings from social cohesion interventions -- while admiring dolphins and Newcastle beautiful Costal views from Noahs on the Beach, Newcastle -- between Monday 29 April and Wednesday 1 May. Led by AProf Stefania Paolini and Professor Miles Hewstone, UON School of Psychology staff and students plus members of the Newcastle-Oxford Research Centre on Conflict and Cohesion (or NORCCC) have shone hosting the 2019 SASP-SPSSI group meeting on “Advances in intergroup contact research: showcasing, consolidating, deconstructing and innovating the science of social integration”.

Photo above: conference delegates take a photo opportunity at the end of three intense research days at Noah’s on the Beach, Newcastle


This specialized gathering has showcased the best research on the dynamics of intergroup contact and social cohesion that is currently available on the international stage.  What was supposed to be a ‘small’ group meeting, has in fact become a medium-size meeting, with a total of 77 participants across the three days, including 50 researchers presenting research papers, and 20+ non-presenting participants from university staff, research students, and representatives of industry stakeholders in the social cohesion space from around the country. 

One of the conference delegates reached out to the organisers to express all her enthusiasm for the event as soon as it finished, saying: “I can honestly say it was the most well-organised, fun, thought-provoking conference I’ve attended.” AProf Paolini explains that: “the high quality gathering and its success will give further momentum to research in social cohesion and contribute to Newcastle’s evergrowing national and international research profile, recently confirmed by excellent ERA results for psychology. The conference reflects and is a testimony to the high quality of the work that many dedicated researchers, research laboratories do around the world”. She added: “it has been exciting to learn about cutting-edge paradigms, methods, and analytical approaches capable of unveiling the roots of intergroup prejudice and discrimination and working to find ways to increase social cohesion in a multitude of intergroup settings, participant populations and societal contexts.  We need more good quality research that helps us get closer to the society and the world that we want to be”.

 

Photo on the right: AProf Paolini (right) and research collaborator Fatima Azam (left) reflect on their contact-inspired community project bringing together non-Muslim and Muslim women around hijab stalls on UON campuses.

The Newcastle meeting enjoyed a very strong delegation of international and national delegates of varied seniority and background: 18 countries from all continents but Antarctica were represented. Of the 50 presenting delegates, 17 were from Australia, 24 from Europe, and 9 from other destinations around the world, making it into a truly international event!






To learn more about the 2019 SASP-SPSSI meeting on intergroup contact, visit the conference website: https://sasp.org.au/2018/09/sasp-spssi-group-meeting-2019/ To learn more about and contact researchers from the Newcastle-Oxford Research Centre on Conflict and Cohesion, visit: https://www.norccc.org/

Join us for a Research Presentation on Intergroup Contact and Self-deprovincializations by Jessica Boin on Tuesday 14th May, 12-1pm

The Social and Organisational Psychology Research Group is proud of inviting you to join....

WHAT: a research presentation by Jessica Boin, University of Padova, Italy.

TITLE: Effects of positive and negative contact experiences: The role of intergroup emotions, deprovincialization and individual dispositions

WHEN: Tuesday 14th May, 2019, 12-1pm

WHERE: Keats Reading Room AVLG17, Aviation Building, Callaghan (Video link to Ourimbah Meeting room, Science Offices; zoom linkZoom link:: https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/s/979950681 ZoomID: 979950681

ABSTRACT: According to the contact hypothesis, positive encounters with outgroup members have the potential of reducing prejudice toward the whole outgroup (Allport, 1954). Research has widely demonstrated the effectiveness of contact in ameliorating intergroup relations (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006) and further investigations has shown that the relationship between positive contact and prejudice can be explained by a reduction in intergroup anxiety and an increasing in empathy and trust toward the outgroup members (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2008). Another promising, yet least studied, aspects of contact involves the construct of deprovincialization, proposed by Pettigrew (1997,1998) to denote a less ingroup-centric worldview, fostering a common sense of belonging and openness to other cultures, following intergroup encounters. Although there is evidence for the mediating role of emotions on the relationship between positive contact and prejudice, further investigation is needed concerning the different effects of positive and negative contact experiences, a full test of the deprovincialization hypothesis and the possible role of individual dispositions.
In 2 cross-sectional (Nstudy1=348; Nstudy2=307) and one longitudinal (N = 668) studies, we explored the relationship between positive and negative contact and various outgroup outcomes, the mediating role of intergroup emotions (i.e., anxiety, empathy and trust) and deprovincialization on this relationships and the role of individual differences relevant to intergroup relations (ideologies, personality, cognitive styles and “hypo-egoic” dispositions).

BIO: Jessica Boin is completing her PhD at the University of Padova (Italy), under the supervision of Prof. Alberto Voci and she is currently visiting the University of Newcastle under the supervision of AProf. Stefania Paolini. Her main research interests concern intergroup relations, and prejudice reduction. Her work aims to examine how and when intergroup contact reduces prejudice, in particular, the effects of positive and negative contact experiences on prejudice with a main focus on the role of individual differences and ideologies.

Interested in the SPSSI-SASP Intergroup Contact Meeting, but cannot make it to the conference? Instructions for “Virtual” Delegates

2019 SPSSI/SASP group meeting on Intergroup contact to be held in Newcastle, Australia between Monday, 29th April and Wednesday, 1st May, 2019.

We are excited to update you on this peak international event led by UON School of Psychology and the Newcastle-Oxford Research Centre on Conflict and Cohesion.

For full information, please visit: https://sasp.org.au/2018/09/sasp-spssi-group-meeting-2019/

People who cannot make the conference in person have the option to watch and listen to the presentations live via zoom.

The conference program and ZOOM links/IDs can be found here: https://sasp.org.au/2018/12/overview-of-the-group-meeting/

To watch live, each session of the conference has a designated hyperlink (see program overview or abstract books) that you can use to join the conference (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

For instructions, please view the instructions here. You can either download Zoom or join via your browser. If you join from your browser, you will have to enter the nine digit meeting Zoom ID-Number.

When you join a session, your microphone will be muted automatically to reduce any feedback noise (from people joining and leaving the session). Questions immediately after each presentations will be taken only from the live audience at the conference venue. However, at the end of all sessions an extended Q and A will also include questions from the Zoom audience.

Hope to see many virtually then!

Stefania and the whole Scientific and Local Organising Committees

Animal psychology works to help design a drone to protect Hunter vineyards

Dr Andrea Griffin from the School of Psychology, expert in animal cognition, has been working with Sydney University School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering PhD candidate Zi Wang, his supervisor, Dr KC Wong, and Dr Andrew Lucas from Agent Oriented Software Pty Ltd to design an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that mimics the behaviour of a bird of prey.

Dr Andrea Griffin has been studying how animals learn to recognise new dangers for 15 years. Her past work has included developing conditioning techniques for training endangered marsupials to recognise predators and studying how invasive birds learn to recognise traps and humans trapping them.

But now, she has put her expertise to a new use.

“We know from my work and that of many others that birds are very attuned to learning about new dangers, including new predators and dangerous places. Much of their learning occurs socially. In other words, they witness the fear reactions of other birds and learn to avoid associated stimuli. Fear reactions include alarm vocalisations. But learners need to see the cause of the alarm at the same time. For example, they have to see a human handling a bird and hear it alarm calling at the same time, then they will learn to avoid the human.”

“The issue with managing birds in vineyards is that they quickly habituate to scaring techniques, such as-powered thunderclap guns. This is also a highly generalizable stimulus because it is always identical, so once birds have learnt that nothing happens in one vineyard, they will also show no response in other vineyards. So, one potential solution is to add a new bird of prey to the community in which they live. Birds don’t habituate the birds of prey.”

By carrying a bird corpse and broadcasting distress calls, a signal that birds make when they are captured by a predator, the drone is designed to look like a bird of prey that has just caught another bird.

“Some species also respond very strongly to corpses of other birds and interpret these as danger. Although we don’t know that this occurs for all species, the drone is designed to tap this ability. The idea is that a drone designed in this way will become recognised as a successful new predator in the community, which will reduce the likelihood of habituation.”

NSW Department of Primary Industries viticulture development officer Darren Fahey, estimates that birds cause $300 million-a-year crop and winegrape losses in Australia.

AOS is pursuing the autonomous drone approach, and working with Sydney University to do the research on what would scare birds, without harming them.

Early trials using the multi-rotor hexacopter predator drone are promising and results have been published in the journal Crop Protection (https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1YkrTxPFYiYDj). Further trials are underway.

The topic has been the object of a Newcastle Herald article: https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5962682/vineyard-drone-on-hungry-birds-tail/

UON Social Psychologists Establish Social Cohesion Research Centre and Lead International Conference of Experts in Newcastle

A committed group of social cohesion scholars within UON’s School of Psychology has recently established NORCCC, “Newcastle-Oxford Research Centre for Conflict and Cohesion” [see NORCCC profile HERE], around the appointment of Prof Miles Hewstone as UON Global Innovation Chair in Social Cohesion to help us deepen our understanding of intergroup friction and find ways that encourage social cohesion in Australia and around the world.

 Dramatic events like the tragic Christchurch shooting, but equally ordinary experiences of daily discrimination for many of us are salient reminders of the importance of evidence-based analyses of individual-level factors and societal dynamics responsible for acts of discrimination, prejudice, and hatred. They remind us of the need to inform policies and interventions that support social cohesion along a multiplicity of social dimensions, like ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, ill-health and disability, in Australia and internationally.

In this spirit, NORCCC is proud to announce an upcoming Newcastle-based international conference on social cohesion: The 2019 SASP-SPSSI medium group meeting, entitled “Advances in Intergroup Contact Research: Showcasing, Consolidating, Deconstructing and Innovating the Science of Social Integration” will gather 70-100 researchers and industry observers in Newcastle, between Monday 29th April and Wed 1st May, 2019.

 This exciting specialised meeting of experts will be led by UON A/Prof Stefania Paolini, an enthusiastic scientific committee that spans across three continents, including also Prof Miles Hewstone (UON/Oxford), Prof Fiona White (USydney), A/Prof Fiona Barlow (UQ), Prof Linda Tropp (UMassachusetts Amherst, USA), Prof Liz Page-Gould (Uof Toronto, Canada), Prof Rhiannon Turner (Queen's University Belfast, UK) and Prof Angel Gomez (National Distance Education University, Spain), and a tireless local committee of 20+ graduate students.  

The SASP-SPSSI group meeting on intergroup contact aspires to offer an exciting platform to consolidate our understanding and interpretation of key findings, to discuss emerging research trends and methodologies and forge the research and the researchers of the future. The expert gathering will include the delivery of conference papers (blitz / longer length / posters) by junior and senior researchers and roundtable discussions (small / plenary).

For more information about the conference, visit the conference website HERE

If you are interested in attending the meeting as social cohesion researcher, practitioner or policy maker in areas of social cohesion, make contact with the lead organizer at: Stefania.Paolini@Newcastle.edu.au to enquire. The conference includes networking segments and will allow for a number of non-presenting participants.

***

Talk by Prof David Strayer: Emerging Technologies Influencing Distracted Driving (Thur, April 11)

WHAT: Talk by Prof David Strayer, University of Utah, on Technology and Distracted Driving

WHEN and WHERE: Thursday, April 11, 2019, 12-1pm; KEATS room (Psychology building)

Biography

David Strayer is the John R. Park professor of Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology at the University.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois@ Urbana-Champaign in 1989 and worked at GTE laboratories before joining the faculty at the University of Utah.  Dr. Strayer’s research examines attention and multitasking in real-world contexts such as driving an automobile.  He has published over 175 scholarly articles in this area and for the last 15 years has focused on understanding driver distraction stemming from multimodal interactions in the vehicle. 

Talk:  Emerging Technologies Influencing Distracted Driving

Driver distraction is increasingly recognized as a significant source of injuries and fatalities on the roadway. Driver distraction can arise from visual/manual interference, for example when a driver takes his or her eyes off the road to interact with a device. Impairments also stem from cognitive sources of distraction when attention is diverted from safely operating the vehicle.  Concern over distracted driving is growing as more and more wireless devices are being integrated into the vehicle. Working with AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, we developed, validated, and applied a metric of distraction associated with the diversion of attention from driving. Our studies show that the distraction potential can be reliably measured, that cognitive workload systematically varies as a function of the secondary task performed by the driver, and that many activities, particularly complex multimodal interactions in the vehicle, are associated with surprisingly high levels of mental workload.  Using the new technology in the vehicle may have unintended consequences that adversely affect traffic safety.