Under the Microscope

University of Melbourne academics and researchers have experienced much on some amazing journeys – and share them here.

27 July 2017 – Alcohol, Beer, Brewing, Dookie, Viticulture
How a longing for ‘real beer’ turned a hobby into a career
University of Melbourne students can study the art and science of beer brewing, thanks to a passionate lecturer who brews his own English-style ales.
12 July 2017 – Autism, Behaviour, Education, Schools, Teaching
Struggling in school: Helping every student learn
Dr Shiralee Poed from the University of Melbourne has spent her career in special education. She now focuses on supporting students with behavioural issues.
10 July 2017 – Agriculture Technology, Cows, Dairy, Robotic Dairy, Robotics
Meet the cow whisperer
The University of Melbourne's own cow whisper is Kenny Oluboyede who oversees the award winning research robotic dairy at Dookie in rural Victoria.
16 June 2017 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Closing The Gap, Indigenous, Indigenous Health
A rolled gold genius
The University of Melbourne's Professor Ian Anderson's determination and upbringing has earned him the Order of Australia for his service to Indigenous Affairs.
2 June 2017 – Art, Sculpture, Teaching, Victorian College of the Arts
Laura Woodward: The power of public art
Dr Laura Woodward, an award-winning kinetic sculptor and artist at the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, explains becoming an artist.
24 March 2017 – Engineering, Sanitation, Wastewater, Water, Water Management
Taking the sludge out of wastewater
Finding better ways to separate liquids from solids when treating wastewater means the costs of sanitation can be reduced, making it globally available.
9 March 2017 – Competition Law, Stolen Generations
From the bar to the supermarket: Life as a competition lawyer
Working on the Stolen Generations case was "life transforming" for former Barrister and competition law expert Professor Caron Beaton-Wells.
12 January 2017 – Civil War, Conflict, Education, Languages
Using education to create cohesion from conflict
Professor Joseph Lo Bianco learned at a young age how language could divide communities. He now uses it to help opposing sides in conflicts find common ground.
20 December 2016 – Authors, Children, Parenting, Wellbeing
It takes two to write and laugh
Sisters Lisa Gibbs and Bernadette Hellard have found fun and success in writing children's books that aim to build the resilience of younger readers.
27 October 2016 – Mindfulness, Psychology, Social Media, Wellbeing
Positive psychology much more than ‘Happyology’
Lifelong wellbeing is determined more by our patterns of behaviour over a trajectory rather than by any particular critical event.