Welcome from Neville, November 2020

In many ways it has been a very long year and in other ways it feels like we’re still waiting for the year to start. However, as we start to wrap up 2020 I would like to give you an update on some new appointments to SMI.

You will have received the email regarding changes to some of our strategic research programs, and as part of that, Susan Johnston started in her new role last week as leader of the Governance and Leadership program. Susan as you know has a long history with SMI and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

We also welcomed Steven Mickelthwaite who has joined the team in BRC as Principal Research Fellow. Steven joins us from Anglo American where he held the position of Discovery Manager. Before that he was Associate Professor at Monash university’s School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment.  

Rachel Axon has come on board working with us as a Research Contracts Officer supporting Trish’s work as Research Partnership Manager. Rachel is a shared appointment with the Faculty of Science and she is with us on a Thursday and Friday each week.

I am delighted to welcome all three to SMI.

In recent years, you may have noticed some of your colleagues developing ridiculous moustaches during the month of November and this year SMI has decided to jump on board and has set up its own Movember team.

Much to my wife’s horror, I will be allowing my facial hair to go out of control for the month with the hope of raising awareness and funds for men’s health. Please join me - you will find details on how to take part or donate in the e-news.

SMI’s Tuesday webinars have wrapped up for this year, but we will be bringing them back in 2021 - more details on format and frequency will come in the New Year. But if you have a presentation you would like to give before the end of November please chat to your Centre Director as we are happy to run one-off events.

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to UQ’s Giving Day on 21 October. The University raised around $600,000 on the day and around a quarter of that was from staff donations. I’d also like to thank Susana, Liliana and Eleonore for contributing to the SMI video – if you haven’t already seen it, you can view here.

I will be in touch next month, in the meantime enjoy the e-newsletter. If you have comments or feedback on the e-news or our internal communications more generally, please let me know.