UNE Science & Environment

28/05/2026

Science took centre stage at Armidale Secondary College this week for the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP), where we teamed up with Macquarie University and the UNE Oorala Centre to champion the next generation of Indigenous STEM leaders.

Senior students took the lead, running science demonstrations for their younger peers that helped them build confidence and sharpen their leadership skills.

A/Prof Erica Smith has led the program at UNE since 2022, and believes it’s a unique opportunity to spark curiosity and open the doors to a career in STEM.

27/05/2026

Thinking about life after the HSC? Whether you're a Year 12 student or a parent helping with the big decisions, we’re here to help.

The UNE team is heading to some of the biggest careers and industry events over the next few months, so if you've been thinking about a career in science, ag or the environment, come and find out what's on offer at UNE 🌿🔬

Mark your calendars:

📚 HSC and Careers Expo - Randwick Racecourse - 28 - 30 May
🐄FarmFest - Toowoomba - 2 - 4 June
💼Western Sydney Careers Expo - Sydney Showground - 25 - 27 June
🐑 LambEx - Adelaide Convention Centre - 7 - 10 July

See you there!

22/05/2026

It’s the UN International Day for Biological Diversity, and the team at the N.C.W. Beadle Herbarium is marking the occasion with a new species discovery! 🌸

The newly described Phebalium banyabba features a bright pink flower and was previously thought to fall under the Phebalium nottii species, ending more than a century of scientific misidentification.

The species is endemic to north-eastern NSW, and has only been found in two locations near Grafton.

“Phebalium banyabba forms a lovely shrub less than two metres tall and is covered with stunning pink and rusty flowers in late winter through spring,” said Emeritus Professor Jeremy Bruhl, who described the new species together with Dr Ian Telford.

Read more about this exciting discovery via the link in the comments. 🔗

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

Here's what our UNE students would be if they were birds of prey 🦅

(we are not responsible for any hurt feelings over this post)

If you want to learn more about some of the region’s birds of prey, the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is hosting an event on Tuesday 26 May about last season’s breeding results and what’s planned for the year ahead.

Held at the UNE Natural History Museum, you’ll hear from leading UNE experts, Dr Steve Debus, Professor Paul McDonald, PhD candidate, Mick Wakefield.

Find all the details in the link in the comments 🔗

13/05/2026

Healthy forests, healthy farms, healthy families. It’s all one big ecosystem! 🌏

Join us on Wednesday 27 May to hear from Hunter New England Health's Professor David Durrheim and a panel of UNE experts on the need to grow a viable One Health Network in regional Australia.

Professor Durrheim's work in the One Health space has earned international recognition, particularly for his success in translating operational research into practical improvements in surveillance and service delivery for local public health programs.

He has also been instrumental in developing novel surveillance systems to detect and support responses to emerging infectious disease risks.

The panel will feature UNE's A/Prof Lorina Barker, Prof Susan Wilson, A/Prof Gal Winter, and A/Prof Jacqueline Epps, moderated by Prof Natkunam Ketheesan.

📍 NOVA, Armidale
📅 27 May, 5:00 pm
🎟️ Secure your spot by noon, 26 May (link in comments)

Thank you to the Royal Society of New South Wales New England North West Branch for organising such an important event!

11/05/2026

Electrolyte powders are definitely having a moment, but is a daily dose actually necessary?

UNE Nutrition’s A/Prof Gal Winter caught up with quantum chemist and avid runner, Dr Kas Gregory, to find out, and his insights might just change the way you hydrate next time you hit the gym 🏃🧪

06/05/2026