UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia

14/10/2026

Maximilien Desservettaz is an UOW Research Fellow and atmospheric chemist working with the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre.

His research explores the chemical composition of bushfire smoke, how it changes over time and the risks it poses to firefighters, Aboriginal rangers and communities.

"I try to understand who is most at risk with respect to smoke exposure, what compounds in smoke drive the toxicity; what plant species create the most toxic smoke when they burn; and also how smoke may impact air pollution in Sydney when it mixes with urban emissions," says Max.

Max hopes his research will help firefighters better understand the risks associated with smoke and reduce its impact on communities through improved protection and traditional burning practices.

14/10/2026

Last week, girls in Years 7-9 experienced a two-day, hands-on STEM experience for the EmpowerHER STEM Summit. 🔬

Students explored STEM in action, toured BlueScope Australia, met with women in the industry and discovered what their future could look like.

13/10/2026

What message are we sending when we produce entertainment out of somebody’s tragedy?

As true crime documentaries top the streaming charts and news headlines sensationalise gender-based violence and youth crime, criminologists encourage evidence-based reporting and primary prevention.

"Investment prior to harm occurring is where the evidence does show we need to be," says UOW criminologist Dr Laura Vidal.

CW: This article contains discussion of crime and violence.

UOW criminologists advocate for primary prevention

12/10/2026

Congratulations to UOW journalism student Anna Rixon who has been named recipient of the $10,000 WIN News Illawarra Broadcast Scholarship. 👏

It provides a $10,000 stipend and six weeks of full-time experience inside the WIN News Wollongong newsroom and will see Anna work alongside professional journalists and put her university skills into practice. 📹

“I originally thought I’d want to be an entertainment journalist but as I’ve gotten further into my studies, I’ve gotten way more interested in regional journalism and platforming the people, voices and stories that otherwise go unheard,” Anna said.

“Regional news is incredibly important because it keeps communities informed and provides people who otherwise wouldn't be heard with a voice. We're always impressed by the calibre of UOW journalism graduates," said WIN News National News Director Stella Lauri.

The WIN News Broadcast Scholarship is open annually to eligible UOW Communications and Media students who aspire to build a career in broadcast journalism.

11/10/2026

Global Climate Change Week kicks off this week bringing researchers and communities together to explore how climate change is affecting the region and what we can do to respond. 🌎

UOW is hosting the following community events.

14 October - Local Solutions to Climate Change: Find out about research-backed local solutions and how organisations are responding to climate challenges.

16 October - Climate Change, Natural Hazards and Your House: Practical insights into climate-related natural hazards, risks to homes and ways to improve preparedness.

Find out more. 👇

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our

11/10/2026

Calvin Yeo has always had a fascination with crime, but without access to the new UOW College Australia Diploma of Business to Bachelor of Laws pathway, his dream of pursuing a career in law may never have become reality.

“The Diploma of Business has taught me skills such as accounting and economics which would help greatly if I decide to go into areas such as taxation law,” Calvin says.

“It also gives me an advantage because I will gain an additional qualification in Business and can do certain things that others with law degrees may not.”

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our privacy policy and cookie policy

10/10/2026

A huge week of sport for our UOW students at the UniSport Australia Nationals in Perth. 🏆

Six UOW teams competed on the national stage last week, with our Division 1 Men's Beach Volleyball and Division 1 Women's Football teams both bringing home gold medals.

The Men's Beach Volleyball team went undefeated throughout the tournament to claim the national title, while the Women's Football team successfully defended their championship, becoming back-to-back national winners.

Congratulations to all the students who represented UOW. 👏

09/10/2026

Last week UOW hosted creative and performing arts workshops for high school students. 🎭🎸

Led by UOW academics who are experts in their respective fields, these workshops offered hands-on experiences in creative writing, performance and theatre, visual arts, and music.

09/10/2026

When a global research team including UOW’s Dr Jennifer Baker were investigating whether a drug could target a protein linked to glioblastoma, they made an unexpected discovery.

They discovered the drug was more than 1000 times better at blocking a different protein already known to play a role in glioblastoma.

The findings challenge previous research and could help guide future drug discovery for one of the most aggressive and fatal forms of brain cancer.

“This is the culmination of five years of research,” Dr Baker said. “Collaboration, patience and persistence are crucial to making these big breakthroughs.”

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. To find out more, read our

07/10/2026

The transition from university to your first role can be daunting. We caught up with Jen from UOW’s Careers and Employability Team, to get her dos and don’ts when it comes to navigating your next job application. ✅

Hear from a UOW employability coach and recruitment advisor