Digital Commons Network^™

The Prevalence Of Varus Thrust: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Haonan Shen, Nicole D'Souza, Claire E. Hiller, Marnee J. Mckay, Kun Hu, Zhiyong Wang, Milena Simic

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To determine the prevalence of varus thrust in adults with and without knee osteoarthritis (OA), including across clinically relevant subgroups. A secondary objective was to explore whether varus thrust prevalence varied according to age, body mass index (BMI), and knee pain severity, where sufficient data were available. Design: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five electronic databases and Google Scholar were searched from inception to January 21, 2025. Studies reporting varus thrust during gait in adults, assessed using clinical observation methods, were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Results: …

Creativity Enactment In Ghanaian Secondary Visual Arts Programmes: An Autoethnographic Perspective, Enock Swanzy-Impraim, Geoffrey W. Lummis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Creativity is regarded as one of the competencies of 21st-century education and industry, and its enactment has been challenging for teachers and policymakers. This paper is an autoethnographic study that registers the accounts of the experiences and personal reflections of the lead researcher during his doctoral study, which explored creativity and creative pedagogies in visual arts practice in secondary schools in Ghana. It extends insights into how creativity is enacted in policy from a non-Western perspective and the realities and discrepancies surrounding the transitioning of creativity from the policy level into the local classrooms and studios within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis …

Stakeholder Co-Design Of Sustainable Urban Pest Management Strategies, Elizabeth C. Lowe, Nathan J. Butterworth, Alexander Austin, Cameron Webb, Tanya Latty

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The high levels of broad-spectrum insecticides used to manage invertebrates in many cities around the world has significant environmental and health impacts. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a framework for sustainable pest control practice, but uptake of IPM remains low in most cities. We used participatory action research with pest management industry stakeholders (practitioners, industry representatives, researchers and government employees) to identify key issues in urban pest management in Australia, set priorities for change and discuss collaborative solutions. Via an online survey and a face-to-face workshop, the participants identified the key themes of education and training, public awareness, environmental impacts …

Inked Mobilities: Tattoos As Embodied Visual Narratives Of Youth Migration Between Italy And Australia, Giulia Marchetti

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article examines tattoos as embodied visual narratives within a broader study on youth transnational mobility (2019-2023). Focusing on recent Italian migration to and from Australia, 13 tattoos were documented among the 36 participants, acquired shortly before departure, during the stay in Australia, or upon return to Italy. Methodologically, the article proposes tattoo-based interviews as a participatory visual method that mobilises permanently inscribed images as sites of visual elicitation, enabling forms of reflection and storytelling. Tattoos thus operate as relational spaces of dialogue, co-interpretation, and reflexive meaning-making between researcher and participants. Epistemologically, tattoos are approached as visual narratives through which …

Employer Perspectives On Graduates’ Professional Identity Formation In The Workplace, Denise Jackson, Michael Tomlinson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Professional identity (PI) is recognised as a crucial dimension in how graduates negotiate the transition to employment and move towards a pathway of sustainable professional development. Perspectives on PI have been derived mainly from higher education students with little attention given to the perspective of employers involved in supporting and supervising graduates in the workplace. Accordingly, the study surveys 339 industry professionals to examine their perceptions of how formed graduates’ PI is at different times after recruitment and the influence of personal, organisational and external factors on identity formation at work. Employers recognised how a well-formed PI enables graduates to …

From Gameful Affordances To Lasting Engagement: Deepening Customer-Brand Connections In Mobile Environments, Tripti Ghosh Sharma, Ankit Kesharwani, Preeti Tak, Sanjit K. Roy, Ameet Pandit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how gamification affordances embedded in m-commerce platforms influence gameful experiences (GX) and, in turn, sustained user engagement (SUE). It also explores how customer expertise moderates the GX–SUE relationship, addressing the need for more nuanced models that explain differential user responses to gamified digital environments.

Design/methodology/approach: Grounded in affordance theory, this study models four gamification affordances (achievement, identity, competition and self-expression), and their effects on six GX dimensions. Next, drawing from self-determination theory, the study tests the impact of these six dimensions on sustained user engagement. Finally, rooted in goal orientation theory, …

Mechanisms Influencing Maximum Joint Range Of Motion And Stiffness: A Narrative Review, Camila D. Lima, Anthony J. Blazevich

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Joint ‘flexibility’ is an encompassing term influenced by both a joint’s maximum range of motion (ROMmax) and its resistance to rotation, i.e. its stiffness. A critical amount of flexibility is thought to be important for both sports performance and daily and occupational tasks. Improvements in joint ROMmax, specifically, are often assumed to result from material and mechanical changes in the joint’s soft tissue structures; however, they also may result from changes in sensory information relayed from peripheral receptors to the brain, or the interpretation of that information. Changes in psychological state mediated by pain, state arousal and other psychological factors …

Mental Health Impacts Of Anti-Trans Stigma On Transgender People In Australia: A Mixed-Methods Study, Sav Zwickl, Sasha Bailey, Rin Chan, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Joel Murray, Stevie Lane, Foster Skewis, Julian Grace, Eli Ward-Smith, Tomi Ruggles, Ada S. Cheung

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Anti-trans stigma has escalated globally, yet there is limited empirical evidence examining its mental health impacts on trans populations.

Methods: In a May 2024 mixed-methods cross-sectional online survey, trans people aged ≥16 years living in Australia reported the frequency of seven anti-trans stigma experiences in the previous month, including exposure to anti-trans remarks in the news media or online; personal experience of online bullying, harassment or threats; having thought about, seen or heard about anti-trans rhetoric by Australian politicians and high-profile individuals; or anti-trans rallies; or police violence; or international anti-trans legislation and violence. Generalized linear models examined associations …

Shared Stories, Diverse Settings: A Podcast Analysis Of Stakeholder Experiences In Rural, Remote, And International Professional Experience, Marnie Harris, Narelle Lemon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study explores the experiences and perspectives of individuals involved in rural, remote, and international professional experience, with a particular focus on the support provided to pre-service teachers. Drawing on data generated through a series of in-depth podcast interviews, the research foregrounds the relational and contextual dimensions of teacher preparation across rural, remote, and international settings. Rural and remote communities face ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining teachers; therefore, this study explored the vital role that partnerships and supportive networks play in preparing pre-service teachers to succeed in these and other unfamiliar professional experience contexts. Through thematic analysis, the research …

The Influence Of Self-Compassion On The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Women Experiencing Infertility: A Systematic Review, Shwikar Othman, Mitra Javanmard, Lauren Roberts, Lisa Conlon, Mary Steen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Infertility can cause significant distress to women, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. This systematic review examined the influence of self-compassion interventions on mental health and well-being among women experiencing infertility. The review was conducted in accordance with Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and reported following PRISMA guideline. Databases searched included Medline, Embase, Ovid nursing database, Emcare, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library from inception to November 2024. Quality assessment was conducted using JBI critical appraisal tools. Title and abstract screening was conducted by three reviewers, and data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, …

When The Panic Sets In: Ai-Proofing As Pedagogical Violence In Social Work Education, Norah Hosken, Susan Bailey

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Universities’ rushed responses to generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) constitute pedagogical violence against students and educators in social work programs. Drawing on Matusov and Sullivan’s pedagogical violence framework and Bourdieu’s symbolic violence, we examine how institutional mandates to ‘AI-proof’ assessments contradict core social work values while inflicting systematic harm. AI-proofing policies impose time-limited assessments disadvantaging disabled students and those with caring responsibilities, deploy surveillance technologies that discriminate against non-native English speakers, demand unsustainable workload increases from burned-out educators, and dismantle scaffolded pedagogy aligned with how social workers learn to practise. Using collaborative autoethnography, we document our experiences across Australian universities and …

Multi-Omics Integration Reveals Vaccine-Specific Molecular Signatures And Temporal Dynamics Of Covid-19 Immune Responses, Anne H. Klein, David J. Beale, Thao V. Nquyen, Jian-Wei Liu, Petrus Jansen Van Vuren, Nagendrakumar B. Singanallur, Carol Lee, Andrew C. Boomer, Jennifer A. Juno, Stephen J. Kent, Adam K. Wheatley, Gough G. Au, Seshadri S. Vasan, Laurence Wilson, Alexander J. Mcauley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vaccination elicits systemic immune responses that extend beyond antibody and lymphocyte activation, engaging coordinated metabolic and lipid pathways that modulate immune function. Nevertheless, how systemic molecular responses differ across COVID-19 vaccine platforms, including closely related mRNA platforms, remains poorly understood. Here, we performed integrated plasma proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiling of 53 SARS-CoV-2–naïve adults vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. Samples were analysed across multiple timepoints using differential analysis and DIABLO-based multi-omics integration. Our findings reveal distinct platform-associated multi-omic molecular signatures not captured by unsupervised analyses alone. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination was associated with widespread increases in immunoglobulin and complement …

Sheep Industry Pivot Project: Global Comparative Review, James Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Executive summary: This report forms the first stage of a two-year project led by Edith Cowan University to identify and commercialise new market pathways for Australian sheep products and by-products. The project responds to a period of significant structural change within the industry, most notably the legislated phase-out of live sheep exports by sea by May 2028, which is reshaping market dynamics and supply chain configurations. As an initial global benchmark and review, this report examines international best practice and emerging opportunities to inform industry transition, with the broader project focused on supporting producers and processors to develop and test …

Cost-Effective Design Of Home Energy Management System With Pv-Wind And Battery Storage In A Grid-Tied Microgrid, Md Mamun Ur Rashid, Jiefeng Hu, Md Alamgir Hossain, Md Shafiul Alam, Ismot Tasmary Salsabil, Bo Long

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The rising energy demand and the limited availability of traditional energy sources have driven the search for renewable energy alternatives. Over the past few years, more renewable energy sources and significant efforts have been carried out around the World to decrease carbon emissions in the utility sector. To support this development, microgrids have emerged as a smart component of the future power grid. Microgrids, powered by local energy resources, are the most effective for building the new power grid. In microgrids, an Energy Management System (EMS) is an essential element in scheduling the local energy flows. This paper focuses on …

The Perceptions And Applications Of Cluster Sets In Strength And Conditioning, Tsuyoshi Nagatani, Shayne Vial, Kristina L. Kendall, Paul Comfort, Jiahao Yang, G. Gregory Haff

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

It is well documented that cluster sets, a modified set structure with additional rest between individual repetitions or groups of repetitions, can be used to modulate exercise-induced fatigue during resistance training. While practical guidelines exist, it remains unclear to what extent strength and conditioning (S&C) professionals utilise this programming tactic. The aim of this study was to examine S&C professionals’ perceptions of cluster sets and their application in practice. A secondary aim was to assess the alignment between cluster set programming tactics used in the field and evidence-based recommendations from the scientific and coaching literature. Forty-six S&C professionals (age: 40.0 …

The Role Of Kindergartens In Promoting Educational Moral Values In Children Through Storytelling, Reem Al-Hajj, Marwan Abualrob, Osama Tawfiq Jarrar

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study examines the role of kindergartens in promoting educational moral values in children through storytelling. The research employs a quantitative approach with questionnaires as a study tool. The study sample, selected randomly, consists of 135 kindergarten teachers from Jenin Directorate, Palestine, analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (Smart-PLS4). The results show that kindergartens have a significant role in fostering educational moral values through storytelling, supported by strong path coefficients (e.g., β = 0.361, p = 0.002 for proposed suggestions) and a high explained variance (R² = 0.673). This framework, which positions children as active meaning-makers rather than passive recipients of …

A Practice-Led Exploration Into The Melodic And Rhythmic Techniques Of Kenny Kirkland, Reuben Cope

Theses : Honours

Kenneth David Kirkland (Kenny Kirkland) was one of the most in demand and influential jazz pianists of the late twentieth century. Highly regarded among peers and critics, Kirkland worked extensively with numerous jazz luminaries and was best known for his work with both Wynton and Branford Marsalis, as well as with the pop star Sting.

This study aims to advance my ability as an improviser to access and utilise the melodic and rhythmic techniques featured within the improvisations of Kenny Kirkland. This aim was guided by observed limitations in my ability to shape the arc of my improvisations to push …

A Creative Exploration Of Bud Powell's Bebop Vocabulary For Modern Jazz Harmony, Flavio Colonetti

Theses : Honours

This thesis presents a practice-led research (PLR) exploration of adapting Bud Powell's bebop improvisational language for contemporary jazz performance. Through transcription and analysis of Powell's right-hand melodic material, this study employs an iterative framework to identify and transform several core stylistic traits. The initial investigation, focused on creatively transforming two extended melodic phrases, demonstrated success in traditional functional harmonic contexts but revealed a limitation when applied to the more modern, vertical chord progressions.

This prompted a methodological shift to a more modular system, whereby a catalogue of 26 short "Vocabulary Seeds" (VS) drawn from across Powell's discography was created. As …

Musicking In The Greek Diaspora Of Perth, Western Australia, Alix Simatos

Theses : Honours

This research investigates music making among second- and third-generation Greek Australians in the diaspora community of Perth, Western Australia. It explores how musical practices serve as a medium for expressing and negotiating Greek identity, with particular attention to how multiculturalism is embodied through music education, performance and communal exchange. Fieldwork was conducted in Perth between July and September 2025, using a methodology that included semi-structured interviews, participant observation and experiential learning through musical events. The findings highlight music’s significance in sustaining cultural heritage and shaping identity within diaspora communities. Key themes include the influence of physical and digital media on …

Young Motherhood In Crisis: Multidimensional Childcare Challenges In Accra’S Old Fadama And African Eleven Slums, Portia Nana Ama Brempong, Victus Gyambiby, Gladys Aboagye Asamoah, Kingsley Saa-Touh Mort, Margaret Mensah, Florence Akosua Agyemang, Abena Oforiwaa Ampomah

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Young mothers in urban slums face multifaceted challenges in raising their children due to poverty, limited access to basic services, and weak social support systems. However, limited qualitative research in Ghana has specifically examined their lived experiences within their ecological contexts.

Objectives: This study aimed to address these gaps by exploring the multidimensional challenges young mothers face in raising their children in the Old Fadama and African Eleven slums in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: A qualitative research design utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed to explore the multidimensional challenges faced by young mothers in the Old Fadama and African …

Advances In Survival Analyses: Machine Learning Methods And Model Comparison, Ryan Gately, Dharshana Sabanayagam, Wai H. Lim, Lin Zhu, Farzaneh Boroumand, Shuvo Bakar, Armando Teixeira-Pinto, Germaine Wong

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This is the second article in a 2-part series on survival analysis. In part 1, we discussed the core concepts and traditional methods used in survival analysis. Part 2 explores the novel approaches to predict survival outcomes and evaluate model performance. To facilitate hands-on learning and practical implementation, the R code used in these analyses is provided in the supplementary materials, along with instructions to help readers apply these methods to their data.

Relating To Difficult Weather Through Creative Practice: Responses To Marrugeku’S Cut The Sky, Helena Grehan, Jo Pollitt, O. J.E. Slater, Sam Fox

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this paper we argue that performance and the arts invite a deliberate sensorial connection with the body and can support a bodily turn or return, in order to help artists, scholars and communities more broadly, better attune to increasing climate instability, through collaborative, supportive and reflexive storytelling. Drawing on the three “weather” symposia, the paper focusses on the second symposium which featured a keynote presentation by Rachael Swain, co-artistic director of Marrugeku, Australia’s leading Indigenous Intercultural Dance and Performance Company. Responses to Marrugeku’s work Cut the Sky are collectively presented to illuminate what Swain argues are, “Dramaturgies of consequence” …

Integrated Incubators: A Novel Framework For Technology-Based Creative Arts Education, Brad Phelps Nisbet

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the development and impact of an educational framework designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry within the media and entertainment sector. It addresses the prevalent "skills mismatch" where graduates often lack the specific technical competencies, foundational knowledge, practical experience, or soft skills required for entry-level positions in a rapidly evolving landscape influenced by advancements like virtual production, real-time VFX, immersive media, and Al. Grounded in both theoretical and practical insights, the framework aims to foster student creativity, technical proficiency, industry readiness, transferable skills, and adaptability, prioritising a transformative, student-centric learning experience.

The research employed a …

Synergistic Removal Of Microplastic Fibres: Integrating Chitosan Coagulation In Hybrid Water Pre-Treatment Systems, Jayasuriya Arachchilage Nimesha Thathsarani

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Microplastic fibres (MPFs) are the most prevalent form of microplastics detected in the influents of water and wastewater treatment plants. Owing to their elongated shape and low density, MPFs frequently evade removal even during tertiary processes such as membrane filtration. Enhancing pretreatment, particularly through cost-effective coagulation-flocculation can reduce the treatment burden on downstream systems. However, conventional inorganic coagulants often necessitate high dosages and can leave residual ions, posing environmental concerns.

As a sustainable alternative, the use of environmentally friendly coagulants such as Chitosan has gained attention for MPF removal. While Chitosan exhibits favourable qualities, its practical application is hindered by …

Getting Ready Right: The Impact And Influence Of The University Appointed Supervisor, Madlen Griffiths

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Initial Teacher Education professional experience is a valued component of teacher education courses, where preservice teachers can practise applying what they have learned at university in classroom settings. Key to these experiences are supervisors, who are employed by the university and support these aspiring teachers during their professional experiences. This supervisory role is complex, underrated, under-theorised and under researched. Consequently, this research sought to address this shortfall through an investigation into the perspectives of two of the major stakeholders in these experiences: the preservice teachers and the supervisors.

Adopting a social constructivist methodology, this research examined the stakeholders’ perceptions of …

Development Of Virtual Reality Learning Environments In Science To Engage Secondary Students In Hazardous Activities, Luke Spartalis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research examines the need for change in including hazardous activities in education. As different learning technologies develop, platforms that retain authentic outcomes via virtual reality are needed. The main objective of this research is to examine the inclusion of Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs) to determine their value in areas that include hazardous conditions. The research considered the ways that VR tools could be optimised to support these activities, as well as considering the challenges of VRLE implementation. The study examined whether VRLE’s allowed for authentic experiences to sufficiently drive an acceptance of VR to complement existing teaching and …

Enhancing Deep Reinforcement Learning With Expert Demonstrations For Mobile Robot Navigation In Unstructured Off-Road Environments, Dulitha Dabare

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Advancements in the field of Deep Learning has ushered in a boom in autonomous navigation research. Most of the work being conducted in this space, however, has focused on on-road urban navigation scenarios, with unstructured outdoor terrain navigation receiving much more limited attention. Given the wide range of applications that exist for legged and wheeled ground robots in off-road environments in areas such as agriculture, mining and disaster recovery, there is a growing need for research work to improve the navigational capabilities of mobile robots deployed in these challenging environments.

A promising candidate for application to these navigation challenges in …

Multimodal Scene Understanding For Mobile Robot Navigation In Unstructured Outdoor Environments, Liyana Mudiyanselage Nipuna Dinendra Wijayathunga

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The application of autonomous field robots in agriculture, mining, transport and logistics, disaster management, and exploration has increased with advances in sensing, perception, and autonomous navigation technologies. Western Australian off-road environments present challenges for autonomous ground robots because they contain unstructured ter rain, variations in appearance and geometry, changing illumination, and visually similar regions with different traversal characteristics. Reliable operation therefore requires scene understanding methods capable of representing the environment according to its navigability for robot traversal.

This PhD research investigates multimodal scene understanding for autonomous ground robot navigation in unstructured off-road environments. The research focuses on the development of …

Experimental Investigation Into The Effects Of Air Staging On Fouling In A Fixed-Bed Biomass Combustor, Akram Elsebaie

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Biomass offers significant potential as a sustainable and renewable substitute for fossil fuels in energy generation, playing a critical role in the reduction of global warming. However, despite its environmental benefits, biomass combustion faces persistent operational challenges, particularly fouling, which reduces efficiency and increases maintenance costs. Although fouling mechanisms have been studied in various combustion systems, there is limited research which addresses its formation and behaviour in fixed-bed biomass combustors under different air staging conditions. This research investigates fouling behaviour in a counter-current combustor, focusing on the influence of design (secondary air location), operational (air staging flowrates between the primary …

Speculative Morphological Assemblages From Canhedonia’S Wetlands: A Queer Ecology Within The Animated Film The Spire™, Darren Tynan, Brenton Rossow

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This practice-enabled research presents a series of stills from the authors’ forthcoming experimental, generative AI film, The Spire™. Set in the not-too-distant future realm of Canhedonia, a polluted wetland bleeds into the edges of an industrial megacity. Within this eroding wetland–city threshold, morphological assemblages blur ontological distinctions of human and non-human, nature and culture, and animal and object. Human-made artefacts, flotsam and detritus from nearby industrial excess, combine with microbial life, plastic pollution, animal and human DNA, proteobacteria, and cultural paraphernalia to form fused and agglomerated entities.