UNE Science & Environment

Whether you're a fermentation first-timer or a seasoned pro, you won't want to miss our Fermentation Festival workshops!

Featuring local experts from The Goldfish Bowl, Yin-yang Kombucha and UNE Nutrition, you'll get to dive into everything from sauerkraut to sourdough.

Plus, you'll leave with your own starter, scoby and other essentials to keep your fermentation journey
bubbling along at home.

Swipe to find out what's in store…

ICYMI: Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher recently launched her book 'Fungi for Land' alongside colleague Roz Hart, and it was a spore-tacular success!

'Fungi for Land' is Australia’s first user-friendly guide that will help land managers use fungi to their advantage, explaining how to foster fungi to sustain our plants, animals, and soil.

The official book launch was held on campus earlier this month, bringing together members of the community to celebrate this exciting publication.

Swipe for some of the highlights, including the Fly Agaric, Gold Tufts and Puffball themed cupcakes!

Visit the link in the comments to purchase and find out more about the book🔗

When we think of earthquakes, a sudden, violent shake is usually what first springs to mind.

But there’s another kind of earthquake that many don’t know about – one that's rarely felt, but causes seismic activity over days, weeks, or even months.

Thanks to UNE’s Dr Timothy Chapman, the trigger behind these enigmatic events has been discovered, providing scientists with answers to questions that have, until now, remained a mystery.

Swipe to find out more ➡️

UNE academics and alumni will provide valuable insights at an upcoming community event aimed at reshaping how we understand and support autistic individuals at all stages of life.

Hosted by the New England North West Branch of the NSW Royal Society and led by UNE Professor Vicki Bitsika, Perspectives on Autism, Neurodiversity, and Resilience will mark a significant shift in the conversation around autism.

Moving away from narrow diagnostic labels, the event will highlight autism as a natural variation in neurodevelopment, focusing on individual assets, strengths, and specific support needs.

“The frameworks for identifying autism have evolved significantly,” says Professor Bitsika.

“As our understanding grows, it is essential that we create spaces where lived experience, clinical expertise, and research evidence are equally valued. By marrying these perspectives, we can better enhance the resilience and quality of life for autistic individuals at every stage of life.”

WHEN: Wednesday 12 August, 5pm - 7:30pm
WHERE: NOVA, 122 Faulkner Street, Armidale
REGISTRATION: Register before Tuesday 11 August, 12pm.
COST: Free!

Register and find out all the details via the link in the comments. 🔗

Like many children, Kelly Saunders grew up loving animals, but what separated her from most was her fascination with those that had also walked the Earth millions of years ago.

After a stint of primary school teaching, the Hunter Valley local decided it was time to pursue her lifelong passion and enrol in an Undergraduate Certificate of Paleontology at UNE, followed by an online Bachelor of Zoology (Palaeobiology).

Now, she's halfway through her degree and excelling.

In 2024, she was one of just 100 students across Australia selected for the Elevate STEM program, and more recently, Kelly was awarded the Graduate Women NSW Inc Prize in Biology.

“It’s fascinating to learn about ecosystems that haven’t existed for millions of years,” says Kelly who is halfway through her degree.

“One UNE lecturer really resonated with me when they said that if we just look at the human records of species and ecosystems, we only have centuries of data. If we investigate the fossil record, we have millions of years of data which can better inform us of ecosystems and how they respond to change.”

Kelly says her time at UNE has been so much more than what she was expecting, spurring her on to hopefully pursue postgraduate study when she finishes her degree.

“I have loved my time at UNE and I’ve learned so much,” she says.

“I’ve made so many friends and most importantly I feel like I’ve changed so much. Not only have I grown academically, but also personally.”

As for her advice for other students, she has one thing to say:

“Study what you are passionate about. STEM is such an amazing field with applications everywhere.”

Visit the link in the comments to read Kelly's full story 🔗

National Science Week is just around the corner, and the UNE Discovery team is hosting a range of events for the whole community. Swipe to see what's in store…