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STRICTLY SPEAKING | WONK AND NONWONK
Informal words for other people we don ’ t identify with come and go , but wonk is unusual in having recently resurfaced after several previous appearances in Australia with different meanings each time . It ’ s recorded from the 1930s as a derogatory word used by Aborigines for a white person , and by white people for others who looked down on them . Overlapping in time from the end of WWII , wonk was used to refer to an effeminate or homosexual man . More recently , originating in the US in the 1960s , it ’ s been used as a disparaging term for an overly studious or hard-working person , equivalent to the British “ swot ” in student circles , and used that way in Australia . Such wonks as graduates become hyperspecialised in a particular field , hence compounds such as computer wonk or musical wonk ( aka a geek or nerd ). The intensity of the wonk ’ s special interest and sometimes obsessive conversation tends to turn off those who are by definition nonwonks . Wonks of a different character are the policy wonks to be found in the corridors of power . Those who double as “ policy wonk and political guru ” would be just what every government needs . But those whose conversation is wonkish are not people you ’ d want to share a desert island with . In that situation you would definitely count yourself as a nonwonk .
Written by Emeritus Professor Pam Peters , researcher with the Macquarie University Linguistics Department .
BOWMAN BACK AGAIN
Professor Scott Bowman will take up the reigns as VC at Charles Darwin University .
It ’ s not Bowman ’ s first time at the helm of an intuition – he was VC of Central Queensland University for almost a decade until the end of 2018 , when he announced his retirement .
In the second half of 2020 , he joined Western Sydney University as its interim senior deputy vice-chancellor . Now , he will once again wear the vice-chancellor badge .
Bowman said : “ I am very aware that there has been change at CDU , and there is work to be done to build an outstanding university . I look forward to leading a period where together we build on 30 years of pioneering Territory spirit .”
PROVOST FOR POLLOCK
Bowman ’ s role at Western Sydney University will be filled by Professor Clare Pollock .
Pollock is currently senior deputy vicechancellor at Flinders University and spent more than 15 years in leadership roles at Curtin University .
She said of her appointment : “ I look forward to contributing to the next phase of the University ’ s strategic plan , and in particular , helping further develop industry engagement in the University ’ s teaching and learning , and research and development .”
WSU said Pollock will commence in mid-June .
BEAN DEPARTS – FOR NOW
RMIT vice-chancellor and president Professor Martin Bean will step down from the role in June this year .
The university ’ s chancellor Dr Ziggy Switkowski said that Bean would leave the position to focus on managing his longstanding health condition and devote more of his time to researching digital education , skills reform and the future of work .
After a short break , Bean will again join RMIT in 2022 on a part-time basis . In a letter to staff , the VC of six years said he would be back on deck to “ contribute to our digital education future and remain part of a community that I ’ m proud to call my own ”.
HIGH NOTE Australian musician Kate Miller-Heidke has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Griffith University .
The Queensland Conservatorium alumnus was bestowed the title Doctor of the University ( DUniv ) for her distinguished service to the arts as a singer and songwriter .
Kate graduated with a Bachelor of Music ( Classical Voice ) in 2002 . She has since won several Helpmann Awards , received 17 nominations at the ARIA Music Awards nominations and represented Australia in the 2019 Eurovision Song Content .
“ I ’ ve tried to make the most of any opportunities that come my way ,” Miller-Heidke said . “ Early on , my only strategy was to say yes to everything that interested me .”
McLEOD ’ S FELLOWSHIP
University of Canberra sessional academic Katrin McLeod has been named as a Higher Education
Academy ( HEA ) Fellow .
HEA Fellowships are awarded in line with the UK Professional Standards Framework to those showing excellence in teaching and learning in the higher education sector .
McLeod said her philosophy is that everyone is a learner and teacher simultaneously . “ Everyone has a bank of knowledge and we can use that to have discussions and learn from each other .”
GOODBYE AND THANK YOU
Announcing her departure from Charles Sturt University , Professor Heather Cavanagh said she was “ forever grateful ” to the leaders who pushed her to take on more senior roles at the institution .
The deputy vice-chancellor ( research and engagement ), who arrived at CSU 23 years ago as a pure molecular virologist , said she had no intention of retiring and intended to concentrate on work that would use her skills and expertise to make a real difference .
“ Everyone at Charles Sturt University who knows me will know how important ‘ impact ’ and playing my part in helping make this world worth living in are to me ,” she said .
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