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STRICTLY SPEAKING | SKINSHIP
Words and phrases are quite often borrowed from other languages to express a concept for which there is no existing term – think of schadenfreude or déjà vu in English ( from German and French respectively ). Less frequently , a completely new term is created out of fortuitous interlingual overlapping . The Oxford English
Dictionary recently added several Korean English ( or Konglish ) terms , one of which was skinship , with the rather lovely sense of “ touching or close physical contact between parent and child ”. It is actually modelled on a Korean word with the same meaning , seukinsip , which is itself derived from a similar Japanese word ( sukinshippu ). The semantic connections are obvious with the English kinship and skin ( themselves etymologically unrelated ), and thus they have been seamlessly grafted together . In recent usage skinship has extended beyond the family to other forms of affectionate contact . The Korean version of Wikipedia suggests a kind of hierarchy of romantic skinship , from holding hands to kissing to having sex . In a world of social distancing , it ’ s good to see that language ( s ) can still connect us in unexpected ways .
Written by Dr Adam Smith , convenor of the Editing and Electronic Publishing Program at Macquarie University .
FLINDERS ’ NEW DEPUTY VC
Professor Romy Lawson will take up the position of deputy vice-chancellor ( Students ) at Flinders
University , beginning 10 January next year .
Lawson , who is currently interim vicechancellor at Murdoch University , said she was “ incredibly impressed by Flinders ’ commitment to education as evidenced by its 2019 decision to invest an extra $ 100m a year to uplift teaching and learning – it ’ s the mark of a university that cares as deeply about student learning and the student experience as I do ”.
Flinders University ’ s president and vicechancellor Professor Colin Stirling said : “ Professor Lawson is ideally equipped to take Flinders ’ student-centred ethos to the next level .”
STREAMING FOR SUCCESS
Founder of video streaming service Kanopy , Olivia Humphrey , is taking up a new adjunct professor appointment with Curtin University ’ s Faculty of Business and Law .
In the role Humphrey will act as ambassador for Curtin ’ s entrepreneurship activities , and contribute to student and staff learning and research programs .
“ I am thrilled and honoured to be able to work with the bright young minds at Curtin University to help nurture the bold ideas that may turn into the next great start-up of the future ,” she said .
INDIGENOUS FOCUS AT CURTIN
Professor Christopher Lawrence has been appointed the first Dean of Indigenous Engagement at Curtin University ’ s Faculty of Science and Engineering .
In the role Lawrence , a proud Nyungar ( Whadjuk and Ballardong ) man , will help extend cultural understanding and open up career pathways for Indigenous students .
“ Professor Lawrence has had tremendous success in developing programs that embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and knowledge into the teaching of subjects across engineering and information technology , and we look forward to seeing that success continue at Curtin ,” said pro
vice-chancellor Science and Engineering , Professor Mark Ogden .
GOLDSWORTHY STEPS UP
Edith Cowan University ’ s deputy chancellor Denise Goldsworthy will become its fifth chancellor as of January 2022 .
Goldsworthy has served on the council since 2013 , and previously held leadership roles with Rio Tinto and BHP .
“ I consider myself very fortunate to have been part of the evolution of ECU over the last eight years , and it is a real privilege to step up when ECU is in an exciting position ," she said .
ALICI ACTING NO LONGER
The University of Wollongong has appointed Senior Professor Gursel Alici as executive dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences , a role he has been acting in since June .
A graduate of Oxford University , Alici joined UOW in 2004 and has served as head of the University ’ s School of Mechanical , Materials , Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering since 2011 .
“ Senior Professor Alici has been an effective academic leader within the Faculty for many years and is well-placed to take the reins at this crucial time for STEM disciplines ,” said UOW vice chancellor , Professor Patricia Davidson .
SPARKS IN CANBERRA
Professor Emma Sparks has been appointed UNSW Canberra ’ s incoming Dean and Rector , as of
January next year .
Sparks , a systems engineer with 20 years ’ experience working across the higher education and defence sectors , is currently at Cranfield University in the UK .
“ UNSW Canberra is leading the way not just in defence research , but also in areas such as bushfire dynamics , healthcare policy and gender equality ,” Sparks said .
“ I look forward as Dean and Rector to further fostering an environment where more ground-breaking discoveries emerge to help industry and government .”
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