ON THE MOVE campusreview. com. au
STRICTLY SPEAKING | MASSTIGE
Masstige is defined as‘ a class of massproduced, relatively inexpensive goods which are marketed as luxurious or prestigious’. It started out as a specialist marketing term at least 20 years ago, particularly in the beauty and fashion industries, but has widened its application and familiarity. So, just as a luxury designer like Vivienne Westwood may create a line of footwear for a popular retailer, the Penfolds name adds appeal to cheaper wines. At first sight it appears somewhat oxymoronic for a massproduced item to carry with it overtones of prestige. But if we look more closely at the origins of the word prestige itself, there is less of an inherent contradiction. As those who have seen the Hugh Jackman movie of the same name would know, prestige originally meant‘ trick’ or‘ illusion’. It gradually achieved the sense of being impressive or glamorous from the effect of bedazzlement that a wellperformed legerdemain can have on its audience. Given that a masstige item has been designed to pose as a prestige one, there is an implied willingness on the part of the viewer or consumer to be duped by a convincing piece of trickery. Owners of prestige items or names may be less impressed by their association with the art of the conjuror.
Written by Dr Adam Smith, convenor of the Editing and Electronic Publishing Program at Macquarie University.
BUILDING EXPERT HEADS TO HARVARD
The University of Melbourne’ s Philip Goad has been chosen as the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard for the 2019 – 2020 academic year.
The visiting professorship was established at Harvard in 1976, as a gift from the Australian government to mark the bicentennial of the United States.
The professor from the university’ s Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning will join Harvard’ s Department of the History of Art and Architecture and spend the year teaching courses on Australian architecture from its earliest times to the present, as well as its connection to the Americas.
FIVE MORE YEARS FOR CURTIN VC
Deborah Terry has been confirmed to stay on as VC at Curtin University until 2023. The former University of Queensland professor and alumna of the Australian National University, graduating with a PhD in psychology, joined Curtin as VC in 2014.
Terry’ s first four years at the helm has seen the creation of a medical school and the opening of campuses in Dubai and Mauritius.
In June 2015, Terry was made an Officer in the General Division( AO) for distinguished service to education in the tertiary sector and is currently a board member of Universities Australia and Australia’ s Academic and Research Network.
EX-PREMIER TO LEAD LA TROBE
Former Victorian premier John Brumby will be the next chancellor of La Trobe University.
Brumby was premier from 2007 to 2010, and also served as treasurer, leader of the opposition and federal member for Bendigo, as well as occupying several roles in the business, not-for-profit and university sectors.
Brumby said he looked forward to becoming La Trobe University chancellor.
“ I am both excited and deeply honoured to be taking on this important role. I thank Professor Richard Larkins for the outstanding leadership he has provided as both councillor and chancellor over many years,” he said. Brumby will start his new role on 29 March 2019.
MCCOLL PICKED FOR UQ ROLE
The University of Queensland’ s Faculty of Medicine has announced Professor Geoff McColl as its executive dean.
McColl will join UQ from the University of Melbourne, where he has been head of the medical school since 2015.
McColl said he felt incredibly privileged to have the opportunity to lead a faculty with an international reputation for the quality of its research and education.
“ I believe universities are important partners in facilitating optimal health outcomes for the communities we serve,” he said.
Outgoing acting executive dean Professor Robyn Ward said McColl’ s strong support for innovation in education would make him a great asset to the university.
Brumby is currently chair of the Australian Medical Council’ s Medical School Assessment Committee.
UTS ANNOUNCES HEALTH DEAN
Professor Suzanne Chambers has been announced as the new dean of health at UTS, replacing the acting dean, Professor Fiona Brooks. Chambers, a registered nurse and health psychologist, is currently director of the Menzies Health Institute at Griffith University and is chair of the Quality of Life and Supportive Care Committee for the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group. She also holds adjunct professorships at Edith Cowan University, the University of Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland. Chambers will take up the role in December.
NEW CHIEF FOR TAFE QUEENSLAND
Mary Campbell has been appointed interim chief executive officer of TAFE Queensland.
Campbell has held senior management positions across a number of Queensland TAFE institutes and holds a master’ s degree in education and learning innovations. She has spent more than 30 years in both leadership and operational roles in the VET sector.
“ I am passionate about all aspects of TAFE Queensland, but most importantly about creating real outcomes for students and employers,” Campbell said. ■
28