News from the College of Business, Government & Law

We acknowledge the traditional owners, both past and present, of the various locations Flinders University operates on, and recognise their continued relationship and responsibility to these lands and waters. We recognise that Flinders was established on the lands of the Kaurna nation, with the main Flinders campus located near Warriparinga

Welcome to the final edition of the College newsletter for 2024. 

As always, the end of another year marks closure. Not least, it marks the departure of staff who have made a long-standing contribution to the College. Our lead photo for the work features Michael Sullivan, who studies at Flinders in the 1970s and has worked here for the past 27 years. The end of the year also marks the retirement of Stephanie Eglinton-Warner, who has spent the past six years getting us ready for the landmark visit of the international accreditation team from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Thank you, Michael and Steph, for your contributions.

Our stories this month include next week’s VISTA Fiesta, providing a window into teaching innovations across the College; new awards for teaching excellence and innovation; $388K of new research projects, ranging from towbar production line optimisation to Vietnam’s blue carbon market; and a raft of new publications, ranging from ‘lookism’ in the hospitality industry to the business case for dam expansion in Australia.

And thanks everyone for your contributions to another landmark year for BGL.

Kind regards,
Michael

Professor Michael Gilding
Vice-President and Executive Dean

Feature Story

Tales from inside: College Services

As we enter the end of the year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on our achievements and significant challenges.

Director of College Services (BGL), Pamela Zorn, Director of College Services (BGL), reflects on the evolving student experience, drawing from her own university journey that began with a golden ticket and a daughter enchanted by “castle-like” buildings. Pamela shares her thoughts on creating a ‘sticky’ campus that supports and inspires students through their unique challenges. 

December Spotlights

Education

Get Ready to Turbocharge Your Teaching for 2025!

As we approach the new year, it’s time to prepare for an exciting week of professional development.

Join us for the VISTA "Siesta" from December 9–13, where we’ll explore innovative teaching strategies, discuss the latest in assessment design, and share best practices for engaging your students. With support from Dean (Education) Professor Christopher Kee, this event promises to inspire and equip you with the tools you need to make 2025 your most impactful teaching year yet. Don’t miss out—check out the full schedule and get ready to elevate your teaching!

Student-Led Teaching Awards: Congratulations Sam & Charissa!

College of Business Government and Law
Winner: Samantha Kontra
Honourable Mentions: Jeremy Ryder & Leoni Connah

Innovation in Digital Teaching:
Winner: Charissa Tarzia, College of Business Government and Law

Research

Based on Notification of Contract emailed to CBGL.research@flinders.edu.au from 28 October – 25 November 2024. CBGL CIs in bold. 

Jang, R., Manning, K. & O'Keeffe, V., Towbar production line optimisation (productivity, quality & safety) using cobot welding , Allin Towbars ($32,444.00) 

Marmo, M., Sinopoli, E., Cebulla, A., Sarkar, S. & Ibrahim, N., The lived experiences of harm faced by women in the Gig Economy in South Australia , The Law Foundation of South Australia Inc ($49,478.18)  

Pham, T., CIFOR Climate Collective SE Asia, This project addresses challenges in Vietnam's blue carbon market and policy arena: as part of the UBS Climate Collective - part implementation, Center for International Forestry Research ($129,733.26) 

Wheeler, S. & Jones, A. R., Blue carbon ecosystem restoration benefits measurement, verification and accounts: for the Gulf St Vincent Seagrass Restoration Project , Australian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water ($100,716.32) 

Wheeler, S. & Seidl, C., Upper King River Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Scheme , Department of the Environment, Parks and Water Security ($41,000.00) 

Zuo, A., Roberts, R., Zeng, D., Buui, B., Pham, T. & Lehr, H. , Evaluation and resource development to advance Australian agriculture export traceability , Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (Prev: Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) ($35,120.00) 

Top Research Publications 
Top 10%/ A*/A/Q1

*Based on notification emailed to CBGL.research@flinders.edu.au from 28 October 2024 – 25 November 2024. Current BGL staff in bold.

Niknam, F., Mardani, M., Bastani, P., Bashiri, A., Ha, D., Sookhakian, A., Akbari, R., Sharifian, R. (2024). Assessing the usability and reliability of a web-based teledentistry tool for remote diagnosis of oral lesions: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health, 24(1), Article 1094. (Scimago: Q1 (17.31%) in Dentistry (miscellaneous)) 

Jones, J., Manoharan, A., Madera, J. M. (2024). Lookism in hospitality and tourism workplaces: A multilevel review and research agenda. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 123, Article 103909. (Scimago: Top 10% (2.94%) in Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management). 

Kandulu, J., Wheeler, S., Kingsford, R. (2024). Dams, dams and more dams: issues in evaluating business cases for dam expansion in Australia. Environmental Research Communications , 6(10), Article 101016. (Scimago: Q1 (15.16%) in Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)) 

Lesar, L., Weaver, D. B. (2024). Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Tourism Using Quality Control Tools. Journal of Travel Research. Advance online publication. (Scimago: Top 10% (0.37%) in Geography, Planning and Development). 

Gallemore, C., Pham, T. T., Hamilton, M., Munroe, D. K. (2024). Vietnam's Payments for Forest Ecosystem Services scheme's puzzling role in protecting longstanding forests as deforestation rates rise. Ecological Economics, 217, Article 108078. (Scimago: Top 10% (6.07%) in Environmental Science (miscellaneous)). 

Wheeler, S. A. (2024). Comparing the success and failure of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan's water recovery programs. Australian Journal of Public Administration. Advance online publication. (Scimago: Q1 (17.39%) in Sociology and Political Science) 

New PHD Completions: Dr Osameh Gnaei & Dr Uelen Fernanda Pinheiro de Oliveira

Congratulations to Dr Osameh Gnaei on completing his PhD in Law, titled “Temporary Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia: Kafala System and Protection of Migrant Workers.” Dr Gnaei critically examined recent reforms to Saudi Arabia’s Kafala system, showing progress toward alignment with international law, Sharia law, and Saudi labor regulations, while highlighting the need for further reform to better protect migrant workers. He received an A/B in his thesis examination. Dr Gnaei was supervised by Dr Sanzhuan Gua (principal) and Associate Supervisor Hossein Esmaeili, and was sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

Congratulations to Dr Uelen Fernanda Pinheiro de Oliveira on completing her PhD in Business, titled “Supply Chain Transformation: Enhancing Sustainability through the S&OP Process.” Dr Pinheiro de Oliveira explored how Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) can improve supply chain sustainability, developing a framework based on interviews with senior leaders in the Beauty and Personal Care industry. She received an A/B in her thesis examination. Her PhD was supervised by Professor Adella McMurray (principal) and Associate Professor Ann-Louise Hordacre, undertaken through the Australian Industrial Transformation Institute.

What's been happening in BGL?

Think Tank on the Future of Social Prescribing in SA

On 11th November, Dr Abdul Khan organised an event for the Creating Resilient Supply Chain and Procurement students of MBA. Shaun Westcott, CEO of Mitsubishi Australia, Yoshiaki Kato, Chief Business and Governance Officer at Mitsubishi Australia and Former CEO of Mitsubishi Philippines and Thailand, and Henry Klis, General Manager of Vehicle Operations and Supply Chain Management at Mitsubishi Australia shared their perspectives on resilient supply chain practices at Mitsubishi Australia.

Associate Professor Angie Abdel Shafei, Dean (Business), College of Business, Government and Law, welcomed the distinguished guests and emphasised the importance of developing strong collaborations between industry and academia.

Image from L to R: Abdul Khan, Yoshiaki Kato, Angie Abdel Shafei, Shaun Westcott, and Henry Klis

2024 Alumni Awards

Last Saturday night Flinders lit up Adelaide Oval with blue and gold as the University celebrated the 2024 Alumni Awards.

Business, Government and Law was well represented with Greg Taylor BCom '05 awarded a distinguished alumni award for his distinguished leadership and commitment to creating a sustainable, ethical business and supporting entrepreneurs. Simon Schrapel MPolAdmin ’05 was awarded for distinguished contribution to social justice locally and nationally through welfare organisations, programs, and initiatives. You can read Greg Taylor and Simon Schrapel stories, and all other awardees here.

Brendan Nelson AO   BM, BS '83, DUniversity '11 was awarded an honorary doctorate from Flinders in 2011 and this year, was awarded our highest honour, the 2024 Convocation Medal. Brendan's speech was both remarkable and inspiring. Not a dry eye in the house as he reflected on the 3 institutions that have impacted his life, his parents, the Jesuits (at St Ignatius College) and Flinders University. He touched on the impact Kirsty Boden had on him, the 28-year-old nurse from Loxton and a Flinders graduate who bravely ran into danger to help other victims of the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attack, whose concern that day was not her own safety and welfare, but the safety and welfare of other human beings, her last words: ‘I am a nurse; I have to go’. There has been significant interest in obtaining the recording of Brendon’s speech – which the University is currently handling.

What's on 📢

Have you listened to the latest episode of JBC Dialogues?

The Jeff Bleich Centre’s podcast, JBC Dialogues, continues to release episodes. You can check out our three part interview with former US Ambassador to Australia, Jeff Bleich, now streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Share Your News!

We know you have stories to share, and we want to hear from you. It could be important milestones coming up, staff achievements, exciting new research, innovative developments, people and culture updates, and more.

The newsletter is complemented by the staff-only blog - College of Business, Government and Law News - which is great for longer form content.

More info including timelines is here. 

Important University Dates 📅

BGL Events Update:

We are excited to announce a transition to a new calendar system for BGL events. The Team Up calendar will no longer be updated with BGL-specific events, although it will continue to list important university dates such as semester dates, census, graduation, and more.

Moving forward, we will be using an Outlook calendar for all BGL events. This calendar is accessible to everyone within our department, providing a centralised and streamlined way to keep track of all important BGL activities.

We embrace innovative knowledge and practice to tackle the challenges of our time, with a strategic focus on technology, health and social impact. 
-Our Mission- 

College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University