The cutting-edge researchers in the School believe that it is important to demonstrate the relevance of mathematics and statistics to society and everyday life. Here are some examples of our appearances in the print, online and broadcast media.

2013

In February, articles about Dr Jake Oliver and his team's research appeared in both SMH and The Conversation. Their study revealed the value of mandatory helmet laws, which are currently up for debate, and the correlation between injury severity and the lack of a helmet. 

In March, their work was mentioned in two prominent injury prevention publications.

2012

SEPTEMBER: Once again, Dr Chris Tisdell's YouTube achievements were trumpeted in the media - this time in the Higher Education section of The Australian. In the article, "Seismic shift in learning as study tourists go online", Dr Tisdell talks about what initially attracted him to the concept of videoing lessons, and who his main audience is. The extent of his extraordinary success is highlighted.

JULY: Dr Chris Tisdell was interviewed by SMH for an article about his online success, "Online lessons add up for lecturer". Dr Tisdell's YouTube channel has achieved phenomenal popularity, recently surpassing one million hits. His e-book has also experienced prominence as one of the top dowloaded texts on e-book publisher Bookboon's website. According to the SMH article, "Chris Tisdell is the equivalent of a best-selling author or chart-topping musician".

Dr Tisdell's trailblazing work was also mentioned in an article in The Age, "Don't get hung up, let's just hang out", authored by the Managing Director of Google Australia & New Zealand, Nick Leeder.  

APRIL: Dr Moninya Roughan was interviewed on ABC radio about the East Australia Current, which has a huge impact on local weather systems and climate.

2011

Then Head of School Professor Tony Dooley was quoted in a Daily Telegraph article, “HECS minus $400 million means Australia is a nation of dunces”. The article looked at the imminent threat of a “brain drain” in Australia due to cuts to mathematics and science education funding by the Federal government. Prof Dooley commented on the likely impact on student numbers of increased annual HECS fees for students in these disciplines.

Professor Dooley talked to Channel 10 News about a mathematical formula designed to help surfers find the perfect wave.

2010

Leading up to Valentine’s Day, articles and broadcasts about a “formula of love” devised by staff in the School appeared across a wide range of media outlets. The formula provides a “mathematical framework” to figure out the optimal time to get serious with your partner. The story appeared in Australian and international online and print media, and was also picked up by Australian radio stations.

2009

A Melbourne Cup “winning formula” developed within the School, dubbed the Melbourne Cup Trifecta 50 or MCT50, advises to eliminate all the horses that have odds longer than 50-1 and to place a $1 bet on all possible box trifecta combinations for the remaining starters. This story was picked up by several media outlets, including news.com.au and SMH.