Achievements, accolades and new appointments of Griffith people.
Andrew Fraser
Congratulations to alumnus Andrew Fraser on his appointment as Queensland Treasurer.
Mr Fraser excelled as a student at Griffith, completing a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce with first class honours and winning the University Medal.
Mr Fraser was one of the youngest members of parliament when he was elected as the State Member for Mount Coot-tha in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. Two years after entering parliament he became the youngest cabinet minister in almost a century and took on the local government portfolio.
Professor Diego De Leo
Professor Diego De Leo, director of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), has been awarded a prestigious Doctor of Science by Griffith - a rare honour reserved for people who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their field of scholarship.
Professor De Leo has an international reputation for his research and leadership in suicide prevention, and on that strength AISRAP was designated a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Suicide Prevention.
He has also just been awarded a national Life Award by Suicide Prevention Australia for his lifetime contribution to suicide research.
Nicholas Oughton
Griffith Film School lecturer Nicholas Oughton has been appointed President of the Australian Screen Production, Education and Research Association (ASPERA).
ASPERA is the peak body of Australian tertiary institutions teaching and researching film, video, television and new media production practices.
ASPERA represents tertiary institutions offering degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including bachelor, master and doctorate programs in various screen production disciplines. It plays an active role in shaping quality education for those planning to, or working in production and research for the screen.
Larry Little
Practical solutions to Queensland's water crisis have moved a step closer, with the appointment of Chief Executive Officer Larry Little to lead the new Smart Water Facility at the Gold Coast.
Anchored by a new $18m facility jointly funded by the Queensland Government, Gold Coast City Council and Griffith University, Smart Water will provide a practical testing ground for solutions to the full spectrum of water supply challenges.
It will unite scientists, water authorities and cutting-edge water technology companies under the one roof. Mr Little was recruited to lead Smart Water after serving in executive research management roles within CSIRO.
He has extensive expertise developing commercially successful international research ventures within the technology, manufacturing and construction industries.
Professor Paul Burton
Protecting the famous Gold Coast lifestyle and developing a modern urban identity in a time of rapid growth is top of the agenda for a new research stream at Griffith.
The strategic partnership between Gold Coast City Council and the University will build on the success of the Urban Research Program and support new research focused specifically on the Coast's unique challenges and opportunities. It is headed by the newly-appointed Chair of Urban Management and Planning, Professor Paul Burton.
Previously head of the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, UK he has been researching urban policy issues for the last twenty five years.
Gold Coast City Council has contributed $1 million over five years towards the position and the research project.
Professor Graham Cuskelly
Professor Graham Cuskelly has been appointed the Griffith Business School's new Dean of Research. His research portfolio includes a focus on professional sports business, sports management, community development and volunteering, and his strategic focus will take the Griffith Business School's research to new depths.
Dr Robyn Hollander
Taking the reins as Head of the Department of Politics and Public Policy is Dr Robyn Hollander who was recently appointed to the position, within the Griffith Business School.
Formerly a member of the department, Dr Hollander is well positioned to continue increasing the profile of the department and ensuring the high quality of teaching and research in the area continues.