17 December 2015: The University of Canberra has all sorts of seasonal story ideas under the tree ready for unwrapping.
Surviving the Christmas period
The Christmas period can be a highly stressful time. Credit card stress, relationship strains and New Year's resolution anxieties are common over the holidays, and Dr Vivienne Lewis, assistant professor of psychology, can discuss the causes and how to avoid them.
Managing the household budget over the holidays
The University's economics expert, Professor Phil Lewis, can help you ponder if the Christmas 'spend-a-thon' is important to the Australian economy. He can also talk about the problems raised by households spending more than they budgeted for in the lead-up to Christmas.
Staying healthy during Christmas feasting
Dr Richard Keegan, assistant professor of sport psychology, can discuss how to maintain a healthy attitude and keep on top of things over the Christmas break and how to get a head start on your New Year's resolution to exercise more.
Give the gift of reading
Mr Ryan Spencer, teaching clinical specialist, can explain why giving your children books is one of the best gifts you can give this Christmas, and why reading the same book to your child regularly can have a positive effect on their development.
Online scams
Online shopping offers convenience and prices that cannot be matched at the local shopping centre, but some products might be too good to be true. Nigel Phair, Director of the Centre for Internet Security at the University, can offer tips on how online shoppers can be safe in the lead-up to Christmas.
Canberra as a tourist destination or even a staycation
The coast is a popular tourist destination for holiday-makers over summer, but Canberra's value as a tourist destination is on the rise. The University's tourism expert, Dr Naomi Dale, can explain what makes our nation's capital a great place to visit.
The validity of online reviews
As holiday-makers set off on their adventures, many will look to online user reviews of hotels, restaurants and other products and services in order to make their decisions. While sites like Yelp and Zomato do their best to weed out fraudulent reviews, there are plenty of reasons to not believe what you read on the internet. The University's marketing expert, Dr Raechel Johns, can talk about the marketplace for fake reviews.
Wellbeing of students awaiting results
While the summer holidays are relaxing for most, many students are eagerly awaiting results from a year of intensive study and some have an anxious wait about what's next. Dr Thomas Nielsen, wellbeing expert at the University of Canberra, is available to offer advice on how to maintain positive wellbeing during what can be a difficult time for students.
Preparing for disasters
The extreme conditions of summer can provide the ideal environment for disasters to strike and residents need to make sure they are prepared. The University's disaster expert, assistant professor Jamie Ranse, can comment on the do's and don'ts of preparing for bushfires, and how people can help in the event of a disaster.
How to kick off the year on the right foot
The new year is an excellent time to rethink your diet and lead a healthy lifestyle, but nutritious foods can also be tough on the hip pocket. The University's nutrition expert, assistant professor Gabrielle O'Kane, can offer advice on which foods to look for in order to maximise your health.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362
Matthew Hogan: 0409 140 415
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810
Surviving the Christmas period
The Christmas period can be a highly stressful time. Credit card stress, relationship strains and New Year's resolution anxieties are common over the holidays, and Dr Vivienne Lewis, assistant professor of psychology, can discuss the causes and how to avoid them.
Managing the household budget over the holidays
The University's economics expert, Professor Phil Lewis, can help you ponder if the Christmas 'spend-a-thon' is important to the Australian economy. He can also talk about the problems raised by households spending more than they budgeted for in the lead-up to Christmas.
Staying healthy during Christmas feasting
Dr Richard Keegan, assistant professor of sport psychology, can discuss how to maintain a healthy attitude and keep on top of things over the Christmas break and how to get a head start on your New Year's resolution to exercise more.
Give the gift of reading
Mr Ryan Spencer, teaching clinical specialist, can explain why giving your children books is one of the best gifts you can give this Christmas, and why reading the same book to your child regularly can have a positive effect on their development.
Online scams
Online shopping offers convenience and prices that cannot be matched at the local shopping centre, but some products might be too good to be true. Nigel Phair, Director of the Centre for Internet Security at the University, can offer tips on how online shoppers can be safe in the lead-up to Christmas.
Canberra as a tourist destination or even a staycation
The coast is a popular tourist destination for holiday-makers over summer, but Canberra's value as a tourist destination is on the rise. The University's tourism expert, Dr Naomi Dale, can explain what makes our nation's capital a great place to visit.
The validity of online reviews
As holiday-makers set off on their adventures, many will look to online user reviews of hotels, restaurants and other products and services in order to make their decisions. While sites like Yelp and Zomato do their best to weed out fraudulent reviews, there are plenty of reasons to not believe what you read on the internet. The University's marketing expert, Dr Raechel Johns, can talk about the marketplace for fake reviews.
Wellbeing of students awaiting results
While the summer holidays are relaxing for most, many students are eagerly awaiting results from a year of intensive study and some have an anxious wait about what's next. Dr Thomas Nielsen, wellbeing expert at the University of Canberra, is available to offer advice on how to maintain positive wellbeing during what can be a difficult time for students.
Preparing for disasters
The extreme conditions of summer can provide the ideal environment for disasters to strike and residents need to make sure they are prepared. The University's disaster expert, assistant professor Jamie Ranse, can comment on the do's and don'ts of preparing for bushfires, and how people can help in the event of a disaster.
How to kick off the year on the right foot
The new year is an excellent time to rethink your diet and lead a healthy lifestyle, but nutritious foods can also be tough on the hip pocket. The University's nutrition expert, assistant professor Gabrielle O'Kane, can offer advice on which foods to look for in order to maximise your health.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Claudia Doman: 0408 826 362
Matthew Hogan: 0409 140 415
Marcus Butler: 0438 447 810