Western Sydney University nabs former Edge Impact consultant
Western Sydney University has appointed Olivia Tyler to lead industry innovation in its Sustainability and Circular Economy program.
In this newly-created role, Tyler will establish partnerships between the university and industry to address sustainability and circular economy challenges.
Tyler was previously managing director for sustainability consultancy Edge Impact in Australia and New Zealand, where she led a team of more than 70 consultants across six service pillars that included carbon, climate resilience and circular economy.
She has degrees in marine science and environmental engineering and an MBA.
Curtin University supports 10 fledgling startups
Also in the higher education sector, Curtin University has concluded its Accelerator program in which it nurtures 10 startups from healthcare, education, mining and technology. Program participants receive seed funding and access to the university’s industry connection and provides three months of immersive entrepreneurial education, where they receive individualised support and mentorship.
This year’s cohort comprised Wata Watcha, Procuracon, Care Corner, Luddi, Heal Domain, Rock AI, Matilda Health, Insole Lab, STEM XR, and Speed Signature.
A new can of worms: It’s International Compost Week!
May 7 to 13 is International Compost Awareness Week in Australia, where communities are encouraged to promote the importance and benefits of composting.
Composting can reduce the amount of food waste going into landfill while at the same time improving the biodiversity of soils and building up its resilience to extreme weather events. It’s an ideal way to return nutrients from food back into the environment.
With many of the country’s local government authorities considering rolling out kerbside food waste collection and recovery systems that involve composting, action is being taken to reduce environmental problems associated with food waste decomposing in landfill such as greenhouse gas evapotranspiration and hazardous toxic leachates.
It’s good to see support for this from the right places: Queensland Department of Environment and Science and Penrith City Council are supporters as areNSW Environment Protection Authority, Ku-ring-gai Council and National Circuit.