| |
 |
 |
Paul Harris
Lecturer, Agricultural Engineering |
HARRIS' LAW
"The harder you push any system the more unstable it becomes, and the more management it requires!"
A related observation is that "we" (Western society?) have a remarkable tendancy to make things as complicated as possible and to solve problems by adding extra pieces to fix the symptoms, rather than looking for the cause of the problem and fixing that. I think that this is at least in part because of our reductionist approach, which leads to "tunnel vision" rather than a "holistic" approach to a challenge.
This leads to Harris' Corollary of Murphy's Law - "Solving any problem immediately creates at least two more problems". Even anaerobic digestion follows this corollary, treating the waste problem creates problems of using the biogas and the organic fertiliser produced (but I think they are nice problems to have!).
Films I Recommend!
All environment/society related! If you see these and still think there is no problem YOU are part of the problem!
"Happy Feet" and "The day after tomorrow" (which I have not yet seen) are a couple of thought provoking "mainstream" films.
ACADEMIC AWARDS:
1974 Bachelor of Engineering (Agricultural) (Melbourne University)
ASSOCIATIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS:
Society for Engineering in Agriculture - past National Committee Member
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1990-2012 The University of Adelaide, lecturer
1976-1990 Roseworthy Agricultural College, lecturer
1974-1976 Postgraduate study, Melbourne University
RESEARCH INTERESTS/AREAS:
Integrated Biosystem Project at Roseworthy Campus with EBCRC
Anaerobic Digestion, Renewable Energy and Integrated Biosystems
You may like to check out Perry Arnett's Scenario, papers by Bruce Robinson and Lyn Martin or COPAD to see why I am interested in renewable energy.
See also http://www.PeakOil.net/
http://www.hubbertpeak.com/magoon/
http://www.STCwa.org.au/
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
MAIN TEACHING FIELDS:
- Introductory Engineering including structures, water and oil hydraulics, machinery, electricity, electronics and surveying.
- Agricultural Equipment
- Irrigation
- Renewable Energy
CONSULTANCY INTERESTS:
CONFERENCE PAPERS:
- "The role of Anaerobic Digestion in Integrated Biosystems", 1999, National Workshop on Wastewater Treatment and Integrated Aquaculture, West Beach - PowerPoint handout
- "Integrated Biosystems", 2000, SEAg 2000 - Growing Links, Adelaide, April - Powerpoint
- "Integrated Biosystems in Southern Australia", 2000, presented at the InFoRM2000 workshop in Brisbane, November 9-10.
- "An Agricultural Engineer's View of the Universe", 2002, AgEng 2002, Wagga Wagga - Powerpoint Presentation
- "Managing cow dung with a low tech, cheap plastic digester", 2003, K. A. Yongabi, P. L. Harris, A. S. Sambo, M. O. Agho, 29th WEDC International Conference, Abuja, Nigeria.
- "The Ridgway Pneuflo combine design and construction", 2003, Ridgway, I. G., and Harris, P. L., Proceedings of the International Conference on Crop Harvesting and Processing, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. ASAE publication number 701P1103e, ed Graeme Quick.
- "A possible explanation for Murphy's Law?", 2004, Harris P.L., SEAg 2004 'To Bourke and Back', Dubbo, September 14-16 - Powerpoint
- "Some thoughts related to renewable energy (and other?) systems", 2004, Harris P.L., SEAg 2004 'To Bourke and Back', Dubbo, September 14-16 - Powerpoint
- "Thoughts on Simple Anaerobic Digestion", 2007, Harris P.L., "Progress in Biogas", Stuttgart, September 19-20
- "A method for determining the size of anaerobic digesters", 2011, Harris P.L., SEAg 2011 'Engineering in Agriculture - Diverse Challenges Innovative Solutions', Surfers Paradise, September 28-30 - Powerpoint
Contact
Retired
|
