Eight more reasons why Adelaide is world class

Thursday, 19 August 2004

Some of the big names behind the University of Adelaide's cutting-edge research and teaching will present their work to the public, starting today.

The University of Adelaide runs a series of free public lectures by new professors, who are widely recognised as national and international leaders in their fields.

A total of eight public lectures will be held each Thursday at 1.10pm, from August 19 until October 7.

This is a unique opportunity for the people of Adelaide to hear from some of the nation's best minds, all based at the University of Adelaide.

Topics to be covered during this latest round of lectures include:

• the relationship between hormones and cancer
• the impact of research on the oil and gas industry
• the use of torture against people linked with terrorism
• the building blocks of life itself
• developments in telecommunications
• how we process visual information
• "cellular policemen" that exist in our bodies

WHAT: "Fire, air, water and earth: the genesis of Australian vegetation" by Professor Bob Hill
WHERE: Council Room, Level 7, Wills Building, University of Adelaide - North Terrace Campus
WHEN: 1.10pm Thursday, August 19
COST: FREE

ABSTRACT:
Australian vegetation has been strongly influenced by many physical factors, and the most important of these can be summarised as: soil nutrients, temperature change, water availability, and fire. The fossil record of southern Australia provides a wealth of data on changes in vegetation in response to all these physical factors. Until we have a clear understanding of this history we will be unable to provide vegetation management plans for southern Australia that reflect the natural conditions under which the vegetation evolved, and we will continue to have to live with the outcomes of well-meaning but often poorly constructed management options.

For more information about each lecture, visit the Inaugural Lectures website.

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