Sustainability a priority
UniSA
has signalled its commitment to continuing to develop sustainable
environmental solutions with the establishment of the School of Natural and
Built Environments and the appointment of its first Head of School,
Professor Patrick James.Prof James comes to UniSA from the University of Adelaide where he worked in various positions for almost 30 years, including most recently as deputy head of the School of Earth and Environmental Science.
With a strong research record in geoscience, including tectonics and geological education, and extensive teaching and administrative experience, Prof James says he is looking forward to the challenge of leading the new school, which brings together earth and environmental sciences, park management, civil and water engineering, construction management, geoinformatics, planning, and project management disciplines.
He says some of his priorities will include strengthening links with industry and government, expanding the school's international profile and developing new learning technologies.
"I think it's a visionary grouping of disciplines, as they are all built around trying to develop more sustainable environment systems,” he says. “In the past we have been used to seeing two diametrically opposed lobby groups – environmentalists versus mining/development groups – but I think more and more people from all areas including government, planners, corporations and the general public, are realising that there has to be a balance in the way we use our resources.
“There are always going to be confrontations over issues like logging and uranium mining, but at the same time there's a growing awareness of sustainable development and the need to preserve the biodiversity of the natural environment for future generations.”
In a true display of walking the talk, Prof James says he's planning to make use of public transport systems as he divides his time between Mawson Lakes and City East campuses – his only complaint is that commuters have to pay extra to bring their bikes on the train during peak hour. “If there's one thing I'd really like to do it's to help the Transport Systems Centre improve the quality of public transport in Adelaide,” he says.