Ashley McGrath recently presented findings from her PhD research in a webinar hosted by the MARS Centre, exploring how inclusion and diversity (I&D) programs can strengthen the Western Australian mining industry.
The MARS Centre continues to advance research in mining health and safety through its robust PhD supervision program. The MARS Centre, in collaboration with the ECU School of Business and Law, currently supervises three Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) PhD scholarship recipients: Neil James, Nousheen Fatima, and Michael Mayom Ajith. Additionally, the School of Medical and Health Sciences supports a fourth MARS PhD scholarship student, Ben Walsh.
This article discusses the positives of the research that was undertaken in collaboration with Liontown by MARS Centre researchers. They highlighted how the research results were positive and outperformed industry averages. It then went on to say that the ECU MARS Centre will now work on creating a standardised survey tool for the industry to measure psychosocial safety, providing recommendations based on the scores.
The article by Mining.com.au discusses the success of the ECU MARS Centre research showcase. It outlines the presentations made by MARS Centre researchers and the findings from their projects.
The recent study examined the role of team belongingness in promoting worker wellbeing at remote mine sites, including Liontown’s Kathleen Valley lithium operation. The findings highlight the importance of developing mental health support, and proactive community engagement and recreational activities to enhance the quality of life for FIFO workers. Based off the research, Liontown has now implemented these strategies to make a tangible change to improve team dynamics and psychological safety.
The article published by Edith Cowan University showcases the accomplishments of the MARS Centre, dedicated to promoting research and education in the mining industry.
The MARS Centre's 2024 Research Showcase highlighted innovative workplace safety research, featuring presentations on FIFO workers' mental health, mining sector diversity, and a new Safety BMI. Professor Maureen Dollard's keynote address on Psychosocial Safety Climate drew particular attention.
The MARS Centre hosted a small event at the ECU City Hub, presenting the Psychosocial Hazard Work Re-Design Tool (PHReD-T). The event brought together around 40 attendees from mining industry organisations, including Rio Tinto and Fortescue. Keynote speaker Associate Professor Carlo Caponecchia highlighted innovative approaches to workplace safety, fostering meaningful discussions on occupational health challenges in the mining sector.
The MARS centre hosted an industry event in January, attracting over 150 mining professionals. Keynote speaker Professor Michael Quinlan discussed contract labour's impact on workplace safety, while centre members shared research insights. The event was successful and all attendees had the opportunity to network and advance safety understanding in the mining sector.
The second celebration event for the MARS Centre took place on the 6th of November at the QT Hotel. Over 100 people from industry, government and academia attended. The Minister, acting WorkSafe Commissioner, ECU Vice Chancellor, and Professorial Chair all contributed speeches. The event was well-received, with a considerable boost in interest through direct communication and social media following the event.
Tim Bentley presents his thoughts on how the ECU MARS Centre will address issues in the mining sector.