On 14 September the eight finalists in the Lion’s Den challenge pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges that included members from the Sydney Innovation Hub, Incubate, ICT, and the Library.

The winner!

The winning pitch was presented by William Beckwith, a 3^rd year psychology student who proposed changes to the ICT computers (both a time out feature and an instructional display) to influence a change in behaviour of how students use and share the computer resources.

The runners-up

The two runner-up students were an engineering undergraduate pitching electronic displays at Library entrances that show computer availability, and a business school undergraduate proposing a safety program to facilitate students meeting to travel to public transport together after the campus shuttle ceases operation in the evening.

And many more ideas…

Other great ideas that were presented on the night were short-term lockers at study desks, standing desks, stationery vending machines; massage chairs and short-term lockers in the Library. All of the students did a wonderful job presenting their ideas, as did the MC Danny Giles in hosting the night. The judges didn’t hold back in their questions and the contestants all did superbly in defending their pitches.

It was a great night, and provided the students with a wonderful opportunity to develop their proposal writing and pitching skills, and also allowed the Library to see some great ideas that we can use to help develop client-centred services.

Well done everyone!

In this new exhibition artist and Sydney University PhD student Emma Robertson suggests a combination of art and nature as antidote to anxiety.

When: 20 September-14 October 2017; 10am-5pm

Where: Fisher Library levels 2, 3 and 4.

Art and nature both provide antidotes to feelings of anxiety, as shown by recent research into biophilia and ecopsychology. This exhibition, in glass vitrines across three floors of the Fisher Library at Sydney University, explores images of plants which enhance a calm meditation, and a mindful response. Observing natural forms has been statistically proven to reduce blood pressure, increase immune responses, and help alleviate depression and anxiety. Reflecting on images of nature can provide us with a source of healing and improve well-being, and the exhibition is part of a community of activities that form part of the Big anxiety festival of arts + science + people. 

About the artist:

Emma Robertson is an award winning artist, whose work is in several public collections in four countries. The Hospital Trust for Scotland purchased two works for their permanent collection, which were commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council for the exhibition Woodworks. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Sciential Education Fellow / Associate Professor at UNSW, and a previous Artist in Resident at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

When: Until 31^st January 2018

Where: Level 3 Corridor, Fisher Library F03 and Scitech Library

They pursue ill-fated hares across the pages of treatises on hunting; captivate poets and artists as the subjects of dedicated portraits and odes; linger quietly as background figures in illustrations and paintings; and populate narratives in all manner of roles from protagonist to confidante.

Dogs appear frequently in cultural records of many kinds dating back to antiquity. This is hardly surprising, given the longevity and strength of their relationship with humans. Their companionship and utility to man have been extensively documented and discussed by historians, scientists and enthusiasts. Also evident is their ability to captivate the human imagination as exemplars and symbols, positive and sinister, from models of loyalty to harbingers of death.

This exhibition presents a selection of cultural depictions of dogs found in Rare Books & Special Collections, and thus a snapshot of the canine-human relationship as expressed in art and literature. From the wild and mysterious to the familiar and faithful, dogs of all kinds have been coaxed from their kennels, dens and chaise-lounges into the spotlight. No doubt there are many more waiting to be found.