The impact of public-funded university research on communities will be explored in the latest 2014 Explorations Series lecture on Wednesday 17 September, hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Professor of Information Studies Lisa Given will use 'real world' case studies and examples to show the economic, social and environmental impact of research on society. Professor Given recently completed a report for the federal Government exploring the implications for the use of research impact case studies. Her project included a public workshop in Sydney with researchers, university administrators and research office staff as well as interviews with key stakeholders involved in university-based research. Professor Given said, "We do so much research in our universities and we want to ensure that our results are used in practice, to change the lives of people in our local communities, and worldwide. Ensuring that our research is useful and taken up by the community is something we all do, but often quietly and behind-the-scenes. It's important for us to talk about the changes that we've seen as a result of our research activities." Professor Given's report, Qualitative Research Practice: Implications for the Design and Implementation of a Research Impact Assessment Exercise in Australia can be found here.  Professor Given is Acting Sub Dean (Research) with University's Faculty of Education and a member of CSU's Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE). The public lecture is free and will be held from 6pm in the Wal Fife Theatres, building 14, near car park 4, Tooma Way, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Five Charles Sturt University (CSU) male students have sported smooth legs for a good cause.Students living on campus at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga have raised $1 200 for The Rock Central School following a fire in its main administration building in April.Bachelor of Social Work student and Head Resident Mr Angus Stead will present the cheque to Principal of The Rock Central School, Ms Donna Rockley at 10.30am on Monday 15 September.  The money was raised during a 'Friday Unwind' event at the University's Crow Bar on Friday 16 May when five CSU students and Residential Advisors (RAs) had their legs waxed.The money is being donated by the CSU students to help the School replace equipment damaged in the fire. The blaze followed flood damage in floods in December 2010 and again March 2012.At the same time Mr Stead will donate $2 500 to the not-for-profit organisation Riverina Bluebell to help support its mental health awareness work. The money was raised by CSU students living on campus during 2014.The University's Residence Life employs the student RAs to provide pastoral care and support to students living on campus. Read more about the Residence Life Support Scheme here.

To mark the 25th anniversary of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2014, social media competitions are being held for students and Alumni. The student competition runs over 25 days from Monday 15 September till Thursday 9 October when the University will host a 25th Virtual Birthday Party. Students have the chance to win prizes valued at over  $2 000 by following the CSU Daily Tasks on the CSU Facebook page and being inspired to post photos. Winners will be named weekly on CSU Facebook page. In the Alumni competition, people are urged to share their best CSU story or image and post it on the CSU Facebook Alumni page where daily winners will also be named. Read more about the competitions and the 25th anniversary at CSU here. Ms Gael Evans-Barr, Senior Officer, Alumni and Donor Relations in the CSU Division of Marketing and Communication, said, "Charles Sturt University wants to celebrate its 25th anniversary with students, both past and present. We want to know where the graduates are and where our students aspire to go in the future. For this reason, the 25 Days of CSU competition is encouraging students and Alumni to share their photos and stories, to show and tell their Charles Sturt University experiences."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will field a team of 5 students at the 2014 Australian University Crops Competition in Temora from Wednesday 17 September to Friday 19 September. The team includes third year Bachelor of Agricultural Science students Mr Joshua Hart, Ms Lucy Darragh, Ms Catherine Worner, Ms Anna Dye and Mr Albert Gorman and is coached by Dr Sergio Moroni, a lecturer in crop science in the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Dr Sergio said, "It is encouraging to witness the team's confidence and determination to test themselves against the top agricultural science students in Australia and from the United States. They have had to train for the competition outside their studies and during the recent Semester break. It shows a significant level of dedication and effort. Regardless of the result, for me, they are already winners." The highest scoring competitors will win an overseas industry study tour with an award presentation to be held at 2pm at Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre on Friday 19 September.

The annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition for Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD students is on in Wagga Wagga on Monday 15 September. Sixteen PhD students will pitch their theses to a selected academic judging panel and interested audience members in just three minutes using only one static visual aid. Event organiser Ms Lisa McLean said, "The 3MT gives us a chance to hear about the wide range of research being undertaken at the University by our higher degree research candidates, and marvel that they are able to do it in under three minutes. A number of prizes will be awarded, and one of the sixteen will go on to represent Charles Sturt University at the 3MT Trans-Tasman Finals at the University of Western Australia in early November. The winner of the Judges' Choice Award will receive a $1 000 research/travel grant and audience members can also vote for their favourite presentation in the People's Choice Award, and the recipient of this award will receive a $500 research/travel grant." Audiences can also watch, and vote for their favourite presentation, online via Adobe Connect http://connect.csu.edu.au/threeminutethesis The 3MT will start at 1pm Monday 15 September in the Indyamarra Room, Convention Centre, at CSU in Wagga Wagga and conclude at about 4pm.

The Riverina Press Goes to War is the topic of a free public lecture on Saturday 13 September by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Dr Nancy Blacklow. As part of the Museum of the Riverina's History Week events, Dr Blacklow will explore some of the letters printed by Riverina newspapers and how they provide a social history of World War I. Dr Blacklow is an adjunct lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Dr Blacklow said, "During World War I, newspapers were the main source of news for Riverina communities. Even very small towns boasted their own newspaper. These newspapers looked after their communities by not only providing war news, but printing letters sent home by local soldiers. These letters tell stories of a sense of adventure, relief at surviving a battle, pride in achievements, and a growing sadness as the war continued." The Riverina Press Goes to War will be held from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Museum of the Riverina, Botanic Gardens site, Lord Baden Powell Drive in Wagga Wagga. To attend, contact the Museum on (02) 6926 9655 or email museum@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are pledging blood for a national competition, the Vampire Cup from Monday 1 September to Monday 13 October. The annual competition for donations to the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is the brainchild of the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA). Pharmers' Society at CSU in Wagga Wagga vice-president Jess Cole said, "Last year in the Vampire Cup, our Society attracted over 100 donations resulting in the club being presented with a new award, Young Blood. This year we would love the support of all our members and non-members. Donors need to register their support for Pharmers' Society at CSU in Wagga Wagga when making a donation".To donate, call 13 14 95 or go online here. The Wagga Wagga Donor Centre will have its mobile blood bank at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 23 September. The pharmacy program is a four year degree through the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University's (CSU) degrees in agricultural, animal, equine and veterinary sciences  will be on show at AgVision 2014 at Junee High School on Wednesday 3 September. Academics from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga will attend AgVision 2014 to provide information to high school students about the higher education opportunities available at CSU. They include: Professor of Agricultural Business Management David Falepau; Associate Professor in Veterinary Reproduction Scott Norman; Senior Lecturer in Plant Science Dr John Harper; Senior Lecturer in Animal Metabolism and Nutrition Dr Gaye Krebs, who will talk about a becoming a veterinary technologist; Senior Lecturer in Ruminant Health and Production Dr Alistair Smith; and Meat Quality Officer Mr Michael Campbell. Dr Smith, who will be joined by local dairy farmer Mr Sid Clarke at AgVision, will be promoting the roles that veterinarians play with farmers as part of the herd's 'management team'. "It is important that a dairy cow has a calf every year in order to produce milk and that in order to do that it is important that she is kept healthy and fed correctly," Dr Smith said. AgVision is held every two years and, as an Agricultural Careers Day, aims to inspire and inform Years 9 and 10 students about the range of careers available in agriculture, science and agri-business. Read more about AgVision here.

School students from Coolamon Central, Narrandera High and Leeton High will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Monday 1 September to learn about the higher education opportunities in the region. About 40 students from Year 11 are expected to attend the Skill Fix Day from 10am to 1.30pm. The event is part of CSU's Future Moves program which was developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. The students will be involved in a range of on-campus sessions covering study and research skills that relate to university learning. While on campus, students will participate in activities with Future Moves Leaders, listen to a guest lecture from the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess and tour the CSU campus and accommodation. "The Skill Fix Day is an opportunity for students to meet current Charles Sturt University (CSU) students and staff, who will inspire and deliver up-to-date information about studying at university and living on campus," said Ms Ravnita Sharma, Future Moves Program Co-ordinator.