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Newsroom FeedNewsroom
Tranformation of Pittsburgh offers lessons for Australia
29 July 2012
2GB Sunday Business with Ross Greenwood
The two-speed economy has caused a slow down across Australia in many of our largest cities, an experience which the former mayor of Pittsburgh Tom Murphy knows all too well. Murphy was in Sydney for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future and, from his experience transforming Pittsburgh into one of the most livable cities in the world, offers some simple ways to help future proof our urban environments. Listen Online
Seattle couple's passion builds "Ancestral Modern" show at SAM
29 July 2012
The Seattle Times
Centre chair in US politics Margaret Levi first visited Australia in 1984 to research tax policy, but while in the country, she discovered a passion for Aboriginal art. She has since amassed a considerable collection, which the Seattle Art Museum is exhibiting in its Ancestral Modern show. Read article
Safe hands needed in China
28 July 2012
The Australian
On his recent trip to China, Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott blundered on foreign investment policy, argues Paul Kelly. Centre CEO Geoff Garrett tells The Australian journalist that managing China provides an opportunity for Australia, and will not require a "Sophie's choice" with the United States. Read article
Romney's shambolic overseas tour
28 July 2012
The Conversation
Mitt Romney's trip to the United Kingdom, Israel, and Poland was supposed to make him look presidential, says Centre elections analyst Luke Freedman. Instead, a series of gaffes have made the campaign seem clumsy and inexperienced. Read article
Making our cities safer
27 July 2012
ABC TV Planet America
The recent shootings in Colorado have put gun culture in America back on the agenda but strong constitutional protections mean that mayors and policy makes have to employ creative solutions to help reduce violent gun crime. Former mayor of Pittsburgh Tom Murphy, in Sydney for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future, explains how he reduced the homicide rate in his home town by half. Watch Online
Anti-Muslim pamphlets raise troubling questions
27 July 2012
ABC 7:30 South Australia
The Islamic Society of South Australia wants religious vilification made illegal after the letterboxing in Adelaide of anti-Muslim pamphlets with links to an American extremist group. Lecturer Dr David Smith explains the proliferation of religious extremist groups in the US and it's worrying connection to Australian groups. Listen Online
24-hour spin cycle off and running
27 July 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Round-the-clock news on cable TV and online has produced a series of media storms this week, whether it be Obama's comments about small business or Romney's gaffes abroad. Postdoctoral fellow Nicole Hemmer dissects the news of the week and reminds us that the truth behind the spin really does matter. Watch Online
Obama's city strategy
27 July 2012
2SER Friday Daily
The US electoral system, which preferences state electoral college votes over the popular vote, has serious knock-on effects for the strategies of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. As honorary professor in urban policy Ed Blakely explains, in key swing states this will make the election a battle between Obama's inner city supporters and Romney's rural voters. Listen Online
Obama, Labor take different paths towards their electoral D-Day
27 July 2012
The Australian
Both Barack Obama and Australia's governing Labor Party face tough elections in the near future, but Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett says each is approaching the forthcoming poll with a different set of tactics. While the ALP is moving towards the right, Obama sees potential in embracing the left. Who has the right idea? Read article
How do we reinvigorate our cities?
26 July 2012
ABC Local Radio Sydney 702 Mornings
The task of revitilasing cities is a complex one with residents, governments and the private sector all needing to work together to achieve the best outcomes. The director of New York's Regional Plan Association, Tom Wright, says that building healthy relationships between these parties is central to success. Wright was in town for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future in Sydney this week. Listen Online
Sydney DNA can lead urban renaissance
26 July 2012
Sydney Morning Herald Online
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all model of urban development, Centre guest Tom Murphy says Sydney and other cities around the world should embrace their unique DNA when building for the future. The former mayor of Pittsburgh was in town for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future in Sydney this week. Watch Online
Green, modern cities the goal for sustainability summit
26 July 2012
Voice of America Online
Helping the transformation of sprawling and overcrowded cities around the world, including those in Africa and Asia, into sustainable, modern centers is the focus of the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future in Sydney this week. Read more
Abbott's risky doublespeak diplomacy
26 July 2012
The Australian
In his recent trips to Washington and Beijing, Australian opposition leader Tony Abbott walked an awkward line between sentimentality and realism, says Centre lecturer in the history of the US–Australia alliance James Curran. But by dividing himself in this way, Curran warns, Abbott risks turning his foreign policy into a parody. Read article
Mayor who revitalised US steel city has vision for Sydney
26 July 2012
The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney needs a clear vision, a focus on good design and a spirit of boldness if it wants to remain a leading global city, says former mayor of Pittsburgh and Centre guest Tom Murphy. Murphy was in Australia for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future this week.
Read more
Former mayor leads the way
26 July 2012
The Australian Financial Review
Cities need to face the challenges of the 21st century, they need to be competitive and they need leadership. That's the view of the former mayor of Pittsburgh, Tom Murphy, who is in Australia for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future this week. Read more
Notes on America: Iran, Tomorrow's cities, and Soil solutions
25 July 2012
In this edition:
- American Review: Who's afraid of Iran?
- UPE10: Designing tomorrow's cities
- Farming incentives for soil carbon
- Events and commentary Read more
Romney lets the dogs out on foreign policy
25 July 2012
ABC TV News 24
Mitt Romney has gone on the offensive this week, attacking President Obama's foreign policy credentials and his handling of some sensitive defense leaks. But lecturer Dr David Smith doubts the issue will be a big point-scorer with increasingly war-weary American voters. Watch Online
Turning industrial decline around
25 July 2012
ABC Radio National Breakfast
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was once the poster city for post-industrial decline with over 500,000 people leaving the city between 1970-1990 as manufacturing moved offshore in the decades after the second world war. The city has now been voted 'America's most liveable city' and Centre guest and former mayor Tom Murphy is largely credited with that turnaround. Listen Online
Romney drums to an outdated beat
25 July 2012
The Age
Today's presidential candidates could do worse than reflect on Nixon's realism four decades ago, says research associate Tom Switzer. American power is past its zenith, and even Nixon saw it coming. Read more
Aurora shooting brings gun culture into focus
24 July 2012
ABC Local Sydney 702 Mornings
The Aurora cinema shooting has left many commentators around the world once again questioning gun culture in the US. But as American politics lecturer Dr David Smith notes, the tragedy is unlikely to put the issue on the US national agenda in this crucial election year. Listen Online
US remains blind to gun control issues
24 July 2012
ABC Local Radio Sydney 702 Evenings
The Aurora shootings have reignited calls for better gun control laws in the US but the entrenched history of gun ownership makes attitudes hard to budge. Professor in legal policy David Weisbrot talks through the issue with Dominic Knight, covering the historical, legal and cultural factors that make this such an intractable debate. Listen Online
Potential shines through in harbour city
24 July 2012
ABC TV News 24
Sydney still has the potential to absorb a larger population in a sustainable way by using exisiting structures and building on the natural beauty of the harbour, says urban planning expert and Centre guest Armando Carbonell. He was in town for the Centre's UPE10 Symposium - Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future in Sydney this week. Watch Online
US elections step up a gear
23 July 2012
Sky News Late Agenda
It's been a big week in US politics with the Aurora shootings, Romney's evasiveness on his tax returns and continuing mediocre economic data all grabbing headlines. Research associate Tom Switzer and lecturer David Smith join a panel of experts to discuss the biggest news of the past month and what it will mean for the elections in November. Watch Online
Denver shooting raises troubling questions
23 July 2012
ABC TV Breakfast
The killing of at least 12 people by a lone gunman at a midnight screening of the latest Batman film in Colorado has raised the spectre of gun control reform in the US and the increased threat of homegrown terrorism. Lecturer David Smith explains the short term and long term consequences of this tragic event.
Watch Online
It's time for a changing of defence guard
23 July 2012
The Age
If the US and Australia can no longer afford to respond to the full spectrum of defence contingencies, then they have little choice but to agree on a new division of strategic labour that draws on each nation's competitive advantages, says lecturer in US politics and foreign policy Dr Adam Lockyer. Read more
Gloves come off in US election
20 July 2012
Sky News Lunchtime Agenda
It has been a bruising week in the US presidential race with both Romney and Obama launching attacks on thier rival's campaign. Research associate Tom Switzer discusses Obama's remarks about small business, Romney's tax returns, the state of foreign policy in the US and how this has all played out in the polls. Watch Online
Are Australian defence cuts worrying Washington?
19 July 2012
ABC TV The Drum
Tony Abbott has been criticized by Julia Gillard for using a speech in Washington to suggest that Australian defence spending is at dangerously low levels. Tom Switzer discusses the fall-out from the remarks and whether there is real concern by US officials at Australian defence cuts. Watch Online
US unwilling to be bogged down in Syria
19 July 2012
ABC Radio Australia Connect Asia
Four months out from the US presidential election, the focus of debate is on domestic issues like debt, jobs and taxes. But what about America's standing in the world? Tom Switzer discusses the candidate's foreign policies and how the US will deal with the latest Syrian crisis. Listen Online
Lapdog theory a flawed view of US alliance
19 July 2012
The Australian
Critics of Australian military deployments on the left and the right frequently cast the country as a sycophantic subordinate taking orders from its more powerful American ally. Associate professor in American politics Brendon O'Connor and Macquarie University professor Lloyd Cox argue that this view lets Australian politicians off the hook for freely taken decisions and that Australia has often been more eager for war than the US. Read article
Notes on America: Great cities, Soil, and Native nations
18 July 2012
In this edition:
- Making good cities great: the US experience
- Flora plants seeds for future soil security
- What helps native nations to be successful
- Events and commentary Read more
International planners talk climate, carbon and cities in Sydney
18 July 2012
More than one hundred of the world’s leading thinkers in the area of urban planning will be in Sydney next week to discuss the challenges of creating sustainable global cities.
The International Urban Planning and Environment Association's 10th Symposium (UPE10), Next City: Planning for a New Energy and Climate Future is co-hosted by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning and United States Studies Centre. Read more
Rattan Lal on the benefits of soil security
18 July 2012
Improving soil health has a range of benefits for both farmers, consumers and the environment. Professor Rattan Lal from Ohio State University says policies that incentivise putting carbon back into the soil can help with climate change mitigation and adaptation. Professor Lal was in Australia for the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security. He begins by discussing why it is so important to return carbon to soil. Watch Online
Should Assange fear a US grand jury?
18 July 2012
ABC Radio National Law Report
US grand juries have been criticised for their secrecy and bias, a fact that has motivated Julian Assange's flight to Ecuador to avoid one. Professor of legal policy David Weisbrot explains exactly what a grand jury is and what it might mean for Assange. Listen Online
Is the US-Australia relationship cooling?
18 July 2012
ABC Local Radio North Queensland
After the Australian government made drastic cuts to its defence spending in this year's budget, could we have ruffled the feathers of our strongest ally? Lecturer in US politics and foreign policy Adam Lockyer says that although the US would prefer it's allies to keep defence spending levels even, the alliance is still in pretty good shape. Listen Online
Soil degradation and security
17 July 2012
Radio National Late Night Live
With or without climate change, the world needs to improve its management of soil. Rattan Lal and Edward Barbier, who were both visiting Sydney to speak at the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security, discuss how this can be achieved. Listen online
Securing our soil for the future
17 July 2012
ABC TV News
Booming populations and increasing soil degradation are a dangerous combination with implications for the agriculture industry, food security and climate change. Scientists at the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security have been discussing how to get soil health on the global agenda. Watch Online
Cornelia Flora on the human side of soil security
17 July 2012
Keeping soil productive, healthy and sustainable is of critical importance to the future of our planet, but when it comes to convincing people about the benefits of soil security, personal stories of success are often more powerful than scientific doom and gloom. Iowa State University Professor Cornelia Flora discusses how a hands-on approach can help start important conversations about soil. Flora was in Australia for the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security. She begins by discussing how to get people talking about soil. Watch Online
Soil security next global challenge say scientists
17 July 2012
ABC Radio AM
Scientists visiting Sydney for the 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium say that securing soil quality will be the next big challenge facing the world. In a report by Conor Duffy, the University of Sydney's Brendan Malone and the emeritus professor of soil security at Wageningen University, Johan Bouma, explain why degraded soil is such a problem for the planet. Listen online
Soil degradation poses risks to Earth's future
17 July 2012
Voice of America Online
Scientists at the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security say soil degradation is posing significant challenges for the future of humanity and the planet. The conference examined the importance of soil security in fighting the effects of climate change and protecting food supplies in poorer countries. Read more
Action needed on soil security
17 July 2012
ABC Radio News
Leading soil scientist Professor Johan Bouma from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, says the world urgently needs to take action to secure the productive power of soil. Professor Bouma is a speaker at the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security. Listen Online
Human waste to help with soil security
16 July 2012
Radio National Bush Telegraph
Soil is intrinsic to human existence, so why isn't the public paying attention to soil security? And why might human waste be the key to improving soil quality? University of Sydney professor of soil science Alex McBratney, a speaker at the Centre's 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium on soil security, discusses these questions with Cameron Wilson. Listen online
End of an empire?
14 July 2012
2UE Saturday Mornings
Despite remaining a global powerhouse of innovation, education and culture, Americans are increasingly becoming aware of the limits of their international power. Tom Switzer discusses the implications of his latest op-ed on the decline of US power, both for the world and in the minds of American citizens. Listen Online
Symposium celebrates American Abstract Expressionism
12 July 2012
The United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney is co-convening a two day symposium with the National Gallery of Australia, to celebrate the birth one hundred years ago of American Abstract Expressionists Jackson Pollock and Morris Louis. Read more
Hispanic vote vital in US election
11 July 2012
ABC Radio PM
In a tight US presidential election, the result may come down to demographic advantage - in particular wooing the growing vote of minorities. Stanford chair in Chicana and Chincao Studies Gary Segura says that with a increasing Latin American population, Obamas advantage amongst the group may be crucial in November. Listen Online
Partisanship at all-time highs in US elections
11 July 2012
Sky Business The Perrett Report
The political debate in Australia has been accused of becoming 'Americanised' but what we're seeing here is nothing compared to the record levels of partisanship on show this election season in the US, says chair in US politics Margaret Levi. She sits down with Janine Perrett to discuss the ups and downs of the 2012 race to the White House. Watch Online
It's not the economy, stupid
11 July 2012
The Conversation
The President's latest speech on tax policy aimed not to promote new policy or push legislation forward but rather to re-frame the election as a battle between out-of-touch, intransigent Mitt Romney versus a feels-your-pain, defender-of-the-middle-class Obama says postdoctoral fellow Nicole Hemmer. Will it pay off? Read more
Horse-race journalism trumps the issues
11 July 2012
ABC Radio PM
Focusing on the minutiae of the Presidential race rather than the substantive issues facing the nation has become the hallmark of Presidential campaign coverage in the 24-hours news cycle. Chair in US media James Fallows speaks with Mark Colvin about how breathless reportage of the stream of opinion polls and trivial gaffes has changed the US political landscape. Listen Online
Soil Security – the next global challenge
10 July 2012
We all rely on soil every day – for our food, our health and to provide vital ecological services. Challenges to the health and functionality of our soil pose significant challenges for the future of humanity and the planet. To examine the importance of soil, the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre and Faculty of Agriculture and Environment are holding a research symposium on Soil Security on Tuesday 17 July 2012. Read more
Notes on America: US hound dog, Talking about soil, and Native American art
10 July 2012
In this edition:
- Australia plays US hound dog, not lapdog
- Sydney Biennale: Native American and immigrant art explored
- Why aren't we talking about soil?
- Events and commentary Read more
Bald fact is US power is waning
9 July 2012
The Sydney Morning Herald
The United States has long considered its global pre-eminence to be a crucial part of its identity. Now, as the nation's power and influence declines, can its next president prepare his fellow citizens for a "post-American world"? Read article
End of a big week for Obama
6 July 2012
Sky News Lunch Agenda
Barack Obama was out on the stump in the key swing state of Ohio this week after a big week of campaign news on everything from immigration to healthcare and tax policy. In a new regular US politics segment on Sky News, Tom Switzer discusses the week that was. Watch Online
Court opts for precedent over partisanship
6 July 2012
ABC TV Planet America
The Supreme Court verdict to uphold Obamacare was as much a decision to put the waning legitimacy of the Court before strict partisanship as a ruling on the law itself. Chair in US media James Fallows spoke with John Barron and Chas Licciardello about the more sensational elements of the case as well as its implications for Mitt Romney in his fight to unseat President Obama this November. Watch Online
Prison time drives US inequality
6 July 2012
ABC TV Planet America
The war on the drugs, 'tough on crime' laws and harsh parole laws are driving US prison populations to record levels which is having a range of negative socioeconomic effects, especially for African-American communities. Professor of sociology at Harvard and Centre guest Bruce Western paints a picture of inequality in the US and its consequences. Watch Online
Kade L. Twist and Raven Chacon on indigenous art
5 July 2012
In this interview, members of the Native American art collective Postcommodity, Kade L. Twist and Raven Chacon discuss their latest work at the Art Gallery of NSW. Twist and Chacon were in Australia for an artists panel hosted by the US Studies Centre for the Biennale of Sydney. They begin by discussing the aural experience of their latest installation. Watch Online
US needs Pakistan for Afghan withdrawl
5 July 2012
ABC Radio Australia Connect Asia
Thousands of Pakistani truck drivers are set to resume key NATO supply convoys into Afghanistan after the State Department expressed regret for the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a drone strike in November. Research associate Tom Switzer says this is an important diplomatic move that will assist the US withdrawal from Afghanistan but may not play well domestically. Listen Online
Binh Danh on art and the Vietnam War
4 July 2012
In this interview, Vietnamese-American photographer and artist Binh Danh discusses his latest work which explores conflict, memory and place through photos of the Vietnam War printed on organic matter. Danh was in Australia for an artists panel hosted by the US Studies Centre for the Biennale of Sydney. He begins by explaining his self-designed photographic method, known as chlorophyll printing. Watch Online
Independence Day gives pause for thought
4 July 2012
Sky Business The Perrett Report
It's not all hotdogs, barbecues and fireworks this Independence Day for Americans struggling through some of the toughest economic conditions in the US since the Great Depression. Postdoctoral fellow Nicole Hemmer speaks to Janine Perrett about the mood in the country this Fourth of July. Watch Online
Happy Independence Day!
4 July 2012
ABC 702 Sydney Afternoons
On this Fourth of July, Postdoctoral fellow Nicole Hemmer outlines the historical background to Independence Day as well as it's modern day significance for everyday Americans. Listen Online
Online courses winning prestige
4 July 2012
The Australian
In a move that could change the face of higher education around the world, a number of prestigious colleges in the US are offering free online units known as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) which provide testing and certification upon completion. Chief Operating Officer Sean Gallagher says that these MOOCs offer both a threat and an opportunity for Australian universities. Read more
Ghost of Mark Twain reigns amid Obamacare brouhaha
3 July 2012
The Australian
The Supreme Court completed its term with its high-profile ruling on the constitutionality of Obamcare, but the attention given to that case obscured other consequential decisions. Centre professor of legal policy David Weisbrot says recent decisions on free speech cases collectively point to a long term trend in the Court's thinking. Read article
Obamacare decision: just a spoonful of sugar
1 July 2012
The Conversation
Although the Supreme Court ruled last week that Obamacare was constitutional, Chief Justice John Roberts eschewed the constitutional doctrines the law was meant to rely upon. Centre lecturer Harry Melkonian explains why, in this ruling, the Court's legal sweetener was the federal government's taxation power Read more
