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Benjamin Matthews
Senior Lecturer | Founder Wild Yeast Zoo | Consultant
Benjamin Matthews is the founder of Wild Yeast Zoo, a project focused on exploring and collecting wild yeasts from Australia's native flora.1 He is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at the University of Newcastle, where he studies how emerging technologies can be used to solve human problems and improve lives.5
Matthews has a background in social science and is part of an interdisciplinary team working on the Wild Yeast Zoo project.4 He holds a PhD in Systems Biology and is associated with the BRaT Lab (Bacterial Regulation and Transport Laboratory).3
The Wild Yeast Zoo initiative aims to:
- Discover and collect wild yeasts through citizen science activities
- Explore potential applications in brewing, biotechnology, medicine, and food production
- Contribute to biodiversity conservation and raise awareness about native flora12
Matthews has been involved in presenting the project at events like the Woodford Folk Festival and has led the team through the CSIRO ON Accelerate program, which supports the development of innovative ventures.1 His work with Wild Yeast Zoo combines scientific research with public engagement and education about microorganisms and their potential uses.4
Highlights
So when I'm not teaching about creative entrepreneurship and engaging in it myself with the Wild Yeast Zoo, I'm studying the social dimensions of it.
Yesterday, I had the honor of presenting at the event, "Financial Precarity, Basic Income, and Securing Young People’s Futures: Challenging the Intensifying Financial Violence of Everyday Life," co-hosted by the University of Newcastle Youth Studies Centre and the Australian Basic Income Lab: https://lnkd.in/gctyWh3v
In my presentation (co-authored with Adriana Haro), "Hustling towards the Projectariat: Navigating Precarity in the Creative Industries," I discussed our research on the precarious gigging life of young creative workers.
I also had the privilege of chairing the discussion, "Eliminating Poverty with a Universal Basic Income in Australia: A Leap Towards Equality," featuring a keynote by Emma Hansma from Basic Income Australia https://lnkd.in/gJjacY5G.
Emma presented on Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a sustainable alternative to conditional welfare, before a panel discussion including Rachael Jacobs, Senior Lecturer at Western Sydney University, Joshua Healy - Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations at the University of Newcastle, Julia Cook - Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Newcastle, Julia Coffey - Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Newcastle, Ben Spies-Butcher - Associate Professor of Economy and Society at Macquarie University, and Steven Threadgold - Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Newcastle.
Key Takeaways from the public discussion were-- Economic Precarity: Young people face immense challenges in securing stable employment. Educational Debt: Rising higher education costs and debts are significant burdens. Alternative Solutions: Universal Basic Income (UBI) provides a potential solution to financial insecurities.
The event highlighted the need to rethink our economic structures and support systems for young people. By exploring innovative solutions like UBI and fostering collaborative efforts through commoning practices, we can work towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
Thank you to all the participants and attendees for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.
#FinancialPrecarity #UniversalBasicIncome #CreativeIndustries #YouthFutures #EconomicJustice
For more insights and updates, follow my work: https://lnkd.in/gFKJneNE
I'm pleased to share this article, "Winging it: How Youth Workers Navigate Debt with Young People," co-authored with a remarkable group of scholars-- Kate Davies, Julia Cook, Steven Threadgold, David Farrugia, Julia Coffey, and Joshua Healy, published in Elsevier's Children and Youth Services Review.
In this study, we uncover the critical role youth workers play in supporting young people facing financial stress. Despite lacking formal training in financial counseling, these dedicated professionals become trusted confidants, often addressing debt as part of broader support.
Our findings highlight the urgent need for better resources and training to equip youth workers in this essential role. Let's work together to ensure young people receive the support they need to navigate financial challenges. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gMacCXhu
#YouthWork #FinancialSupport #DebtManagement #YouthServices #MentalHealth #FinancialLiteracy #SocialWorkResearch
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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