We're celebrating World Bee Day by chatting with our favourite bee doctor Dr Cooper Schouten. Cooper not only works as a beekeeper, he also manages diverse programs in the Indo-Pacific region, helping locals make an income from bees. He's also a lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and is just about to release a compendium with colleagues of bee research spanning back to 1962. This episode is perfect for those studying (or considering) Regenerative Agriculture, those who want to get into beekeeping but don’t know where to start, or those who are simply intrigued by how bees can make such a difference!

A special school screening of the film 'Carbon: the unauthorised biography' at this year's ScreenWave International Film Festival (SWIFF) festival was followed by a panel of Southern Cross experts and a student who discuss the science behind carbon footprints and the work the University does in this critical field. The panel was hosted by Fiona Williams (SBS) and featured Southern Cross Associate Professor Christian Sanders, SCU Environmental Analysis Laboratory Technical Manager Nadia Toppler, and Marine Science student Luke Austin. Southern Cross is a proud sponsor of the SWIFF festival, which is hosted at our Coffs Harbour campus.

It was a particularly sweet start to Term 2, 2022 for Lismore students as they return to campus for the first time since the devastating floods. Our roving reporters caught up with some students to capture their reactions.

Can a broccoli pill give you the same nutrients as actual broccoli? Why is there no one-size-fits-all diet? How much does what we eat influence chronic disease and mental health? Naturopath and academic Dr Liza Oates shares her insights on food as medicine, pesticides and organic food, the SLOW principle and the academic programs at the University's National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine.

Mununjali woman and Marine Science student Rhiannon Mitchell talks to us this week about her studies and working with young Indigenous girls in her mentoring business, Saltwater Sistas. Rhiannon chats about mentoring, studying and the power of the ocean to connect people as well as the little things that can make all the difference to young people going through tough times.

It's been a very challenging start to the year for many of our students affected by the floods. Our roving reporter Lauren Munro managed to catch up with students who are starting their studies on campus at the Gold Coast. They talk about what they have learned so far, and even have a few tips for newbies about getting the most out of your study experience.

This week our guest is 2021 Student of the Year Theresa Mitchell. Therese is studying psychology at Southern Cross and runs a not-for-profit organisation for the homeless called Agape Outreach inc. She talks about a holistic approach to homelessness, tiny housing, the challenges of food recovery during COVID and how her degree is shaping her practical skills.

Law student Joy Knight-Smith shares how her ‘just do it’ spirit helped her decide to run for council. Joy talks about the crossover between her law degree and politics, how a double degree helps avoid burnout, what you learn in Law, the love of Lismore and community connection, and the power of putting yourself out there.

This week Lauren talks to social anthropologist Dr Antonia Canosa about her research on the effects of tourism on Byron Bay's young people and a theatre performance that evolved from it, driven by the young people themselves. Antonia also talks about the Byron Way Pledge - a grassroots effort to improve tourism behaviour in the tourist town and raise awareness about what responsible tourism means.

This week on the SCU Buzz senior lecturer in social work Dr Kathomi Gatwiri talks about how to prevent burnout in social work (and life), mentally separating work from home, the rise of trauma awareness, the right way to teach children about racism, and exploring micro racial aggressions. She also talks about acknowledging race, the importance of feeling you're enough and how good relationships at work can sustain you through bad times.