Author: siobhancampbell

By Damya Wijesekera

Imagine you are standing in the middle of a bustling city.

Behind you, acres of farmland nestle passively together at the sides of a rushing highway, working to grow the crops and resources needed to feed the citizens of the city. Wind farms standing on the highest hills power the city with the renewable force of nature.

In front of you, workplaces rise in high, narrow buildings, crisscrossing against the slender expanse of sky and clouds behind them.

To your left, even bulkier buildings hidden amongst lavish gardens and parks house the families of the city in comfortable, spacious apartments. Local wildlife spreads from building to building, renewing the air’s healthy supply of oxygen.

Above you, the clean, unblemished air seems to sizzle with the electric speed of an overhead train as it sails towards its next stop, running from building to building to deliver its passengers to their destinations and to connect the different parts of the city; the trademark of a world ruled by public transport.

Below you is a gargantuan underground shopping village; a land of lights and life which returns the city’s produce to its citizens.

This is what I want for 2030.

Today, a city like this exists only in my imagination. But by 2030, I am sure that technology and engineering can create a utopia like this one, in which sustainability, practicality and beauty can coexist. STEM already has gifted us with incredible creations and revolutionary solutions to worldwide problems; such as the telephone, the light bulb and the internet. It is only natural that it will play a massive role in our collective future.

Already, examples of the power of science and technology can be found shaping cities around the world:

In Germany, the limited amount of space in cities has lead to monorail-style trains, suspended 30 feet above the ground to a single rail. The trains, known as Schwebebahn, are barely affected by the country’s snowy climate and run at up to 60kmph. Each train consists of 2 carriages, supporting up to 200 people, transporting a total 82000 people each day and connecting 20 stations in the area. The Schwebebahn is located in Wuppertal, crossing the Wupper river. It is a technological feat that could massively benefit the oppressing demands of public transport users in many countries and cities.

In Singapore, 18 world-famous ‘Supertrees’, spanning 25-50m in height, act as both vertical gardens and sources of renewable energy. The trees boast numerous varieties of tropical flowers and ferns and provide shade and shelter from the sun. The Supertrees also generate solar power, ventilate nearby conservatories and collect massive amounts of rainwater. Furthermore, they can produce electrical energy through a technological system called a solar photovoltaic system. With multiple benefits across such a wide range of areas, these Supertrees are the emblem of an ideal future world. The use of Supertrees across the world could be instrumental in shaping our combat against global warming and climate change.

In Austria, the capital city Vienna owes its title to its initiative of electric buses. As well as its 75km long metro system and the world’s fifth largest tram system, Vienna houses a network of electric buses. The twelve buses are 7.78m long, can carry up to 46 passengers, can travel up to 150km at a time and have full heating and cooling systems. To charge, the buses stop at a depot during the night and at existing tram stops during the day. The electricity they use comes from a variety of renewable sources such including water, wind, gas and solar power. Despite costing twice as much as the ordinary buses in Vienna’s massive bus network, the electric buses are emission free and far quieter than ordinary buses. This system is also evident in London, where diesel-electric buses reduce 40% of carbon emissions. Technological advancements such as these help not only us – the people – but also our environment – the world that we live in and share.

Change is necessary, and the best way to go is forwards. Technology, with the assistance of good governments and geographically abundant landscapes, is the ultimate catalyst in developing a perfect world.

By 2030, I hope that technology and engineering can combine all their amazing feats to create a city like this, not just in my imagination, but in reality. And I hope that I will be one of those at the forefront of this technological revolution, as an engineer who can reinvent the path forward for a sustainable future.

I am looking forward to a future, in which everyone can live in a community which utilises the best of technology, to guarantee the safety and happiness of its residents, and respect and preserve the natural wonders of the planet.

Aren’t you?

By Briana Morgan

…a Forensic Psychologist.

By 2030 I would love to be a forensic psychologist. This particular STEM occupation requires the practitioner to apply their psychological knowledge and adroitness to the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists may also initiate therapeutic interventions with the offender to further understand their cognitive and psychological functioning. This profession is necessary in modern society as it is crucial that convicted individuals are regarded with fairness and their current mentality is taken into account when dealing with the legal system.

The Role of a Forensic Psychologist

Forensic psychology is valuable in today’s society as science and technology are rapidly advancing, allowing the study of forensic psychology to better correspond with the legal system. The practitioner is responsible for many roles including: the treatment of inmates that possess a mental disorder, develop criminal profiles, allow insight on the offender’s mental functioning, perform psychological assessments, and even address any concerns regarding the criminal in court.

When analysing the behavioural, social and cognitive characteristics of the convicted individual, forensic psychologists conduct thorough research to develop psychological strategies and methods that will reduce the possibility of an offender reoffending. The forensic psychologist typically works in correlation with police officers, jails, correctional facilities, the victim and their family, and even the community that was affected by the crime committed. This way, they can collect relevant information regarding the criminal, including any factors that may have led to the crime, and develop strategies that may help the criminal rehabilitate and move forward. Various forensic psychologists work with juveniles.

My  Early  Interest In  Psychology

Throughout my childhood, my parents were deeply interested in criminal psychological functioning. Their favourite show was ‘Criminal Minds’ as it thoroughly analysed and explained any factors contributing to an offender’s mentality. Listening in on these episodes, I had nothing but questions and even stated my own theories as I was so fascinated in psychology from such an early age!

Throughout my adolescent years, my interest in psychology has increased tremendously. Towards the remainder of year 9, I completed my transition into VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) legal studies, and analysed various case studies involving the minds of Australia’s most notorious criminals.

Who would I like to work with as a forensic psychologist?

This particular occupation requires practitioner to work alongside many individual with different professions.

Personally, I would like to work with Ronald Roesch, a psychologist that specialises in the field of law & forensics and is the director of the Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute at Simon Fraser University. Roesch is a highly successful forensic psychologist that has earned numerous awards including the Contributions to Psychology and Law Award from the American Psychology-Law Society and achieved the Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Psychology and Law from the European Association of Psychology and Law. Roesch also led the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services for approximately 2 years and published various books including ‘Competency to Stand Trial’ and ‘Psychology and Law: The State of the Discipline’.

Ronald Roesch is a highly experienced, highly recognised and highly credited forensic psychologist and working alongside him will benefit my psychological research and clinical applications as he has written many scholarly books and conducted substantial amounts of research that he can pass onto me and my work. Working with one of the world’s best forensic psychologists will not only be a huge honour, but will also widen my understanding of the criminal mind immensely.

What is a problem I’d like to solve?

Over recent years, many believe that an individual should serve the extent of their punishment in jail, regardless of their mental capacity. Unfortunately, in modern society, mental rehabilitation in jail and correctional facilities are limited as psychologists specialised in the field of law and crime are currently in demand. With further scientific and technological advancements, I believe I can educate humanity that criminals experiencing imbalances regarding psychological behaviour and functioning require full access to psychological facilities and their human rights, regardless of the crime they commit, for moral and ethical reasons. To do this, I will conduct thorough research regarding the brain structure and functioning of the criminal mind, but also study the chemical interactions happening within the brain. Even though the fact that the mind of a criminal differs from the rest of the population has been proven, the research I conduct in the future may potentially find a ‘cure’ or a medicinal treatment to stop reoffending and even first-time offenders from committing.

Combining my interest in psychology and law has allowed me to open my mind to the possibilities of solving problems and working with many scholars, all with different professions. I believe with my determination, I can make the world a better, safer place by improving the treatment of the world’s criminals and how we limit crime in the world.