A research hub is launched
The Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence was officially launched on Friday, 30th October 2020, by Professor Russell Goulbourne, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Although it had to take place over zoom due to the pandemic, the launch was a very happy occasion.
Please enjoy the video below (9 minutes), which, though very heavily edited, gives a flavour of the main speeches.
Note: A transcript of the video is available on the Hub website.
Many thanks to all involved!
We are grateful to Professor Goulbourne for his entertaining and inspiring speech, and for his ongoing faith in the concept of the Hub, which took us from inception to launch, pandemic notwithstanding. Without his vision, there simply would be no Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence.
As well, the launch was graced by speeches from three other distinguished supporters:
- The Honourable Chris Kourakis, Chief Justice of South Australia – who, in his role as Chair of the Judicial Commission on Cultural Diversity, was delegated by the Australian Council of Chief Justices to respond to the Linguistics Call to Action
- Professor Diana Eades, Adjunct Professor of Linguistics, the University of New England, a key architect of the Linguistics Call to Action, and generous mentor to the Hub; and
- Professor Sandra Hale, Professor of Interpreting and Translation, the University of New South Wales, whose work in helping the judiciary improve the provision of interpreting in courts and tribunals provided the perfect model for linguists seeking to help improve the handling of indistinct covert recordings
The speakers were introduced by Professor Lesley Stirling, Head of the School of Languages and Linguistics in the Faculty of Arts. Professor Stirling was another key architect of the Call to Action, and her vision and hard work as Head of School are largely responsible for bringing the Hub into being.
Due to the pandemic, the launch took place over zoom, with Melissa Sharkey and Jennifer Graham-Williams providing administrative, technical and moral support, as they have done throughout the Hub’s long set-up period – always much appreciated.
We had a mixed audience of more than 70, many of whom stayed on for drinks (self-supplied) and discussion. Thanks to all!