Lumen Wirltuti:Warltati 2025 - Flipbook - Page 4
Welcome
Other articles on our theme include a
feature on “the future” as envisioned by,
among others, former Lord Mayor and
alum Stephen Yarwood, a noted urban
futurist. This feature also explores the
University of South Australia’s MOD. –
a futuristic museum of discovery.
By Jessica Gallagher
This will be the final edition of Lumen
published by the University of Adelaide.
Lumen began as a staff newsletter in 1972
and has evolved into various formats, with
differing audiences, over the following five
decades.
We asked our readers in the Autumn/
Winter issue of Lumen to let us know what
concerned or excited them about the future.
We received more responses than in any
previous issue, and many of them are
featured in our Letters to the Editor pages.
Some of these responses have helped us
to shape our content for this issue which has
the theme “the future”.
The future by its very nature is nebulous,
vast and unknowable.
It is, however, also something which
can be shaped by human endeavour and
intellect.
The University of Adelaide plays an
important role in creating the future at
many different levels. For undergraduates,
it can guide and shape their career paths –
and their future selves.
Postgrads find new areas to explore and
expand their intellectual capacity. And our
leading researchers across an extraordinary
array of fields push the boundaries and
discover new truths.
The responses to our question about
the future included many on artificial
intelligence, and we approached some of the
leaders in the field from both the University
of Adelaide and the University of South
Australia to help respond.
In a few short months from now, those
researchers, along with our staff and alumni,
will all be partners in our new university,
working collaboratively at Adelaide
University.
Of course, some of the responses about
the future included comments on this
change. I’m pleased to say they were
mostly positive. We have presented a
balanced representation of these in our
Letters to the Editor pages.
Another topic of great interest to our
readers is the environment. In this instance,
we have turned to the Director of our
Environment Institute to respond, and to
discuss what is being done – and needs to
be done.
Our movie reviewer turns his focus
onto cinema’s love of this theme. And,
in a literary coup, noted author and alum
Dr Peter Goldsworthy has created an
original piece for us on this topic.
About Lumen
Welcome to the Wirltuti/Warltati (Kaurna for
Spring/Summer) issue of Lumen, 2025.
Lumen is the University of Adelaide’s peak
magazine – for and about the University. It
is published bi-annually and distributed via a
print edition and email to more than 100,000
recipients.
Our thanks to our many contributors this
issue – faculty, staff and alumni.
Editorial team
Lumen Editor: Mark Douglas
(lumen@adelaide.edu.au)
Photographic Editor: Isaac Freeman
Layout: Cath Dew
Contact us
If you have feedback about the magazine, or
would like to send a letter to the editor, you
are invited to contact us in these ways:
By email: lumen@adelaide.edu.au
The name was originally taken from the
University of Adelaide crest, which bears the
motto Sub Cruce Lumen – “the light under
the cross”.
Online: adelaide.edu.au/lumen
By post: Lumen, The University
of Adelaide, SA 5005
While we value Lumen’s past as our
flagship magazine, the next evolution of our
University requires a change in the name
for our masthead. From 2026, we will be
exploring and delivering new ways to tell
our stories, with the same passion and many
familiar features.
We’d love to hear from you.
Our communication will continue to be
for and about our new University, telling
our stories to our many communities –
including our expanding networks of
alumni, partners, staff and students. This
will enable us to explore the best possible
ways to share these stories in a variety
of formats.
By phone: +61 8 8313 5800
We are proud of what Lumen has been,
and excited for our future. I hope you enjoy
this issue.
Professor Jessica Gallagher is the University’s
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President
(External Engagement).
Donations and bequests
If you wish to make a donation to the
University, or discuss a potential bequest,
please contact us in one of these ways:
By email: development@adelaide.edu.au
By post: Development, 250 North Terrace,
The University of Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
Views expressed by contributors in Lumen
are not necessarily endorsed by the
University of Adelaide, the publisher.
CRICOS provider number 00123M.
Australian University Provider Number
PRV12105.
Copyright© 2025, the University of
Adelaide ISSN 1320 0747
Registered by Australia Post No 56500/00097
Acknowledgment of Country
We acknowledge the Kaurna people, the
traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains
and the land on which the University of
Adelaide’s campuses at North Terrace,
Waite and Roseworthy are built.
We acknowledge the deep feelings of
attachment and relationship of the Kaurna
people to Country, and we respect and
value their past, present and ongoing
connection to the land and cultural beliefs.
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Material from Lumen may be reproduced
without permission, with acknowledgement
of its origin.
Sustainability
Lumen is printed on paper from recycled and
sustainably grown sources. The plastic cover
is compostable.
