THE TOP 10
Most-read Contact stories of 2023
By Michael Jones
Contact editor
Where did that year go? The months flew by, but there is so much to unpack as Contact looks back on the highlights of 2023.
UQ's alumni and student community continued to inspire – whether it was hiking the Himalayas, like Bachelor of Science (Physics) student and Australia-at-Large Rhodes Scholar Emerald Gaydon, or conquering the Antarctic Ice Marathon, like Vice-Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award recipient Brett Clark.
Their stars also shone brightly on the Arts stage. UQ alum and Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art curator Ellie Buttrose was chosen to curate Australia’s 25th presentation at the Venice Biennale, working alongside Kamilaroi/Bigambul artist Archie Moore. While Daniel Schultz and Karina Holden took us behind the scenes of hit Australian TV shows Bluey and Better Date Than Never respectively.
And on the sporting front, Brisbane Broncos superstar and Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Pat Carrigan become the first UQ student or alum to play in an NRL grand final.
We've also kept you informed of major UQ news and events, such as the University's nationally significant partnership with Paralympics Australia, the successful clinical trial for the re-engineered UQ vaccine, the 50th anniversary of Mayne Hall, and the refurbishment of the renowned Avalon Theatre.
Equally as important, Contact has been there to provide up-to-date analysis and commentary of the big issues and events that matter in Australia and around the world – providing expert insights into topics such as Australia's housing and cost-of-living crises, the referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, the Matildas rise at the Women's World Cup, and even Barbie-mania.
But what stories did you click on the most? Keep scrolling to see if your favourite made the list of the top 10 most-read stories of 2023.
10. Lights, camera, first date: meet the creative brains behind Better Date Than Never
To coincide with Valentine’s Day, Contact went behind the scenes of the hit Australian TV series Better Date Than Never with executive producer and UQ alum Karina Holden. We found out how the Emmy Award winner brought the show to life and why everyone fell in love with the cast.
9. Forget everything you know about healthy eating
Contact launched the popular UQ Mythbusters series in 2023 to debunk common myths and misunderstandings when it comes to health and wellbeing, and it has quickly become a favourite among our readers. In August, we discussed how it can be hard to digest all the healthy-eating information we’re fed every day through mainstream and social media. So, Contact asked dietitian, nutritionist and UQ alum Sophie Rindfleish to help us separate fact from fiction on popular food fads and overhyped diets.
8. The rise and rise of Bluey
It seems adults love Bluey just as much as kids do. Ahead of the release of the highly anticipated new episodes of Bluey in April this year, Contact got an insider’s scoop on the Brisbane-born phenomenon when we chatted to UQ alum Daniel Schultz, who works behind the scenes at Ludo Studio, the production company behind the world’s favourite blue heeler.
7. Understanding the October 14 referendum with the help of UQ experts
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament was one of the biggest ongoing stories of 2023. On 14 October, Australians voted in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It was the first referendum of the 21st century, and did not pass. Ahead of the vote, UQ experts shared their perspectives on why the referendum was proposed, and what could have changed about Australia’s Constitution if it succeeded.
Editor's note: Contact acknowledges that the outcome of the referendum will be causing great hurt and sadness for many in our Indigenous community, many of whom were actively involved in the long campaign leading up to referendum.
6. Memory hacks: popular myths and recent discoveries
It seemed that a healthy memory weighed on the minds of readers in July. As part of the popular UQ Mythbusters series, Contact spoke to Professor Frederic Meunier from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute to discuss common myths about the complex cognitive process and what the science says about memory-boosting trends.
5. UQ mythbusters: the sobering facts about alcohol
As we headed into the silly season in November, Contact wanted to know if there really is such a thing as healthy drinking. From hangover cures to limiting liver disease, experts from UQ’s National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research set the record straight on how alcohol impacts our health, and how to set up young people for healthy lifelong drinking habits.
4. Let’s chat about ChatGPT: is AI technology saving you time or stealing your job?
AI isn’t a new concept, but the release of ChatGPT was making headlines in the tech world in early 2023 for its ability to generate human-like text and complete briefs instantly. So, it was natural for people to wonder what this means for the future. Contact asked UQ alum and content creator Missy Burrell to analyse whether AI, like ChatGPT, will replace the drudge work for writers and free up brain space, or will it replace the need for human writers entirely?
3. Love at UQ 2023
On Valentine’s Day, Contact shared stories of alumni who came to UQ for an education and found love as well. And didn’t you love it! From romance at the Pizza Caffe to friends-for-life in the Law Library, it was heart-warming to celebrate the multitude of connections that university life brings. We look forward to sharing more of your love stories on Valentine’s Day in 2024.
2. Barbie in the real world. That’s impossible!
Barbie-mania swept the globe in July as crowds swathed in pink flooded cinemas for the movie event of the year. Contact had its finger on the pulse, publishing an analysis on the day of the film’s release about how the childhood icon stacks up to the feminist ideals of 2023. UQ experts discussed whether we should thank Barbie for encouraging the belief that girls can do anything, or ask her to please explain the perpetuation of exaggerated white femininity and excessive materialism.
1. The Big Question: is it finally time for daylight saving in Queensland?
As daylight saving came to end in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT in April, Contact put the question to UQ researchers and alumni (including Brisbane's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner): is it finally time for daylight saving in Queensland? And, if so, who has the power to make it happen? The topic was clearly divisive, and passionate readers were keen to have their own say in the opinion poll. For the record, 55% of readers voted that it IS time for daylight saving in Queensland.
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