VOLUME 1 (2009) ISSUE 1

Editorial

Welcome everyone to the first issue of our new open access journal, Hot Topics from the Tropics!

The year 2009 marks 20 years of operation of CDU Press (formerly NTU Press and DIT Press). The launch of this journal celebrates this exciting acheivement for the Press.

Hot Topics from the Tropics reflects what CDU Press is all about - to help broaden understanding about issues of importance to the communities of the Northern Territory, northern Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. To promote these issues through an open access journal provides us with a wonderful opportunity to give both general and academic readers access to ideas and perspectives gleaned through the work of researchers based at, or working in partnership with, Charles Darwin University.

While submission is open to all researchers, at any level, Hot Topics particularly aims to encourage current and recently completed CDU Masters and PhD students in any field to publish original research, comment and reviews within the ejournal’s regional focus. We strongly encourage submissions from Indigenous researchers.

The journal content is a combination of fully refereed research papers; informally reviewed submissions; and other features, including book and exhibition reviews, etc.

In this first issue, we are very excited to present two research papers, a series of poems and to feature forthcoming CDU Press titles. The first paper, 'The Toad's Tale' by Nigel Turvey, discusses new insights into the introduction and release of the cane toad in Queensland in 1935. The second paper, entitled 'Northern Territory practitioners views on the use of Information and Communication Technology to improve the quality of life of carers and people with dementia', by David Heath and Deborah West, discusses results of a study investigating the use of Information Communication Technology by practitioners in dementia and carer service agencies to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and carers. The series of poems are taken from a collection written by Ebelebe Smart Oghenewoke, an International Student who began studying at CDU in 2009.

We welcome any feedback you have on Hot Topics from the Tropics and invite your submissions to the next issue. Please email us at Hot Topics from the Tropics>>.

I trust you will enjoy reading our first issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together for you!

WIth best wishes for the festive season...

Christine Edward

General Editor, Hot Topics

for CDU Press Editorial Board

December 2009