Griffith University: Covid-safe campaign a reminder to be vigilant
A new campaign reminding Griffith staff, students and the wider community to practice Covid-safe behaviours has been launched across all campuses.
It comes as the federal government rolls out the first of the Covid vaccines purchased for Australians.
Griffith University’s Covid-Safe campaign was designed in-house to remind people why it remains important to continue those behaviours which keep ourselves and others safe.
The marketing and information assets include videos, posters, signage, and digital collateral featuring current Griffith staff and students, in their own words.
Professor Sharon Dawe from Griffith’s School of Applied Psychology
Project team co-chair Professor Sharon Dawe, who led the campaign’s development with fellow psychologist Associate Professor Kyra Hamilton, said the use of staff and students was important to help convey the message.
“Our actions can affect others, and so we were very keen to design a campaign reminding people that working together as a Griffith University community is important,” Professor Dawe said.
“As we start to emerge from the extraordinary events of last year, it is easy to lose sight of the importance of maintaining COVID-safe behaviours, especially in Queensland where we have mostly managed to avoid the sustained lockdowns that have affected other states.”
“We know that people don’t change their behaviours without a connection to the reasons why and having the means to do so, that’s why it is important for messages to be delivered by others like us”
Associate Professor Kyra Hamilton
“We know that people don’t change their behaviours without a connection to the reasons why and having the means to do so, that’s why it is important for messages to be delivered by others like us,” Associate Professor Hamilton explained.
“That connection also promotes a moral obligation, for instance highlighting social responsibility for preventing transmission of the virus to vulnerable others through continuing to practice COVID-safe behaviours, and perceived ease and success in doing the behaviours, whether that is providing hand sanitizer or markers to remind people of appropriate physical distance.”
The campaign has been based around research undertaken by Associate Professor Hamilton and colleagues showing that when those around you engage in COVID-safe behaviours, you are more likely to maintain these behaviours over time.
“The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines is likely to be the cornerstone in reversing infection rates,” Associate Professor Hamilton said.
“However, we are unlikely to see widespread community immunity for some time, which highlights the importance of COVID safe behaviors such as physical distancing and hand washing, as the most important strategy to prevent infection and save lives.
“The goal of the campaign was to provide a timely reminder to all that COVID-safe behaviours are still important and easy to do.
“We can make a difference and our new habits of hand washing, and physical distancing will reduce community transmission.”
The campaign will roll out over the next couple of months and features staff members and domestic and international students from a number of different academic groups and areas across the University.
The project team included academic and professional expertise from across Griffith, including psychologists, marketing and communications experts, along with interior design, facilities and student success staff.