A trio of academics based in Rockhampton will be influencing the next generation of scientists, thanks to an international publishing deal.

The CQUniversity staff members are contributing to the next titles from Pearson Publishing's enormously popular ‘Practical Skills' series.

Bill Aspden, Peter Reaburn and Rob Reed discuss their new book projectsTens of thousands of copies of ‘Prac Skills' have sold around the world, particularly in Europe and the UK, and they have been translated into a range of languages.

CQUniversity's Professor Rob Reed helped to pioneer the series* when he was based in England and now has helped to arrange major contributions from colleagues Dr Bill Aspden and Associate Professor Peter Reaburn.

Each of the ‘Prac Skills' books is designed to provide guidance on a range of topics including basic study, exam, library, IT, communication, laboratory, data analysis and presentation skills.

The CQUniversity authors explained "the books work as companions to students involved in a particular field of study and are designed to take them from their first year at university, right through to their postgraduate years, with many readers keeping our books close to hand throughout their studies".

Bill and Rob are working together on the new textbook Practical Skills in Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, which has specialist sections on topics such as ‘dietary assessment', ‘analytical techniques' and ‘food microbiology.

Rob Reed, Peter Reaburn and Bill Aspden discuss their new ventures

Peter and Rob are collaborating with Dr Ben Dascombe, a CQU graduate, on the new textbook Practical Skills in Exercise and Sport Science, which has specialist sections on topics such as ‘measuring muscular strength', ‘measuring aerobic endurance' and ‘field testing of athletes' .

* The other 2 original collaborators (UK) are Dr Jonathan Weyers and Dr Allan Jones (both at Dundee University, Scotland)