UNSW Centre for Ideas: Recent Episodes
UNSW Centre for Ideas
An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Ideas is a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers, authors and artists.
On this episode, Shannon chats about pivoting your start-up after funding failure, committing to your mission and transforming lives in the process.
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The development of AI has brought humanity to the cusp of a seismic change the likes of which has never been seen before. Workforces of the future will be dramatically different, as some jobs become obsolete and people scramble to learn new skills and ways of working. But just as this intelligence revolution has called into question the role of humans, could it be the catalyst for more purposeful leadership and smarter working? Could the very essence of being human – empathy, creativity and collaboration – become skills more important than ever as AI increasingly takes over dull, dirty, difficult and dangerous tasks?
Join the world’s first neuro-futurist, Joel Pearson, in this masterclass exploring how AI is rapidly disrupting work, trust, relationships and our sense of certainty. He offers practical strategies for managing uncertainty, protecting our critical-thinking skills and keeping human wellbeing at the centre of the transition.
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The development of AI has brought humanity to the cusp of a seismic change the likes of which has never been seen before. Workforces of the future will be dramatically different, as some jobs become obsolete and people scramble to learn new skills and ways of working. But just as this intelligence revolution has called into question the role of humans, could it be the catalyst for more purposeful leadership and smarter working? Could the very essence of being human – empathy, creativity and collaboration – become skills more important than ever as AI increasingly takes over dull, dirty, difficult and dangerous tasks?
Join the world’s first neuro-futurist, Joel Pearson, in conversation with leadership coach and transformation expert, Barbara Wilby. Hosted by the ABC’s Tegan Taylor, Wilby and Pearson will examine how we can respond to AI by actively using it to enhance decision-making, amplify human strengths and lead through uncertainty.
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Statistics can sometimes paint a rosy picture. Women now make up half of federal parliamentarians in Australia, more women graduate from university than men, and over 60% of Australia’s Winter Olympic team in 2026 were women.
But the reality of gender equality and progress is disappointingly stagnant if not downright regressive and concerning. From the alarmingly high prevalence of gendered violence online and in relationships, to the burden of the mental load in household chores, to the uneven playing field in which women are promoted and paid. When even the most accomplished women are exposed to everyday misogyny and double standards, the question must be asked: is this the kind of progress the feminist foremothers had in mind?
Join authors and leading women’s advocates, Hannah Ferguson and Jane Caro alongside journalist Farhana Dawood as they explore the reality of gender equality. Women on Top will be a candid conversation about feminism in the age of the manosphere, the real and perceived gains and losses in Australia and globally, and how we can confront the truth.
Explore more events from the UNSW Centre for Ideas 👉 unsw.to/cfi
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Most whistleblowers are unknown and ordinary people shedding light on corruption and misconduct. They rarely make the front page; many pay a devastating personal price. Australia’s whistleblowing protections are failing them.
Hear two of the foremost experts in Australia on protecting and defending the rights of whistleblowers, Kieran Pender and Gabriel Shipton alongside leading commentator and former editor of Guardian Australia, Lenore Taylor. The event also includes an account from a whistleblower on a harrowing case of wrongdoing they exposed in the prison system.
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Following the historic appointment of Sue-Anne Hunter as the inaugural National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Australia finds itself on a new journey but an old and critical road to mend.
From the over-representation of Indigenous kids in child protection and youth detention systems to the inordinately high rates of incarceration, family separation and suicide, there has been an ongoing failure to address their health and wellbeing, justice and education. Commissioner Hunter has been clear - First Peoples’ children and young people deserve better.
In an evening of reflection and hope, Sue-Anne Hunter shares her vision for uplifting the lives and voices of Indigenous Youth in Australia. She discusses how this new agency, now given statutory powers to do its important work, will help to realise international and domestic commitments to human rights, address systemic failures in federal and state institutions, and enhance the safety, wellbeing and life chances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Sue-Anne Hunter was joined in conversation by Isabella Higgins, host of ABC News' AM radio program.
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The ongoing conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has not only led to the deaths of many thousands of people, it has destabilised the global world order. As a middle power, Australia is being drawn into the conflict amid global pressures and strategic resource dependencies. Closer to home, the conflict is having a destabilising impact on Australia’s economy and enhancing other ongoing issues, such as rising inflation and concerns of higher unemployment.
UNSW’s Nalini Prasad explains how global and domestic trends in the economy are impacting the Aussie wallet, and your standard of living. She will explain how these trends are threatening an economic situation called ‘stagflation’, unseen since the 1970s and difficult to solve through traditional policy levers.
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When Nila Ibrahimi posted a video of herself online, singing proudly in protest of the ban on girls over 12 singing in public, she hoped the music would inspire young girls to continue their education. It was 2021 and the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan had come down swiftly on women's freedom. The video went viral and the ban was reversed, sending a powerful message across social media – women of Afghanistan would not be erased from public life. The Taliban would, however, go on to prohibit female education and Nila and her family would have to flee her homeland. Undeterred, Nila continues to advocate for Afghan girls from Canada.
Listen in to winner of the 2024 International Children’s Peace Prize Nila Ibrahimi in her first ever visit to Australia. In conversation with UNSW’s Verity Firth, they’ll unpack how peaceful grassroots activism can empower people of all ages to challenge authority and the importance of a right to education.
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Dr Karaitiana Taiuru is a leading global voice at the forefront of Māori data sovereignty and AI ethics. His practice draws on tikanga Māori and mātauranga Māori to facilitate conversations about the ways emerging technologies must uplift, protect and empower Indigenous knowledge, culture and communities.
Hear him in conversation with Dr Sue Keay, where he explores why protecting Māori knowledge as a living treasure is one of the most exciting and urgent challenges of our tech future.
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Angie Abdilla creates video installations interrogating Indigenous deeptime knowledges, automation and AI, focusing on technology as cultural practice. Her research, artworks and films have been exhibited at premier cultural institutions, including the current Data Dreams: Art and AI exhibition at the MCA, and previously, the United Nations; Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria; the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam; the Museum of Old and New Art, nipaluna/Hobart; and the Goethe-Institut, Sydney.
Her pioneering research on cultural governance for AI has influenced governments globally. She is the founder and director of Old Ways, New; co-founder of the Indigenous Protocols for AI working group; has won the inaugural Women in AI Award for Creative Industries; and is a Professor at the School of Cybernetics at the Australian National University.
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Every day, generative AI is pumping millions of new pictures into existence. Researcher and UNSW lecturer Dr Charu Maithani is redefining how we think about the images flooding our world, exposing how they capture only the narrowest sliver of human experience. Her work reveals how reimagining the way AI is trained – what it sees, learns, and absorbs from culture – defines our visual vocabulary and reshapes our collective imagination. Sometimes, what we don’t see is just as important as what we do.
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Richard Holden | Alan Kohler
Australia, a land of sweeping plains, has one of the lowest population densities on the planet. So, how did we end up with a housing shortage?
In conversation with economist and author Richard Holden, veteran finance journalist Alan Kohler’s new Quarterly Essay, The Great Divide: Australia’s Housing Crisis and How to Fix It, investigates where things went wrong at the start of the 21st century with escalating property prices leading to a rental crisis, a dearth of public housing and a mortgage crunch.
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Since its 2025 publication, Laurie Woolever’s Care and Feeding was an immediate New York Times bestseller, tracing her path from small-town childhood to working with two of the most powerful men in the food business, chefs Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain. The book’s success is no surprise. Laurie doesn't sugarcoat the consequences of a life where desire has been met with opportunity in equal measure. She weaves her story deftly, capturing the essence of New York city during the golden era of the 1990s and 2000s food celebrity without downplaying the darker side of indulgence and the treatment of women in the male-dominated food industry.
Hear Laurie alongside Good Weekend senior writer and former editor Katrina Strickland as they discuss the love language of food, living life without guardrails and learning to curb her appetites.
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As one of the world’s leading researchers in artificial intelligence, Toby Walsh has been awarded the Humbolt Research Award and elected as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI. In The Shortest History of AI, Toby outlines the six key ideas for understanding artificial intelligence today.
Hear Toby trace the origins of artificial intelligence in science and culture and predict where the technology is heading in the future.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Programs like ChatGPT have become ubiquitous with AI, promising to kick start the next industrial evolution. But the scale of resources needed to support AI are staggering, with the cost largely being levied on the marginalised. From energy demands eclipsing whole cities, to labour exploitation in the global south, this behaviour bodes poorly for an equitable future.
In Empire of AI, award-winning investigative journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of OpenAI and their race for global dominance – prompting the question, what will it take to reign in this laissez-faire approach to growth? Answers are needed and UNSW legal expert Mimi Zou is exploring the possibilities surrounding the regulation of AI, along with UNSW neuroscientist Joel Pearson who is scrutinising the human impact of AI at an individual and societal level.
Hear Chief Scientist of UNSW AI Toby Walsh in conversation with Karen Hao and then Mimi Zou and Joel Pearson on what it will take to usher in a sustainable, equitable AI revolution.
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Many people would recognise Australian actress Yael Stone from her breakout role as the red-lipped Lorna Morello in TV series Orange is the New Black. But, in 2020 she gave up her green card, and her acting career in the United States, unable to reconcile the carbon emissions of the jet-setting lifestyle with her own climate conscience. Since then, Yael has channelled her focus into a new career path in climate advocacy, going back to university and co-founding the not-for-profit renewables and clean energy organisation, Hi Neighbour.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, hear actress, entrepreneur and climate advocate Yael Stone alongside writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law as they explore what we have to give up to gain a life living in alignment with our personal values.
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Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women.
So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? Hear ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.
Originally recorded on 18 November 2025.
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Hear acclaimed political biographer Troy Bramston in conversation with UNSW’s Verity Firth and delve into his latest book Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New. From Whitlam’s rise through the Labor party to Prime Minister, to his family, upbringing and life after politics, Troy lifts the lid on new revelations behind the man and his polices.
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We’ve come a long way since references to lesbians could potentially land you jail-time and lesbian culture was less visible in literature and the arts, social commentary and public life. From anthemic pop icons Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish to commercially successful flicks like Bottoms and Love Lies Bleeding, lesbian culture is having a moment.
In the fifty years since the rallying cry “Lesbians are Lovely!” was sprawled across walls, bodies and picket boards in the fight for recognition and liberation, there have been many developments in queer identity and culture. But are we making space for all lesbians and how can we celebrate every part of our community?
Hosted by Walkley Award-winning journalist, presenter and producer Mon Schafter and featuring a trailblazing lineup of panellist, including Kate Rowe, an activist and advocate ‘78er who marched in the original Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; Kath Ebbs queer actor, presenter and content creator; and Jackie Turner, trans woman, social justice and climate organiser, and Director of Trans Justice Project.
This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas (in collaboration with Dr Yves Rees) and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
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With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.
Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities.
Hear renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia’s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.
Co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health.
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In an era of increasing productivity, efficiency and automation it’s important not to lose sight that education – the learning and teaching that we all pursue – is about human connection and transformation.
Tune in to learn from Dr Gabi Nudelman, a Senior Lecturer in business sustainability and ethics, on how kindness could be our secret weapons against disconnection in our work and school environments.
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The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer’s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we’d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren’t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now.
Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children’s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.
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As natural disasters increase in frequency and severity, we are all at risk of one day having our homes and our lives being in danger from fire or flood. Right now, we are seeing an unprecedented level of people needing rescue in the midst of disaster. But rescue shouldn’t just be after the point of no return, when people must evacuate their homes because hazardous conditions overwhelm communities.
Listen to Dr Regina Jefferies, a human rights and refugee lawyer, on how recognising the broad scope of who tends to be a first responder in a disaster, and what it means to truly save people, could offer a fairer, kinder chance of rescue.
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Our coastal marine habitats are suffering from the man-made degradation of climate change. From coral reefs to seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and kelp forests, these ecosystems are vital nurseries for marine life and natural coastal buffers against storms and we’re losing them at a rapid pace. But all is not lost. We have the tools and the know-how to restore these environments.
Tune in to learn from Ann Flemming Nielsen, a PhD student at the Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, on how we can use human engineering to build back the coastal environments in severe decline and give nature a chance to recover.
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Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women.
So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? As the dawn of the social media ban for young people rapidly approaches, is this a chance to reframe what it means to be a man?
ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Sydney Swans Chief Executive Officer and newly appointed Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Light has unlocked many technologies over the course of human history. The more we learn about what light is and what it can do, the more applications we find to advance our lives. When we study light at the smallest scale possible, at the atomic level, we can unlock some pretty amazing, pretty weird capabilities.
Find out from Dr Alison Goldingay, an award-winning Postdoctoral Fellow at UNSW in the School of Physics, about how the study of light is making quantum computing a reality.
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Ask any AI image generator to create an image of a garden and you’re likely to receive a very specific type; manicured English or French, colourful plants, geometric forms and a winding pathway made of stone or gravel. Why is this such a big deal? Millions of AI images are generated every week but they only represent a narrow view of real life because the technology is trained off western-centric perspectives.
In an era of AI slop and Shrimp Jesus’, hear from Dr Charu Maithani, a Lecturer in Media, Journalism and Communication, about how changing the approach to machine learning could have far reaching effects on our visual vocabulary.
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More than 400,000 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer worldwide this year. Many treatments that are meant to save a child can leave them with lifelong side-effects, including heart damage, infertility and cognitive issues. But for the first time, precision medicine is using the tiniest tools – nanoparticles – to design tailor-made treatments to beat childhood cancer.
Tune in to learn how precision medicine is changing the odds in the fight against childhood cancer with Professor Maria Kavallaris AM, a researcher whose own cancer diagnosis occurred at the same time as a career-changing opportunity to join the Children's Cancer Institute.
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The scintillating chronicler of human weakness, Oscar Wilde, once said, “True friends stab you in the front”.
In this popular event, writer and presenter Annabel Crabb and writer David Marr lead opposing teams in a rollicking debate on the legitimacy of this aphorism about friends who betray each other.
Featuring debaters Matilda Boseley, Rhys Nicholson, Justine Rogers and Jennifer Wong, and adjudicated by Yumi Stynes, this debate is sure to get provocative, pithy and personal.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Ivan Coyote doesn’t fit neatly into one of two gender boxes, they never have. From an early age in the Canadian Yukon, they can remember discovering a coded but very possible queer future hidden in the music coming out of the AM radio in the kitchen, lurking in their parent’s record collection, and leaking out of the lyrics in their elementary school musical.
In conversation with Yves Rees, the award-winning author, performer, and musician explores the deeply personal terrain of gender identity, family, class, and queer liberation, approaching every story with warmth and sharp wit.
This event was presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas as a part of Diversity Festival.
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When Nila Ibrahimi posted a video of herself online, singing proudly in protest of the ban on girls over 12 singing in public, she hoped the music would inspire young girls to continue their education. It was 2021 and the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan had come down swiftly on women's freedom. The video went viral and the ban was reversed, sending a powerful message across social media – women of Afghanistan would not be erased from public life. The Taliban would, however, go on to prohibit female education and Nila and her family would have to flee her homeland. Undeterred, Nila continues to advocate for Afghan girls from Canada.
Listen in to winner of the 2024 International Children’s Peace Prize Nila Ibrahimi in her first ever visit to Australia. In conversation with UNSW’s Verity Firth, they’ll unpack how peaceful grassroots activism can empower people of all ages to challenge authority and the importance of a right to education.
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Women’s bodies are a battleground for beauty capitalism with a constant pressure to reach unachievable beauty standards.
Writer, presenter and entertainer Lucinda Price (aka Froomes) spent 30 years striving to fulfil those standards, which she unpacks in her debut memoir, All I Ever Wanted Was To Be Hot: Self image, beauty ideals and desirability. Nutritionist and lecturer Rebecca Reynolds teamed up with mental health author Bev Aisbett to write Beyond the Body Bully: How to love the body you’re in to improve the way we think about our bodies. And writer and researcher Chloe Elisabeth Wilson satirises the cult-like world of beauty by turning it into a real cult in her debut novel Rytual.
Lucinda, Rebecca and Chloe discuss how they are helping to rewrite women’s relationships with beauty and their bodies, in conversation with Yumi Stynes.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
Please be aware this podcast discusses eating disorders and body image issues which may be distressing for some people. Resources and support can be found here.
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In 1998, at the beginning of his esteemed career as an international human rights lawyer, Philippe Sands was invited to advise Augusto Pinochet as the Chilean dictator faced arrest in London.
Instead, Philippe chose to act as a barrister for Human Rights Watch, where he uncovered the well-hidden connection between Pinochet and former SS commander Walther Rauff. In his latest book, part memoir and part detective story, Philippe draws on interviews and archives to link two of the most brutal regimes of the 20th century at the infamous 38 Londres Street in Santiago.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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The STEMMinist Book Club was founded in 2018 and is dedicated to reading and discussing books related to feminism and STEMM (science, technology, engineering, medicine and maths).
The book club has over 5,000 members from 25 countries. As well as discussing great books, the book club provides a virtual discussion forum and support network for women and non-binary people working in these sectors.
Come along to this special Festival edition of the STEMMinist Book Club to discuss the phenomenon of GPs who write. Hosted by Caroline Ford with guests Jumaana Abdu (Translations), Melanie Cheng (The Burrow) and Sarah Sasson (Tidelines), all of whom are doctors with brilliant new books.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Programs like ChatGPT have become ubiquitous with AI, promising to kick start the next industrial evolution. But the scale of resources needed to support AI are staggering, with the cost largely being levied on the marginalised. From energy demands eclipsing whole cities, to labour exploitation in the global south, this behaviour bodes poorly for an equitable future.
In Empire of AI, award-winning investigative journalist Karen Hao unpacks the rise of OpenAI and their race for global dominance – prompting the question, what will it take to reign in this laissez-faire approach to growth? Answers are needed and UNSW legal expert Mimi Zou is exploring the possibilities surrounding the regulation of AI, along with UNSW neuroscientist Joel Pearson who is scrutinising the human impact of AI at an individual and societal level.
Hear Chief Scientist of UNSW AI Toby Walsh in conversation with Karen Hao and then Mimi Zou and Joel Pearson on what it will take to usher in a sustainable, equitable AI revolution.
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The Parthenon Marbles. The Benin Bronzes. Grandma's jewellery that she smuggled in her clothes, never to return. What if taking an object is the best way to keep a community's culture alive?
Legal experts Sherine Al Shallah and Lucas Lixinski engage with old and new arguments about cultural objects. Bringing together perspectives from decolonisation and refugee practices, Sherine and Lucas dare us to think beyond our preconceived notions, showing that ‘whether’ to return can be an even more complicated question than we thought.
If we think about cultural objects not as objects, but as conduits for human connection and identity, they argue, then we may have a chance of solving these complex ethical problems.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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The Ministry of Time landed on multiple bestseller lists thanks to its highly original, genre-defying story, which combines elements of time travel, romance and spy thriller.
Described by Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton as “outrageously brilliant”, Kaliane Bradley’s debut challenges the boundaries of literary and genre fiction as the past meets the future when a disaffected civil servant accepts a job at a mysterious new government ministry specialising in ‘historical expats’.
Join Kaliane and host, Spectrum editor Melanie Kembrey, to unpack the triumph of Kaliane’s debut novel and what it means to change the world by defying history. With an introduction from Fiona Morrison.
This event was co-presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and UNSW Sydney.
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Since early 2023, MDMA has been authorised for use in Australia to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
Still, it remains a controversial treatment publicly and among experts. Adam Bayes from the Black Dog Institute and researcher Rebecca Huntley, whose book Sassafras: A memoir of love, loss and MDMA Therapy recounts her experience of using MDMA to treat trauma, discuss the personal and medical cases for (and against) psychedelics.
Learn more about this contentious treatment and hear Adam and Rebecca’s perspectives, in conversation with Norman Swan.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Black Saturday razed towns, Canada’s Fort McMurray wildfire forced 88,000 people to flee, the LA fires obliterated over 12,000 buildings and Australia’s Black Summer fires scorched 24 million hectares – an area the size of the United Kingdom. Bushfires are no longer seasonal, they’re unrelenting; reshaping landscapes and lives in our rapidly warming world.
In Fire Weather, award-winning Canadian author John Vaillant tells the gripping story of a city consumed by flame – a harbinger of what’s to come in a hotter, drier, more combustible world.
Joined by UNSW bushfire behaviour expert Jason Sharples, listen in on a conversation on the science of fire, the galvanising power of storytelling and how we can survive in a world where the line between our natural and built environment is increasingly blurred – and increasingly flammable.
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As state and federal governments move to criminalise forms of hate speech, it's time to look at what evidence shows about the effect that laws can have on hate speech and its victims, with legal expert Luke McNamara.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Not two years after making Australian literary history with My Brilliant Career, Miles Franklin fell into obscurity – and when publishers rejected her subsequent novels, she left Australia for Chicago.
Uncover the mysteries of the legend’s life with Kerrie Davies, whose Miles Franklin Undercover focuses on those lost years. It’s a real-life sequel to the classic Australian novel, using never-before-published material – including intimate correspondence with poet Banjo Paterson – from Miles’s years working as a servant.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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As one of the world’s leading researchers in artificial intelligence, Toby Walsh has been awarded the Humbolt Research Award and elected as a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of AI. In The Shortest History of AI, Toby outlines the six key ideas for understanding artificial intelligence today.
Hear Toby trace the origins of artificial intelligence in science and culture and predict where the technology is heading in the future.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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In 2018 Donna Strickland became the first woman in over 50 years to win the Nobel Prize in Physics, and only the third woman in history.
Her award-winning work however began decades earlier. While undertaking her PhD Donna developed chirped pulse amplification – a unique way to amplify ultrashort laser pulses. This breakthrough paved not only the way for safer and more precise laser eye surgery but also improved mobile phone technology and is now helping to advance quantum science.
Listen to Donna in conversation with the ABC’s Tegan Taylor, as she shares the early curiosity that fuelled her love of physics, the joy of discovery and how she became a ‘laser jock’.
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Adam Bayes is leader in the field of mental health, working as a clinical academic psychologist at UNSW Sydney and a senior research fellow at the Black Dog Institute specialising in mood disorders including depressive and bipolar disorders.
In this podcast Adam shares his cutting-edge research and clinical experience such as using ketamine to treat severe and treatment-resistant depression, a new development with promising results.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Soaring and crashing stock prices, resigning CEOs and out of control labour practices: what is going on with Australian businesses? Award-winning labour relations lawyer and author of Working for the Brand: how corporations are destroying free speech, Josh Bornstein and award-winning senior business writer and investigative journalist Adele Ferguson join host Richard Holden to consider the state of business. Get your head around the latest scandals, analyse business-employee relations and discover the ethical challenges shaping the future of corporate Australia.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. Presented in partnership with the State Library of NSW.
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Anne Summers’s Damned Whores and God’s Police was first published 50 years ago – a time when sexual harassment, domestic violence and date rape were unnamed and often ignored experiences for women in Australia. It would be another nine years before the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. Hear Anne as the bestselling and multi-award-winning writer and journalist – also an Officer of the Order of Australia and inductee to the Australian Media Hall of Fame – reflect on her groundbreaking book, what she has done since and what she is doing now with host Zora Simic.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Economics Professor at UNSW Sydney Richard Holden (Money in the Twenty First Century) and Parliamentarian Andrew Leigh (The Shortest History of Economics) unpack economics as a global force that impacts wars, technological innovation and social change.
In our contemporary world, what are the causes and consequences of economic inequality? And can economics be used as a tool for justice for the oppressed?
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Miles Franklin is a literary legend now, but her story, and those of women like her, were nearly lost to the passage of time.
Kerrie Davies unwinds the mysteries of Miles Franklin’s lost years in Miles Franklin Undercover: The little-known years when she created her own brilliant career, constructing a real-life sequel to My Brilliant Career using never-before-published material. Yves Rees dives into the early days of Australia’s relationship with America through the forgotten lives of 10 Australian women, from an artist to an advisor to JFK, in Travelling to Tomorrow: The modern women who sparked Australia’s romance with America.
Hear Kerrie and Yves in conversation with journalist and co-editor of Hazzard and Harrower: The Letters, Susan Wyndham.
This event was presented by the Sydney's Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. Presented in partnership with the State Library of New South Wales.
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The climate crisis is vast, complex and often feels both imminent and frustratingly out of our control. With global systems slow to change and the scale of the challenge immense, it’s easy to wonder if individual action could ever be enough.
On World Environment Day, Climate Warriors brought together four transformative voices; renewable energy expert and former Biden administration advisor Saul Griffith, Solar Citizen CEO Heidi Lee Douglas, climate activist Grace Vegesana along with host and journalist Craig Reucassel, to unpack the power and limitations of grassroots action, climate innovation and community-driven change.
From local initiatives to systemic shifts, they unpacked what’s working, what isn’t, and where real impact is being made. While no single effort can solve the climate crisis, collective action has the potential to tip the balance.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering, in association with the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit.
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Artificial intelligence’s collision with human creativity is one of the most important stories of our time.
With the accelerating impact of AI, so much of what we understand about being human is being re-written.
Acclaimed writer Jeanette Winterson (12 Bytes: How artificial intelligence will change the way we live and love) sees AI changing our lives in unprecedented ways. Academic and researcher Toby Walsh (The Shortest History of AI) predicts the place AI will have in our futures.
Hear Jeanette and Toby bring the perspectives of an artist and a scientist together in this important contemporary conversation. With an introduction from Verity Firth.
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Acclaimed Indonesian author Norman Erikson Pasaribu and award-winning Australian writer Dylin Hardcastle explore the joy, tenderness and triumphs of queer storytelling.
Norman, best known for Happy Stories, Mostly, and their latest book My Dream Job, crafts tender yet sharp narratives about identity, faith and belonging, challenging the expectations of queer life in Indonesia. While Dylin, acclaimed for A Language of Limbs, offers an Australian perspective on intimacy, loss and transformation. Together their work embraces and reclaims; highlighting how storytelling becomes an act of survival and resistance for lives too often kept in the margins.
Hear Norman and Dylin, alongside UNSW’s Christy Newman, as they explore how literature creates space for voices long silenced – and how the most powerful stories are the ones that heal.
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Beneath the ocean’s surface, fibre-optic cables pulse with the entirety of our human existence – memes and messages, stock trades and state secrets. But when these fragile threads break, so too can the connections that bind us.
Hear award-winning author Colum McCann join The Daily Aus’ Sam Koslowski to explore truth, misinformation and human connection in a world driven by technology, and his latest book Twist.
Together they unpack the power of fiction to reflect societal truths, rupture, repair and resilience in an age of hyper-communication, asking: how do we navigate a world where information is abundant, but authenticity is elusive? And in an era of digital disarray, can we still mend the severed connections of our society?
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Richard Holden | Alan Kohler
Australia, a land of sweeping plains, has one of the lowest population densities on the planet. So, how did we end up with a housing shortage?
In conversation with economist and author Richard Holden, veteran finance journalist Alan Kohler’s new Quarterly Essay, The Great Divide: Australia’s Housing Crisis and How to Fix It, investigates where things went wrong at the start of the 21st century with escalating property prices leading to a rental crisis, a dearth of public housing and a mortgage crunch.
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Machines lead the charge on today’s battlefields, but what does this mean for the people caught in the crossfire?
Learn from journalist Antony Loewenstein, whose Walkley Award-winning investigation, The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World, uncovered the widespread commercialisation and global deployment of Israeli weaponry tested in Palestinian territories. Antony is joined by AI expert Toby Walsh, whose new book, Faking It: Artificial Intelligence in a Human World, explores how AI impersonates human intelligence.
Listen to this vital conversation with host Michael Richardson about the intersection of technology, conflict, occupation and surveillance.
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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How did sex begin? How did it evolve to become so varied and complex in humans? And what could sex look like for future generations?
Hosted by evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks, this blush-worthy panel discussion features sex historian Esmé Louise James and historian David Baker. Esmé adapted her wildly popular TikTok series into a book, Kinky History: The Stories of Our Intimate Lives, Past and Present, and David’s Sex: Two Billion Years of Procreation and Recreation charts sex’s evolution from early life to sexbots.
Listen now to bone up on carnal knowledge across the centuries and find out what the future of fornication holds.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Economist John N. Friedman has made a career researching the causes of inequality and its long-term consequences for children in the US. His findings are grim. Social mobility is in sharp decline. Where you live and go to school increasingly determines your success and future. Joining fellow economist, Richard Holden, Friedman will explore how policy can harness schools, neighbourhoods, universities, and social capital to reverse this trend, and revive a fading “American Dream” of progress and social mobility. Explore what this could mean in a country like Australia.
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas, supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Brigitte Gerstl | Luara Ferracioli | Mianna Lotz | Chaired by Kathryn MacKay
Is the emergence of artificial wombs and womb transplants a ‘boon’ or a ‘bane’ for women? Listen now to explore the transformative possibilities for reproductive autonomy that could redefine the very essence of motherhood.
This session is presented as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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The late philosopher and scientist, Daniel Dennett talked about ‘counterfeit people’ as one of the great dangers of AI – but are we now willing to court the same dangers through our adoption of multiple identities across the metaverse. Moving from the confinement of physical reality to the landscape of the metaverse, where looks, preferences, and genders are limitless, we can each acquire many digital selves.
Is a ‘virtual you’ a truer reflection of your deepest self – revealing desires and aspects that otherwise remain hidden? What is the human cost of leaving the physical world behind? Hear Lizzie O'Shea, Patrick Stokes, Emily van der Nagel and Rob Brooks discuss.
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas, supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Over 40 years ago, Deborah Lawrie broke barriers to become Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot. Her path wasn’t easy — she battled a landmark High Court case to challenge gender discrimination in employment and prevailed, all while facing blatant prejudice and unapologetic misogyny.
Deborah’s determination didn’t just open cockpit doors; it helped pave the way for equal opportunity across male-dominated industries, opening economic doors for women Australia wide.
Hear Deborah Lawrie in conversation with journalist Sarah Malik, on her story and how we can accelerate action for gender equality through education, allyship, and the dismantling of systemic barriers.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by UNSW Aviation.
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In a timely and thought-provoking discussion, essayist and author of the recently released The World After Gaza, Pankaj Mishra reflects on the ongoing war in Gaza, examining how competing narratives of colonialism, national identity and justice collide with tragic consequences for all.
In a conversation with philosopher and Executive Director of The Ethics Centre Simon Longstaff, Mishra delves into the historical, political and ethical forces shaping our world, the waning influence of the Global North and the role of journalism in actively constructing and distorting reality.
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More than one in four women in Australia have experienced domestic or family violence, and one in five have experienced sexual violence. Yet, despite survivors increasingly speaking out, systemic barriers to addressing gender-based violence persist.
In a powerful and necessary conversation, internationally acclaimed lawyer Jennifer Robinson, NSW’s inaugural Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin and UNSW academic BJ Newton joined forces to examine how legal, institutional and cultural systems suppress the voices of women and the far-reaching impact this has on our society.
Chaired by journalist Nour Haydar, this discussion explored the growing use of legal threats and actions to silence survivors, outdated gendered views and systems, and the rise in online misogyny and abuse, and asked; how we can dismantle structures that protect perpetrators?
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.
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In a world where urban congestion and traffic delays plague our daily lives, Arian Prabowo examines how artificial intelligence can transform urban progress. He delves into practical solutions like improving traffic flow through AI-powered traffic lights and real-time navigation systems that adapt to changing conditions.
Prabowo also tackles the critical issue of AI systems' vulnerability to errors in new and unexpected situations, emphasizing the need for more explainable algorithms. By exploring the potential of explainable AI, Prabowo envisions a future where transparent algorithms optimise city transport, making our commutes faster and more efficient while ensuring equity and fairness.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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In a stirring exploration of history and justice, Leah Lui-Chivizhe delves into the profound impact of colonial practices on Indigenous communities. She unravels the poignant narrative of Ancestral Remains taken from their lands and stored in museums—far from their people.
Through her personal journey and research, Lui-Chivizhe illuminates the ongoing pain and historical injustices inflicted by these acts. She calls for a transformative approach that not only acknowledges past wrongs but actively seeks to return these Ancestors to their rightful homes. This powerful narrative underscores the urgent need for institutions to demonstrate true progress and respect for Indigenous peoples.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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Despite the rush of technological breakthroughs, we find ourselves drifting into a crisis of connection—profound loneliness and division. Nevena Krups takes us on a heartfelt journey, revealing how the ancient and seemingly simple art of friendship can serve as a powerful source to bridge divides and heal a fragmented society.
Drawing from her poignant experiences in former Yugoslavia, Krups illuminates how true friendship, with its embrace of differences and commitment to understanding, can transform political landscapes and infuse our world with essential humanness.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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Cyberattacks are fast becoming our biggest global threat - so why aren’t we better prepared? Matt O’Kane takes us on an inspiring journey from overcoming blindness to leading a cybersecurity business, shining a light on the evolving landscape of cyber threats. He critiques current cyber education methods, revealing how they often prepare students for calm seas rather than the turbulent waters of real-world challenges.
O’Kane advocates for a hands-on, competitive approach to cyber education, likening it to a digital playground where students can safely explore, tinker, and compete. By cultivating curiosity and resilience in young cyber defenders, he envisions educational environments that balance safety with the freedom to innovate. This narrative calls for a bold reimagining of how we prepare for the cyber threats of tomorrow.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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In a world increasingly besieged by disasters, Kate Brady addresses whether we are ready for what comes after. She paints a stark picture of the escalating frequency and intensity of calamities, from bushfires to cyclones. Brady challenges us to consider whether our current strategies are sufficient and calls for a radical shift in how we approach disaster recovery.
She emphasises the need for community-led approaches, proactive planning for the aftermath of disasters, and innovative solutions to withstand future crises. The increased frequency of disasters as a result of climate change is a wake-up call, Brady urges us all to rethink our disaster recovery mechanisms before it's too late.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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Have you ever wondered why astronauts return from the space station weak and struggling to walk? Kate Poole dives into the physiological challenges faced by astronauts during and after their missions. She explores the effects of microgravity on the human body, including muscle atrophy and bone density loss. Poole highlights the cutting-edge research and innovative solutions being developed to mitigate these issues, so that astronauts can withstand long-duration spaceflights. She highlights the need for long term planning to achieve these goals and draws parallels between space medicine and fundamental research into how our bodies function.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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In a reflection that spans centuries, Sebastian Sequoiah-Grayson recounts the tumultuous history and promising future of Australia. He draws us into the dramatic events of the Lambing Flat Riots and their lasting impact on anti-Chinese sentiment, weaving in personal anecdotes of his great-grandfather’s compassionate actions.
Sequoiah-Grayson challenges us to imagine a different path where early settlers embraced cooperation over resentment. As Australia navigates its role in the 21st-century Asian landscape, he advocates for strengthening ties with Asia, fostering mutual understanding, and working together for a prosperous future. This narrative is both a tribute to the past and a call to action for the future.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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Join a full house at the Sydney Opera House with Nobel winning scientist Jennifer Doudna and Big Ideas' host Natasha Mitchell to discuss the huge social, ethical, and scientific implications of the CRISPR gene editing revolution. From curative therapies to gene edited babies - will we use it to hack our own evolution?
Presented by Sydney Opera House, BQI, Sydney Writers' Festival, and UNSW Sydney.
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Cooperation is our superpower, and democracy is a foundation of human progress. But we take them for granted at our peril. In some of the strongest democracies, democratic principles are being undermined while many voices are ignored. In this conversation Nobel Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman tells her story of her determination to bring peace and democracy in the Middle East. Tawakkol is joined by Megan Davis, a constitutional lawyer who is committed to greater indigenous representation in Australian democracy and Nobel Prize Outreach Chief Impact Officer Owen Gaffney.
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Facts matter. The scientific process matters. The ability to think critically is essential to navigate our world, to make good decisions and to solve some of the world’s most intractable problems. Nobel Prize laureate Saul Perlmutter believes everyone can learn the skills scientists use to think critically so that they don’t fool themselves. Saul is joined by Tim Minchin, a writer, composer and fierce defender of facts and UNSW's Verity Firth to discuss the importance of collaboration, humility and critical thinking in decision-making.
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Breakneck cultural change means growing up today is a completely different experience from growing up in the 1950s, or the 1980s, or even the 2000s. Psychologist and author of Generations and iGen Jean Twenge, researcher and geriatrician expert on ABC’s Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds and Teenagers Stephanie Ward, and co-founder of youth media platform The Daily Aus Sam Koslowski discuss what is driving these changes and where the widening generation gap could take us as a society?
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas., supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Australia has been a close ally of the United States since 1940, but what does this mean for contemporary politics when democracy is more fragile than ever?
Chaired by Festival favourite Barrie Cassidy, one of Australia’s most experienced political correspondents and analysts, this expert panel features former BBC foreign correspondent Nick Bryant (The Forever War: America’s Unending Conflict With Itself), UNSW Sydney Professor of Law and constitutional democracy specialist Rosalind Dixon and Senior Fellow of the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre Bruce Wolpe (Trump’s Australia: How Trumpism changed Australia and the shocking consequences for us of a second term).
Unpack the far-reaching ramifications of this relationship across trade, security, foreign policy and beyond.
This event is presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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International space law has a rich history that offers valuable lessons for today's challenges in protecting humanity’s use of outer space. So, what prospect is there that the space powers can agree new laws to ensure a smooth path into the next frontier of space use and exploration?
Michelle Chase explores key moments such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the 1972 ABM Treaty, revealing that self-interest often drives these international agreements. Chase calls for renewed international cooperation, drawing from Cold War-era lessons to manage state competition and protect space from modern threats like warfighting and space debris.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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What would a future with better more equitable healthcare look like? Professor Michael Kidd explores the pivotal role of UNSW in shaping the future of Australian health care. Professor Kidd will explore the university's innovative research, cutting-edge technologies, and commitment to addressing the nation's most pressing health challenges.
By emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting how UNSW's integration of medicine, engineering, and data science can lead to groundbreaking advancements in patient care. Through real-world examples and forward-thinking strategies, Professor Kidd paints a vision of a future where Australian health care is more accessible, efficient, and equitable, driven by the pioneering efforts of institutions like UNSW.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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Embark on a journey into the labyrinth of the human brain with Genevra Hart, as she reveals the staggering complexity of our neural networks. Within the billions of dense microscopic neural connections that make up the brain, Hart isolates the importance of dopamine in controlling our thoughts and actions. Drawing from her research on decision-making, she illuminates the pivotal role of dopamine in refining our choices, and creating habits. With a focus on potential treatments for addictions, Hart advocates for advanced techniques such as deep brain stimulation. This exploration underscores the endless possibilities of neuroscience and its impact on our lives.
Progress? is a UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with illustrations designed by Lucy Klippan, video production by AVI and All things All Creatures, and podcast production by Matt Sladen and Kara Jensen-MacKinnon.
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What can we expect from a world of deepfakes where anything you see or hear might be synthetic and the output of AI? Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence at UNSW, Toby Walsh unpacks untruths and warns of a future inundated with machine-generated content, predicting that soon, 99% of what we read, see, and hear will be created by AI. Listen as Toby discusses the urgent need for digital watermarks to authenticate online content, proposing that this technology can help restore trust. However, he cautions that building this infrastructure will take time, leaving us in a precarious situation where truth is increasingly contested.
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas, supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Carbon markets have been hailed as key pillars in our climate response but in actuality, have turned out to be largely greenwash. Megan Evans, Senior Lecturer at UNSW’s School of Business highlights the flaws in carbon offsetting and questions the effectiveness of emission offsets, revealing that many projects fail to sequester the promised carbon. She emphasises the importance of transparency and accountability in carbon markets, arguing that without criticism and scrutiny, these systems merely perpetuate greenwashing. Listen to the full discussion as Megan urges us to question the status quo and advocate for genuine environmental progress, rather than settling for ineffective measures.
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas, supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Associate Professor of Media at UNSW, Michael Richardson examines how technology, culture, and power shape knowledge in war, security and surveillance. He warns that AI’s rapid deployment can lead to catastrophic outcomes in warfare, where algorithms determine lethal targets based on biased data and predictive analytics. Listen as Michael calls for a global resistance against militarised AI, and the need for an ethical standard in technology, as the consequences of these advancements could redefine the very nature of warfare and humanity itself.
Presented as part of The Ethics Centre's Festival of Dangerous Ideas, supported by UNSW Sydney.
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In a witty and provocative talk, Professor of Psychology at UNSW, Brownyn Graham addresses the longstanding neglect of the female anatomy in medical research, exemplified by the late mapping of the clitoris. She highlights how centuries of male-centric studies have led to a healthcare system that inadequately services women and overlooks the critical role sex hormones play in our everyday lives. Listen as Bronwyn urges for a more inclusive, evidence-based approach to medical research.
Presented as part of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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Biographer Brigitta Olubas and journalist Susan Wyndham have edited a collection of the letters of eminent novelists Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower.
Reflecting on the correspondence of two important writers, they’ll share what they have learned about the art of writing letters and the relationships that they can sustain, and destroy.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Ever wondered what makes us tick as individuals, or why societies thrive or fall apart? Michael Muthukrishna, the mind behind the groundbreaking A Theory of Everyone has the answers. By blending psychology, anthropology, and economics into a revolutionary framework Muthukrishna dives into how cultural evolution and social learning shape everything from our daily decisions to the fate of entire civilisations.
Whether you’re curious about the roots of human behaviour or looking for fresh insights into global challenges like inequality and cooperation, this talk with UNSW Scientia Professor Rob Brooks provides a blueprint for a better future.
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Despite rapid technological advancements, increasing affluence and population growth continue to strain our planet. Currently not a single country in the world is operating at sustainable level of resource use – and yet that is what we need to aspire to if we’re going to slow climate change, reduce inequality and increase our quality of life. So, how do we get there?
Listen to UNSW’s sustainability scientist Tommy Wiedmann and Professor of Law Bronwen Morgan, CSIRO researcher Sabrina Chakori, and former Deputy Lord Mayor and author of Glimpses of Utopia Jess Scully as host, discuss sustainability and the urgent challenge we face to create a world which ensures human needs are met without sacrificing a sustainable, inclusive future.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Why do we know so little about women’s bodies? Over half the world’s population have had a period or could be having a period right now – so why do menstruation and menopause remain such medical mysteries? And why are doctors still scratching their collective heads when asked to explain how female anatomy works? Well, New York Times bestseller Jennifer Gunter is hoping to change that.
In conversation with Caroline Ford, Jennifer will unpack why she’s sick of women being sidelined by the medical profession, and outline the steps we need to take to put women’s bodies and healthcare in the spotlight.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health as a part of National Science Week.
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Haben Girma would prefer not to be called inspiring. But, as the first Deafblind woman to make Harvard history and living in defiance of great social and physical barriers, it is a term often used to describe her achievements. Girma developed a powerful path to success despite facing many social and physical barriers. Overcoming all with an insatiable appetite for social justice as well as a wicked sense of humour, she’s become a leading advocate for people living with disabilities. Girma has been named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and was awarded the White House Champion of Change, presented by former President of the United States, Barack Obama.
In an evening of conversation with ABC’s Nas Campanella, Girma shares how she overcame adversity, how we can all advocate for more inclusive design principles, the importance of patience and understanding, and her opinions on Vegemite, in an inspiring discussion.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas as a part of Diversity Festival.
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Has climate chaos, the cost-of-living crisis and the threat of AI overlords got you feeling like the end is nigh? Don’t stress. As psychologist and evolutionary biologist Athena Aktipis points out, humankind is hardwired to survive big existential crises.
In this engaging talk, Athena—armed with her trusty ukulele—and UNSW’s Rob Brooks journey through history, psychology, and shared humanity to uncover the tools that will help us survive—and thrive—amidst the chaos. Tune in to the podcast and you can expect to learn about the psychology of stress, tips for prepping (hint: duct tape is essential!), and how embracing our communal nature can turn even the direst situations into opportunities for growth and connection.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.
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In today's fast paced digital age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, the importance of science communication has never been more critical. From bogus health claims to pseudoscientific theories, the online landscape is rife with inaccuracies that undermine public trust in science. But New York Times bestseller Jennifer Gunter is trying to change this. Dubbed the internet’s gynaecologist, Gunter became an overnight celebrity when she debunked Trump’s medical examination letter and she continues to educate the masses each day.
In conversation with NSW Deputy Chief Scientist Darren Saunders, hear Jen shed light on the challenges facing modern science communicators and offer invaluable insights on how to navigate this uncharted terrain.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, UNSW Medicine & Health and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.
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From the celestial ballet of exploding supernovae to the cosmic whispers of gravitational waves, acclaimed astrophysicist Tamara Davis’ journey through the cosmos promises to captivate and inspire. With over two decades dedicated to unravelling cosmic mysteries, Tamara Davis has played a pivotal role in monumental astronomical surveys, uncovering over half a billion galaxies and illuminating the enigmatic nature of dark energy.
Listen as she shares her groundbreaking research with UNSW's Dean of Science, Sven Rogge, which has revealed that not only is the universe accelerating, but the very essence driving this expansion may be evolving over time.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas,Australian Institute of Physics and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.
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When it comes to climate change, answers can be difficult to nail down. Will the world reach net zero in time? What does a climate change future even look like? Will the changes come in my lifetime – or is it my kids or grandkids who will suffer? With every uncertainty, you can feel your head sink a little deeper into the sand...
What is it about our lives, and the way we do, or don’t, think about climate change, that makes it so difficult to change our behaviors? And what’s being done to help motivate people in high-risk areas to prepare?
This episode features:
- Ray Langenfelds – Atmospheric Scientist, CSIRO
- Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
- Ben Newell – Professor of Psychology, UNSW Science
- Candice Boyd – Associate Producer of Geography and Registered Clinical Psychologist, University of Melbourne
- Jeremy Moss – Professor of Philosophy, UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture
- Brian Cook – Associate Professor of Geography, University of Melbourne
Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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As we struggle to reduce carbon emissions, environmental markets are creating a world where money really does grow on trees. But does putting a price on nature, and forcing the economy to value the things it’s always taken for granted, really work? And can it help us prepare for climate change?
This episode features:
- Miri (Margaret) Raven – Senior Scientia Lecture, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
- Megan Evans – Senior Lecturer, UNSW Canberra
- William Glamore – Professor of Environmental Engineering , UNSW Engineering
- Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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The Earth is cracking under the weight of our expectations, with growth held up as the economic north star. Meanwhile, wildlife populations are collapsing, the ocean is acidifying, and carbon emissions are still increasing. Despite everything we know about what’s wrong and what to do about it, we cling to our current way of life.
Civilizations have collapsed before. Could it be happening again? And if it is, what can we be doing to prepare for it?
This episode features:
- Richard Kingsford – Professor of Ecology and Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW Science
- Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
- Mark Diesendorf – Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, UNSW Sydney
- Jem Bendell – Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Leadership, University of Cumbria
Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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We. Love. Heat. Bring on the summer! Right? But as each month sees another heat record broken, should we start thinking about heat differently?
What’s happening on a local and global level to prepare us for extreme weather events – and for a much sweatier future?
This episode features:
- Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick – Professor of Climate Science, ANU
- Lan Ding – Associate Professor of Built Environment, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
- William Craft – Sustainable Design Researcher, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
- Shayne Gary – Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, UNSW Business School
- Giovanni Cunico – PhD Candidate, UNSW Business School
- Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
- Tim Howlett – Team Leader Growth Planning Projects, Dubbo Regional Council
Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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In the popular imagination, preppers are busy hoarding tinned food in their bunkers while they wait for the end of the world. But is this what most prepping looks like? And is climate change as bad as all that?
The bin fire of the last few years has ramped the eco-anxiety up to an 11. But as we go about our lives, studying, feeding our families, paying off our debts and waiting for the next season of The Great British Bake Off, have we all put our heads a little too far into the sand? Sure, we’re all worried, but we can’t be thinking about it all the time, much less heading to the hills to shoot our dinner and drag it back to our underground bunkers. Besides, it won't come to that... will it?
Is there anything we can learn from the prepping mindset as the reality of climate change comes barrelling toward us?
This episode features:
- John Scarinci – President, Australian Preppers Survival League
- Kezia Barker – Senior Lecturer in Geography, Liverpool John Moores University
- Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about climate change with investigative humorist and climate action enthusiast Dan Ilic inPreppers, a podcast by the UNSW Centre for Ideas that dives deep into the realities we often avoid.
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Intuition isn’t just hippie-dippie or woo-woo – it saves lives, averts disasters and drives countless innovative business decisions. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, for one, regularly relied on his gut instincts.
Leading Australian neuroscientist and psychologist Joel Pearson’s The Intuition Toolkit: The New Science of Knowing What, Without Knowing Why presents five scientifically solid strategies for developing intuition that anyone can learn to harness and trust.
Listen to unlock the mysteries of human consciousness as Joel teaches us when it’s safe to rely on intuition in decision-making.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Humankind stands at a crossroads: will artificial intelligence make us superhumanly productive, liberating us from life’s most mundane tasks? Or have we opened Pandora’s box, unleashing sentient technology that will eventually destroy us?
In a colossal contest of persuasion and wit, two teams of our best and brightest debate whether artificial intelligence is better than the real thing.
Listen and help us decide once and for all who wins in the battle of man vs. machine with team captains Annabel Crabb and David Marr, as they duke it out alongside teammates Matilda Boseley, Rhys Nicholson, Tracey Spicer and Toby Walsh.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Physician and writer Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, crafts a masterly narrative of three generations of a family in Kerala, through the eyes of a young girl, from her arranged marriage at the turn of the 20th century to her emergence as the matriarchal figure, Big Ammachi.
Solving the mystery of a family affliction – in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning – the book brings to life a vanished past and the impact of change on lives and communities.
Examine the marriage of medicine and literature with Abraham, joined by host Roanna Gonsalves.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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In the wake of a shift in the global power balance, how can Australia best protect itself?
Two of Australia’s most interesting foreign policy thinkers take a fresh look at Australia’s place in the world and come to some surprising conclusions. Clinton Fernandes (Sub-Imperial Power) and Sam Roggeveen (The Echidna Strategy: Australia’s Search for Power and Peace) tackle the big questions about the US alliance, the threat of China, and underneath it all, what kind of country Australia really is.
Listen as Sam and Clinton reshape Australia’s understanding of itself in the international arena, in conversation with Verity Firth AM, Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at the University of New South Wales.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Money in the 21st century is increasingly cheap, digital and mobile. Looking at the risks and opportunities of low interest rates, cryptocurrencies and the global mobility of money, economist Richard Holden looks at the impact of these forces on our wallets, on the block chain and on major economies.
Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Explore the literary histories of Charmian Clift, Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower.
Following her biography The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift, Nadia Wheatley contributed the afterword to The End of the Morning, Clift’s final manuscript, which was recently published more than 50 years after her death. Literary scholar Brigitta Olubas (Shirley Hazzard: A Writing Life) joins forces with journalist Susan Wyndham to collate Shirley Hazzard and Elizabeth Harrower: The Letters, which reveals the deep and vexed friendship between two of Australia’s greatest writers.
Learn more about these fabled authors’ work and writing lives with the scribes who are salvaging their stories from the archives.
Presented by UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writer's Festival.
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Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna made not just any scientific breakthrough, but uncovered a tool that promises unparalleled control over DNA - the core of existence teetering on the brink between amazing potential and great danger.
Hear the fascinating discussion between Jennifer Doudna and Merlin Crossley as they discuss the mentors who fuelled her scientific passion, the collaborations that led to her incredible discoveries, her experience as a leading woman in STEM, and how her Innovative Genomics Institute is enabling equitable access to CRISPR technology.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science.
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The life stories of refugees have all the narrative tropes of myth, replete with world-shattering conflicts, perilous voyages, and courageous heroes who sometimes get to live happily ever after.
Go beyond media reports in this discussion with Pulitzer Prize for Fiction-winner Viet Thanh Nguyen (A Man of Two Faces), Miles Franklin-winner Shankari Chandran (Safe Haven) and refugee law expert and advocate Daniel Ghezelbash as they discuss the refugee experience.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writers' Festival. Viet Thanh Nguyen appeared thanks to the support of Fiona and Matthew Playfair.
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As we grapple with the increasing consequences of climate change, experts are warning that it’s not just an environmental issue, declaring it the ‘biggest global health threat of the 21st century’.
In the face of these warnings, where does Australia stand in its preparedness to address these health challenges, both locally and globally?
In a discussion led by ABC’s climate and health reporter, Tegan Taylor, hear from experts on how disasters such as bushfires and droughts, which are heightened by climate change, are triggering a spectrum of health risks - from infectious diseases to respiratory issues, and mental health challenges - with the vulnerable minority and at-risk groups bearing a disproportionate burden.
Panelists included Dr Georgia Behrens MD MScPH, Assistant Director, National Health, Sustainability and Climate Unit; Scientia Professor Guy Marks AO, physician and epidemiologist, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Medicine & Health; Professor Ben Newell, Director, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney; and Dr Chloe Watfern, research fellow, Black Dog Institute. Tegan Taylor, award-winning health and science reporter at the ABC, facilitated the discussion.
This event was a collaboration between UNSW Medicine & Health and UNSW Science.
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As we observe National Sorry Day and another great year of Sydney Writers' Festival comes to a close, we revisit one of the highlights of last year's program. Leading journalist Stan Grant shared insights from his new book, The Queen is Dead – building an impassioned argument on the necessity for an end to monarchy in Australia, the need for a republic, and what can be done to reckon with our past and negotiate a just settlement with First Nations people. Stan appeared in conversation with George Williams.
This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.
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In today’s scientific landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising research methodologies and scientific writing, reshaping how we conduct and disseminate research. As AI’s presence grows, so do questions surrounding ethics, authenticity and the integrity of scientific publications. While AI brings benefits like efficiency and new ideas, it also brings challenges like bias and fake information.
Now, we wonder: what should, and shouldn’t we publish?
Hear Dr Eric Rubin, Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, and Professor Nick Fisk, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Enterprise at UNSW Sydney, as they offer invaluable insights into ethical considerations in AI-integrated research, explain what should not be published considering technological advancements, and pinpoint red flags to steer clear of in scientific literature.
Presented by UNSW Medicine & Health
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Recently listed among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in AI, Marek Kowalkieviczas introduces his latest book, The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions.
Hear a thought-provoking conversation between Marek and UNSW AI Institute’s Chief Scientist, Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, as they discuss the book's insights, current AI trends, challenges, and future prospects.
Presented by UNSW AI Institute.
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Is it possible to come from privilege whilst striving for a fierce socialist agenda? Polly Toynbee believes so. The prolific British Guardian journalist, commentator and broadcaster unpacks what it means to be privileged in Britain and Australia, and whether the deepening class divide can ever be transcended.
In an evening of conversation with journalist Nick Bryant, Polly opens up about her latest book, An Uneasy Inheritance, detailing how she still grapples with her charmed family history, and how she endeavours to dismantle the rigid class systems of Britain with her prolific writing.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.
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In a world where female sexuality has been hijacked by forces such as porn, patriarchy, and male entitlement – how can we make sexual consent a priority for everyone?
Whether it’s on campus, at the workplace or in their homes, Australians are shocked week after week at the violence visited upon women who are simply living their lives.
In 2023, the Universities Accord review found that sexual assault and harassment on university campuses doesn’t just affect the wellbeing of students and staff, it can hold survivors back from success. As a result, campus safety has been deemed a top priority for universities, so what steps are those in positions of power taking to ensure the safety of women within university spaces and beyond?
Hear author and activist Chanel Contos, UNSW student activist and gendered violence researcher Angela Griffin, First Nations lead of the First National LGBT+ Sistergirls and Brotherboys experiences with sexual violence survey Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat, and Chair of national violence prevention foundation Our Watch, Moo Baulch, as they explore how we can utilise holistic approaches to community care when it comes to gendered violence.
UNSW is committed to creating a safe environment for all. To learn more head here.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week, The Wheeler Centre and the Sydney Opera House.
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Acclaimed Tamil-language author Perumal Murugan’s books were once burned by far-right groups, and now he’s longlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in literature.
Explore Murugan’s profound literary odyssey, from the challenges of being a Tamil writer in rural India, to the turmoil of book burning and societal backlash. This exclusive event explores Murugan’s latest work, Pyre, as he navigates societal complexities of villages “full of quiet menace”, so tense it leaves readers “gasping for air” (The New York Times). In an evening of conversation, chaired by award-winning author and UNSW lecturer Roanna Gonsalves, explore Murugan’s extraordinary literary resilience, his literary legacy and the cultural tapestry he weaves.
Perumal Murugan, a Tamil speaker, and Roanna Gonsalves, an English speaker, will be in conversation in their respective languages. A live interpreter will provide consecutive interpretation throughout the event.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.
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Fear of a nuclear apocalypse, despot leaders and a world at war – how did the sharpest minds of the Cold War leave such a legacy of fear? Samuel Moyn’s Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times takes aim at liberalism, portraying it as a failed creed marred by a paranoia of communism.
Known for his challenging perspectives and boasting a cult following on the left, the Yale Professor explores the transformation of Cold War liberals who, in his view, traded the Enlightenment's moral core for a fixation on individual liberty. Hear this compelling conversation as UNSW political philosopher Jessica Whyte and Samuel Moyn dissect why today’s liberals provide only pessimism, instead of vision.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Australian Human Rights Institute, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.
Secure your seat at Refuge, 23rd May 2024: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/refuge-viet-thanh-nguyen-shankari-chandran-registration-836801865907?aff=podcastad
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Against the frenetic energy and colour of Delhi, a Muslim school teacher is caught between his love of history and contemporary India. Anjum Hasan’s work sheds light on the complexities of life, love, writing history, and how national and patriotic myths can be maliciously subverted.
Author Anjum Hasan’s latest book, History’s Angel, is a darkly funny portrait of one of Australia’s most important neighbours. Mild mannered teacher Alif feels the burden of his own time pressing down, but his wife is focused on a bigger house, his son wants to quit school and strike it rich, and his colleagues begin to question a Muslim teaching Indian history.
Hasan and fellow Indian fiction luminary, and UNSW academic, Roanna Gonsalves talk about how we understand ourselves, how we reflect on our histories, and drawing inspiration from others in a time of suspicion and indifference.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.
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Human existence has always been bound with the health of our natural world. What can we learn from how a changing climate has already, for centuries, dramatically shaped the development and demise of civilisations across time?
In the 2024 Gandhi Oration, renowned historian and author Peter Frankopan unraveled the historical narrative, framing the natural environment as the crucial factor impacting humankind.
ABOUT THE GANDHI ORATIONSince 2012, UNSW Sydney has hosted the annual Gandhi Oration celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights. The Oration features discussions on the significant human rights issues of our time. Past speakers have included Senator Pat Dodson, Peter Greste, Pat Anderson, Shoma Chaudhury, Reverend Tim Costello, Rosie Batty and Shen Narayanasamy.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week and The Wheeler Centre.
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This third session of the Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights explores how to restore public faith in the values and structures underpinning representative government and the role of key stakeholder groups such as business, media and civil society in resisting impunity, reclaiming accountability and reinforcing human rights.
Moderator:Natasha Mitchell, host of the ABC Radio National's flagship live events program and podcast Big Ideas
Speakers:Ed Coper, author, Facts & Other Lies
Andrea Durbach, Emeritus Professor and former Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre (now Institute)
Helen Haines MP, independent Federal Member for Indi in the state of Victoria
Simon Holmes à Court, founder, Climate 200
Shireen Morris, constitutional lawyer, senior lecturer and director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney
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In this opening session of the 2023 Australian Human Rights Institute conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights, the panel considersthe key conference theme of the elevation of impunity over accountability and the consequences for national democratic institutions and global stability.
Accountability and its corrosion is explored through the lens of government, business, media and civil society. The discussion considers whether checks, balances and human rights are seen as obstacles to the exercise of power rather than principles of good governance.
Speakers:
Jeremy Heimans (moderator), co-founder and Chairman, Purpose
Chris Sidoti, international human rights consultant
Lenore Taylor, Editor, Guardian Australia
Saffron Zomer, Executive Director, Australian Democracy Network
Presented by Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney
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This second session of the 2023 Australian Human Rights Institute conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights, explores the decline of accountability, and the methods employed to protect human rights both in Australia and internationally.
Unlike democratically-elected governments, businesses have unprecedented influence which raises the question of whether they should be taking the lead on issues of social significance. Are the media and social media complicit in the erosion of accountability or can they play a role in restoring political and public life? How can individuals and NGOs work together to enhance or recreate effective democratic institutions?
Speakers:
Justine Nolan (moderator), Director, Australian Human Rights Institute
Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, CEO, GetUp!
Brynn O'Brien, Executive Director, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR)
Lizzie O'Shea, Founder and Chair, Digital Rights Watch
Siobhan Toohill, Chief Sustainability Officer, Westpac
Christopher Warren, media correspondent, Crikey
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney
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Has the patriarchy always prevailed? We tend to see gendered oppression as a universal truth, but in her radical book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule, Angela Saini argues that the history of this deep-rooted hierarchy is a little more complicated…
In conversation with UNSW Sydney legal expert Rosalind Dixon, journalist Angela Saini takes us on a journey through time, tracing back through the complex history of the patriarchy – from its origins in the world's earliest human settlements to its global spread across diverse societies. Drawing on the latest research findings in science, archaeology, and cultural studies, Saini dismantles the status quo to reveal how the patriarchy varies from country to country, and culture to culture.
Embrace a radical vision for tomorrow with Angela Saini as she looks to a future emancipated from the shackles of inequality.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by The Wheeler Centre and Canberra Writers Festival.
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As our climate continues to change, reducing our carbon emissions and environmental footprint has become the moral imperative of our generation. To achieve this, the Australian Government has set a target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030 and has set a legislated target to achieve net zero by 2050. But what is the role of fossil fuels in this transition? What part can coal and gas play? And how can we build out the infrastructure we need, while keeping the carbon costs low?
Speakers:
-Host: Dani Alexander, CEO of the UNSW Energy Institute
-Dr Kerry Schott AO, Chair of the Carbon Market Institute
-Amy Kean, Director of Stride Renewables & Advisory Board Member of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
-Professor John Fletcher, Director of the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute
-Professor Iain MacGill, Co-Director of the UNSW Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets
Presented by UNSW Engineering and the UNSW Energy Institute as part of the Engineering the Future series, join our expert panellists for a thought-provoking discussion on the rocky road to net zero.
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Hear renowned globally recognised leader in AI and Co-Founder of Coursera, Andrew Ng, in a thought-provoking dialogue with UNSW AI Institute’s Chief Scientist Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, shedding light on the latest trends, challenges, and the future of AI.
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In this first conversation, Creative Disruptions, Vince Frost of Frost*collective is joined by neuroscientist and founder of Future Minds Lab Professor Joel Pearson, intellectual property specialist and Director of Simpsons Jules Munro and Kartini Ludwig Director and founder of digital design and innovation studio Kopi Su.
The panel unpack current developments in AI technology exploring what challenges these developments pose for creative practitioners.
Presented by the Innovation Hub, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
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In 2023 the Judith Neilson lecture was given by Professor Briony Rogers.
Australia is at a time of reckoning. Fires, floods, droughts, heat, cyclones – we have realised that business-as-usual is not enough to grow the climate resilience needed for communities, cities and Country. Professor Briony Rogers reveals her pioneering initiatives and rethinks our approach to strengthen Australia’s climate resilience.
Presented by the School of Built Environment, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
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In the wake of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, Sean Turnell was held for 650 days in Myanmar’s terrifying Insein Prison on the trumped-up charge of being a spy. His improbable story as an optimistic economics professor unfolds in his book, An Unlikely Prisoner, where he recounts how he survived his traumatic incarceration.
In conversation with Melissa Crouch, a UNSW Sydney Professor who was part of the team advocating for his freedom, Sean shares how he not only survived his lengthy and traumatic incarceration, but also left with his sense of humour intact, his spirit unbroken and love in his heart. Sean's unique perspective coupled with his expertise on Myanmar offers broader insights into the plight of the people and the political prisoners under Myanmar’s newest dictators, and the many human rights issues at play.
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Good theatre holds a mirror up to society, forcing audiences to shine a light on the darkest corners and recesses of society. In these tumultuous times, it’s easy to wonder where is our world headed, and how we might navigate the new obstacles that arise when we get there?
Fortunately, British playwright Sir David Hare, is no stranger to pondering these mind bending questions. During his illustrious career he has written over 30 plays often examining the machinations of British politics and institutions, and its these plays that have seen him named, “the premier political dramatist writing in English” by The Washington Post.
So how has writing shaped Sir David Hare’s vision for where society is headed? And how might creativity unlock a way to adapt to what the future holds? In discussion with theatre producer Jo Dyer, David Hare speaks about his remarkable career as a playwright, and his creative plans for the future.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture and Adelaide Writers’ Week.
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In a world inundated with deep fakes, fake news and misinformation, is it possible to see beyond the tall tales and reach the truth? Evolutionary biologist Carl Bergstrom believes we can. His book, Calling Bullshit: The Art of Scepticism in a Data-Driven World, serves as a vital tool to unblur the line between fact and fiction in our fast-paced digital age. With provoking insights and analytical prowess, Bergstrom equips us with the critical thinking tools needed to navigate the labyrinth of information flooding our lives.
Hear Carl Bergstrom in conversation with UNSW Scientia Professor Rob Brooks as they uncover how to question the reliability of sources, dissect the credibility of data, and hone your ability to discern fact from fiction in our technologically-driven world. Wielding the power of scepticism and a bullsh*t detector as a force for good may be society’s greatest asset and greatest challenge.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science.
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BioNTech founders Professor Uğur Şahin, M.D. and Professor Özlem Türeci, M.D., in an exclusive conversation with UNSW Provost, Professor Vlado Perkovic, discuss how to translate science into survival by combining fundamental research and operational excellence to develop new immunotherapies.
Together with its partner Pfizer, BioNTech led the global COVID-19 vaccine effort with the successful development of the first approved mRNA vaccine, known today as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
But, what’s next?
Can mRNA technology change individualised cancer medicine or cure infectious disease? How can scientists evaluate next generation diagnostics and medicines? What type of ecosystem will enable next generation clinical trials at scale? Is it possible to accelerate access to precision medicine for Australians who need it? Hear how these global leaders want to improve the health of people worldwide and their efforts to make it a reality.
Presented by UNSW Medicine & Health.
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From being the second woman appointed to the US Supreme Court until her passing, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's inspiring journey through the legal realm was characterised by her fierce advocacy for gender equality and justice, and provided the backdrop for an evening of conversation about the work, RBG: Of Many, One.
Step into the captivating world of theatre and law as we bring together three remarkable women – playwright and legal luminary, Suzie Miller, and acclaimed actor Heather Mitchell in conversation with producer Jo Dyer – who have left an indelible mark on the stage and beyond.
Hear them draw back the curtain on the alchemy that gave life to the mesmerising RBG. An engaging conversation that unites their unique perspectives, unveiling the delicate interplay of literary finesse and theatrical brilliance.
Presented by UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and Sydney Theatre Company.
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In 2018 Egyptian-Australian writer Lamisse Hamouda had moved to Egypt to study when her life was turned upside down. Her father Hazem, on his way to visit her, was arrested by authorities, accused of sympathising with a terrorist organisation, and sent to prison without charge or evidence for 433 days.
In conversation with UNSW Middle East expert Lana Tatour, Lamisse delved into her book, The Shape of Dust, and her experience fighting against the Egyptian prison system as an Australian citizen. Together, they unpack what support the Australian Government provides dual citizens abroad (surprisingly minimal), what cultural identity means for individuals stuck between two cultural worlds, and how trauma can fragment memory, bringing unexpected challenges to the writing process.
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The way we consume news is changing and traditional media is struggling to keep up with our forever online lifestyles. The Daily Aus is changing that – and fast.
With unstoppable co-founders Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler at the helm, The Daily Aus has cracked the code on resonating with young people, distilling the big news stories of the day into accessible, bite sized pieces. From fearless journalists to savvy entrepreneurs, witness the rise of a new generation that's leaving a lasting imprint. Hear from Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski in conversation with editor and podcaster Clare Stephens, as they unpack the big business of youth-focused news and reveal how digital platforms are transforming the news landscape.
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Australia is rapidly shifting towards a renewables fuelled economy, and huge technological leaps in batteries are often cited as heroes of sustainability. But the knowledge acquired through high-powered X-ray tomography – a technology similar to CAT scans in hospitals – is also a key factor in creating a greener economy. When renewables like batteries reach their expiration date they could end up in landfill, but tomography technology allows us to see and understand what is inside the batteries, and repurpose the working components. So how might new innovations in tomography help us recycle and reuse complex technologies to build a circular, truly sustainable economy?
Patrick Tung
Dr Patrick Tung is a postdoctoral fellow at the Micro-CT Tyree Facility as part of the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre at UNSW Sydney. Patrick completed his PhD in the School of Materials Science and Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, focusing on the disordered atomic structures in piezoelectric materials using X-ray diffraction, and also won the UNSW Three Minute Thesis competition in 2016. His research has taken him to Czech Republic where he developed advanced neutron grain reconstruction methods as part of the commissioning of the European Spallation Source. Currently, his main research areas are in using X-rays to understand the relationship between the nano and micro-structure of materials and their resulting properties.
For more information, visit unsw.to/PatrickTung
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In Australia, solar power has become cheaper and more reliable than ever. The solar industry has expanded so rapidly that these days it’s not uncommon to see every house on a street clad with rooftop solar panels. Today, there is no cheaper method to produce energy than that offered by solar panels, and they’re fast becoming even more economical to install. Australia is well known as the sunburnt country, so why aren’t we taking more advantage of our limitless solar potential and working out how to use solar in new ways? Cheap, clean and reliable energy is now undeniably here, so what is next?
Ivan Perez Wurfl
Ivan Perez Wurfl is a senior lecturer and researcher in the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy, Faculty of Engineering at UNSW Sydney. Ivan’s main areas of expertise are solar cell design, fabrication and characterisation. In particular, he has extensively studied and developed silicon quantum dot solar cells and multijunction SiGe/GaAsP tandem solar cells. Before moving to Australia he worked as a device scientist at Power Sicel Inc (now part of Microsemi Corporation), developing SiC High Power RF devices. He was a Fulbright fellow from at the University of Colorado where he obtained his PhD in Electrical Engineering. Ivan has authored 100+ journal articles and conference papers in the areas of solar cells and high power and high frequency solid state devices.
For more information, visit unsw.to/IvanPerezWurfl
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In the first few months of 2022, Twitch viewers watched a total of 6.13 billion hours of livestreamed content and fans are showing no sign of slowing down. Over the last decade, video game streaming has become big business. This success is due in part to the fact that streaming sites have become about so much more than just playing video games. They provide a sense of community, a social and cultural hub for people to come together and share their stories. But these platforms are also subject to the commercial whims of the corporations that own them. What do the video game services of the future look like? How do they profit from users without compromising relationships with them? And how can we make sure social justice and equity are keystones of this conversation?
Nathan J Jackson
Nathan J Jackson is a PhD candidate in the School of the Arts and Media, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture at UNSW Sydney. His ethnographic study of the platform Twitch combines performance, media, and games lenses to examine the construction and performance of persona in video game livestreaming. He is interested in the ways that streamers and spectators perform for and with each other, and the emergent social, cultural, and political value systems that accompany these performances. He has been published in Persona Studies and Convergence journals, with a forthcoming contribution in the first edited collection on livestreaming culture.
For more information, visit unsw.to/NathanJJackson
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Kurdish-Iranian refugee and award-winning writer Behrouz Boochani delivered the 2022 Wallace Wurth Lecture at UNSW Sydney on Tuesday 13 December, sharing why a human narrative is integral to fighting Australia’s current refugee policies. Boochani, who is an adjunct associate professor at UNSW, spent over six years in offshore immigration detention in Manus Detention Centre, where he and his fellow asylum seekers endured conditions that violated international refugee law.
His new book, Freedom, Only Freedom, is a collection of his prison writings, translated and edited by his long-time translators and collaborators Omid Tofighian and Moones Mansoubi. Mr Boochani's work is combined with essays from experts on migration, refugee rights, politics, and literature.
Following an introduction by Sarah Dale (RACS), Omid Tofighian and Moones Mansoubi, Boochani is in conversation with human rights lawyer Madeline Gleeson sharing his stories of resilience and shed light on the shameful refugee policies that the Australian government continues to endorse.
Freedom, Only Freedom can be purchased here.
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More than 264 million people worldwide have depression. But for many people struggling with severe or treatment-resistant depression, standard therapies may not work. So what if there are new treatments that could be effective? Recently there has been a renaissance of interest in psychedelics as possible treatments for mental disorders – everything from ketamine, to MDMA and psilocybin – the psychoactive ingredient in ‘magic’ mushrooms. These medicines have powerful mind-altering properties with the potential to treat severe mental disorders when combined with psychological therapy. Some early studies have returned positive results, but there remain large gaps in our knowledge regarding effectiveness and safety… But where to from here? Could psychedelics play a role in managing mental health?
Adam Bayes
Dr Adam Bayes is a psychiatrist who works as a clinician-scientist with a focus on mood disorders (depression and bipolar conditions). His research interests include diagnosis, classification and novel treatments for severe depression including ketamine and psychedelics. Bayes holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (Hons), Bachelor of Advanced Science, Master of Psychiatry, and a PhD. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, is a senior research fellow and VMO psychiatrist at the Black Dog Institute and the Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, at UNSW Sydney.
For more information, visit unsw.to/AdamBayes
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The population of our capital cities is going to increase rapidly over the next decades. But right now, our cities are bloated, congested, and many urban design choices are no longer fit for purpose. Enter algorithms: those codes that know what we like to eat, how we like to spend our time, and what we secretly want to buy online. But once we lift the veil of mathematical objectivity, we can see that the way these algorithms are used in city planning needs to be more of an art than a science. If algorithms know us better than our friends, is it time we let them help us build the cities of the future?
Claire Daniel
Claire Daniel is a Scientia PhD candidate in the School of Built Environment, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture at UNSW Sydney. They are both an urban planner and a computer programmer researching how data and digital technologies are used by planners, and how this is set to change the way cities are governed. In 2015, Claire was awarded the John Monash Scholarship to study the MSc in Smart Cities and Urban Analytics at University College London. In addition to their academic work, Claire has professional experience in local government and consulting, and is a member of the Planning Institute of Australia’s PlanTech advisory committee.
For more information, visit unsw.to/ClaireDaniel
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Australian voters ousting a nine-year-old Coalition government. A step towards instituting a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Grace Tame. Entrenched structures of authority have been challenged at home and around the world this year. But what will the impact of these momentous events be on the way we live, and the way our domestic and international parliaments govern? The Conversation’s latest collection of insightful essays from leading thinkers, 2022: Reckoning with Power and Privilege, unpacks this very question.
Hear Tim Soutphommasane, Professor of Practice at University of Sydney and Michelle Arrow, Professor of Modern History at Macquarie University as they explore the potent forces that continue to shape our world and how those with the privilege of power don’t always prevail in a panel discussion chaired by The Conversation’s Senior Editor, Sunanda Creagh.
To access a transcript of this podcast please head here.
This event was presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and The Conversation.
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For a lot of us, the pandemic years were characterised with the rise of working from home. We’ve become all too familiar with Zoom fatigue… one of the many new words we have added to our vocabulary over the past two years of the pandemic along with social distancing, doom scrolling and hybrid working. And while many of us are looking forward to socialising IRL (in real life) again, for those of us who are critically ill, these rapid developments in digital technology have meant an end to social isolation. So as these technologies continue to advance and innovate, but we as a society return to face-to-face life, will digital technology completely replace in person supportive care for young people impacted by critical illness?
Jennifer Cohen
Dr Jennifer Cohen is a senior research fellow in the School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health at UNSW Sydney, and the Evaluation Manger at Canteen, Australia. Cohen has over 18 years experience as a clinical dietitian and researcher and her numerous professional publications focus on her research and clinical interests in the supportive care needs of children and young people with cancer, both during and after treatment. Dr Cohen was named the Australian Dietitian of the Year at the 2019 and Staff Member of the Year for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network in 2018.
For more information, visit unsw.to/JenniferCohen
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Nearly 400 years ago, scientists made the groundbreaking discovery that fungi were all around us, on us, and inside us too. The development of germ theory – the understanding that microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi are responsible for infectious diseases – has since revolutionised almost every aspect of human behaviour. But when it comes to treating infections caused by fungi, we haven’t actually made a whole lot of progress. Even with the handful of anti-fungal drugs we have developed, nearly 50% of all people who develop a systemic fungal infection will die. So why is our current arsenal against fungal infection so limited? And how might we better arm ourselves in the war against fungus?
Bianca Briscas
Bianca Briscas is a PhD Candidate in the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science at UNSW Sydney. She completed a Bachelor of Medical Science (Distinction) in 2020, and received First Class Honours in 2021. Her PhD research centres on the human microbiome, with a focus on exploring the complex interactions between bacteria and fungi, to inform novel approaches to managing infections caused by Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen of humans.
For more information, visit unsw.to/BiancaBriscas
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Our news feeds are inundated with success stories of people who got rich quick, who climbed the career ladder to the top, even people who became overnight viral sensations. But how much of these people’s success comes down to hard work, versus being in the right place at the right time and having a little good luck on their side? When it comes to being successful is there really any difference between someone who won the lottery and someone who founded a billion dollar tech startup? Wealthy people overwhelmingly attribute their success to hard work rather than to factors like being in the right place at the right time, but what if lottery winners and successful entrepreneurs have more in common than you think? If we know how this game of chance works - why do we keep clicking on those stories about successful business people in our newsfeeds?
Whatever your definition is of success, there seems to be no shortage of advice out there about how you can get a taste of it. In under ten minutes, or roughly the same amount of time it takes to make an elevator pitch to a venture capitalist, Frederik Anseel explains how you can increase your chances of becoming successful.
10 Minute Genius
10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/FrederikAnseel
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Throughout Australia, people want our cities to be more affordable, to have more vibrant social and green spaces, and to be better environmentally suited. And yet our sprawling cities typically fail to meet these goals – often because they have been designed for the convenience of real estate developers, and exclude life sustaining processes and community from them. Even though the ways we work and live have shifted, and we’ve made leaps and bounds in technology, transport, architecture, and infrastructure, our blueprint for a city has not changed since the Second World War. Given our ability to create cities that are socially vibrant, economical, and in harmony with the land and climate of Australia, isn’t it about time we reimagined our cities to reflect the lifestyles we want for the future?
John Carr
John Carr is an urban and legal geographer whose work focuses on the intersections of urban form, law, planning, and human and non-human environments. His research seeks to address how knowledge from across disciplinary boundaries can be mobilised to make human-built environments more environmentally and socially regenerative. Carr is a senior lecturer with the Environment and Society Group at UNSW Sydney, and teaches in the School of Humanities and Languages, Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. For more than a decade, he practiced law in the areas of civil rights, complex litigation, and construction law before entering academia.
For more information, visit unsw.to/JohnCarr
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By 2062, experts estimate that we will have created machines as intelligent as humans. Already AI has become so integrated into our everyday lives that it’s often hard to detect… from home robots to smartphones telling you the fastest route home at the press of a button.
So what happens when those algorithms go wrong? Can AI be devious? And how can we be sure that we don’t lose the human touch when we get zeros and ones to do the work for us?
Computers can be frighteningly smart in some ways, but dangerously dim in other ways. We’ve seen plenty of examples in the news of algorithms exacerbating racial profiling, swaying election results, or increasing the spread of misinformation.
The success of AI means we can and should hand over many routine decisions to machines, but we must ensure we are vigilant in preventing unconscious bias and unintended consequences that creep unnoticed into the algorithms we create.
In less than 10 minutes, or roughly the same amount of time it takes a computer to win a million games of chess, Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence Toby Walsh will explore how we can make sure mutant algorithms don’t go too far.
10 Minute Genius10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/TobyWalsh
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In 2017 on the lands of the Anangu, Cobble Cobble woman Megan Davis stepped out from the shadow of Uluru and delivered the Uluru Statement from the Heart for the very first time. It was the first time anyone would hear it, and was a process that showed the power of First Nation Voices.
Before this momentous day, Megan Davis had embarked upon a deliberative process bringing together the 13 regional dialogues around Australia, asking First Nations people for the first time: what does recognition mean to you?
The answer: “Voice and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history”.
Since then the call for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has not been taken up by the Federal Government, but it’s time to face some hard truths. Why can’t Australian political leaders engage with the wishes of Australia’s First Nations People? Will white Australia ever accept the truth about our history? Would the scandalous policy failure of ‘closing the gap’ bring down governments if it was related to any other issue? Underlying all of these questions lie the uncomfortable conversations about sovereignty, treaty and reparations that we need to tackle now.
In just 10 minutes, Professor Megan Davis will take you through time. Unsettle you. And open your eyes to how we can create a better future for all Australians through constitutional reform.
10 Minute Genius10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/MeganDavis
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When we think of weightlifting we tend to think of big burly men pumping iron in a gym, but it turns out, women have just as much to gain from strength training as their male gym junkie counterparts. Historically, pumping iron to build muscles has been seen as a masculine pursuit. And research into sport and exercise has largely focused on men too. But increasingly women at gyms are heading to the heavy weights room and picking up the dumbbells to reap the benefits of strength training.
When she discovered a complete lack of literature on female resistance and strength training former Olympic weightlifter and exercise scholar Mandy Hagstrom decided to take matters into her own hands. According to her research both male and female strength trainers gain the same relative amount of muscle mass following strength training, so when it comes to fitness, are we compromising the health of half of our population due to a lack of understanding?
In under ten minutes, or roughly the same amount of time it takes to do a triple set of bench presses, exercise scientist Mandy Hagstrom will explain why being male or female doesn’t make as much difference to growing muscle as you might think.
10 Minute Genius10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/MandyHagstrom
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When we gaze upwards and look at stars we’re looking back in time. On a clear night, anyone with access to a patch of night sky can see light that has travelled unfathomable distances and stars that have been twinkling for millions and millions of years. But when it comes to the big questions of the cosmos, it feels almost impossible to comprehend how far away those twinkling stars really are...or whether they even exist anymore. Fortunately we have cosmic archaeologists to answer these mind bending questions.
While an archaeologist digs down to explore mysteries of our past, a cosmic archaeologist digs upwards through space to illuminate the story of our universe. The relationship between time, light and space is second nature to an astrophysicist. Which is why we measure distance in space as light years -or the distance light travels in one earth year. In under ten minutes, or roughly the same amount of time it takes for light to travel 180,000,000 km, Astrophysicist Kirsten Banks explains how light emitted by the stars can unlock the secrets to our galactic neighbourhood.
10 Minute Genius10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/KirstenBanks
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It’s no secret Australia’s vaccine rollout had a rocky start… but now, 18 months later, our vaccination rate is amongst the highest in the world.
But our impressive 80%+ coverage doesn't tell the full story...
COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people from racial and ethnic minority groups in both infection rates and health outcomes, so it really matters that the right information can reach them. Some of the most interesting questions for social scientists are how the differences between people mean that we need different answers to the same health problems. Vaccine hesitancy can stem from misinformation, poor translations and lack of access to health resources, and when so many Australians are from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, it’s important the government tailors health messaging to suit a range of languages and literacy levels. A one size fits all approach has got us this far, but as the country slowly opens up, the vulnerable pockets with low vaccination rates should be a real concern to all of us.
In less than ten minutes, or roughly the same amount of time it takes to get vaccinated against COVID, infectious disease social scientist Holly Seale will explain how we can achieve good health outcomes for everyone.
10 Minute Genius
10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/HollySeale
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In the wake of MeToo, women are increasingly speaking up against gender-based violence. But as they have grown empowered to speak, a new form of systematic silencing has become more evident: the spike in survivors speaking out has been followed by a spike in legal actions against them and the media.
How many more women: have to be raped or abused before we act? need to accuse him before we believe her? will be failed by the criminal justice system? need to say something before we do something? will be sued for defamation for speaking out? will be contracted to silence?
In How Many More Women? Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida examine the laws around the world that silence women, and explore the changes we need to make to ensure that women's freedoms are no longer threatened by the legal system that is supposed to protect them.
Join Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida live in-conversation with Jane Caro for a powerful and accessible exploration of our legal systems as they break open the big judgments, developments and trends that have and continue to silence and disadvantage women.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, UNSW Law & Justice and Sydney Writers' Festival, and supported by Allen & Unwin.
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A major upside to the pandemic has been a falling back in love with the natural world as people, confined to their homes, see their local landscapes through reinvigorated eyes. Birdwatching, and the citizen science of the backyard bird count, is booming.
So close, yet so far, these enigmatic creatures inspire the awe and affection of fans, who passionately lobby for their bird of the year and diligently record millions of informational gems in birdwatching apps.
But the news is not all good. As scientists and amateurs document worrying declines in bird populations, from climate change and development, there’s never been a more vital time to talk about what birds mean to us and what we can do to protect them.
Join this lively panel discussion, hosted by Ann Jones, presenter of the ABC’s What the Duck?!, in conversation with ecologist Richard Kingsford, writer and birdwatcher Sean Dooley, and bestselling author Charlotte McConaghy, and you’ll certainly be among friends. Find out why people love birds so much, how this love grew during the pandemic and why taking action to protect birds is more important than ever.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science as part of National Science Week and Sydney Science Festival.
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For as long as sex has existed, people have been shamed for talking about it. To this day, kids are taught a very narrow perspective on sex education which is comprised mostly of details of erections, ejaculations, and acts of heterosexual penetration. Sex education in schools teaches kids that virginity is really important and that sexual acts often end in unwanted pregnancy. So why are our kids learning similar lessons to the kids of the 1950s?
The subject of pleasure is conspicuously absent from most sex-ed curricula where the focus is almost exclusively on the mechanics of either procreation or avoiding STDs. But according to Emma Jane, it’s vital that the birds and the bees talk cover so much more than the marriage, the baby-making, the man parts, and the money shots. Providing more nuanced, inclusive, and realistic sex ed for our offspring is important because if they don’t get this info from us, they’re going to get it from their screens.
In less than ten minutes, or roughly the length of time it takes to put a condom on an expired Epipen Associate Professor Emma Jane will give you the “sex talk” that you probably should have had when you were a teen, and outlines the importance of a well-rounded sex-ed curriculum.
10 Minute Genius
10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/EmmaAJane
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s no secret that everybody dies, but have you ever thought about how you would like to die? As a society we don’t often discuss death and dying, it’s something we shy away from and avoid until decisions have to be made on our behalf. But due to massive advances in medical technology and improvements in public health measures, life expectancy has increased and we’re living longer than ever before.
Developments in medicine and treatments over the past few decades have given us far more choice than we may think on how we die in old age. In Australia 7 out of 10 older adults want to die at home rather than in a hospital, but this is a reality for very few, with most deaths still occurring in hospitals. So if our elderly want a peaceful death at the end of their life outside of the hospital, why is this still not happening?
In under 10 minutes, Lecturer in the School of Population Health, Ebony Lewis will talk to you about how to plan for a good death, because according to Ebony death and dying is something we should all be discussing with our loved ones and health care team before it’s too late.
10 Minute Genius
10 Minute Genius is a programme designed to create a space in which you can engage with new ideas. It is a curated collection of UNSW Sydney's thinkers, dreamers, and envelope pushers to help you make some sense of this relentless information vortex. And because you’re busy, all we ask of you is less than 10 minutes.
For more information visit unsw.to/EbonyLewis
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s easy to feel a sense of powerlessness where every morning we’re greeted with news of climate catastrophes, grave social injustice and senseless violence. So how can we muster the courage to forge a new path and turn things around? Is it still possible to make the world a better place?
Hear from philosopher A. C. Grayling in-conversation with UNSW’s Jeremy Moss and Ann Mossop. Together they will span everything from the small personal changes we can make in our lives to transform the world for good to how we can work together as a community to decarbonise the economy.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas as part of UNSW Alumni’s Learn to Lead program and supported by the Byron Writers Festival.
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Our ability to pay attention is collapsing. It’s not just you, our focus has been stolen by powerful external forces.
New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari has been on a mission to uncover why this is happening to us and whether we can get our focus back. In his newest book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention, Hari investigates how technology and other facets of modern life have impacted our ability to concentrate. What he discovered were structural problems rather than the individuals personal failing.
In conversation with UNSW’s Rosalind Dixon, they explore why it is so important that we pay attention to this ‘attention revolution’ and what we can do to get our focus back.
Head here to purchase a copy of Johann Hari's book, Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention.
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It’s easy to feel a sense of powerlessness where every morning we’re greeted with news of climate catastrophes, grave social injustice and senseless violence. So how can we muster the courage to forge a new path and turn things around? Is it still possible to make the world a better place?
Join philosopher A. C. Grayling as he first shares the pragmatic solutions and answers to the big challenges that are troubling us today – climate change, technology and justice.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas as part of UNSW Alumni’s Learn to Lead program and supported by the Byron Writers Festival.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Everywhere you look people are overindulging, but that’s not to say it’s their fault. We have unprecedented 24/7 access to deliberately addictive, high-dopamine stimuli – drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, sexting, Facebooking, YouTubing and tweeting. Our lives are saturated by our own dopamine and our culture encourages us to pursue it.
Speaking on her new book, Dopamine Nation, psychiatrist Dr Anna Lembke in conversation with the ABC’s Sana Qadar discusses the neuroscience of addiction and how we can find balance in a world flooded with these potent time-sapping (and often despair-inducing) lures.
While dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is vital for health and happiness, too much dopamine too often tips the balance towards misery. Lembke explains what new scientific discoveries can teach us about this relentless pursuit of pleasure, its relationship to pain and how this knowledge can inform our choices to make for more flourishing lives. She shares insights from her clients and their struggles to overcome these problems.
At a time when we are all vulnerable to compulsive overconsumption, both understanding the science and learning from the experiences of others can help us break our own dopamine addiction. It’s high time to pursue healthier pleasures: genuine contentment with self and connectedness to others.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health as a part of National Science Week and Sydney Science Festival.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear from two-times Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks. Brook’s novels are complex narratives steeped in history and anchored in fact that often contain fascinating unsolved mysteries.
In conversation with Fiona Morrison from literary studies at UNSW Sydney, listen about the pleasures and challenges of writing, why she loves writing history, how she gets into her creative flow, and of course her books which include People of the Book, March and Caleb’s Crossing, and her new novel Horse.
Horse glides effortlessly across three places – 1850s Kentucky, 1950s New York City and 2019 Washington DC. From a discarded painting in a roadside clean-up, forgotten bones in a research archive, and Lexington, the greatest racehorse in US history, Horse is a sweeping story of spirit, obsession and injustice in America.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.
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Hear author and journalist David Marr lead a discussion about Australia’s refugee policy, with Kaldor Centre Director Jane McAdam AO, After the Tampa author Abbas Nazari, and Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty.
In the two decades since the Tampa affair, Australia’s asylum policies and politics have become even harsher. How should Australia respond to the people forced from their homes by conflicts, disasters or the impacts of climate change, or who are already living in Australia in detention or endless uncertainty? How can we do better?
In the wake of the federal election, this distinguished panel appraised where we’ve come from and what the future holds for people seeking Australia’s protection.
This event was presented by the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW Sydney.
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The Genetic Lottery
Kathryn Paige Harden believes genetic science can transcend its occasionally inglorious past, and can contribute to societies in which all people thrive. In her groundbreaking first book, The Genetic Lottery: Why DNA Matters for Social Equality, she explores how this ‘genetic luck’ shapes important traits from personalities to health to educational and financial success.
Join her in conversation with UNSW Sydney evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks, for a fearless discussion about how we are shaped by genetic inheritance, and how we might deploy that fact for social good.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Something That May Shock and Discredit You
Daniel M Lavery is clear about one thing, he does not owe an explanation about himself or his gender to anyone. His new book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You,takes direct aim at the cultural canon, spanning everything from the cast of Mean Girls to the beauty of William Shatner, while exploring how the experience of coming to know and affirm his gender has impacted how Daniel sees the world.
Join UNSW social researcher Christy Newman in conversation with Daniel to explore how this combination of courage and humour might teach us how to become more honest about the awkwardness and ambiguities in our intimate lives.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Forensic Architecture has become known as an ‘architectural detective agency’ that creates tools, technologies and techniques to expose the crimes against humanity of powerful states and corporations.
Join Eyal Weizman in conversation with UNSW’s Michael Richardson, an expert in drone surveillance, for a discussion on how creative practitioners are harnessing the power of technology to bring truth and justice into our post-truth world.
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Julia Gillard | Tegan Taylor
Globally, we have learnt many lessons from the pandemic - that public health shouldn’t be politicised, that we cannot stop COVID-19 without a global response, and that the cracks of inequality between nations and among populations have become impossible to ignore.
COVID-19 has also posed particular challenges for women, and had significant impacts on mental health. The last two years have demonstrated that when necessary, the global community can swiftly enact policy that truly helps those in need, and stops our most vulnerable from falling through the cracks. How can we use what we have learnt from over the last two years to ensure we emerge a healthier and fairer society?
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is now the Chair of the Wellcome Trust, a not-for-profit global organisation that supports science to solve urgent health challenges equitably. She joins journalist Tegan Taylor for an evening of conversation exploring how to leverage science and make advances in health available to everyone.
Co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health.
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120 years ago, Australian women were amongst the first in the world to gain both the right to vote and the right to be elected to parliament – with Indigenous women being made to wait another long 60 years. But it took roughly 40 years before a woman was actually elected to Federal parliament and in 2022, even though there are more women in parliament than ever before, women only make up a third of our elected representatives.
The steady march towards equality has gained increasing momentum in recent years. Although each passing decade has seen women take huge strides in politics, toxic workplace culture, sexual assault, and scandals continue to cast a shadow over Canberra – rendering public life an unattractive pursuit for younger women.
As back-to-back budgets continue to overlook women’s issues – childcare, reproductive health, equitable pay, safe and secure housing – it's imperative our front bench starts looking more like modern Australia. With just a few weeks until Australians take to the polling booths, how can we ensure more women get a seat at the table?
Join Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, author and former Liberal turned Independent MP Julia Banks, and 2022 Independent candidate Georgia Steele for a vibrant discussion about the future of equal representation in Australian politics, chaired by UNSW Sydney’s Rosalind Dixon.
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As the reality of climate change and extreme weather bite globally, and our politicians continue to dither and delay, many ordinary Australians are taking matters into their own hands. Australians are installing rooftop solar at a phenomenal rate, eating less meat and using environmental metrics to decide who to bank and invest their super with. But without strong political leadership, individual actions can seem futile and collective action a far-off dream.
In his keynote address, musician, activist and former Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett reminds us that throughout history, momentous change has always relied on people coming together to take action. Perhaps a citizens’ movement, bringing Australians of all stripes together, could be the phenomenon that breaks our political polarisation and results in genuine action.
This address is part 2 of the 2022 Gandhi Oration. Since 2012, UNSW Sydney has hosted the annual Gandhi Oration celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As the reality of climate change and extreme weather bite globally, and our politicians continue to dither and delay, many ordinary Australians are taking matters into their own hands. Australians are installing rooftop solar at a phenomenal rate, eating less meat and using environmental metrics to decide who to bank and invest their super with. But without strong political leadership, individual actions can seem futile and collective action a far-off dream.
In her keynote address, 18-year-old climate justice activist and organiser within School Strike 4 Climate Jean Hinchliffe reminds us that throughout history, momentous change has always relied on people coming together to take action. Perhaps a citizens’ movement, bringing Australians of all stripes together, could be the phenomenon that breaks our political polarisation and results in genuine action.
This address is part 1 of the 2022 Gandhi Oration. Since 2012, UNSW Sydney has hosted the annual Gandhi Oration celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can weeds help us find answers to the world’s problems? Yes, those pesky plants with the flimsy leaves that always seem to be growing out the cracks of footpaths. A weed is defined simply as a plant in the wrong place, and as climate change drives up temperatures, more plants are being forced to move to cooler climates in order to live. Non-native plant species have wreaked absolute havoc on so many of the world's precious ecosystems, because they’re trying to make the best of a situation they never should have been exposed to. So can we really blame weeds for just trying to survive? Scientist Zoe Xirocostas has some secrets to share about our pre-conceptions on weeds.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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More than anyone, Naomi Oreskes understands the politics of science and how public understanding of science is created. In her 2010 book, Merchants of Doubt, the internationally renowned geologist, scientist, historian and author drew several parallels between the tobacco industry’s denial of science, and similar tactics used by the fossil fuel industry to create uncertainty about human-induced climate change.
Now, in her latest book Science on a Mission, Oreskes looks at how military funding has shaped what we do and don’t know about the oceans.
Join her for a conversation with UNSW climate scientist Matthew England, and explore the enduring challenge of what scientists can do to maintain public trust in their work, and how the community can be more discerning about what they choose to believe.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas.
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Violence against women is on the news everyday. It's happening in the workplace, on the streets and in people's home. Ending this violence starts with men, their behaviours and attitudes. And changing the social structures and norms which enable domestic violence and harassment starts with a conversation. Unfortunately, discussing gender equality is not always a top priority in pubs, locker rooms and Parliament House. But if men are willing to listen and reflect on their behaviour, we could see real societal transformation, so how do we encourage men to put women on the agenda? Joyce Wu’s research has taken her across the globe, and her insights could make a real difference.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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What shapes the way we think about sex?
Amia Srinivasan, one of the most exciting feminist thinkers today, examines the political and cultural implications of sex. Combining philosophical arguments, popular culture, and political theory, her book The Right to Sex explores male sexual entitlement, the tension between sex positivity and porn’s hold on the imagination, and the inadequate way we talk about consent.
What are the political forces that instruct the types of bodies we find attractive? And can we change who we desire to liberate sex from the distortions of oppression? Hosted by Associate Professor Emma A Jane, this talk is an unflinching exploration of the way our sexual lives reflect the political context of the wider world - and how to challenge these inequalities and blind spots, within ourselves and society.
Presented in partnership with Sydney Opera House.
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Our race for renewables has a dark side, with some of the most important clean energy technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries, bringing unexpected and damaging consequences for human rights and the environment. Although the goals are different, mining for ingredients of lithium-ion batteries can be just as damaging as extraction of some fossil fuels. UNSW academic Andy Symington researches how our clean energy demands need to not lead to further exploitation of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. But as consumers, can we help ensure that our transition to a sustainable planet isn’t achieved at the expense of the less fortunate?
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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The transition to zero carbon will be one of the biggest shifts in the history of humankind. Transitioning to renewables means immense opportunities for jobs, security, equity and common resilience. Right now, renewable energy in the form of solar and wind is the cheapest it has ever been, and with it comes immense opportunities in employment, economic growth and equality. So what are the technological breakthroughs we need to tackle climate change today? Australia could be a global leader in renewable innovation, we already have the tools and technology required, so what’s stopping us from investing in our future? Fiacre Rougieux is one of renewable energy’s biggest supporters, with solutions on how to facilitate this shift.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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Australia doesn’t have a problem with generating renewable energy... but it turns out we do have a problem with using it. Our vast country has an almost infinite capacity for solar, wind, and hydro energy, but converting those forms of energy to function correctly within our existing electricity grids is going to be the real challenge. Switching to renewables is fundamental to combat climate change, so how do we overcome the technical challenges of integrating clean energy generation into our electricity grid and start utilising our country's wealth of clean energy? Matthew Priestley has some ideas.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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We are in the midst of a climate emergency, so it’s about time we wrote a new social contract that will bring our economy into line with what the planet can afford. To create a regenerative economy where humanity can thrive, we are going to need something called legal imagination – the ability to weave rules, entitlements and principles into responsive and creative structures. Think of a world where rivers had human rights, corporations were regulated by their stakeholders, ecocide was a crime, and money looked entirely different. UNSW academic Bronwen Morgan ponders, where can legal imagination take us?
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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More than a third of food is wasted globally, generating more greenhouse gases than all countries except the USA and China. It’s clear: when it comes to food, our eyes are bigger than our globe can stomach.
Join pioneering expert on wasted food, Christian Reynolds in conversation with UNSW’s Chris McElwain, as they bust some myths about wasted food and argue it’s high time to close the loop on food production.
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If we are going to save the planet, Tema Milstein says we need to start hugging trees. Westernised humans tend to believe they are separate from nature, which shapes thinking and actions toward the environment. But seeing the world with humans at its centre has massive ramifications – from climate crisis to mass extinction. What stands in the way of more of us remembering we are embedded in the natural world and its intricate networks? And how do we override anthropocentrism, and start seeing ourselves as one with the flowers?
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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Politics has been transformed by the COVID era, with national power siphoned towards state premiers, the allergy to massive government spending cured and scientific advice brought to the fore. But as well as new developments, the pandemic has placed existing fault lines in our relationship with politics and politicians under the microscope.
What do Australians want from their governments? Who can we trust if our politicians don’t represent us or tell us the truth? If corruption and pork barrelling in politics are no longer a source of shame, what else will we be willing to accept?
Watch Fran Kelly chair a discussion between political correspondent Laura Tingle, Constitutional lawyer Rosalind Dixon, and political commentator and author George Megalogenis.
The Reckoning is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Festival. UNSW Sydney is the Education Partner of the 2022 Sydney Festival.
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We are on the brink of a technological revolution. The rapid development of quantum computing and the power that it will bring means we are on the cusp of solving problems that we cannot solve with classical computers. But the question that UNSW Sydney’s quantum physicist Danielle Holmes says we should be asking is, what will happen to AI when the computational quantum power behind it increases dramatically? How can we thrive once intelligence decouples from human consciousness?
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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Sharp, tough, funny and humane, Roxane Gay’s work spans fiction, non-fiction and commentary. Since she came to global notice with ‘Bad Feminist’, she has published essays, stories and a memoir that take on questions of race, misogyny, trauma and body-shaming. Hear Roxane in conversation with UNSW academic Nicole Watson, a Murri woman who works on Indigenous storytelling.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by the Sydney Opera House.
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What defines Australia in 2022? We’ve always pinned our identity on land and sea. As an island full of unique animals and home to the oldest living culture in the world, we’ve lived off the land one way or another – be it from bush tucker or mining the minerals in our red earth. But as our environment suffers, and pressures from the outside world and our biggest trading partner China loom, we are at a turning point.
At the heart of our identity the Uluru process – so pivotal and full of potential – remains unrealised, the Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger, and koala populations are heading towards extinction. Can we resolve our relationship with our Indigenous people? Can we save our environment? Can we adapt to changing global power dynamics?
In this excerpt from Australia's Turning Point, Dan Ilic closes proceedings with his unique take on what we can all do to save Australia.
The Reckoning is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Festival. UNSW Sydney is the Education Partner of the 2022 Sydney Festival.
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There are no jobs on a dead planet, so we must find a way for capitalism and the environment to coexist in harmony. The pursuit of ever-increasing profits has seen us hurtling towards the point of no return, because for the longest time, companies did not have to care about how much they polluted the environment. So how can we incentivise the world’s biggest polluters to choose the planet over profit? According to UNSW academic Bernardo García Pola, the answer could be game theory and reimagined market design so that it is in everyone’s interests to do the right thing for the planet.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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What defines Australia in 2022? We’ve always pinned our identity on land and sea. As an island full of unique animals and home to the oldest living culture in the world, we’ve lived off the land one way or another – be it from bush tucker or mining the minerals in our red earth. But as our environment suffers, and pressures from the outside world and our biggest trading partner China loom, we are at a turning point.
At the heart of our identity the Uluru process – so pivotal and full of potential – remains unrealised, the Great Barrier Reef is in grave danger, and koala populations are heading towards extinction. Can we resolve our relationship with our Indigenous people? Can we save our environment? Can we adapt to changing global power dynamics?
UNSW Centre for Ideas Director Ann Mossop chairs this critical discussion on national identity and action, drawing on perspectives from journalists Peter Hartcher and Stan Grant, and marine biologist Emma Johnston.
The Reckoning is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Festival. UNSW Sydney is the Education Partner of the 2022 Sydney Festival.
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Imagine if medical side effects were all in your head… turns out more than half of them might be. A lot of people have heard of the placebo effect; where taking a sugar pill can cause healing or health improvements, but far fewer are familiar with the nocebo effect – the dark side of placebo – where an innocent sugar pill can cause serious negative side effects. Research shows most medical side effects are likely to be caused by the nocebo effect, so if the majority of these feelings could be overcome by the simple power of thought, how can medical researchers break this cycle. Health psychologist Kate Faasse’s work explores how to ensure nocebo effects don’t prevent us from getting the right medical treatment.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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Grace Tame | Kyllie Cripps | Emma A Jane | Michael Salter
2021 was tumultuous.
The year kicked off with a women’s March 4 Justice and ended with several cabinet ministers tendering their resignations. We saw high profile defamation trials and a reckoning in Canberra which culminated in Kate Jenkins publishing her damning report into parliamentary behaviour…and all in the wake of a global pandemic. 2021 offered a glimpse into the galvanising force of women’s collective voices, which, when harnessed can change history.
Fierce females are not a recent phenomenon, but last year, the steady march towards equality has gained a rolling momentum which has been heard the loudest on the doorsteps of power.
And through it all, Grace Tame was one of the powerful women leading the charge for change.
Grace dedicated her tenure as Australian of the Year to holding those in power to account, to reframing the way we understand child sexual abuse and to encourage survivors to feel equipped to share their stories without shame or judgement. Her tireless work with policy makers has seen a real shift in the way our media and legal systems support survivors rather than perpetrators.
Join Grace with UNSW criminologist Michael Salter, co-Convenor of UNSW’s Gendered Violence Research Network Kyllie Cripps and media, gender and cultural studies expert Emma A Jane for a panel discussion hosted by Ann Mossop, Director UNSW Centre for Ideas.
Please be aware that this panel discusses sexual abuse and trauma which may be distressing for some people. Resources and support can be found here: unsw.to/sexualmisconductsupport.
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While many of us (sorry Melbourne) spent 2020 believing we had escaped the worst of the pandemic, 2021 brought forth the ugly reality of living with the virus. Even as the nation returns to something that feels like normal, beneath the thrill of gigs, gatherings and barista coffee, it’s clear the pandemic has changed the picture for good.
We’ve seen our governments and fellow citizens succeed at some things, fail badly at others, and discovered who ‘essential’ workers really are. After two years of arguing about how to ‘balance’ public health and the economy, what have we actually learned?
Chaired by author and broadcaster Benjamin Law and featuring economist Richard Holden and business leader and CEO Sam Mostyn, this talk explores how the last two years have challenged our health systems, and shown us what went missing as we globalised our economy.
What will happen as fortress Australia wakes up from the COVID spell?
The Reckoning is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Festival. UNSW Sydney is the Education Partner of the 2022 Sydney Festival.
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The way we educate needs a rethink. All the elements we need are already in front of us, we just need fresh eyes to examine them. One way is to stop differentiating between ‘academics’ and ‘students’. We should all just be 'learners', all constantly challenging the status quo. Isabella Dobrescu and Alberto Motta emphasise that learning must both reflect and fit into our lives, and be a bold experience that is personal, interactive and fun...because who said education can’t be as entertaining as Netflix or Super Mario? Or both?
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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The human brain is the most complicated computer in the world, but we tend to take it for granted. By linking neuroscience and computer technologies, engineers and scientists are creating neural implants to unlock better pain management strategies, accessibility tools for people living with disabilities, and potential human enhancements. As we move into the most connected and information rich age in human history, how can we ensure that we keep our focus on this kind of big picture science so that those most vulnerable are receiving the help they need? Neuroscientist Felix Aplin has some answers.
A UNSW Centre for Ideas project, with podcast editing and music composition by Bryce Halliday.
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Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating in the USA, Dr Anthony S. Fauci has remained a voice of authority and reason, bringing scientific evidence to the fore.
Throughout an extraordinary career as a scientist, a physician and a public servant, Dr Anthony S. Fauci has been an adviser to seven US presidents on HIV/AIDS, and domestic and global health issues. A key figure in the global response to HIV/AIDS, his experience of this epidemic has informed his career ever since.
As the world struggles to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Anthony S. Fauci sat down with Tegan Taylor, co-host of the ABC’s Coronacast, in April to discuss the past, the present and the future – from what we learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic to what the ongoing impact of COVID-19 will be.
The inaugural David Cooper Lecture honours the legacy of the Kirby Institute’s Founding Director. Professor David Cooper AC, who passed away in 2018, was an internationally renowned scientist and HIV clinician, who laid the foundations for Australia’s ongoing global leadership in the fight against the global HIV epidemic.
This conversation was recorded in April 2021.
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The age of zero carbon is coming, but the question remains: will it be fast enough to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis?
While politics in Australia is still struggling to accept this much needed energy shift, there is cause for hope when we look to our fast-moving industry leaders, researchers and innovators. The pace at which things are changing is genuinely jaw-dropping. There is the plummeting cost of solar power, which has happened decades ahead of previous estimates; a similar trajectory now forecast in the wind power and battery storage fields; and the view of hydrogen on the horizon. And in all these things, investors are voting with their money. But is the hype getting ahead of the science and technology? What are the big-ticket items that could hasten a zero carbon future? What are the risks and rewards of this new age?
Join passionate expert Andy Pitman for a discussion with Sarah Dingle where they seek to answer these questions and more.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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The age of zero carbon is coming, but the question remains: will it be fast enough to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis?
While politics in Australia is still struggling to accept this much needed energy shift, there is cause for hope when we look to our fast-moving industry leaders, researchers and innovators. The pace at which things are changing is genuinely jaw-dropping. There is the plummeting cost of solar power, which has happened decades ahead of previous estimates; a similar trajectory now forecast in the wind power and battery storage fields; and the view of hydrogen on the horizon. And in all these things, investors are voting with their money. But is the hype getting ahead of the science and technology? What are the big-ticket items that could hasten a zero carbon future? What are the risks and rewards of this new age?
Join passionate expert Justine Jarvinen for a discussion with Sarah Dingle where they seek to answer these questions and more.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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The age of zero carbon is coming, but the question remains: will it be fast enough to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis?
While politics in Australia is still struggling to accept this much needed energy shift, there is cause for hope when we look to our fast-moving industry leaders, researchers and innovators. The pace at which things are changing is genuinely jaw-dropping. There is the plummeting cost of solar power, which has happened decades ahead of previous estimates; a similar trajectory now forecast in the wind power and battery storage fields; and the view of hydrogen on the horizon. And in all these things, investors are voting with their money. But is the hype getting ahead of the science and technology? What are the big-ticket items that could hasten a zero carbon future? What are the risks and rewards of this new age?
Join passionate expert Emma Herd for a discussion with Sarah Dingle where they seek to answer these questions and more.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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The age of zero carbon is coming, but the question remains: will it be fast enough to mitigate the worst impacts of the climate crisis?
While politics in Australia is still struggling to accept this much needed energy shift, there is cause for hope when we look to our fast-moving industry leaders, researchers and innovators. The pace at which things are changing is genuinely jaw-dropping. There is the plummeting cost of solar power, which has happened decades ahead of previous estimates; a similar trajectory now forecast in the wind power and battery storage fields; and the view of hydrogen on the horizon. And in all these things, investors are voting with their money. But is the hype getting ahead of the science and technology? What are the big-ticket items that could hasten a zero carbon future? What are the risks and rewards of this new age?
Join passionate expert former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for a discussion with Sarah Dingle where they seek to answer these questions and more.
Event resources and media statement
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Living Greatly in the Law: Law and Progressive Social Change
Throughout his life and career, the late Professor Hal Wootten encouraged law students to think about “living greatly in the law”: living and working with a passion for justice, seeing the law in its social context and ensuring that the law serves those most in need. Hal understood that the law can create positive social change and encouraged lawyers to seek out opportunities “to give a little nudge that sends the law along the direction it ought to go”, which – in turn, he wrote – “can affect where the world goes”.
In this lecture, Jen Robinson reflects on Hal’s legacy and the role of law in protecting human rights, addressing the climate crisis and contributing to progressive social change. Drawing on examples from her own practice and experience around the world, Jen will share her own journey, how she came to share and espouse Hal’s view about “living greatly in the law” and why it is more relevant now than ever before.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Law & Justice.
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Are e-cigarettes the magic bullet?
Whilst the vast majority of people, all around the world, know that smoking can be catastrophic for their health, cigarettes remain a powerful and enduring motif in popular culture.
E-cigarettes have slipped quietly and quickly into the lives of many smokers, promoting themselves as a much healthier option to dirty old cigarettes. But are they the silver bullet they claim to be or is it more sinister than that? Where’s the research to back up the benefits? Are there any harms? Should we be worried about the increasing trend of young people taking up e-cigarettes?
In this wide-ranging discussion, public health and behaviour experts Hayden McRobbie and Alys Havard discuss the merits of e-cigarettes and whether they are a legitimate tool to break addiction, or just a smoke screen.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC).
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How can we nurture innovation and creativity to rise to the challenges of the 21st century, and allow space for creative thinking? Hear from visionary teacher, education activist and play advocate Pasi Sahlberg with Sarah Dingle to discuss how they use creative problem solving to meet challenges in their life and work, and explore what creativity means to us all?
Internationally renowned author and Professor of Education Policy at UNSW Sydney, Pasi Sahlberg’s work looks at the importance of play in learning.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.
Artwork: Lynette Wallworth, Coral: Rekindling Venus, 2012
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How can we nurture innovation and creativity to rise to the challenges of the 21st century, and allow space for creative thinking? Hear from visionary author, poet, feminist and critic Jessie Tu with Sarah Dingle to discuss how they use creative problem solving to meet challenges in their life and work, and explore what creativity means to us all?
Jessie Tu’s debut novel A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing won the 2021 ABIA award for Literary Fiction Book of the Year.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.
Artwork: Lynette Wallworth, Coral: Rekindling Venus, 2012
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How can we nurture innovation and creativity to rise to the challenges of the 21st century, and allow space for creative thinking? Hear from visionary artist and filmmaker Lynette Wallworth with Sarah Dingle to discuss how they use creative problem solving to meet challenges in their life and work, and explore what creativity means to us all?
Emmy award-winning Australian filmmaker Lynette Wallworth works on the cutting-edge of media technology. In 2016, Wallworth was named one of Foreign Policy magazine’s 100 Leading Global Thinkers.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture.
Artwork: Lynette Wallworth, Coral: Rekindling Venus, 2012
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Nobel Prize winning psychologist and bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and SlowDaniel Kahneman, joins Ben Newell, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at UNSW Sydney, to discuss his work ahead of the release of his latest book. A psychologist whose work on the foundations of behavioural economics was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics, Daniel Kahneman has had an enormous impact on our understanding of how we think, and the process behind how and why we make good and bad decisions.
In his new book, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgement, Kahneman (with Olivier Sibony and Cass Sunstein) explores our susceptibility to ‘noise’ – the random factors and mental distractions that interfere with the judgement and decisions of organisations and individuals. Although we now try to acknowledge the impact of bias, ‘noise’ is even more common, but there is little awareness of it. Can we reduce both noise and bias to make better decisions?
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Capitalism is in crisis. Inequality is rising and climate change means we need to make drastic changes to the way we do business. The COVID-19 pandemic, too, has exposed numerous flaws in our current systems.
But is capitalism dead, or can we re-imagine it in a way that will keep society prosperous, promote social justice and re-green our planet?
As calls for radical change grow, French economist Philippe Aghion believes that we don’t need to throw the baby out with the bath water. He argues it’s possible to create a better capitalism by harnessing the power of creative destruction – the process by which new innovations continually emerge and render existing technologies obsolete.
Listen to Philippe Aghion in conversation with UNSW economist Richard Holden as they discuss how the transformation of capitalism can achieve a more sustainable and inclusive prosperity, and how this might impact on politics and democracy.
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Necessity is the mother of invention. The supersonic development of several highly-effective COVID-19 vaccines has shown what can be achieved.
So why, despite today’s researchers, clinicians and innovators having so many powerful tools at their disposal, do so many promising breakthroughs take so long to reach the doctors’ consulting rooms?
From the tangible impact of genomics and big data, and the huge potential of personalised medicine, to the creative use of new technology, in this talk world class medical expert – Anushka Patel joins Tegan Taylor to discuss key discoveries, and what the future of medicine could look like for us all.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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For as long as women have sought autonomy over their bodies, those in positions of power have dismissed them as hormonal, hysterical, irrational and crazy. But now that dialogues around consent have infiltrated our newsfeeds, our classrooms, our workplaces and even the corridors of Parliament, we may have reached a tipping point. To create real social change, it’s important we demystify the challenges around seeking consent and determining our personal boundaries and believe it or not, that doesn’t have to be awkward... Hear activist Chanel Contos, author and broadcaster Yumi Stynes and journalist Avani Dias in a conversation that is curious and unapologetic as we learn how to navigate the yes, no and everything in between.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture as part of Social Sciences Week 2021.
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As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches well into its second year, Australia finds itself at an inflection point: how best to manage the pandemic, map a way out of it and ensure such responses are consistent with human rights.
The Australian Human Rights Institute has convened an expert panel of health, human rights and legal scholars to explore how to balance rights and responsibilities amidst COVID-19, including issues such as vaccine inequity, mandatory vaccination, vaccine passports, lockdowns, quarantine, and the role of local and international institutions in shaping these responses.
To delve deeper, head here.
This event was presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute.
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Humans have disagreed about the idea of justice for millennia. But as we confront a world of uncertainty and disruption, with rising inequality, anger and polarisation, it has become difficult to talk about big questions like justice and fairness, or success and failure. In the past, we might have looked to religion or philosophy to help us think and act. If we want to create a more generous and inclusive public life, can we still look to these domains for answers?
In this digital event join philosopher Michael Sandel, theologian Rowan Williams and author/filmmaker Mary Zournazi to explore what concepts like gratitude and grace mean for us as individuals and societies, and how humility and love may serve us in our relationships with each other. Instead of separating secular and theological approaches, what ideas can we bring together to chart a course for the common good and a more just world?
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture as part of Social Sciences Week.
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Necessity is the mother of invention. The supersonic development of several highly-effective COVID-19 vaccines has shown what can be achieved.
So why, despite today’s researchers, clinicians and innovators having so many powerful tools at their disposal, do so many promising breakthroughs take so long to reach the doctors’ consulting rooms?
From the tangible impact of genomics and big data, and the huge potential of personalised medicine, to the creative use of new technology, in this talk world class medical expert – Anand Deva joins Tegan Taylor to discuss key discoveries, and what the future of medicine could look like for us all.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Necessity is the mother of invention. The supersonic development of several highly-effective COVID-19 vaccines has shown what can be achieved.
So why, despite today’s researchers, clinicians and innovators having so many powerful tools at their disposal, do so many promising breakthroughs take so long to reach the doctors’ consulting rooms?
From the tangible impact of genomics and big data, and the huge potential of personalised medicine, to the creative use of new technology, in this talk world class medical expert – Louisa Jorm joins Tegan Taylor to discuss key discoveries, and what the future of medicine could look like for us all.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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42,000 years ago the temporary breakdown of Earth’s magnetic field sparked major climate shifts that led to global environmental change and mass extinctions. This dramatic turning point in Earth’s history – laced with electrical storms, widespread auroras, and cosmic radiation – was triggered by the reversal of Earth’s magnetic poles and changing solar winds.
Zoë Thomas was part of the research team that made this discovery which was published in 2021. In this podcast, hear how this incredible discovery was made, exactly what occurred 42,000 years ago and the impact this has had on life on Earth.
This podcast is hosted by Cat (Catharina) Vendl, presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and is supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Necessity is the mother of invention. The supersonic development of several highly-effective COVID-19 vaccines has shown what can be achieved.
So why, despite today’s researchers, clinicians and innovators having so many powerful tools at their disposal, do so many promising breakthroughs take so long to reach the doctors’ consulting rooms?
From the tangible impact of genomics and big data, and the huge potential of personalised medicine, to the creative use of new technology, in this talk world class medical expert – Joseph Powell joins Tegan Taylor to discuss key discoveries, and what the future of medicine could look like for us all.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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In 2014, when David Quammen’s book Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic, was published he did not realise that he was predicting our future.
Although Quammen wasn’t surprised when COVID-19 broke out, he was and has been astonished by our ill-prepared governments and has written about key aspects of the science that should inform our responses.
In this podcast, hear his insights into pandemics, his far-flung adventures and his enduring passion for telling the stories of science.
This podcast is hosted by Cat (Catharina) Vendl, presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and is supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Blue whales are known to migrate thousands of kilometres between their breeding and feeding grounds. But after founding the Sri Lankan Blue Whale Project in 2008, acclaimed marine biologist Asha de Vos discovered that there was a resident blue whale population in the waters near Sri Lanka all year round.
In this podcast, hear what she has learnt about blue whales and why conservation projects in the developing world should invest in local scientific talent and infrastructure.
To delve deeper read Asha’s article The Problem with Colonial Science.
This podcast is hosted by Cat (Catharina) Vendl, presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and is supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
Photo credit: Spencer Lowell, WIRED UK.
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How can we make a Blue New Deal?
Healthy oceans are fundamental to a healthy planet. From phytoplankton, the tiny ocean plants that produce the oxygen we breathe, to the rich diversity of other ocean plants and creatures, we depend on our oceans to survive and thrive.
But our oceans are both under threat and pose a threat. Pollution, overfishing and the destruction of coral reefs are killing them from within, while the impacts of climate change – rising sea levels and storm surges – are transforming the ocean from friend to foe for the many millions who live on the coast.
Globally-renowned ocean defender Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is clear: saving the oceans is key to fighting the climate crisis. Join us for a conversation between Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and leading Australian marine scientist Emma Johnston.
They will explore how these issues are playing out in Australia and internationally, the future of the oceans in the age of climate change, how to mobilise support for a Blue New Deal and how women leaders are pioneering global climate action.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science, and the Powerhouse Museum for the 2021 Sydney Science Festival. Supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Activity on the Sun’s surface creates a type of climate called ‘space weather’. It takes the form of solar flares, coronal mass ejections and bursts of radiation that travel far and wide across the Solar System and beyond.
Space weather reaches Earth too – causing satellite disruption, electrical blackouts and the beautiful aurora – but thankfully our atmosphere and magnetic field protect us from the majority of negative effects. Astronauts however, when they venture beyond this veil, are subjected to extreme radiation. And this remains one of the major obstacles to manned missions to Mars.
Energetic, heavy and highly-charged particles, known as galactic cosmic rays, are extremely difficult to shield in space vehicles and could produce long-term radiation effects including cancer and damage to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. What’s more, unpredictable storms of solar energetic particles may expose astronauts to such high doses they might suffer acute radiation effects.
While the odds seem stacked against us, some of the brightest minds in the world are on the case. Discover more in our two-part lecture, where Sarah Brough, Iver Cairns, and Susanna Guatelli talk all things space weather, astronaut protection and whether we’ll ever make our Mars aspirations a reality.
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Australian Institute of Physics, and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Food is essential for life, but the global systems we rely on to feed us have become increasingly complex and industrialised. Sometimes it’s hard to know where our food comes from, what’s in it and how healthy or ethically produced it is.
Paradoxically, as a global community we face major challenges based on both too much food, causing obesity and waste, and too little food, resulting in hunger and malnutrition. Adding to this are long-term questions about the impact of our diets on both human and planetary health. Not to mention the issues surrounding the treatment, transport and slaughter of animals.
Join food and health expert Johannes le Coutre in conversation with journalist Joanna Savill as they explore the future of food. As we take our first tentative steps into the paradigm shifting world of lab-grown and no-kill meat, will 21st century science save the day, or are the solutions to our biggest problems a combination of the old and the new?
This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Inspiring Australia as a part of National Science Week.
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Considering the multitude of benefits nature provides cities, why is it so hard to add more green to our urban fabric?
Linda Romanovska is a PhD candidate with UNSW Built Environment. Her research explores the best ways to assess the full value of living green infrastructure to optimise its many benefits to urban communities. Romanovska advises the European Union and other international, national and local agencies on adaptation to climate change planning, funding and implementation.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Poverty, equity and the drivers of health.
Decolonising global health means a dismantling of privilege and the structural barriers to health, both across countries and within. In a world where everyone’s health matters, whose knowledge do we value? Whose voice is loudest and how do we shift the dial?
Sabina Faiz Rashid, a distinguished scholar in global health, works at the coalface of public health in Bangladesh. Hear her in conversation with UNSW Sydney’s Rebecca Ivers as they discussed Sabina’s research in Bangladesh, and unpack what it will take to achieve true change.
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Imagine a world where each of us knew how to listen, respond, and be present for each other during times of crisis. Where each person understands that emotional health is important and provides the necessary care for people close to them.
Sandersan Onie is a post-doctoral fellow in suicide prevention with the Black Dog Institute. His current research aims to reduce suicide at known hotspots using machine learning. Dr Onie has been a passionate campaigner for mental health reform in Indonesia and is a strong advocate for open science. He was recognised for his leadership in this area as finalist in the inaugural Emerging Thought Leader Prize.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Conventional wisdom is clear – teamwork, collaboration and diversity lead to better learning and decision making, but what happens when teamwork doesn’t make the dreamwork?
Christopher Jackson is a Professor of Business Psychology at the UNSW Business School. His main area of research is on personality and learning – from mavericks in the workplace to survivalists – and he has published extensively on this and many other areas. Jackson is passionate about making research relevant to the wider business community and beyond.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How have the planet’s minerals evolved?
If we want to understand the origins of life on earth, and how early life developed, we need to understand the earth itself and what it was made of. When US mineralogist Robert Hazen was asked if he knew what minerals existed on early Earth, he started a research journey that led to a new idea – mineral evolution – a theory that proposes that the mineralogy of terrestrial planets and moons evolves because of the varied physical, chemical, and biological processes that lead to the formation of new minerals.
Join Robert Hazen in discussion with UNSW Sydney geologist and astrobiologist Martin Van Kranendonk as they discuss the story of Earth, mineral evolution, where carbon fits into all of this, and the rich challenges of doing science and being able to study nature.
The Centre for Ideas’ new series of international conversations brings the world to Sydney. Each digital event brings a leading UNSW thinker together with their international peer or hero to explore inspiration, new ideas and discoveries.
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Anzac biscuits are a symbol of survival and resilience – making them the ideal comfort food for Australians and New Zealanders in challenging times.
Lindsay Kelley is an artist and lecturer at UNSW Art & Design. Kelley’s work in the kitchen explores how the experience of eating changes when technology is being eaten. Kelley has exhibited work at the Powerhouse Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and currently holds a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award from the Australian Research Council.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pandemic put us all in limbo. For the first time, many Australians understood what it means to be stranded, unable to cross borders, separated from the people you love. When our government said we were ‘all in this together’ – what happened to the refugees in Temporary? And what’s ahead for them? Sisonke Msimang interviews Sarah Dale, Director of RACS (Refugee Advice & Casework Centre) to find out, in our final episode.
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How can we teach the skills that the unexpected depends on – creativity, collaboration and never giving up?
Richard Buckland is a Professor of Cybersecurity at UNSW Engineering. Buckland has taught over 10,000 students and is passionate about imparting the skill of critical thinking to his students. Buckland is also the Director SECedu a cybersecurity education partnership between the Commonwealth Bank and UNSW.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change. Hosted by Rob Brooks.
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How can we ensure that technological innovations respect our rights?
Technology is embedded in our everyday lives and is also becoming more and more autonomous. These technological developments happen so quickly that they can outpace the institutions that democratic societies have built to protect our rights and basic freedoms. Frontline problems with privacy, surveillance, and the use of data show how technological transformations can crash into our lives. If we want to solve these issues, ensuring that the people responsible for new technologies understand the social and legal issues is an essential first step.
Join leading European authority on the intersection of technology and the law Mireille Hildebrandt, in conversation with UNSW Sydney’s cybersecurity expert Richard Buckland as they dissect this ever more prevalent tension.
This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the Australian Society for Computers and Law.
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How do we find a sense of agency and hope in these challenging times? Anthony Burke is Professor of Environmental Politics and International Relations at UNSW Canberra. Anthony is a leading scholar in global environmental governance and law, international security studies, and international ethics. His current research interests include green political theory, cosmopolitanism and climate change. Anthony is co-Lead of the UNSW Grand Challenge on Thriving in the Anthropocene.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When writing policy for public health and welfare, what changes can be made to improve the health and well being for everyone in our community?
Amy Bestman is a Research Fellow, in the Injury Division at The George Institute for Global Health and conjoint lecturer at UNSW Medicine. She works in the research areas of public health, injury prevention and gambling harm prevention – making contributions to research, practice and policy. Bestman is passionate about addressing inequity experienced by disadvantaged communities.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
French economist Thomas Piketty has fundamentally changed the way we understand inequality.
His global bestseller 'Capital in the Twenty-First Century' brought the phenomenon of rising inequality to our attention and highlighted its economic basis. Piketty’s latest book, 'Capital and Ideology', takes the discussion even further to examine inequality as a political phenomenon, shaped by ideology and social institutions.
What are the ideologies that have created our current age of inequality, and what are the risks this age poses? What would need to happen for change to occur?
Join Thomas Piketty in conversation with UNSW’s Richard Holden, as they explore the political basis of inequality in our hypercapitalist age.
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In an age increasingly defined by accusation and resentment, can forgiveness play a more powerful role? Law Professor Martha Minow asks us to consider the big questions: who has the right to forgive? And who should be forgiven? Individuals and societies have the right to withhold forgiveness, but can letting go allow for grievances to impact us less? Forgiveness does not change the past, but it can transform the future.
Martha Minow, Harvard Law Professor and human rights expert, in conversation with leading UNSW Law Professor George Williams will explore how we think about forgiveness.
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Since 2012 the annual Gandhi Oration has been hosted by UNSW Sydney to celebrate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights. The event features discussions of the significant human rights issues of our time. Past speakers have included Senator Pat Dodson, Peter Greste, Pat Anderson, Shoma Chaudhury Reverend Tim Costello, Rosie Batty and Shen Narayanasamy.
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What misconceptions do we still have about women's minds and bodies?
For hundreds of years, Western science took women's intellectual and physical inferiority as a given. But as we move beyond these pseudoscientific ideas, what mistakes are scientists and doctors still making when they think about sex and gender? Are we sometimes even at risk of creating new myths? British science journalist and author, Angela Saini, joins leading cancer researcher and founder of the STEMMinist Book club, Caroline Ford for a conversation about bias in science, medicine and the public understanding of gender, and how to build a more accurate picture of human difference.
The Centre for Ideas’ new series of international conversations brings the world to Sydney. Each digital event brings a leading UNSW thinker together with their international peer or hero to explore inspiration, new ideas and discoveries.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What can we do today to prepare for the unimaginable?
Michael Dello-Iacovo is a PhD candidate in space science at UNSW Engineering. His research looks at off-Earth exploration, mining and asteroid impact risk. Michael has an interest in morality and ethics and hosts the podcast Morality is Hard.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How can we create a more just world?
From the Paris Attacks, the Syrian War, and the European Migrant Crisis to Brexit and the US Presidential elections, our responses to others in desperate situations have been tested. By looking at different religious and philosophical traditions, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams and film maker and philosopher, Mary Zournazi explore how we can experience the world in a more just way, and how does love fit into all this when we are faced with difficult times.
Due to technical issues during the livestream, this recording has been edited for a better listening experience. If you require a transcript of this in conversation please email us at centreforideas@unsw.edu.au
Want to read "Justice and Love: A Philosophical Dialogue"? You can purchase Rowan Williams and Mary Zournazi’s book by visiting https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/justice-and-love-9781350090378/
Due to technical issues during the livestream, this recording has been edited for a better listening experience. If you require a transcript of this in conversation please email us at centreforideas@unsw.edu.au
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Most clinical trials do not conduct even a cursory examination of sex differences in safety or efficacy, so why do we continue to relegate women into the background?
Bronwyn Graham is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the faculty of Science at UNSW Sydney. Bronwyn’s research focuses on how sex hormones influence the development and treatment of anxiety disorders in women. Her work has been the first to show how unique female traits – the contraceptive pill, motherhood – influence the success of anxiety treatment. Graham was awarded the 2020 Aubrey Lewis Award for outstanding researcher by the Biological Psychiatry Australia Society.
2020 tested our resolve, and saw our lives change profoundly. If we take heed of these lessons, can we improve our lives for the better and hold onto the things we value most? These lessons can be the silver lining to all this disruption – and can help us thrive, not merely survive in challenging times.
In this series, hear from nine UNSW researchers as they explore what we can learn during this time of isolation and change.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Australia’s harsh asylum seeker policy has two clear objectives: To punish those who arrived by boat and to act as a deterrent for those considering coming to Australia by boat.
With Operation Sovereign borders, the Australian government launched an outright war on asylum seekers back in 2013 - condemning those seeking safety to mandatory detention and temporary protection. And now, all these years after the policies were implemented, we need to ask, have they actually worked?
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One family. All devout pacifists, they all fled the same dangers and all of them are recognised refugees in Australia. The wife and children were resettled from overseas and now have permanent protection. But their husband and father arrived by boat. He lives in anxious uncertainty, enduring an opaque re-application process that could result in his being torn away from them.
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When the stakes of getting an asylum decision wrong are life and death, you would think a fair review should be part of any robust justice system. But one teenager’s experience shows how arbitrary and capricious it can be in Australia. Arman’s claim for asylum was rejected because, briefly, the Australian Government thought it was that it was safe for Hazaras to return to Afghanistan. This is no longer the Government’s view, yet the decision still stands – and Arman has nowhere to turn.
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Every one of the 30,000 asylum seekers in Australia’s ‘legacy caseload’ was detained. The average time spent in detention is 564 days but some people have been detained for more than a decade. In this episode of Temporary, we meet Kumar, who was moved from detention centre to detention centre for over three years.
For more information on Kumar's story: temporary.kaldorcentre.net
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When Elaheh suddenly had to flee Iran, where “everything was dangerous”, she didn’t realise she might never see her family again.
She’s now a recognised refugee in Australia with an Aussie twang, but because she came by boat the rules of her safety are slippery here too. And the terms of the visa dictate that her family cannot travel to Australia. She must apply for extraordinary permission to travel, to visit them somewhere safe. And it is up to Australia’s Immigration Minister whether her son, born in Adelaide, can ever meet the strong women who raised his resilient mother.
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Why would a boy leave everyone and everything he'd ever known to run for protection? And what if, when he did, he ran right into a different political wall?
Find out how Zaki, who left Afghanistan a scared boy and arrived in Australia labelled an ‘illegal maritime arrival’, negotiated hunger, the Sydney property market and a visa that wouldn’t let him work or study in Australia, to become an award-winning student who still isn’t allowed to call himself Australian, in episode two of Temporary.
"If I was allowed to work, I could have paid tax, I could have paid my tuition fees with my own money. I don’t know why we weren't allowed to work, we weren’t allowed to learn English."
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Who are the Temporary people – and how did Australia trap them in endless uncertainty?
Meet Zaki, who fled a Taliban death warrant when he was a teenager to find somewhere safe. Instead, he finds himself impounded in the crude politics of fear that Australian leaders have been stoking for decades. He is one of 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers in the ‘legacy caseload’, kept silent by a system that holds permanent protection out of reach. We know the stories of Manus and Nauru, but how did this happen, right in our midst?
"My life has been in limbo since I was 16.... People my age, I think they have goals and dreams of what they wanted in five years or in 10 years, just like a normal human being. For me it's like, if I have tomorrow, I'll be happy."
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Australia’s 21st century refugee policies notoriously left thousands of people seeking asylum languishing offshore – but thousands more are stuck in the shadows of communities across the country. They tell their stories in Temporary, a new narrative podcast from UNSW, in partnership with Guardian Australia.
Episode one and two released on the 26th of November.
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Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee were winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics for their ground-breaking work on solving global poverty. Using their innovative research based on field experiments, they have created practical tools to improve education, health and economic wellbeing. In their new book, Good Economics for Hard Times, they look at today’s seemingly insoluble problems – inequality, technological disruption, slowing growth, and accelerating climate change – to find the fresh and original solutions we need.
In conversation with UNSW professor Rosalind Dixon, they will explore how cutting-edge economics can take on these challenges and bring the world back from the brink.
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“Faced with the crisis of a global pandemic, for the first time in more than a decade Australia has had evidence-based, bipartisan policy-making. Politicians have listened to the scientists and … put ideology and the protection of vested interests aside and behaved like adults. Can they do the same to commit to fast and effective action to try to save our children’s and grandchildren’s future, to prevent the catastrophic fires and heatwaves the scientists predict, the species extinction and the famines?”—Judith Brett, The Coal Curse
Director of the Centre for Ideas Ann Mossop chats to historian Judith Brett about the unusual history of Australia’s economy and the “resource curse” that has shaped our politics.
To discuss the future of the climate and how we might forge an environment focused path out of our impending economic crisis, Judith and Ann are joined by Philosopher Jeremy Moss, author of "Climate Change and Justice" and "Climate Justice and Non-State Actors". Jeremy is Director of the Practical Justice Initiative and leads the Climate Justice Research program at UNSW as part of the Practical Justice Initiative.
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Jim Al-Khalili’s new book, The World According to Physics, is his love letter to the subject he has spent most of his life thinking about.
Physics is a key part of the human quest to understand the world. In this talk, he shares with us his account of what physics has achieved. Taking us on thrilling journey through the laws of the universe, he brings to life what physics reveals about the nature of reality. What is the cutting edge of what we know? What are the speculative theories that may become scientific fact in the future?
Jim Al-Khalili is renowned for his ability to make the principles and stories of science easily understandable. From the physics of the cosmos to the physics of everyday life, he will bring us up to speed – uncovering what the biggest ideas mean and why they matter. What are the discoveries that lie ahead?
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by UNSW Science. This event is part of the UNSW x National Science Week program.
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In January we watched helplessly as Australia burned. Over 18 million hectares were destroyed, and more than a billion animals were killed. It was clear to those on both sides of politics that Australia needed immediate climate action. Flash forward and the all-encompassing nature of COVID-19 has made it almost impossible to talk about anything else, but the imperatives of climate change have not gone away. So how do we restart the conversation on climate?
In Australia, despite the work of our world-leading scientists, climate change is a vexed political topic, rather than a question of science and policy. As we grapple with the new normal of bushfires and water shortages, on top of pandemic recovery, how can we take the politics out of these important issues? How can we bring communities together to think about change? Join climate scientist and author of The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers, Tim Flannery, marine ecologist Adriana Vergés, social researcher, author of How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference, Rebecca Huntley and marine biologist and Dean of Science at UNSW Sydney, Emma Johnston to find out how we might turn these pressing climate conversations into climate solutions.
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Is it possible to feed a future population of 10 billion people a healthy diet within planetary boundaries?
Four years ago, this question was posed to a group of doctors and dieticians from all over the world, and their response became the Planetary Health Diet – a way of eating created by scientists to bring together the health needs of humans with what our planet can afford.
By exploring simple food principles, the Planetary Health Diet charts a way to solve major health issues, and balance human needs with our impact on the environment in the age of climate change. Join public health advocate and CEO of VicHealth Sandro Demaio for a keynote talk, followed by a panel discussion with Alexandra Jones from The George Institute for Global Health, clinical dietician Jennifer Cohen and director of That Sugar Film, Damon Gameau as they discuss how we can all eat better and contribute to a healthier world.
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Less than two decades ago, wondering whether other stars really did host planets was a matter for science fiction writers rather than scientists. Today, we’ve gone from complete ignorance to a treasure trove of ‘exoplanets’– different sized planets that orbit around other stars – thanks to innovation, persistence, and meticulous measurement. But what does this mean for the search for life beyond Earth? Adding this diversity of exoplanets spread across our galaxy, to the planets and moons in our very own solar system, only makes the search for alien life more complicated.
To find out where we should look for life, we need to ask whether a planet or moon is habitable and if it has the conditions necessary to get life started. Although we can (mostly) answer the first question, the second is harder to determine. Not only would we need to delve into a distant planet’s past, but also settle the hotly contested debate on the origin of life here on Earth? Did life on Earth start in deep sea vents as previously thought or in hot springs on land as more recent evidence seems to show?
Join us to hear from exoplanet expert Chris Tinney and origin of life researcher Martin Van Kranendonk as they share the latest findings on these fascinating questions.
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If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers, and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. It's a notion that drives newspaper headlines and guides the laws that shape our lives. Human beings, we're taught, are by nature selfish and governed primarily by self-interest. But what if it isn't true?
International bestseller Rutger Bregman is joined by Professor Ben Newell in the third of a three-part series of conversations to provide a new perspective on the past 200,000 years of human history, setting out to prove that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation rather than competition, and more inclined to trust rather than distrust one another.
Ben Newell is a Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Deputy Head of the School of Psychology at UNSW. His research focusses on the cognitive processes underlying judgment, choice and decision making, and the application of this knowledge to environmental, medical, financial, and forensic contexts. He is the Academic Lead on the Grand Challenge on Thriving in the Anthropocene.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. It's a notion that drives newspaper headlines and guides the laws that shape our lives. Human beings, we're taught, are by nature selfish and governed primarily by self-interest. But what if it isn't true?
International bestseller Rutger Bregman is joined by Dr Katharine Kemp in the second of a three-part series of conversations to provide a new perspective on the past 200,000 years of human history, setting out to prove that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation rather than competition, and more inclined to trust rather than distrust one another.
Dr Katharine Kemp is a Senior Lecturer at UNSW Law, and an expert in data privacy and misuse of market power laws. Her research focuses on the ways personal data is collected and used to the detriment of consumers. She is the Academic Lead on the Grand Challenge on Trust.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If there is one belief that has united the left and the right, psychologists and philosophers, ancient thinkers and modern ones, it is the tacit assumption that humans are bad. It's a notion that drives newspaper headlines and guides the laws that shape our lives. Human beings, we're taught, are by nature selfish and governed primarily by self-interest. But what if it isn't true?
International bestseller Rutger Bregman joins UNSW Centre for Ideas Director, Ann Mossop in the first of a three-part series of conversations to provide a new perspective on the past 200,000 years of human history, setting out to prove that we are hardwired for kindness, geared toward cooperation rather than competition, and more inclined to trust rather than distrust one another.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How are parents and teachers and activists successfully fighting the forces that are privatising public schools? US Education expert Diane Ravitch’s new book, Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America's Public Schools examines the resistance to the forces trying to privatising America’s public schools. Whether it is corporations or philanthropists like Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg and Mark Zuckerberg, she shows how their ideas have failed and how the defenders of public education are winning.
Diane was joined by host Jane Caro, author of The Stupid Country: How Australia is Dismantling Public Education, Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish educator and deputy director of the Gonski Institute for Education, and Angelo Gavrielatos, President of the NSW Teachers Federation for a discussion about how schools in Australia and America are resisting the privatisation of education.
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Following an incredible keynote, Jack Halberstam was joined on stage by Teddy Cook and Liz Duck-Chong for a discussion on the ways that this history and representation of trans bodies intersects with contemporary approaches to securing health equity and inclusion for trans and gender diverse people. The panel was facilitated by Associate Professor Christy Newman.
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"The mind-bending science of sex shows that in the future we are likely to live in a world where there are either multiple sex and gender categories – or, preferably, none."
Emma A Jane is a Senior Lecturer in the School of the Arts & Media, UNSW Sydney. Emma’s research focuses on the social and ethical implications of emerging technologies. Prior to joining academia, Emma spent 25 years working in the print, broadcast, and electronic media, winning multiple awards for her writing and investigative reporting.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
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The destruction of our cultural heritage, and our shared humanity embedded within, might not be inevitable if we rethink our relationship with culture.
Lucas Lixinski is an Associate Professor at UNSW Law. Lucas’ research focuses on international law, primarily international cultural heritage law and international human rights law. His latest monograph, International Heritage Law for Communities Exclusion and Re-Imagination, was published in May 2019 by Oxford University Press.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pollution, warm water and fishing all threaten our oceans, but when we give nature a helping hand, its ability to help itself can be remarkable.
Adriana Vergés is a marine ecologist and conservationist in the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney. Adriana’s research focuses on the ecological impacts of climate change and the conservation of the world’s algal forests and seagrass meadows and much of her research takes place underwater. Adriana is passionate about communicating science to the wider public, especially through films, art and new media.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the future, diseases must be fought without drugs and pharmaceuticals. Can we achieve this by harnessing the cells that make up our bodies?
James Halstead is a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on how single cells in the body can make decisions, and how this can go wrong in diseases.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As many of us have become armchair experts in virus transmission and ‘flattening the curve’, it’s easy to feel like we’re drowning in information about COVID-19. Although new aspects of the virus continue to emerge daily in the terrifying living laboratory the world has become, there is still so much we don’t know. As we grapple with the enormous disruption the virus has brought, what have we found out so far? Is a vaccine really on the horizon?
Nicholas Fisk, UNSW DVCR, hosts a panel of medical experts, Rebecca Guy, Anthony Kelleher, Raina MacIntyre and William Rawlinson as they discuss what we need to discover or invent to make sure we are better equipped to face the future.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Picture a world where war is fought only by machines, and technology is the only witness of injustice and atrocity. Could drones become the last moral guardians, the eyes of truth that hold people and countries to account?
Dr Michael Richardson researches the impacts of drone technologies on war, culture and witnessing. He is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of the Arts and Media, currently holds an ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award and is the author of Gestures of Testimony (Bloomsbury 2016).
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Australians, the end of the Covid-19 lockdown is in sight, and a return to some semblance of normalcy is on the horizon. As our focus shifts from the virus and its immediate impact to social recovery, the economy will take centre stage. The government has a once in a lifetime opportunity to rebuild our economy, and they are not short of advice.
Which direction will they choose? Is it time for ambitious market reforms, or to maintain the social safety net that has won them so many new fans? Is there a chance of a fairer nation, or are we looking down the barrel of post-pandemic austerity?
Join a panel of our most interesting economists and commentators, Joshua Gans, Richard Holden, Judith Sloan and Jennifer Hewett (chair) to tackle the big questions we need to answer if we are to make the best economic recovery that we can.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Haben Girma would prefer not to be called inspiring. But, as the first Deafblind woman to make Harvard history and living in defiance of great social and physical barriers, it is a term often used to describe her achievements.
Girma developed a powerful path to success despite facing many social and physical barriers. Overcoming all with an insatiable appetite for social justice as well as a wicked sense of humour, she’s become a leading advocate for people living with disabilities. Girma has been named one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and was awarded the White House Champion of Change, presented by former President of the United States, Barack Obama.
In her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, Girma shares how her parents’ harrowing stories of refuge from Eritrea during its 30-year war with Ethiopia inspired her to embark on a quest for knowledge; traveling the world in search of the secret to belonging.
Girma in conversation with ABC’s Nas Campanella, retells some of these adventures and explains how they led her from feelings of isolation to conquering Harvard Law.
Haben’s story is a testament to one woman’s determination to show the world the benefits of choosing inclusion.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The category of trans takes the prefix for transitivity and couples it with the asterisk that indicates a wildcard in internet searches; it is a diacritical mark that poses a question to its prefix and stands in for what exceeds the politics of naming. To investigate trans representation is also to propose that something within trans representations exceeds the framing of transgenderism. By looking at trans materials, we can see what is gained and what remains unpredictable about the popular embrace of transgender bodies, or some of them, and transgender representations.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are we really the masters of our own destiny?
The concept of fate has been around since the ancient Greeks, inspiring literature and folklore for thousands of years. However, the science of fate is just getting started.
In her new book The Science of Fate: Why Your Future is More Predictable Than You Think, internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow explores the current state of neurological and genomic research. She breathes new life into the concept of fate by situating it at the core of what we all increasingly believe makes us who we are – the brain.
Drawing vividly from everyday life, Critchlow illustrates just how much our decisions – from what we eat, to whom we love, to how we vote – are hardwired and predetermined by genetics.
This fascinating talk will challenge everything we know about ourselves, as well as empowering us to help shape a better future.
Chaired by Joel Pearson, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UNSW Sydney.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do we stop the internet making bigots of us all?
We live in a world increasingly ruled by technology, finding comfort in the idea that this technology is free of prejudice; only its users are fallible. But don’t be so sure, warns author and scholar Robert Elliott Smith.
In his book, Rage Inside the Machine: The Prejudice of Algorithms, and How to Stop the Internet Making Bigots of Us All, the 30-year veteran in artificial intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that technology is amoral and apolitical.
Join Robert Elliott Smith as he shines a light on how we’re increasingly being constrained by algorithms – being forced to adapt to technology rather than adapting technology to suit us. Presenting a compelling account of how we got here, Smith treads a fine line between indignation at what can happen and recognition of the scale of technological achievements.
As an eminent computer scientist and machine learning pioneer, Smith reveals how new thinking and research can help us keep our sanity and our humanity.
Chaired by Katharine Kemp, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, UNSW Sydney.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Was the biggest peacetime nuclear disaster and demise of the Soviet Union inevitable?
On 26 April 1986 at 1.23am, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine exploded. The blast contaminated over half of Europe with radioactive fallout and took the world to the brink of nuclear annihilation.
In his award-winning book, Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy, Harvard University professor Serhii Plokhy argues that this was a disaster waiting to happen. A leading historian of Eastern Europe, Plokhy presents the first full analysis of the gripping and unforgettable tragedy, offering us a compelling account of the perpetrators, heroes and victims.
Join the winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction as he powerfully and expertly argues that Chernobyl was the catalyst of the Ukrainian revolt and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Chaired by award-winning journalist Hamish Macdonald.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re in the midst of a climate crisis, so what can we do to ensure our survival?
How we address the Earth’s changing climate in the next 30 years will determine not only the world we live in but the world we will pass on to our children and theirs.
The architect of the Paris Agreement on climate change, former United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, provides us with the options; what governments, corporations and each of us can do to fend off disaster.
Sharing insights from her new book, The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, Figueres explains that we still have the opportunity to not only protect ourselves and the future generations, but actually create a much better world for us all.
Offering 10 practical steps that we can all take today, this talk is essential to transforming the climate change narrative from blame games and political rhetoric, to optimism and purpose-driven action.
This is the final hour; it can be our finest hour.
Chaired by Professor Emma Johnston, Dean of the Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It is one of the most important questions of our time: how will digital technology transform society and the way we govern?
There is no doubt that technological advances have transformed our lives for the better. There is little doubt too, argues bestselling author Jamie Susskind, that digital systems have the potential to control us.
In his ground-breaking analysis, Future Politics: Living Together in a World Transformed by Tech, Susskind calls for a fundamental change in the way we think about politics in the digital age. Reminding us of the very real ability of digital technology to shape the way we think, feel and behave, Susskind puts forward a clear warning: those who control these technologies will increasingly control us all.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite taking steps towards becoming a more equal and inclusive society for all, Australia has a problem with human rights. Indigenous Australians are the most incarcerated in the world. More than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Over half of Australians living with a disability lack access to support services they need. The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill threatens to undermine inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ people.
Fighting to address these issues are five fearless human rights champions. From the Australian voice to the United Nations for people living with a disability, to leading the #KidsOffNauru campaign which saw every child detained offshore brought to Australia, their resumes are enviable and inspiring portfolios of human rights advocacy.
Shen Narayanasamy is GetUp!'s Human Rights Campaign Director. She also founded the No Business in Abuse project, targeting corporate involvement in offshore detention of asylum seekers, and led #LetThemStay, which prevented the deportation of hundreds of asylum seekers to Nauru. She has previously worked as a human rights lawyer in Asia-Pacific on issues of economic justice and land rights.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite taking steps towards becoming a more equal and inclusive society for all, Australia has a problem with human rights. Indigenous Australians are the most incarcerated in the world. More than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Over half of Australians living with a disability lack access to support services they need. The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill threatens to undermine inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ people.
Fighting to address these issues are five fearless human rights champions. From the Australian voice to the United Nations for people living with a disability, to leading the #KidsOffNauru campaign which saw every child detained offshore brought to Australia, their resumes are enviable and inspiring portfolios of human rights advocacy.
Pat Anderson is an Alyawarre woman and a powerful advocate for the health of Australia’s First Peoples. She has extensive experience in community development, advocacy, policy formation and has been the chair of multiple Aboriginal health organisations. She has spoken before the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous People, published many essays and reports, and was awarded the Human Rights Medal by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite taking steps towards becoming a more equal and inclusive society for all, Australia has a problem with human rights. Indigenous Australians are the most incarcerated in the world. More than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Over half of Australians living with a disability lack access to support services they need. The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill threatens to undermine inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ people.
Fighting to address these issues are five fearless human rights champions. From the Australian voice to the United Nations for people living with a disability, to leading the #KidsOffNauru campaign which saw every child detained offshore brought to Australia, their resumes are enviable and inspiring portfolios of human rights advocacy.
Human rights lawyer and Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown’s fingerprints are on nearly every major reform for LGBTQI+ people in recent years including playing a crucial role in achieving marriage equality as Co-Chair of the YES Campaign. Anna Brown has been integral in securing LGBTI+ discrimination law protections; expunging historical homosexual convictions; and strategic litigation to recognise gender diversity.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite taking steps towards becoming a more equal and inclusive society for all, Australia has a problem with human rights. Indigenous Australians are the most incarcerated in the world. More than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Over half of Australians living with a disability lack access to support services they need. The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill threatens to undermine inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ people.
Fighting to address these issues are five fearless human rights champions. From the Australian voice to the United Nations for people living with a disability, to leading the #KidsOffNauru campaign which saw every child detained offshore brought to Australia, their resumes are enviable and inspiring portfolios of human rights advocacy.
Rosemary Kayess has devoted her career to disability policy and reform, having advised on issues such as housing, education, guardianship and employment. She is a human rights lawyer, the Director of Engagement at the Disability Innovation Institute UNSW, and also teaches in the UNSW Faculty of Law. In 2019 she became the Vice Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite taking steps towards becoming a more equal and inclusive society for all, Australia has a problem with human rights. Indigenous Australians are the most incarcerated in the world. More than one woman is killed every week by a partner or former partner. Over half of Australians living with a disability lack access to support services they need. The proposed Religious Discrimination Bill threatens to undermine inclusive workplaces for LGBTQI+ people.
Fighting to address these issues are five fearless human rights champions. From the Australian voice to the United Nations for people living with a disability, to leading the #KidsOffNauru campaign which saw every child detained offshore brought to Australia, their resumes are enviable and inspiring portfolios of human rights advocacy.
Rosie Batty has been a tireless crusader against family violence since her son Luke was murdered by his father in 2014. Turning her personal tragedy into a fight to help others, she was named the Australian of the Year in 2015, received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2017 and more recently received an Order of Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We each have personalised genome analysis at birth, and now robot doctors perform our operations. So, do we even need human doctors? Or will they need to be even MORE human?
Associate Professor Adrienne Torda is Associate Dean of Education and Innovation in the Faculty of Medicine. She is an award-winning educator, innovator and practicing clinician. As such, she is immersed in both the rapidly changing worlds of clinical medicine and tertiary education.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Imagine a future where everyone gets to truly experience maths. One where we can lift formulae off the page and turn them into patterns and shapes that we can see, feel, touch and interact with. One day, could we all be mathematicians?
Dr Vera Roshchina is a mathematician working in the field of optimisation and geometry. Before joining the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Vera studied and worked in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Russia and Portugal.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 70 years ALL children diagnosed with cancer will survive. But while their lives will be saved, how can we make sure we limit the side effects of treatment? How can we make sure they thrive, not just survive?
Dr Jordana McLoone is a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Women’s and Children’s Health. Her research focuses on investigating the needs of children with cancer, particularly after treatment completion, to ensure they not only survive but thrive.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If we're going to survive the next 70 years, the human race needs new sources of sustainable energy and clean water. Could sewage be the answer?
Stuart Khan is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research is focused on opportunities to improve the ways we use water in our cities and seeks solutions for more sustainable management of the urban water cycle.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As we spend more time in digital and virtual worlds, our need for written or typed text could disappear. In 70 years could we all be communicating in a new language of hieroglyphics, symbols and pictures?
Dr Rebecca Green is a graphic designer, illustrator and academic at UNSW Art & Design. Her recent research has found that the ways designers use visual language to communicate messages can dramatically alter how humans receive and understand them.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans and farm animals have taken over the planet and pushed other species to the brink of extinction. Could lab-grown meat help build the diverse and thriving planet of our future?
Dr Siobhan O'Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy in the School of Social Sciences. She has published extensively in the field of animal welfare law, policy and ethics. Siobhan hosts a weekly Animal Studies podcast called 'Knowing Animals'.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Big data has fundamentally altered our laws, freedom and democracy. Is there anywhere in the real and virtual worlds where we aren’t being watched, and anything we can do keep our private lives private?
Dr Katharine Kemp is a Senior Lecturer at UNSW Law, and an expert in data privacy and misuse of market power laws. Her research focuses on the ways personal data is collected and used to the detriment of consumers.
This talk and interview are part of Unsomnia: a series of short talks for restless minds.
Tackling the issues that keep us up at night, imagining the inconceivable and envisioning the future, UNSW researchers have just 10 minutes each to explain what life we will be living in the future.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of UNSW Sydney, researchers were asked to take stock of what society used to be, fast forward to today’s world and look ahead another 70 years.
Hosted by Rob Brooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is hard to see – but it’s already being built into the infrastructure of our core institutions, from education, business, healthcare, hiring, to the work of government itself.
Dr Kate Crawford of the AI Now Institute, and co-creator of Anatomy of an AI System sat down with Toby Walsh, Scientia Professor of AI, UNSW to discuss how AI systems are already radically changing the way businesses, governments, and individuals interact with one another. Addressing the far-reaching consequences of AI – social, environmental, economic, and political – is increasingly urgent.
“At this moment in the 21st century, we see a new form of extractivism that is well underway: one that reaches into the furthest corners of the biosphere and the deepest layers of human cognitive and affective being. Many of the assumptions about human life made by machine learning systems are narrow, normative and laden with error. Yet these assumptions are being inscribed into a new world, and will increasingly play a role in how opportunities, wealth, and knowledge are distributed.”
– Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler, Anatomy of an AI SystemSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is hard to see – but it’s already being built into the infrastructure of our core institutions, from education, business, healthcare, hiring, to the work of government itself.
But what actually is “artificial intelligence,” particularly when it’s deployed in our homes and workplaces? Encased in sleek consumer products like the Amazon Echo, we rarely consider the vast underlying network of data collection, exploitation of human labor, and physical resource extraction. All have enormous implications for society and the environment.
Dr Kate Crawford of the AI Now Institute, and co-creator of Anatomy of an AI System, will deliver the annual Wallace Wurth Lecture on the wider system of extraction that makes artificial intelligence systems work. AI systems are already radically changing the way businesses, governments, and individuals interact with one another. Addressing the far-reaching consequences of AI – social, environmental, economic, and political – is increasingly urgent.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If women and girls want to dismantle the system, they will need to embrace the qualities they have been trained to avoid: anger, ambition, profanity, violence, seeking attention, lust and power. Bold and brilliant feminist Mona Eltahawy looks around the world to show us how women everywhere can reclaim these ‘essential sins’ and use them to fight patriarchy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We all want long lives, so why are we so afraid of growing old? Anti-ageism campaigner Ashton Applewhite works to dismantle the ageism that is woven into our societies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Being nice won’t create the rebellions that will finally give women control of their destinies. Mona Eltahawy, Tressie McMillan Cottom and Sisonke Msimang tell us how we can change the world and bring justice within reach for women everywhere.
This panel was chaired by Santilla Chingaipe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“We still talk about the British conquering India, but that phrase disguises a more sinister reality.” – William Dalrymple
The devastating story of how the British came to rule India is one characterised by aggression, ruthlessness and violence. From trading silks and spices to running a vast private security force twice the size of the British army, the East India Company mercilessly conquered the entire Indian subcontinent.
So how did a company headquartered in a single office, five windows wide, bring down one of the world’s most magnificent empires?
Historian and best-selling author William Dalrymple delivers a rich account of Britain’s harrowing colonial history, exploring how a dangerously unregulated private enterprise managed to corrupt the most senior British politicians and officials in the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There are phenomena in our universe that are almost beyond our realm of understanding – what lies in the dark space between the stars? How can we measure things that are invisible? What prevents the galaxies from expanding into oblivion?
One explanation is the existence of dark matter, otherwise undetectable because it is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect or emit light. We can only assume that it is there because of its impact on ordinary matter, so the quest to understand it requires innovative approaches.
In the last decade, there has been impressive progress in detecting dark matter interactions. The search continues with crucial experiments deep in the bowels of an old gold mine in rural Australia using a direct detection method.
Leading the way is physicist Elisabetta Barberio, who will explain this underground undertaking and outline the impact the findings can have on our understanding of the universe.
This event is presented by the Australian Institute of Physics and the UNSW Centre for Ideas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The history of technology is one of men and machines, transformation tales of garages to grand mansions, alpha nerds and ‘brogrammers’. But female tech visionaries have always been at the forefront of technology and innovation, yet they’ve been overlooked, until now.
In her breakthrough book Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet, VICE reporter and musician Claire L Evans tells the story of internet’s unsung female heroes. From Ada Lovelace who wrote the first computer program back in the Victorian Age (100 years before the first computer was built), to Elizabeth Feinler who helped create the first domain names, women have been a huge part of every significant milestone in web development. These women joined the ranks of pioneers who defied social convention to become database poets, information wranglers, hypertext dreamers, and glass ceiling shattering entrepreneurs.
Claire L Evans was joined by a panel of experts including president of UNSW's RoboGals Sandy Aung, best-selling author Ginger Gorman, cultural anthropologist Alexandra Zafiroglu, and science journalist Natasha Mitchell to discuss how women will continue to shape the technology of our future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The history of technology is one of men and machines, transformation tales of garages to grand mansions, alpha nerds and ‘brogrammers’. But female tech visionaries have always been at the forefront of technology and innovation, yet they’ve been overlooked, until now.
In her breakthrough book Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet, VICE reporter and musician Claire L Evans tells the story of internet’s unsung female heroes. From Ada Lovelace who wrote the first computer program back in the Victorian Age (100 years before the first computer was built), to Elizabeth Feinler who helped create the first domain names, women have been a huge part of every significant milestone in web development. These women joined the ranks of pioneers who defied social convention to become database poets, information wranglers, hypertext dreamers, and glass ceiling shattering entrepreneurs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Despite stunning advances in biology, we still don’t know what life is or how it really began.
For generations, scientists have struggled to make sense of this fundamental question. Life on every level has proven magical and even a humble bacterium accomplishes things so dazzling that no human engineer can match it.
Based on research from his new book The Demon in the Machine, theoretical physicist, cosmologist and astrobiologist Paul Davies, argues that the answer is at last in sight. In this penetrating and wide-ranging new analysis, bestselling author Davies from the Beyond Center at Arizona State University proposes answers in a domain where computing, chemistry, quantum physics and nanotechnology intersect.
From life’s murky origins to the microscopic engines that run the cells in our bodies, Davies will explain transformations in technology and medicine, the physics of two-headed worms, and answer the age-old question of whether or not we are alone in the universe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There’s something about evil that we find deeply fascinating. True crime stories of sadists and serial killers fill our TV screens and podcast feeds. We are fascinated by monstrous acts and the people who commit them. But do we need to rethink evil and the other labels that we apply to people who do wrong if we want to reduce risk and harm?
The science behind human behaviour paints a much more complex picture of why people commit inexcusable acts. In Making Evil: The Science Behind Humanity's Dark Side, Julia Shaw uses case studies from academia, examples from popular culture, and anecdotes from everyday life to break down concepts like the neuroscience of evil, the psychology of bloodlust and workplace misbehavior. With Natasha Mitchell as host, she will be is joined by philosopher Luke Russell, author of Evil: A Philosophical Investigation and psychopathy expert Georgie Fleming to explore everything from the philosophy of evil to evil actions and what we can do about them.
Rather than looking at the world in black and white, science and philosophy can help inform a conversation on evil, and to understand that it is part of humanity whether we like it or not.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why isn’t providing adequate mental health services a no brainer?
Half of all Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime. The prevalence of mental illness in young people is on the rise. The World Health Organization confirms that depression will overtake heart disease as the number one cause of disease burden worldwide by 2030. Yet mental health receives only 2% of the global health care budget, and even in countries like Australia, awareness and rhetoric outstrip funding by miles.
Providing appropriate mental health services for people who need them should be the number one priority in health care, so why is it so hard for people with mental illness to get a fair deal?
British journalist and political aide Alastair Campbell was joined by a panel of experts including Helen Christensen (Black Dog Institute, Director and Chief Scientist), Patrick McGorry (Orygen, Executive Director), Christopher Pyne and chaired by Sarah Dingle to share ideas on what can be done to improve mental health service provisions and outcomes for all Australians.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why isn’t providing adequate mental health services a no brainer?
Half of all Australians will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime. The prevalence of mental illness in young people is on the rise. The World Health Organization confirms that depression will overtake heart disease as the number one cause of disease burden worldwide by 2030. Yet mental health receives only 2% of the global health care budget, and even in countries like Australia, awareness and rhetoric outstrip funding by miles.
Providing appropriate mental health services for people who need them should be the number one priority in health care, so why is it so hard for people with mental illness to get a fair deal?
With unique insight into the workings of government, and lived experience of mental illness, British journalist and political aide Alastair Campbell has become a leading advocate for action on mental health in the UK.
Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.