Raising the Bar Sydney: Recent Episodes
University of Sydney
At the University of Sydney, we believe in taking education out of the lecture theatre and into our city.
Penelope Crossley – Is it time to stop calling renewable energy green? by University of Sydney
Helena Nguyen – When not to keep calm and carry on: learning how to deal with work stress by University of Sydney
Damien Ricketson – Listen hear: sound, silence and the definition of music by University of Sydney
Catherine Grueber – Fighting the extinction crisis - one Tassie devil at a time by University of Sydney
Anna Reid – Feel the noise: how music connects us through place and history by University of Sydney
You wouldn’t know it by watching the nightly news, but crime in New South Wales has dropped by 75 percent in the past 15 years. Yet imprisonment rates are rising at an alarming rate – in fact, incarceration is at its highest since federation in 1901.
So why is punishment up when crime is down? In this talk, Garner Clancey will reveal the political agenda and media coverage fixated on ‘getting tough on crime’, pushing our prisons to breaking point and costing taxpayers $2 billion a year.
It is estimated that three billion people globally have wealth while four billion live on less than $5 a day. This isn’t the plot for a science fiction movie, but a harsh reality facing governments across the world.
Ranjit Voola thinks there is a solution to address this drastic inequality, but it’s probably not the path you’d think. He believes the classic business model that operates solely for profit is inherently flawed. Instead, big businesses could engage with the poor, not through donations, but by collaborating as partners. It’s a win-win situation that would give those living in poverty access to resources and opportunities previously not had, while opening new markets to the private sector. However, two questions need to be answered first: Is it practical, and more importantly, is it ethical?
The modern workplace is fraught with pressure. Pressure to adapt to new technologies and communications channels, meet deadlines, develop innovative solutions.
It’s no wonder that our best laid plans never turn out like we expect.
Julien Pollack believes there’s a better way to manage projects that doesn’t involve meticulous planning. It’s called agile working – and it’s taking the business world by storm. Join Julien as he discusses how to factor flexibility into projects, examples of how it’s been carried out by industry and its impact on the next generation of project managers.
In Australia, there are more men in senior leadership positions named John than there are women.
It gets worse. An analysis of 100 ASX directors in 2015 found that only two women and 28 men were of a culturally diverse background. Anglo-Celtic men, on the other hand, numbered 64.
It’s a bleak reflection of the leadership landscape in Australia, where culturally diverse women and men have to work harder than their Anglo-Saxon counterparts when it comes to breaking into senior leadership roles. Discussing these discrepancies is Dimitria Groutsis, who will explore how diversity can increase productivity and creativity and the simple steps we can take to increase leadership diversity.
Ever heard the one about the lazy millennials, un-enthusiastic Gen X’ers, and the technologically-inept baby boomers? If you believed the papers, each generation is entirely unique and therefore incompatible.
Well, Steven Hitchcock is calling bull. To him, generational categories are a little like a modern horoscope – vague enough to ring true, but not backed up by science. So why do we seem to like talking about them so much? In his talk, Steven will discuss how these convenient categories came to be, why we insist on putting people into boxes and how we can work with each other without relying on generational typecasting.
You are what you eat. Or at least, what your grandmother ate.
Before you were even a twinkle in your father’s eye, your genetics had already been determined two generations earlier. And the food your grandmother was eating had a real effect on the genetic coding taking place in her eggs.
This presents an important public health opportunity, says neonatologist and perinatal researcher Adrienne Gordon. Join her as she discusses how studying pre-conception factors such as lifestyle and nutrition could result in a disease-free future.
Maybe I’ll go for a run. Maybe I’ll try that keto diet that everyone keeps banging on about. If these are your first thoughts when you decide to get into shape, then there’s a good chance that you’re going about weight loss wrong.
Enter Maria Fiatarone Singh, whose research has found that when it comes to maintaining your youthful physique, strength training is more effective than pounding the pavement. Combined with an evidence-based diet, Maria will discuss how lifting weights can not only help you stay fit, but also improve your health in unexpected ways.
The standard legal position is that there is no ownership in human tissue – so you can’t buy, sell or leave in your will, your old dead bowling arm, your corpse, your brain – even your eggs or your sperm. And while it might come as no surprise to learn that no-one else owns your body, it occasionally causes dismay to learn that not even you do! And this has led to a few tricky problems over the years.
Join Sascha Callaghan to learn about property in the body – and what would happen if you wanted to use the sperm of your recently deceased partner to make a baby, or sue a clinic for accidentally destroying the last of your fertile eggs, or to get a stake in research using your genes – or if someone steals your fetus-in-a-bottle (it's a true story).
Launching community action – it’s not just reserved for those enthusiastic types who like to interject in public council meetings and participate in strata committees.
Getting involved can be for everyone, if you know how. Urban planning expert Dallas Rogers is passionate about the important role citizens can play in making their suburb better and planning for its future. In this talk, Dallas will discuss the complex powerplay between local government, the private sector and citizens.
Imagine counting the footsteps of all the people who drifted through Wynyard station and the stories they could tell. When the wooden escalators that served Sydney commuters at Wynyard Station for more than eight decades were removed last year, our in-house art-itect (that’s artist and architect), Chris Fox, saw the potential of using public art to tell those stories. Using the remnants of the 1930s escalator treads, the installation is a nod to Sydney’s past, while embracing our future.
Join Chris as he tells the story of how this installation came to be, the barriers he encountered along the way, and how public art makes an imprint on a city’s personality.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
This philosophical puzzle is front of mind for geographer Dale Dominey-Howes as he examines how people process natural disasters. Does it still constitute a ‘disaster’ if it occurs in an unpopulated area and no one is affected? In answering this question, Dale will explore the difference between hazards and disasters and uncover the most catastrophic natural tragedies of all time. He will also dissect the inextricable link between climate change and natural disasters and discuss what's in store for our planet.
The shift towards digital communication has resulted in clickbait and fake news clogging up our news feeds. Meanwhile, the circulation of mainstream magazines is on the decline.
Yet, there’s something unexpected going on in the background. The humble indie magazine is on the rise, and it’s making an impact in a big way. Join media and communications expert, Megan Le Masurier, as she discusses the mainstream magazine media landscape and the global rise of indie magazines in print.
When women in NSW won the vote in 1902 some thought the fight was over – but in fact, it was just beginning. The voices of women still weren't being heard in the places where the big decisions were being made: parliament, courts and government.
Today women can be lawyers, judges and members of the NSW Parliament, but it has taken decades to see women in those roles and true equality is a long way off – especially for Indigenous Australian women. In her talk, constitutional law expert Anne Twomey will discuss the struggles of the past and the future for women and Indigenous Australians to be heard by our law-makers.
Have you ever gone overseas and tried to learn the local language? It’s something we’d be happy to do overseas, so why is it not something we’d think to do at home in Australia?
Living and working in Sydney means we’re standing on the ground of Cadigal people of the Eora nation. And the languages that were spoken on this soil for thousands of years are at risk of being forgotten – taking with them the stories, histories and identities that go hand in hand with language. Join Indigenous language expert, Jakelin Troy as she discusses why we need to preserve Indigenous languages and the important work being done to keep them alive.
Artificial intelligence promises (or threatens) to completely revolutionise the workforce. From manufacturing to healthcare, we’re building machines to make important decisions that will create all kinds of industry efficiencies.
But here’s the thing: artificial intelligence isn’t naturally intelligent. And the machines we’re building aren’t actually smart – yet. But they could be, once we equip them with mathematical reasoning.
This is where Lamiae Azizi comes in. In order to improve robot performance, we need to teach machines to think and interact with the world around them. What data do we need, how do we get there and when does privacy become a concern? Exploring this ethical minefield, Lamiae will discuss what’s being done to develop the next generation of AI-based machines and the moral conundrums that this may present.
Is human intelligence the only kind of intelligence there is? Physicist Zdenka Kuncic believes it’s not. To her, intelligence is something that can be constructed, if we just put our minds to it.
Zdenka suggests that if artificial intelligence is going to be successful, it’s going to need the sort of cognition we have. The capacity to think, learn and adapt. To have self-awareness and sensory input. To be self-reliant. Things that the human brain does effortlessly.
So how do you have intelligence without a brain? You build a synthetic one. Join Zdenka as she provides a tantalising glimpse into the possibility of synthetic intelligence in the not-too-distant future.
From supporting Apollo moon missions to coordinating the design of the Rosetta spacecraft, Australia has made giant leaps for mankind in advancing our understanding of space. But when it comes to market share, Australia’s contribution sits stagnant at a mere one percent of a $400 billion industry.
In this talk, Warwick Holmes will discuss how Australia plans to leverage its expertise to improve its bottom line through the founding of the Australian Space Agency, and by developing the nation’s first generation of space engineers. He will also explore how the emergence of rival space programs, including private space exploration companies such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX, may impact this vision.
Happiness. Monks meditate for days on end in pursuit of it. Fitness buffs chase exercise endorphins. It’s so popular, that it’s an industry in and of itself – complete with self-help books, inspiring podcasts and lifestyle products – all advocating how you can live your best life.
But when you really stop and think about it, what are we chasing? Is it a feeling, a fleeting emotion or an enduring sense of achievement? Or is it more than a feeling? Drawing on a rich ancient and philosophical tradition of thinking about happiness, Caroline West will tackle three big questions about this elusive state – what is it, why it's important and how we get it.
Summer lovin’? Not so much. As the temperatures start to soar, the weather is more than just a topic to fill awkward silences.
We whinge about the humidity while seeking solace in climate-controlled rooms – but how much do we actually understand heat? Does 30 degrees feel the same to you as the next guy? And why do the Brits freak out when the mercury hits 23 degrees? Ollie Jay will turn up the heat on temperature and human health, address the elephant in the room (that’s climate change), and teach us how to stay cool without an air-conditioner.
t’s easy to treat the humble filler word as insignificant. We’re talking the ‘huh’, ‘ums’ ‘likes’ and ‘ahs’ of the world – the little titters that your English teacher worked so hard to eliminate from your vocabulary.
Well, linguist Nick Enfield thinks you should blatantly ignore your teacher’s advice and shout your filler words from the rooftops. Through an analysis of languages globally, Nick has found that these filler words have much more importance in human behaviour than we give them credit for. Join his talk to find out how these seemingly pointless words are not only universal but indispensable to how we communicate.
When was the last time you checked your phone? Ten minutes ago? An hour? Studies show we check our smartphones on average 85 times per day. Illuminated screens can affect our concentration, our sleep patterns, even our self-esteem. We know this, but still, we just can’t put our phones away. So, what has the information age done to better us as individuals – or what is it doing to detract from us ‘living in the moment’ and enjoying simple human pleasures? Leading this discussion is cyberpsychology expert, Andrew Campbell, questioning if our addiction to technology is preventing us from living in the real world.
What will happen when same-sex marriage becomes a legislative reality? One side of the debate argues that it will be the undoing of society, with gender norms the first casualty. The other side tells us it’ll be business as usual, with an extra serve of equality. But there is a third story to tell. In the middle ground between these two extremes lies a range of interesting possibilities – what effect might the achievement of marriage equality have on gender norms? Or the social standing of the married couple? Or on LGBTQI politics itself? Join gender studies expert Jessica Kean as she speculates on Australian society after same-sex marriage.
Online and mobile games are hugely popular, and not just among kids; more than two-thirds of Australians play online games. But we are also a nation of gamblers, with Australians spending more on gambling than any other country in the world. So what happens when the boundary between games and gambling is blurred? Sally Gainsbury will discuss how gambling companies are using gaming features to keep gambling relevant to a new generation of consumers, and potentially putting gamers at risk of addiction.
Social media influencers are redefining privacy and surveillance, one Instagram post at a time. New social platforms have heralded in new means of reinvention, allowing people to concoct online identities that are worlds apart from their real selves. Just ask Taylor Swift, who has used to her recent video clip to forge a sparkly new image, spurring thousands of takedowns and think pieces in the process. If superstars crave a fresh start online; where does that leave the rest of us? Guiding us through this social media rabbit hole is our resident expert, Jonathon Hutchinson, who will delve into all things social media: curated online identities, social influencers and digital privacy, ultimately posing the question: does our social media presence define our identity?
It sounds like a science fiction movie, but technological optimists predict driverless cars will be dominating our roads within the next five years. Dissecting the promise and perils of driverless cars is Robyn Dowling, who will examine how they will shape our cities and our lives as we know them.
We've boundless plains to share, yet Australia's track record as a safe place for refugees and asylum seekers is nothing to be proud of. In her talk, Mary Crock will examine the dangerous lack of enforceable human rights protection in Australia and what this means for our future as a multi-racial society.
Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/broadcasts
We live in an era where the President of the United States could feasibly start a war – not by firing missiles, but in firing off ill-advised tweets. To investigate the link between the internet and politics, our very own culture crank Rodney Taveira will delve into the twisted psyche of American popular culture and pose the question – does American democracy exist if no-one is there to like it, retweet it or turn it into a meme?
Australia has a massive waste problem. We’re producing waste at six times our population growth and our current rate of landfilling is unsustainable. So, what habits do we need to change to encourage re-using over recycling? How can we create a closed loop system where we limit what gets sent to landfill? And when it comes to sustainability are we really as good as we think? Sorting through this garbage minefield is Ali Abbas, who will discuss the transformative engineering technologies that will reduce waste output, and hopefully change the way we think about rubbish.
While most of the time we use social media for cat videos and restaurant reviews, technology-enabled social connections with people outside your circle can change your life. Our mobile phones are an instant source of information, communication and entertainment. We’re already seeing technology connect professionals working together in real time on the same issues, but could they also be a lever out of poverty for geographically isolated people? In this talk, Petr will demonstrate the power that making and maintaining links across large physical distances can have on alleviating poverty, disaster relief and rural isolation.
Dementia is becoming the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with a new case diagnosed every four seconds. It’s a disease that is breaking families and draining resources, with no medical treatments that can prevent, delay or modify its destructive course. Sue Radd has conducted extensive research to determine if what you put on your plate can affect memory, and whether the Mediterranean diet may hold a key to better brain health.
Have you done your 10,000 steps today? Half of all Australians are using wearable health technology to track their movements, but does it really motivate us to be healthier? Research indicates there is no proven link between weight loss and step counters. In fact, one third of users discard their wearable device within six months of buying it. There seems to be a widely held belief that using fitbit, smart watches and health apps would motivate us to become healthier. But is that true? Are these technologies failing us? Discussing this downward trend is Naseem Ahmadpour, who will explore new potentials for self-tracking and future opportunities for designing wearable health technologies.
There is massive jobs growth predicted in STEMM related industries - science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine, but like so many other sectors the representation of women declines significantly at more senior levels. Renae Ryan will explore the structural barriers to women succeeding in these industries, and why it is so important for industry – and society – that we embrace ‘Stemm–inism’ and make it a truly level playing field.
Imagine we give robots the capacity to learn from their own experiences and interactions with the environment around them. Now imagine we also tell the robots to improve the lives of people with disabilities or better understand the impact of pollution. In this talk Fabio Ramos will discuss recent advances in machine learning that allow robots to learn by themselves and get better at accomplishing these missions. He will also describe applications of these ideas in healthcare, self-driving cars and environment monitoring.
Here’s a strange thought: just over a generation ago the typewriter was considered the height of technology, landline telephone use was on the rise and the encyclopaedia was our go-to for information. The internet has triggered new ways of interacting, working and consuming, and megatrends promise to profoundly change our day-to-day lives. Business and innovation expert, Sandra Peter discusses the six global megatrends that will have an enormous influence on the future of business, ultimately transforming how we work, live and play. What are they and how will they impact you?
Ever pulled an all-nighter to watch Breaking Bad? Does Game of Thrones dominate the discussion in your workplace? Big Little Lies? The Handmaid’s Tale? Welcome to the golden age of television, where television programs are so good, they rival what’s on the big screen. Even better, you don’t have to leave your house, with streaming services bringing the most binge worthy shows direct to your living room. Our resident film buff, Bruce Isaacs, will delve into this radical viewing shift – the ‘HBO Turn’ and discuss whether there’s still a place for the big screen in our lives.
On the surface, it might not seem that the jazz standards of Tin Pan Alley, the lyricism of Bob Dylan, or the aggression of punk have much in common with Beyonce or Prince – but they do. Join Jadey O’Regan as she journeys through the birth of the blues,the explosion of rock'n'roll, and the blooming of psychedelia, to examine how they’ve shaped the modern pop landscape of today. This talk will change the way you hear your favourite songs and give you a deeper understanding of the rules of popular music – and then, like the pioneers of rock'n'roll – how to break them.
Track list: “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard “Little Deuce Coupe” by the Beach Boys “Sunshine of your Love” by Cream “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley “Around the World” by Daft Punk “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
30% of the Great Barrier Reef was bleached in 2016 alone. It’s one of our most precious natural landmarks, and it’s fading – fast. That’s where Will Figueira and his team of experts step in. Using 3D mapping and printing technologies, they’re working to recreate the natural structures we're losing to climate change and global warming. Can these efforts restore the conditions of the reef’s ecosystem so that the coral can return?
Night owls, rejoice! Workplace researcher Stefan Volk has compelling evidence suggesting that it is scientifically beneficial to press snooze on your alarm clock. His findings show that a person’s body clock can have a significant impact on work performance. In his talk, he will demonstrate how modern life is actually geared towards morning people, as circadian rhythms can have an effect on workplace safety and teamwork capacity, and why we all deserve a sleep in.
Doomsday prophecies about the takeover of artificial intelligence are commonplace in the news. But is artificial intelligence as much of a threat as it’s made out to be? Could it help us make life better? In this talk, Kai Riemer will ask critical questions of the hyperbole surrounding claims of machine “intelligence” and discuss its impact on how we, as humans, work, and what we think about ourselves.
Why does your heart skip a beat when you look into the eyes of that special someone? It’s not your body playing tricks on you, but the work of a complex set of hormones guiding attraction, bonds and love. Adam Guastella believes we can harness these responses to improve mental health and social conditions. In this talk, he’ll discuss the incredible effect of oxytocin, its science and effect on a range of mental health issues – from social anxiety through to autism, and how this pioneering research could improve millions of lives.
‘Slut', 'faggot', 'scrub’ – labels such as these are not considered to be 'bullying' in many schools, meaning that they remain uninterrupted and seen as ‘inevitable’ or just ‘jokes’. This talk will explore issues such as gendered harassment, popularity, LGBTQI self-harm and suicide to make a case for a new understanding of ‘bullying’, and explain why we need to do more to broaden understanding of gender and sexuality in school.
Can it help us find the perfect date? Do we need to be a brainiac to master maths? Jacqui takes us on a mathematical journey from the maths of dating to the reason why there are 360 degrees in a circle. Hear stories of mathematical oddities and curiosities, and see maths in a whole new light. What’s maths got to do with it? It turns out, everything!
Music has a profound effect on the developing mind – research is just scratching the surface on the extent of its benefits. So why do the majority of Australian schools lack specialist music teachers and why do teachers often struggle to keep children enthused in music class? In this talk, James explains why all music should inspire us from Classic to Kanye, Funk to Taylor Swift.
This is the end of the world as we know it – or so politicians say. Whether it’s youth unemployment, Sydney’s lockout laws or welfare payments, politicians are constantly selling us the story of a world that’s in decline. Richard’s talk takes a closer look at these “end of the world” stories and questions whether we’re actually buying it.
Innovation has become the catch-cry of governments and businesses across the globe. But should we innovate or fix what we already have? How do we invest in good ideas while retaining a healthy appetite for risk? In this talk, Andy will explain how to strike the right balance and pick the innovations worth backing.
Wrongful convictions can and do happen – it's a sad fact of the Australian legal system. 'Innocence projects' including Not Guilty: the Sydney Exoneration Project, seek social justice for those unjustly convicted. Celine, founder of Not Guilty, presents a real-life case where (unintentional) mistakes, by eyewitnesses, police, prosecutors, and other experts led to a person spending more than four years in jail for a crime they did not commit. She then asks: what can we do to prevent future miscarriages of justice?
Insider trading – victimless crime or immoral behaviour that affects everyone? Australia has a few high profile cases, but can insider trading affect you if you don’t regularly buy shares on the stock exchange? Juliette will address common myths and misconceptions associated with this white collar crime, and reveal why it is an issue that affects us all.
Welcome to Australia's grocery sector - where anti-competitive behaviour, predatory pricing, land-grabbing and shortchanged farmers are all part of the job. With Coles and Woolworths dominating not just food but petrol, hardware and liquor sales, this is the most concentrated market in the world. Alana asks: why should we care, and what are the alternatives?
As Australia faces the prospect of marriage equality, let’s reflect on landmark victories in the LGBTQI space, and remind ourselves how far we have come … and how far we have yet to go. This talk will discuss 10 LGBTQI victories such as the Stonewall riots in the United States and recent wins on transgender military service.
Placebo experts have found that your beliefs can help you to feel better – even when you’re given a fake pill. But how can something come from nothing? Ben will discuss how placebos can help patients with conditions ranging from pain to Parkinson’s disease and whether it’s ethical for medical professionals to use them.
It's all over the news: AIs have beaten world champion chess players, they're driving cars and soon they'll be flying drones in our backyards delivering Amazon books and cluster bombs. Is this the reality though? In this talk, Mike will explain how AIs are more like weirdly specialised savants that can't be trusted to cross the street by themselves than like masterminds from The Matrix. He’ll also share what AI is telling us about ourselves – how we think and what makes us human.
Who gets what, when, and how? This year’s US Presidential election has seen an intense focus on who? Who is a member of the nation? This is the most basic question of politics, and is the one that matters most to Donald Trump and his supporters. In this talk, David explains why we won’t see a return to 'normal' American politics until the question of American national identity has been addressed, however painful that may be.
Why do cheat days turn into cheat weeks? Is it a simple case of lacking self control? This talk explains why people choose to eat too much, and might also unlock new thinking on ways to prevent obesity and stop you eating too much dessert.
Sudden cardiac death affects around 30,000 Australians each year and claims the lives of two to three young Australians under 35 each week. Scarily, the first sign that anything is wrong may simply be death. What are the common triggers that can lead to a heart attack? Who is most at risk – and what can you do to help save a life?
Fact: sexting among young people happens. Thanks to social media and the explosion of mobile devices, it’s easier than ever to share images such as nude selfies 24/7. Teachers, parents, moralists, and other self-appointed experts all have an opinion on sexting and how we should crackdown on the practice. In all this noise, sexters themselves are barely heard. In this talk, Murray presents a view of sexting among young people from their own perspective.
We keep hearing we need to exercise more, but most of us are too busy to find the time. Melody’s talk will help redefine what it means to lead an ‘active life’, and share hacks to build exercise into your daily routine (and save money on gym memberships and personal trainers). Warning – this talk may include yoga!
Zoom in on the world at the smallest of scales where the familiar laws of physics give way to the exotic rules of quantum mechanics. Physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman imagined a future in which humans exerted complete control over matter, and turned the strange phenomena they encountered into powerful resources. In this talk, Michael will describe how his own research in quantum tech is bringing Feynman's dream to life, building technologies from the ground up, one atom at a time.
Whether it be a Netflix binge, essay deadlines or online gaming, we tend to think that today’s technology is making us lazier and less active But is this actually the case? In this talk, Lian will explore a more positive view of technology, and how you can use it to help increase your physical activity.
Michael is on a mission to beat dementia. His team’s breakthrough research with stem cells in animal models of dementia opens up the possibility of rebuilding the human brain. Hear the mind-blowing story of Timmy the Wonderdog, and how one cocker spaniel could help stop this debilitating disease in its tracks.
We often think of cities as concrete jungles, dominated by humans and their structures, but a surprising number of animals and plants share our cities with us. Some even thrive, seemingly better off here than in their natural habitats. With 80 percent of humans predicted to live in urban areas by the year 2050, it is vital that we learn how urban ecosystems can persist and flourish. Dieter will discuss ways in which nature adapts to city life, how we can help to conserve it, and why living alongside nature is better for us all.
Digital technologies have made their way into all the aspects of our lives - everything from social relationships and curiosity to engagement and learning, which, according to psychology, influences our wellbeing. How can technologies be designed to help us live happier and healthier lives; not just more productive but more meaningful, engaged and filled with deep personal connections.
Sydney's early food story is remembered as one of inadequate rations and near starvation following dismal attempts to farm a hostile land - all the while surrounded by an abundance of native resources which had sustained Aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. But colonists' letters and journals offer a much richer and more nuanced picture of food in early settler life. Take a seat at the governor's table to share stories of feasts, famine and foraging from First Fleet diarists and chroniclers.
Australia is one of only 15 nations in the world that allows female soldiers to serve in frontline combat roles. Why do so many countries keep women out of these positions and why do some nations make the decision to allow women to serve in combat? Megan will discuss some of the common arguments and myths associated with women and military duty - from physical standards to fears about menstruating women attracting sharks. She will also talk about recent developments, both within Australia and the United States, on women serving in direct combat, including two women who recently graduated from Ranger School in the US, and the current Australian Defense Force plan to integrate women
What happens when a relationship is in crisis, but it’s impossible to break up? Australia and Indonesia are neighbouring countries with different histories, ways of thinking and levels of development. How can we better co-exist with our neighbour and why might we want to? What does Indonesia have to offer Australians beyond the purchase of live cattle or a cheap holiday in Bali? This talk sheds light on the stumbling blocks between the two countries and provides an insight into the links occurring between the two countries that can help put the crisis into perspective.
Young people have been sold out of the Sydney housing market by a range of powerful interests. The current diagnosis by government of cause and solutions leaves a lot to be desired and mainly consists of forming yet another task-force that in reality only pays lip service to addressing the ongoing affordability crisis. We discuss the strategies you can adopt to change this situation.
There aren't enough women. They aren't ambitious enough. They aren't skilled for senior jobs. Women need to choose between their careers and their kids. Flexibility means non-performance. Workplaces are meritocracies. Is this really what the Australian and international research and evidence on women, work and flexibility suggests? Rae addresses popular myths and lies about workplace gender inequality, and the ultimate impact on careers and bottom line performance.
The Paris climate summit is shaping up as one of the most important in history. With climate change quickly getting out of hand, what can we realistically expect from the Paris talks? Will governments get serious about cutting emissions before it’s too late? And what will a deal in Paris mean for Australia? Tim Stephens will break down the major international decisions being made on global warming and how these will affect Australia and its citizens.
How does mental illness excuse crime? Should it? This talk explores the intersection of crime and mental illness, an uneasy terrain colonised by both the legal and medical professions. Covering issues such as responsibility, autonomy, culpability, mitigation and punishment, this talk examines the tensions and challenges this complex territory throws up for individual and social justice.
Quantum physics facilitates almost everything we do in our daily life. Smartphones, internet servers, and GPS all work because of our understanding of quantum physics. But these technologies only scratch the surface of what could be possible if we were to harness and exploit the full richness of the field. Associate Professor Michael J. Biercuk will explain how fundamental quantum physics is to modern technology and how his research on the development of a new generation of quantum-enhanced technology seeks to accomplish nothing less than a transformation of energy generation and distribution and ultimately the way our societies are organised.
Hillary Clinton may not be the youngest candidate in the race for the White House. But the 67 year old Democrat may become the youngest woman (and the first grandmother) president in American history. What are her prospects for victory in November 2016?
Whether you love it, hate it, smoke it or grow it, cannabis has a long history as part of human life. Sometimes illegal, sometimes not - how much of what you know about this remarkable plant is true or false? And what secrets does it hold that haven’t yet been discovered? Join Dr David Allsop as he looks at the history of the cannabis plant, the myths surrounding it, and the many possibilities it holds for improvements in medicine, science and public health.
While popular music has indulged male power, it has exploited female desire. Its performances of controversial identities smash social norms, but also help to create new ones. Its lyrics encourage freedom and rebellion while business interests cash in on its hope. Female artists are the biggest selling in the world, yet the realm of popular music undermines their power by manufacturing and focusing on feuds between them. From Cynthia Plaster Caster to Rihanna, this talk examines the ways in which women navigate the pleasures and dangers of popular music.
Why do some Muslim women veil and others don’t? Why do some cover their face and even their eyes? Do women have any choice in adopting veiling? Does veiling pose a threat to national and international security? Discover the multitude of meanings behind veiling - the religious and political dimensions, the historical, economic, social, cultural and personal. Sahar will discuss the implications of national policy and political extremism on the lives of women who choose to veil or not to veil.
Corporate social responsibility is about businesses going beyond the financial interests and legal obligations of the firm to further social good. However, companies that are serious about creating social value need to extend beyond messaging, and genuinely integrate non-financial objectives into their business. This can be done through a ‘dual mandate’ – a concept that will be discussed from the speaker’s personal experiences within property development and food security investments.
Have you ever wondered how ants, with brains smaller than a grain of sand, are able to find and ruin your picnic so quickly? Or how bees coordinate massive societies consisting of thousands of individuals? In this talk, Tanya will discuss the remarkable ‘collective intelligence’ of bees, ants and even slime moulds. Despite having tiny brains (or no brain at all), groups of these organisms display intelligence far beyond the capacity of individuals. How is this possible? Find out how scientists are unravelling the secrets of collective intelligence, and how we are using this information to design smarter and more efficient technologies.
When a spree killer, such as Martin Bryant or Anders Behring Breivik, commits an atrocity, many people are tempted to say "he did it because he is evil". This explanation of wrongdoing is common, but philosophers ask: should we accept that evil is real? Or should we be sceptical? Is evil an innate and unchangeable feature of someone's character? Is it a supernatural force that can possess and control a human being? Or is the word merely a label used to condemn the worst actions and the most vicious people?