UNSW Centre for Ideas

UNSW Centre for Ideas

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.

Kate Brady | Disasters are Awful: What Comes After Doesn't Have To Be

Kate Brady | Disasters are Awful: What Comes After Doesn't Have To Be

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 t

Feb 19, • 28:43

Kate Poole | How Can We Better Prepare Our Astronauts For Space Travel?

Kate Poole | How Can We Better Prepare Our Astronauts For Space Travel?

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 n

Feb 12, • 25:04

Sebastian Sequoiah-Grayson | Australia and Asia: Working Together for a Prosperous Future

Sebastian Sequoiah-Grayson | Australia and Asia: Working Together for a Prosperous Future

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 Asi

Feb 6, • 26:50

Jennifer Doudna: The Gene Editing Revolution

Jennifer Doudna: The Gene Editing Revolution

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 16, 2024 • 1:24:23

Democracy Reimagined: New Thinking for the 21st Century

Democracy Reimagined: New Thinking for the 21st Century

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 Austr

Dec 11, 2024 • 42:37

Facts, Fictions and Critical Thinking

Facts, Fictions and Critical Thinking

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

Dec 4, 2024 • 41:42

The Generation Gulf

The Generation Gulf

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 a

Dec 2, 2024 • 1:00:18

Fragile Democracy

Fragile Democracy

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 Sen

Nov 27, 2024 • 49:40

Michelle Chase | Making Space Law in the Twenty-First Century

Michelle Chase | Making Space Law in the Twenty-First Century

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 cooper

Nov 25, 2024 • 22:36

Michael Kidd | UNSW and the Future of Australian Health Care

Michael Kidd | UNSW and the Future of Australian Health Care

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

Nov 25, 2024 • 24:09

Genevra Hart | Dopamine Habits

Genevra Hart | Dopamine Habits

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, Ha

Nov 25, 2024 • 24:55

Toby Walsh | Ministry of AI

Toby Walsh | Ministry of AI

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. Howev

Nov 20, 2024 • 11:33

Megan Evans | (Don’t) Question the Fake Carbon Forests

Megan Evans | (Don’t) Question the Fake Carbon Forests

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

Nov 19, 2024 • 13:39

Michael Richardson | Military AI is Even Worse Than You Think

Michael Richardson | Military AI is Even Worse Than You Think

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 redef

Nov 13, 2024 • 15:08

Bronwyn Graham | Women, Your Healthcare is Based on a Man’s Body

Bronwyn Graham | Women, Your Healthcare is Based on a Man’s Body

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

Nov 11, 2024 • 14:52

Writing Letters with Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham

Writing Letters with Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 6, 2024 • 31:33

Michael Muthukrishna : A Theory of Everyone

Michael Muthukrishna : A Theory of Everyone

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

Oct 30, 2024 • 1:01:36

Degrowth

Degrowth

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,

Oct 23, 2024 • 1:00:44

Jennifer Gunter: Menstruation, Menopause & Medical Mythology

Jennifer Gunter: Menstruation, Menopause & Medical Mythology

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 medica

Oct 16, 2024 • 57:51

Haben Girma: The First Deafblind Harvard Graduate

Haben Girma: The First Deafblind Harvard Graduate

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 be

Oct 9, 2024 • 52:25

Athena Aktipis: A Field Guide to the Apocalypse

Athena Aktipis: A Field Guide to the Apocalypse

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 y

Oct 2, 2024 • 1:07:03

Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation

Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation

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 con

Sep 25, 2024 • 1:01:51

Tamara Davis: Dark Energy

Tamara Davis: Dark Energy

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

Sep 18, 2024 • 1:04:15

Preppers Episode 5: A Change of Heart

Preppers Episode 5: A Change of Heart

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 m

Sep 11, 2024 • 39:50

Preppers Episode 2: The End of the World As We Know It

Preppers Episode 2: The End of the World As We Know It

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 – Pro

Aug 23, 2024 • 33:36

Preppers Episode 3: What's It Worth?

Preppers Episode 3: What's It Worth?

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 Enginee

Aug 23, 2024 • 29:18

Preppers Episode 4: Meltdown

Preppers Episode 4: Meltdown

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, Des

Aug 23, 2024 • 31:50

Preppers Episode 1: Ready Or Not

Preppers Episode 1: Ready Or Not

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’

Aug 15, 2024 • 32:55

Trailer: Preppers

Trailer: Preppers

Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about climate change with investigative humorist and climate action enthusiast Dan Ilic in Preppers, a podcast by the UNSW Centre for Ideas that dives deep into the realities we often avoid.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 2024 • 0:30

Joel Pearson on Intuition

Joel Pearson on Intuition

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

Aug 8, 2024 • 27:49

Great Debate: Artificial Intelligence is Better Than the Real Thing

Great Debate: Artificial Intelligence is Better Than the Real Thing

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 Annab

Jul 31, 2024 • 1:01:47

Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

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 mar

Jul 24, 2024 • 45:16

Australia's Place in the World

Australia's Place in the World

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.  Li

Jul 17, 2024 • 46:53

Richard Holden on Money in the 21st Century

Richard Holden on Money in the 21st Century

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 10, 2024 • 28:35

Literary Legends

Literary Legends

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

Jul 3, 2024 • 57:26

Jennifer Doudna: My Life in Science

Jennifer Doudna: My Life in Science

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

Jun 26, 2024 • 1:13:47

Refuge: Viet Thanh Nguyen & Shankari Chandran

Refuge: Viet Thanh Nguyen & Shankari Chandran

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 I

Jun 18, 2024 • 58:43

Elevating Health in the Climate Debate

Elevating Health in the Climate Debate

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 b

Jun 12, 2024 • 1:12:32

ENCORE: Stan Grant: The Queen is Dead

ENCORE: Stan Grant: The Queen is Dead

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 Georg

May 29, 2024 • 58:46

Creative Conversations: Scaling a Creative Business

Creative Conversations: Scaling a Creative Business

In this Creative Conversation, the second of the series, Vince Frost of Frost*collective discusses Scaling a Creative Business with Shelley Simpson, Founder and Creative Director of Mud Australia, known for their timeless handmade ceramic homewares, renowned contemporary artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Professor Frederik Anseel Dean, UNSW Business School. The panel explore the journey from honing their craft to scaling a creative business and sharing their lessons and learnings.See omnystud

May 28, 2024 • 1:11:48

Scientific Integrity: Eric Rubin

Scientific Integrity: Eric Rubin

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-Chie

May 16, 2024 • 53:54

Economy of Algorithms: Marek Kowalkiewicz in conversation with Toby Walsh

Economy of Algorithms: Marek Kowalkiewicz in conversation with Toby Walsh

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 14, 2024 • 47:41

Polly Toynbee: An Uneasy Inheritance

Polly Toynbee: An Uneasy Inheritance

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, a

May 8, 2024 • 1:00:27

Consent Laid Bare

Consent Laid Bare

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,

Apr 29, 2024 • 59:28

Samuel Moyn: Liberalism Against Itself

Samuel Moyn: Liberalism Against Itself

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 t

Apr 17, 2024 • 1:02:59

Perumal Murugan: Resurrected Through Writing

Perumal Murugan: Resurrected Through Writing

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 “gaspin

Apr 17, 2024 • 45:09

Anjum Hasan: History's Angel

Anjum Hasan: History's Angel

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

Apr 10, 2024 • 1:06:06

Peter Frankopan: The Earth Transformed

Peter Frankopan: The Earth Transformed

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

Apr 3, 2024 • 23:40

Restoring public trust in democratic institutions

Restoring public trust in democratic institutions

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

Mar 27, 2024 • 1:18:08

The rise of impunity as a challenge to democracy

The rise of impunity as a challenge to democracy

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 considers the 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

Mar 13, 2024 • 57:25

The decline of accountability and the erosion of rights

The decline of accountability and the erosion of rights

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

Mar 6, 2024 • 59:57

Women's Day ENCORE | Angela Saini: How Men Came to Rule

Women's Day ENCORE | Angela Saini: How Men Came to Rule

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

Mar 4, 2024 • 1:03:33

The role of fossil fuels in our renewable energy future

The role of fossil fuels in our renewable energy future

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: D

Feb 28, 2024 • 56:02

Andrew Ng In Conversation with Toby Walsh

Andrew Ng In Conversation with Toby Walsh

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 21, 2024 • 56:33

Creative Conversations: Disruptions

Creative Conversations: Disruptions

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 Art

Feb 14, 2024 • 1:07:43

UTZON Lecture 2023

UTZON Lecture 2023

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 & ArchitectureSee omny

Feb 7, 2024 • 55:06

Sean Turnell: An Unlikely Prisoner

Sean Turnell: An Unlikely Prisoner

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 trau

Jan 30, 2024 • 1:11:04

ENCORE 2023: An Evening with David Hare

ENCORE 2023: An Evening with David Hare

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 ins

Dec 13, 2023 • 1:00:48

The Art of Scepticism in a Data-Driven World

The Art of Scepticism in a Data-Driven World

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 in

Dec 6, 2023 • 1:00:13

Shooting for the moon: in-conversation with BioNTech

Shooting for the moon: in-conversation with BioNTech

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,

Nov 29, 2023 • 50:05

The Theatre of Law: Suzie Miller and Heather Mitchell on Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The Theatre of Law: Suzie Miller and Heather Mitchell on Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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 conver

Nov 22, 2023 • 1:00:05

Navigating Two Worlds

Navigating Two Worlds

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. T

Nov 15, 2023 • 55:14

The Next Generation of News

The Next Generation of News

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 impri

Nov 8, 2023 • 1:02:59

The Truth Defence: Ben Roberts-Smith and the Media

The Truth Defence: Ben Roberts-Smith and the Media

From the treacherous battlegrounds of Afghanistan to the frontlines of the Federal Court, the 110-day defamation trial of Ben Roberts-Smith emerged as a monumental test case, examining the very essence of truth as defence in an Australian defamation trial.  This trial marked the first time an Australian court scrutinised allegations of war crimes committed by Australian troops, and highlighted the financial and emotional costs of pursuing an uncomfortable truth in the newspaper. But what comes n

Nov 1, 2023 • 1:16:44

Rewilding

Rewilding

Australians love cuddling up to a koala, and spotting a bilby or platypus in the wild. But our sunburnt country has borne witness to the disappearance of scores of native species over the past hundred years – earning us the nickname ‘extinction central’. From the golden bandicoots in the Strzelecki Desert to the platypuses in the Royal National Park, can we save our endangered species through rewilding?  Hear from UNSW Sydney’s Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, Professor Richard King

Oct 25, 2023 • 1:17:45

Psychedelics: From ‘Magic’ to Medicinal

Psychedelics: From ‘Magic’ to Medicinal

Could psychedelics unlock the answers to managing complex mental health issues?   Once associated with cults and hippies, psychedelics are now becoming an evidence-based treatment for psychiatric disorders. In Australia there are numerous psychedelic trials taking place and as of July 2023, psilocybin and MDMA have been made available for prescription by authorised psychiatrists for the first time. This is on the back of ketamine recently being approved for severe depression.   Who will get acce

Oct 18, 2023 • 1:07:26

Robert Waldinger: Unlocking the Secret to Happiness

Robert Waldinger: Unlocking the Secret to Happiness

As we grapple with a cost of living crisis and increasing individual isolation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected and downcast. But what if the secrets to unlocking a happier life were right in front of you, and not that far out of reach?   Over a remarkable 85 years, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has conducted an unprecedented investigation on happiness. Through this extensive research, led by distinguished Harvard researcher (and TED talk celebrity) Robert Waldinger, the stu

Oct 12, 2023 • 58:01

Meganne Christian: An Evening with a Future Astronaut

Meganne Christian: An Evening with a Future Astronaut

Embark on a captivating journey into the realm of space exploration as we unravel the remarkable story of Meganne Christian, a trailblazer whose unconventional path led her to the stars. With a degree in Engineering from UNSW Sydney, Meganne's path took her to the ends of the Earth as a scientist in Antarctica. From there she soared even higher, earning a coveted spot as an astronaut in reserve, with dreams of venturing into the cosmos. Hear Meganne in conversation with Aude Vignelles as they di

Oct 5, 2023 • 1:06:22

ENCORE - Chris Tinney and Martin Van Kranendonk: Life Among The Stars

ENCORE - Chris Tinney and Martin Van Kranendonk: Life Among The Stars

Ahead of our 2023 Science Week podcast releases, we're revisiting a favourite from the archive: the 2020 Einstein Lecture, Life Among the Stars. __________________________ 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 meticulo

Sep 28, 2023 • 1:04:48

Angela Saini: How Men Came to Rule

Angela Saini: How Men Came to Rule

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

Sep 20, 2023 • 1:03:33

Sri Lankan Stories

Sri Lankan Stories

With effects rippling into the present, the Sri Lankan Civil War, lasting more than 25 years from the early 1980s until 2009, has found an important place in our current cultural canon. Join lawyer and novelist of Song of the Sun God, Shankari Chandran, author of Booker Prize-winning The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, Shehan Karunatilaka and Anandavalli as they discussed the island nation’s turbulent recent history and its influence in their storytelling. In conversation with prize-winning author

Sep 13, 2023 • 1:03:19

Brigitta Olubas on the Life and Work of Shirley Hazzard

Brigitta Olubas on the Life and Work of Shirley Hazzard

Hear from author and English Professor Brigitta Olubas as she shared insight from Shirley Hazzard: A Writing Life, her fascinating biography of the great Australian novelist of stories such as The Great Fire and The Transit of Venus. She charts the globetrotting life of Hazzard and a celebrated body of work that, in grappling with ideas of power, passion and longing, yielded some of the world’s most beautiful and enduring fiction.This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and suppo

Sep 6, 2023 • 43:08

Stan Grant: The Queen is Dead

Stan Grant: The Queen is Dead

In this timely talk, leading journalist Stan Grant shared insight 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

Aug 23, 2023 • 58:46

Who's Afraid of AI?

Who's Afraid of AI?

Asking ChatGPT to do your homework, or having an algorithm decide if you get a job interview are all part of the new normal. The AI revolution has reached a point where we live and work with AI-enabled devices – the line between AI and human can be hard to find. AI expert Toby Walsh (Machines Behaving Badly) and journalist Tracey Spicer (Man-Made) explored what this new world means and discussed some of the big questions around ethics, bias and ownership of AI with Erik Jensen. This event was pr

Aug 16, 2023 • 58:57

Ben Newell on the Truth About Our Unconscious Minds

Ben Newell on the Truth About Our Unconscious Minds

Hear from Professor of Psychology and author Ben Newell as he shared insight from his new book Open Minded: Searching for Truth about the Unconscious Mind. Fusing research into the relationship between intuitive and deliberating thinking, and sharing real-life examples, he challenges commonly held notions about the role of unconscious thought in the human mind and behaviour. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. See omnystudio.com/listener for pri

Aug 9, 2023 • 33:08

Toby Walsh on the Artificial in Artificial Intelligence

Toby Walsh on the Artificial in Artificial Intelligence

As artificial intelligence takes root in everything from science and social media to politics and policing, world-leading AI expert Toby Walsh seeks to answer a pressing question: can we trust AI or will it increasingly deceive us? Drawing from his recent essay in Griffith Review 80: Creation Stories, he offered a fascinating perspective on our increasing reliance on intelligent and autonomous technology and how we might ensure AI is harnessed as a force for good rather for nefarious ends. This

Aug 2, 2023 • 38:56

Michael Kirby: Health & Human Rights

Michael Kirby: Health & Human Rights

Regardless of where people are born or the communities they belong to, equal access to healthcare should be a fundamental human right. In our age of pandemics, and with healthcare inequality widening, how can we make healthcare access equitable? Esteemed jurist and legal scholar Michael Kirby has tirelessly advocated for equal access to healthcare over his lengthy career. As a pioneering AIDS activist, member of the WHO’s Global Commission on AIDS from 1988 – 1992, and respected legal mind, Kirb

Jul 26, 2023 • 1:03:13

Raina MacIntyre on Past, Present and Future Pandemics

Raina MacIntyre on Past, Present and Future Pandemics

Hear from world-leading epidemiologist and Dark Winter author Raina MacIntyre as she examined pandemics through the lens of history, what lessons we have learned, and how we might navigate the new frontiers of biosecurity. She provided a glimpse into quantum advances in genetic engineering and synthetic biology, and considered calls for a cross-disciplinary, global approach to safeguard our future.This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney.See omnystudi

Jul 19, 2023 • 31:36

Future Shocks

Future Shocks

Floods. Fires. Plague. We’ve seen them all in the past few years, fuelling a renewed sense of an unpredictable world. Add to this the galloping pace of technological change (ChatGPT anyone?) and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. What shocks lie ahead? And what kind of resilience do we need to build to ensure we are prepared? Hear from three thinkers as they discuss climate change, health, technology, and look over the horizon to explore what is to come. Joëlle Gergis, Norman Swan, and Toby Walsh a

Jul 12, 2023 • 58:47

10 Minute Genius | Veena Sahajwalla: There's no such thing as waste

10 Minute Genius | Veena Sahajwalla: There's no such thing as waste

Waste has a bad reputation. Rubbish, unwanted, disgusting, gross. But when we hold our noses as we scuttle past an overflowing bin in the street, we are passing by a world of recycling opportunities. In nature there is no such thing as garbage, it's a series of complex circular eco systems where everything has a purpose, and nothing is left to waste – so why should our lives be any different? According to material scientists, it doesn’t have to be. Rather than bury our trash or toss it in the bi

Jul 5, 2023 • 7:04

Ok Boomer

Ok Boomer

Millions of Baby Boomers lucked out with affordable homes, free uni, jobs for life and a franking credit-fed retirement. Millennials and Gen Z are faring less… well, fairly. They’re stuck on a hamster wheel of insecure work, saddled with student loans and crammed into share houses paying off Boomers’ mortgages. How did we get here and how do we fix it? Comedian and I, Millennial: One Snowflake’s Screed Against Boomers, Billionaires and Everything Else author Tom Ballard, and economist and Gen F’

Jul 2, 2023 • 1:01:05

Could ‘magic’ mushrooms become medical mushrooms?  | Adam Bayes

Could ‘magic’ mushrooms become medical mushrooms? | Adam Bayes

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

Jun 28, 2023 • 13:53

Jenny Odell | Resisting the Attention Economy

Jenny Odell | Resisting the Attention Economy

Can we reclaim our attention from a world preoccupied by our data productivity?   In her book, How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy, Jenny Odell argues that reconnecting with our body and physical environment may be our most important form of resistance from society’s preoccupation with productivity, and the invasion of the internet and social media on our time.   Following a solo talk by Jenny Odell, AI expert Toby Walsh, reporter Cam Wilson, and technology journalist Ariel Bogle

Jun 21, 2023 • 1:13:27

Designing diseases | Felicity-Tram Tu

Designing diseases | Felicity-Tram Tu

When the Black Plague swept the world, a mere cough could mean a death sentence. It took centuries for us to better understand infectious diseases, however when COVID-19 arrived, we were just as vulnerable as we were all those years ago.   Scientists have long been sounding the alarm bells that a global pandemic could arrive at any time, and yet when it finally did, governments were ill prepared and millions died. COVID-19 wasn’t the first global pandemic, and it certainly won’t be the last… so

Jun 14, 2023 • 12:23

The Case for a Republic

The Case for a Republic

With the coronation of King Charles III in May, many Australians are reflecting on our relationship with the Crown and what it means for our country's future. Australia is a very different country now than it was 100 years ago, and the idea of a monarchy resonates differently today for our vast multicultural population.  A hushed conversation has been stirring for some decades now, but since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II it’s reached fever pitch – orbiting the central question: what is Austr

Jun 7, 2023 • 1:04:26

Ending POP* Culture (*Prescription of painkillers) | Jack Hamilton

Ending POP* Culture (*Prescription of painkillers) | Jack Hamilton

500 years ago, scientists made the groundbreaking discovery that opium could be used for the treatment of pain. But since then, we haven’t actually made a whole lot of progress. Opioid based medications remain by far the best for treating short term acute pain, but long-term chronic pain is a different story.   Our best answer for chronic pain remains an indefinite, perpetual prescription of pills, which have a range of debilitating side effects and carry severe risks of addiction and abuse. Giv

May 31, 2023 • 11:54

Cheyenne Bardos | Facing our fear of race

Cheyenne Bardos | Facing our fear of race

When was the last time you looked at yourself in the mirror and asked, ‘am I racist?’. We like to think of ourselves as progressive and politically aware, but what if we’re more racist than we think?   No matter our intentions or beliefs, the society we live in presents whiteness as the desirable norm. This means that on many levels, we often do too, and we routinely act in ways that reinforce this. If we don’t look at racism as something that goes beyond our individual beliefs, we make it harde

May 24, 2023 • 11:40

Can playing God save our seas?  | Aaron Eger

Can playing God save our seas?  | Aaron Eger

For years, western conservation work has thought the best way to save our seas was to remove people from the equation. This can make sense, as humans have had a profoundly negative impact on our seas and in some cases removing the cause of the problem is enough to generate a solution.  But the oceans are now struggling to sustain themselves and we have pushed ecosystems too far for them to recover on their own. We need to acknowledge that we have been part of the problem, but that we can also be

May 17, 2023 • 12:28

Children and drugs: the protection racket | Isabelle Volpe

Children and drugs: the protection racket | Isabelle Volpe

When we introduce laws and policies to protect our children from drugs, are we actually doing more harm than good?   Historically, the ‘protection of children’ has been more about adult fears than child wellbeing. But even today, our ideas about protecting children are still quite paternalistic, exclusionary, dishonest and sometimes even dangerous. It's easy enough to stick our heads in the sand and imagine that we can wish away children’s drug use. It’s harder, but far more rewarding, to look a

May 10, 2023 • 10:17

Flying your nature freak flag | Tema Milstein

Flying your nature freak flag | Tema Milstein

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 ou

May 3, 2023 • 13:11

Hysterical

Hysterical

Bittersweet melancholy, fiery rage, effervescent joy – emotions are a quintessential human experience. But from ancient times to today, social norms have limited our capacity to feel. Whether it's by being told to smile, having anger punished, or being called hysterical, women have been refused a full emotional spectrum. And toxic masculinity leaves men faring no better. In her latest book Hysterical, Pragya Agarwal dives deep into the history and science of gendered and racialised emotions. Are

Apr 26, 2023 • 58:33

Post-apocalyptic cultural heritage |  Lucas Lixinski

Post-apocalyptic cultural heritage | Lucas Lixinski

The World Heritage List has 1,154 sites on it. Every year, new locations are added, but sites are seldom removed. We have an uncanny capacity to collect things – in our homes, in museums, on heritage lists… but we rarely stop to question what it means for something to be elevated to heritage status and whether that classification should be permanent. While the protection of natural environments and artefacts from forgotten civilisations are of the utmost cultural significance, perhaps we should

Apr 19, 2023 • 10:52

How Will Climate Migration Reshape Our World?

How Will Climate Migration Reshape Our World?

Floods, fires, drought and disasters are already displacing more people globally than conflict. The climate emergency is destroying crops, homes and infrastructure and as the world heats over the coming decades whole cities may become unliveable, forcing populations to move in their tens of millions. How can we manage this unprecedented human movement to achieve productive, sustainable societies this century? Proposals range from the already real to the politically radical – such as global free

Apr 12, 2023 • 59:35

Global Feminism: Mona Eltahawy

Global Feminism: Mona Eltahawy

This podcast contains some coarse language. --- 2022 was a bad year for gender equality.  It was the year Roe v Wade was overturned and anti-trans legislation and hate surged in the United States of America, the year women were jailed and killed in Iran for their clothing, and the year that female students in Afghanistan were banned from attending university by the Taliban.    At a time when women's rights are under attack in so many places, it's more important than ever to think globally and st

Apr 5, 2023 • 58:04

An Evening with David Hare

An Evening with David Hare

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 ins

Mar 29, 2023 • 1:00:44

Building better brains | Felix Aplin

Building better brains | Felix Aplin

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 th

Mar 22, 2023 • 11:50

The Crime Paradox

The Crime Paradox

Rates of almost all crime in Australia have declined dramatically in recent decades, as they have in much of the rest of the world, with sexual assault a notable exception to this decline.  But as crime has declined, the number of people in prison has increased alarmingly. Meanwhile in the world of popular culture, crime is everywhere.  We are obsessed with crime stories making them major box office in every medium from the page to podcast to the big screen. What is going on? For more informatio

Mar 15, 2023 • 51:40

This talk may cause side effects | Kate Faasse

This talk may cause side effects | Kate Faasse

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 ov

Mar 8, 2023 • 12:28

ChatGPT & the Rise of Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT & the Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Curious about the latest developments in the world of Artificial Intelligence? Join four UNSW experts as they explore the implications of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence on our society, and as they discuss how these emerging technologies are shaping the future of the education sector. This panel discussion will feature Professor Toby Walsh from UNSW Engineering, Professor Lyria Bennett Moses from UNSW Law & Justice, Associate Professor Sam Kirshner from UNSW Business, and Professor Cath Elli

Mar 1, 2023 • 53:36

Caught in a Web | Kevin Roose and Toby Walsh

Caught in a Web | Kevin Roose and Toby Walsh

In a world where the internet saturates everything, where does the internet stop, and our human selves begin? Nudged and pushed by an endless stream of alerts, notifications and recommendations, our attention and money are pulled in directions that serve the interests of the platforms. The New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose asks, are our personalities and thoughts our own, or are we becoming what the algorithms make us? Roose’s keynote talk is followed by a conversation with UNSW Scientia

Feb 22, 2023 • 47:29

What comes next? | Tony Song | The dark forest of cryptocurrency

What comes next? | Tony Song | The dark forest of cryptocurrency

The dark forest of cryptocurrency is certainly mysterious, and the appeal is undeniable. The internet is bursting with success stories of those who became overnight millionaires, so it makes sense that investors are willing to gamble on it… a lot. But it’s not all tech bros and Doge coins – cryptocurrency is the next big step in technology. The tricky part, however, is avoiding the fraudsters and thieves who prey on the first-time investors entering the market. As the vast crypto forest grows ra

Feb 15, 2023 • 36:05

What comes next? | Sasha Vassar | Why hybrid learning isn’t the answer

What comes next? | Sasha Vassar | Why hybrid learning isn’t the answer

In theory, synchronous hybrid learning is a fantastic idea: students and teachers have increased flexibility, and universities can benefit from increased enrolments. But in reality, hybrid learning is not everything it is cracked up to be. Over the past two years of the pandemic, a mixed learning and teaching mode has developed – part in person and part online – bringing to the fore a multitude of problems. Technical challenges, enhanced cognitive load for both students and teachers, a lack of s

Feb 8, 2023 • 30:00

What comes next? | Ivan Perez Wurfl | Unleashing the power of solar energy

What comes next? | Ivan Perez Wurfl | Unleashing the power of solar energy

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

Jan 18, 2023 • 35:44

What comes next? | Nathan J Jackson | The future of social gaming

What comes next? | Nathan J Jackson | The future of social gaming

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

Jan 11, 2023 • 29:40

Behrouz Boochani Freedom, Only Freedom

Behrouz Boochani Freedom, Only Freedom

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, O

Dec 19, 2022 • 1:07:23

What comes next? | Adam Bayes | Could ‘magic’ mushrooms become medical mushrooms?

What comes next? | Adam Bayes | Could ‘magic’ mushrooms become medical mushrooms?

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

Dec 14, 2022 • 31:29

What comes next? | Claire Daniel | Are computer-generated cities the future?

What comes next? | Claire Daniel | Are computer-generated cities the future?

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

Dec 7, 2022 • 30:38

2022: Reckoning with Power and Privilege

2022: Reckoning with Power and Privilege

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, unpa

Dec 5, 2022 • 52:48

What comes next? | Jennifer Cohen | Unlocking the future of supportive care

What comes next? | Jennifer Cohen | Unlocking the future of supportive care

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

Nov 30, 2022 • 31:11

What comes next? | Bianca Briscas | The secret to fighting fungal infection

What comes next? | Bianca Briscas | The secret to fighting fungal infection

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,

Nov 23, 2022 • 26:08

10 Minute Genius | Success and the Luck of the Draw with Frederik Anseel

10 Minute Genius | Success and the Luck of the Draw with Frederik Anseel

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 peo

Nov 21, 2022 • 9:23

What comes next? | John Carr | Making living cities

What comes next? | John Carr | Making living cities

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 inf

Nov 16, 2022 • 37:31

10 Minute Genius | Mutant Algorithms with Toby Walsh

10 Minute Genius | Mutant Algorithms with Toby Walsh

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, b

Nov 14, 2022 • 9:34

10 Minute Genius | The Power of Voice with Megan Davis

10 Minute Genius | The Power of Voice with Megan Davis

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

Nov 9, 2022 • 11:09

10 Minute Genius | Strong Women with Mandy Hagstrom

10 Minute Genius | Strong Women with Mandy Hagstrom

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 sh

Nov 7, 2022 • 6:27

10 Minute Genius | Galactic Archaeology with Kirsten Banks

10 Minute Genius | Galactic Archaeology with Kirsten Banks

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 ben

Nov 2, 2022 • 5:51

What comes next? | Patrick Tung | X-ray vision: revealing secrets to resurrect batteries

What comes next? | Patrick Tung | X-ray vision: revealing secrets to resurrect batteries

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,

Nov 1, 2022 • 26:24

10 Minute Genius | Communicating in a Pandemic with Holly Seale

10 Minute Genius | Communicating in a Pandemic with Holly Seale

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 betwee

Oct 31, 2022 • 5:34

Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida: How Many More Women?

Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida: How Many More Women?

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?

Oct 24, 2022 • 1:00:21

For the love of birds

For the love of birds

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.

Oct 19, 2022 • 1:01:48

10 Minute Genius | The Other Sex Talk with Emma A. Jane

10 Minute Genius | The Other Sex Talk with Emma A. Jane

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

Oct 18, 2022 • 10:25

10 Minute Genius | Stories from the End of Life with Ebony Lewis

10 Minute Genius | Stories from the End of Life with Ebony Lewis

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

Oct 17, 2022 • 8:38

How to make a better world I A. C. Grayling, Jeremy Moss, Ann Mossop

How to make a better world I A. C. Grayling, Jeremy Moss, Ann Mossop

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

Oct 12, 2022 • 26:42

Stolen Focus with Johann Hari

Stolen Focus with Johann Hari

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 indiv

Oct 5, 2022 • 55:28

How to make a better world: A. C. Grayling

How to make a better world: A. C. Grayling

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 t

Aug 31, 2022 • 35:15

Addicted to dopamine

Addicted to dopamine

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 add

Aug 17, 2022 • 55:57

Geraldine Brooks on Writing History

Geraldine Brooks on Writing History

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 Ho

Jul 27, 2022 • 51:43

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