Physician and writer Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, crafts a masterly narrative of three generations of a family in Kerala, through the eyes of a young girl, from her arranged marriage at the turn of the 20th century to her emergence as the matriarchal figure, Big Ammachi.

Solving the mystery of a family affliction – in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning – the book brings to life a vanished past and the impact of change on lives and communities. 

Examine the marriage of medicine and literature with Abraham, joined by host Roanna Gonsalves.



Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.

Physician and writer Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone, crafts a masterly narrative of three generations of a family in Kerala, through the eyes of a young girl, from her arranged marriage at the turn of the 20th century to her emergence as the matriarchal figure, Big Ammachi. Solving the mystery of a family affliction – in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning – the book brings to life a vanished past and the impact of change on lives and communities.  Examine the marriage of medicine and literature with Abraham, joined by host Roanna Gonsalves. 
Presented by <a href="https://www.swf.org.au/">Sydney Writers' Festival</a> and supported by <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/">UNSW Centre for Ideas</a>.

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.

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.

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Idea…

UNSW Centre for Ideas | All Episodes

UNSW Centre for Ideas

Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.   

Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities.  

Hear renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia’s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.

Co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health.

With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.  &nbsp;
Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities. &nbsp;
Hear renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia&rsquo;s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.
Co-presented by the <a href="https://unswcentreforideas.com/">UNSW Centre for Ideas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kirby.unsw.edu.au/">Kirby Institute</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health">UNSW Medicine &amp; Health.</a>

David Cooper Lecture | Ending AIDS: A Global Responsibility

In an era of increasing productivity, efficiency and automation it’s important not to lose sight that education – the learning and teaching that we all pursue – is about human connection and transformation.   

Tune in to learn from Dr Gabi Nudelman, a Senior Lecturer in business sustainability and ethics, on how kindness could be our secret weapons against disconnection in our work and school environments.

In an era of increasing productivity, efficiency and automation it&rsquo;s important not to lose sight that education &ndash; the learning and teaching that we all pursue &ndash; is about human connection and transformation. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Dr Gabi Nudelman, a Senior Lecturer in business sustainability and ethics, on how kindness could be our secret weapons against disconnection in our work and school environments.

Kind by Design with Dr Gabi Nudelman | One Big Idea

The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer’s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we’d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren’t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now. 

Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children’s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of medicines from reaching the brain. This prevents the effective treatment of neurological disorders, from cancer to Alzheimer&rsquo;s. If we knew how to create drugs that could pass through this barrier, then we&rsquo;d be able to create targeted, effective treatments. But doing so requires a lot of trial and error, and there aren&rsquo;t a lot of effective, ethical, targeted treatments. Until now.&nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Dr Alexis Minchaca Acosta, a Research Officer at the Children&rsquo;s Cancer Institute, on how her work in lab-made blood brain barriers could change the game for neurological disorders.

Abraham Verghese: The Covenant of Water

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