Is it possible to come from privilege whilst striving for a fierce socialist agenda? Polly Toynbee believes so. The prolific British Guardian journalist, commentator and broadcaster unpacks what it means to be privileged in Britain and Australia, and whether the deepening class divide can ever be transcended.   In an evening of conversation with journalist Nick Bryant, Polly opens up about her latest book, An Uneasy Inheritance, detailing how she still grapples with her charmed family history, and how she endeavours to dismantle the rigid class systems of Britain with her prolific writing. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.

In a world where female sexuality has been hijacked by forces such as porn, patriarchy, and male entitlement – how can we make sexual consent a priority for everyone?  Whether it’s on campus, at the workplace or in their homes, Australians are shocked week after week at the violence visited upon women who are simply living their lives.   In 2023, the Universities Accord review found that sexual assault and harassment on university campuses doesn’t just affect the wellbeing of students and staff, it can hold survivors back from success. As a result, campus safety has been deemed a top priority for universities, so what steps are those in positions of power taking to ensure the safety of women within university spaces and beyond?   Hear author and activist Chanel Contos, UNSW student activist and gendered violence researcher Angela Griffin, First Nations lead of the First National LGBT+ Sistergirls and Brotherboys experiences with sexual violence survey Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat, and Chair of national violence prevention foundation Our Watch, Moo Baulch, as they explore how we can utilise holistic approaches to community care when it comes to gendered violence.  UNSW is committed to creating a safe environment for all. To learn more head here.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week, The Wheeler Centre and the Sydney Opera House. 

Acclaimed Tamil-language author Perumal Murugan’s books were once burned by far-right groups, and now he’s longlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in literature.   Explore Murugan’s profound literary odyssey, from the challenges of being a Tamil writer in rural India, to the turmoil of book burning and societal backlash. This exclusive event explores Murugan’s latest work, Pyre, as he navigates societal complexities of villages “full of quiet menace”, so tense it leaves readers “gasping for air” (The New York Times). In an evening of conversation, chaired by award-winning author and UNSW lecturer Roanna Gonsalves, explore Murugan’s extraordinary literary resilience, his literary legacy and the cultural tapestry he weaves.  Perumal Murugan, a Tamil speaker, and Roanna Gonsalves, an English speaker, will be in conversation in their respective languages. A live interpreter will provide consecutive interpretation throughout the event. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 

Fear of a nuclear apocalypse, despot leaders and a world at war – how did the sharpest minds of the Cold War leave such a legacy of fear? Samuel Moyn’s Liberalism Against Itself: Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times takes aim at liberalism, portraying it as a failed creed marred by a paranoia of communism.   Known for his challenging perspectives and boasting a cult following on the left, the Yale Professor explores the transformation of Cold War liberals who, in his view, traded the Enlightenment's moral core for a fixation on individual liberty. Hear this compelling conversation as UNSW political philosopher Jessica Whyte and Samuel Moyn dissect why today’s liberals provide only pessimism, instead of vision.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Australian Human Rights Institute, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.  Secure your seat at Refuge, 23rd May 2024:  https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/refuge-viet-thanh-nguyen-shankari-chandran-registration-836801865907?aff=podcastad

Against the frenetic energy and colour of Delhi, a Muslim school teacher is caught between his love of history and contemporary India. Anjum Hasan’s work sheds light on the complexities of life, love, writing history, and how national and patriotic myths can be maliciously subverted.  Author Anjum Hasan’s latest book, History’s Angel, is a darkly funny portrait of one of Australia’s most important neighbours. Mild mannered teacher Alif feels the burden of his own time pressing down, but his wife is focused on a bigger house, his son wants to quit school and strike it rich, and his colleagues begin to question a Muslim teaching Indian history.  Hasan and fellow Indian fiction luminary, and UNSW academic, Roanna Gonsalves talk about how we understand ourselves, how we reflect on our histories, and drawing inspiration from others in a time of suspicion and indifference. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 

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 ORATION Since 2012, UNSW Sydney has hosted the annual Gandhi Oration celebrating the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi as a champion of human rights. The Oration features discussions on the significant human rights issues of our time. Past speakers have included Senator Pat Dodson, Peter Greste, Pat Anderson, Shoma Chaudhury, Reverend Tim Costello, Rosie Batty and Shen Narayanasamy.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week and The Wheeler Centre.

This third session of the Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights explores how to restore public faith in the values and structures underpinning representative government and the role of key stakeholder groups such as business, media and civil society in resisting impunity, reclaiming accountability and reinforcing human rights. Moderator:  Natasha Mitchell, host of the ABC Radio National's flagship live events program and podcast Big Ideas​​​​​​​ Speakers: Ed Coper, author, Facts & Other Lies Andrea Durbach, Emeritus Professor and former Director of the Australian Human Rights Centre (now Institute) Helen Haines MP, independent Federal Member for Indi in the state of Victoria Simon Holmes à Court, founder, Climate 200 Shireen Morris, constitutional lawyer, senior lecturer and director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School​​​​​​​ Presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney

In this opening session of the 2023 Australian Human Rights Institute conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights, the panel considersthe key conference theme of the elevation of impunity over accountability and the consequences for national democratic institutions and global stability. Accountability and its corrosion is explored through the lens of government, business, media and civil society. The discussion considers whether checks, balances and human rights are seen as obstacles to the exercise of power rather than principles of good governance. Speakers: Jeremy Heimans (moderator), co-founder and Chairman, Purpose Chris Sidoti, international human rights consultant Lenore Taylor, Editor, Guardian Australia Saffron Zomer, Executive Director, Australian Democracy Network  Presented by Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney

This second session of the 2023 Australian Human Rights Institute conference, Accountability in crisis: the rise of impunity as a challenge to human rights, explores the decline of accountability, and the methods employed to protect human rights both in Australia and internationally. Unlike democratically-elected governments, businesses have unprecedented influence which raises the question of whether they should be taking the lead on issues of social significance. Are the media and social media complicit in the erosion of accountability or can they play a role in restoring political and public life? How can individuals and NGOs work together to enhance or recreate effective democratic institutions? Speakers: Justine Nolan (moderator), Director, Australian Human Rights Institute Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, CEO, GetUp! Brynn O'Brien, Executive Director, Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR) Lizzie O'Shea, Founder and Chair, Digital Rights Watch Siobhan Toohill, Chief Sustainability Officer, Westpac  Christopher Warren, media correspondent, Crikey Presented by the Australian Human Rights Institute, UNSW Sydney

Has the patriarchy always prevailed? We tend to see gendered oppression as a universal truth, but in her radical book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule, Angela Saini argues that the history of this deep-rooted hierarchy is a little more complicated…   In conversation with UNSW Sydney legal expert Rosalind Dixon, journalist Angela Saini takes us on a journey through time, tracing back through the complex history of the patriarchy – from its origins in the world's earliest human settlements to its global spread across diverse societies. Drawing on the latest research findings in science, archaeology, and cultural studies, Saini dismantles the status quo to reveal how the patriarchy varies from country to country, and culture to culture.   Embrace a radical vision for tomorrow with Angela Saini as she looks to a future emancipated from the shackles of inequality.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by The Wheeler Centre and Canberra Writers Festival. 

As our climate continues to change, reducing our carbon emissions and environmental footprint has become the moral imperative of our generation. To achieve this, the Australian Government has set a target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030 and has set a legislated target to achieve net zero by 2050. But what is the role of fossil fuels in this transition? What part can coal and gas play? And how can we build out the infrastructure we need, while keeping the carbon costs low? Speakers: -Host: Dani Alexander, CEO of the UNSW Energy Institute -Dr Kerry Schott AO, Chair of the Carbon Market Institute -Amy Kean, Director of Stride Renewables & Advisory Board Member of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub -Professor John Fletcher, Director of the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute -Professor Iain MacGill, Co-Director of the UNSW Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets Presented by UNSW Engineering and the UNSW Energy Institute as part of the Engineering the Future series, join our expert panellists for a thought-provoking discussion on the rocky road to net zero.

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.

In this first conversation, Creative Disruptions, Vince Frost of Frost*collective is joined by neuroscientist and founder of Future Minds Lab Professor Joel Pearson, intellectual property specialist and Director of Simpsons Jules Munro and Kartini Ludwig Director and founder of digital design and innovation studio Kopi Su. The panel unpack current developments in AI technology exploring what challenges these developments pose for creative practitioners.  Presented by the Innovation Hub, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture 

In 2023 the Judith Neilson lecture was given by Professor Briony Rogers. Australia is at a time of reckoning.  Fires, floods, droughts, heat, cyclones – we have realised that business-as-usual is not enough to grow the climate resilience needed for communities, cities and Country.  Professor Briony Rogers reveals her pioneering initiatives and rethinks our approach to strengthen Australia’s climate resilience. Presented by the School of Built Environment, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture

In the wake of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, Sean Turnell was held for 650 days in Myanmar’s terrifying Insein Prison on the trumped-up charge of being a spy. His improbable story as an optimistic economics professor unfolds in his book, An Unlikely Prisoner, where he recounts how he survived his traumatic incarceration.  In conversation with Melissa Crouch, a UNSW Sydney Professor who was part of the team advocating for his freedom, Sean shares how he not only survived his lengthy and traumatic incarceration, but also left with his sense of humour intact, his spirit unbroken and love in his heart. Sean's unique perspective coupled with his expertise on Myanmar offers broader insights into the plight of the people and the political prisoners under Myanmar’s newest dictators, and the many human rights issues at play. 

In a world inundated with deep fakes, fake news and misinformation, is it possible to see beyond the tall tales and reach the truth?  Evolutionary biologist Carl Bergstrom believes we can. His book, Calling Bullshit: The Art of Scepticism in a Data-Driven World, serves as a vital tool to unblur the line between fact and fiction in our fast-paced digital age. With provoking insights and analytical prowess, Bergstrom equips us with the critical thinking tools needed to navigate the labyrinth of information flooding our lives.   Hear Carl Bergstrom in conversation with UNSW Scientia Professor Rob Brooks as they uncover how to question the reliability of sources, dissect the credibility of data, and hone your ability to discern fact from fiction in our technologically-driven world. Wielding the power of scepticism and a bullsh*t detector as a force for good may be society’s greatest asset and greatest challenge. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science. 

BioNTech founders Professor Uğur Şahin, M.D. and Professor Özlem Türeci, M.D., in an exclusive conversation with UNSW Provost, Professor Vlado Perkovic, discuss how to translate science into survival by combining fundamental research and operational excellence to develop new immunotherapies. Together with its partner Pfizer, BioNTech led the global COVID-19 vaccine effort with the successful development of the first approved mRNA vaccine, known today as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. But, what’s next?  Can mRNA technology change individualised cancer medicine or cure infectious disease? How can scientists evaluate next generation diagnostics and medicines? What type of ecosystem will enable next generation clinical trials at scale? Is it possible to accelerate access to precision medicine for Australians who need it? Hear how these global leaders want to improve the health of people worldwide and their efforts to make it a reality.   Presented by UNSW Medicine & Health.

From being the second woman appointed to the US Supreme Court until her passing, Ruth Bader Ginsburg's inspiring journey through the legal realm was characterised by her fierce advocacy for gender equality and justice, and provided the backdrop for an evening of conversation about the work, RBG: Of Many, One.  Step into the captivating world of theatre and law as we bring together three remarkable women – playwright and legal luminary, Suzie Miller, and acclaimed actor Heather Mitchell in conversation with producer Jo Dyer – who have left an indelible mark on the stage and beyond.   Hear them draw back the curtain on the alchemy that gave life to the mesmerising RBG. An engaging conversation that unites their unique perspectives, unveiling the delicate interplay of literary finesse and theatrical brilliance.  Presented by UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and Sydney Theatre Company. 

In 2018 Egyptian-Australian writer Lamisse Hamouda had moved to Egypt to study when her life was turned upside down. Her father Hazem, on his way to visit her, was arrested by authorities, accused of sympathising with a terrorist organisation, and sent to prison without charge or evidence for 433 days. In conversation with UNSW Middle East expert Lana Tatour, Lamisse delved into her book, The Shape of Dust, and her experience fighting against the Egyptian prison system as an Australian citizen. Together, they unpack what support the Australian Government provides dual citizens abroad (surprisingly minimal), what cultural identity means for individuals stuck between two cultural worlds, and how trauma can fragment memory, bringing unexpected challenges to the writing process.

The way we consume news is changing and traditional media is struggling to keep up with our forever online lifestyles. The Daily Aus is changing that – and fast.  With unstoppable co-founders Sam Koslowski and Zara Seidler at the helm, The Daily Aus has cracked the code on resonating with young people, distilling the big news stories of the day into accessible, bite sized pieces. From fearless journalists to savvy entrepreneurs, witness the rise of a new generation that's leaving a lasting imprint. Hear from Zara Seidler and Sam Koslowski in conversation with editor and podcaster Clare Stephens, as they unpack the big business of youth-focused news and reveal how digital platforms are transforming the news landscape.

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 next?  Hear from investigative journalist Chris Masters, UNSW Sydney legal experts Douglas Guilfoyle and Daniel Joyce and host Geraldine Doogue as they unravel the remarkable story of Ben Roberts-Smith examining the highly anticipated trial of the century and unpacking what it means for journalism and justice in Australia. 

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 Kingsford, Principal Ecologist for the Wild Deserts project Dr Rebecca West, Scientia Fellow and Associate Professor Katherine Moseby and Lead Researcher for the Platypus Conservation Initiative Dr Gilad Bino, for a lively panel discussion chaired by ABC journalist Ann Jones as they emphasise the urgency to break free from the confines of traditional conservation approaches to landcare, and highlight the power of rewilding our fragile ecosystems – all before it’s too late.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week. 

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 access to psychedelics, and what are the ethical considerations of these treatments? Could new psychedelic treatments revolutionise the way the psychiatrists treat mental health, or has the Therapeutic Goods Administration jumped the gun?   Hear from UNSW research fellow and psychiatrist Dr Adam Bayes, Professor Colleen Loo, and Emeritus Professor Wayne Hall as they unpack the stigma, the myths, the benefits, and the path forward in a conversation chaired by Norman Swan. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, UNSW Medicine & Health and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.

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 study unearthed a profound truth: the key to a fulfilled life lies not in financial wealth or our work, but rather in the power of our relationships.   Hear from Robert Waldinger as he discusses his remarkable study with Dr Stephanie Ward (expert geriatrician on the ABC’s Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds and Teenagers) as they uncover the recipe for a happier life.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Medicine & Health as a part of National Science Week, and supported by Byron Writers Festival and Brisbane Powerhouse.  

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 discuss her extraordinary journey as a reservist astronaut, the rigorous selection process, and both the physical and mental training required to be part of this elite group, as well as the importance of space research and its impact on our everyday lives. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Engineering as a part of National Science Week, and supported by the Powerhouse’s Sydney Science Festival. 

Has the patriarchy always prevailed? We tend to see gendered oppression as a universal truth, but in her radical book, The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule, Angela Saini argues that the history of this deep-rooted hierarchy is a little more complicated…   In conversation with UNSW Sydney legal expert Rosalind Dixon, journalist Angela Saini takes us on a journey through time, tracing back through the complex history of the patriarchy – from its origins in the world's earliest human settlements to its global spread across diverse societies. Drawing on the latest research findings in science, archaeology, and cultural studies, Saini dismantles the status quo to reveal how the patriarchy varies from country to country, and culture to culture.   Embrace a radical vision for tomorrow with Angela Saini as she looks to a future emancipated from the shackles of inequality.  Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by The Wheeler Centre and Canberra Writers Festival. 

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 Roanna Gonsalves. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 

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 supported by UNSW Sydney. 

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. 

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 presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 

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. 

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 event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 

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, Kirby’s focus in recent years has also included decriminalising homosexuality and sex work, and reducing the cost of life-saving medications. Hear Michael Kirby in conversation with journalist Geraldine Doogue as they discussed his life and career, focusing on what we have learnt from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, how we have applied those lessons during recent pandemics, and how we can build support for egalitarian global healthcare. Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, The Kirby Institute and supported by UNSW Medicine & Health.  ABOUT THE DAVID COOPER LECTURE The David Cooper Lecture honours the legacy of The Kirby Institute’s Founding Director, Professor David Cooper AC. Professor Cooper passed away in 2018 and was an internationally renowned scientist and HIV clinician, who laid the foundations for Australia’s ongoing global leadership in the fight against the global HIV epidemic.    To make a donation to support David Cooper’s incredible vision for equitable access to healthcare visit unsw.to/DavidCooperMemorialFund.

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.

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 appeared with Julianne Schultz. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 

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 bin, we should be excited by the idea of creating something entirely new – the idea of a used can, a discarded tyre or a smashed iPhone is a gateway to a brave new world of recycled products, like components for 3D printers, green ceramics and home furnishings. So, think twice next time you discard your plastic water bottle because it may actually hold the secrets to unlocking a greener type of steel. In under 10 minutes, or the time it takes to melt an aluminium can, material scientist and engineer Veena Sahajwalla explains why not everything belongs in the bin. For more information, visit unsw.to/VeenaSahajwalla.

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’d?: How Young Australians Can Reclaim Their Uncertain Futures author Alison Pennington plot the path ahead with economist Richard Holden (From Free to Fair Markets: Liberalism after COVID-19) and host Jessica Irvine. This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 

More than 264 million people worldwide have depression. But for many people struggling with severe or treatment-resistant depression, standard therapies may not work. So what if there are new treatments that could be effective? Recently there has been a renaissance of interest in psychedelics as possible treatments for mental disorders – everything from ketamine, to MDMA and psilocybin – the psychoactive ingredient in ‘magic’ mushrooms. These medicines have powerful mind-altering properties with the potential to treat severe mental disorders when combined with psychological therapy. Some early studies have returned positive results, but there remain large gaps in our knowledge regarding effectiveness and safety… But where to from here? Could psychedelics play a role in managing mental health? For more information, visit unsw.to/AdamBayesFODI This talk was a part of Unthinkable, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 joined Odell for a discussion on what we can do to resist the profit-driven tech landscape. This event was presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and Sydney Writers' Festival.  For more information, visit https://unsw.to/JennyOdellPod

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 how can we prepare our medical arsenal to ensure we’re better equipped next time. Because, as UNSW student Felicity-Tram Tu tells us, the next devastating pandemic could be just around the corner.   For more information, visit unsw.to/FelicityTramTu. This talk was a part of Fresh Blood, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 Australia’s national identity? As our government strives to be more progressive, how can we reconcile the complex relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Australians, and the impact of colonisation on the ongoing struggle for recognition and reconciliation.  Join us for an evening of thought-provoking conversation with Craig Foster, former Socceroo and Co-Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, Megan Davis, Cobble Cobble woman and Pro Vice-Chancellor Society at UNSW Sydney, and Nyadol Nyuon, Director of the Sir Zelman Cowan Centre at Victoria University, in a lively panel discussion hosted by constitutional expert and UNSW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, George Williams. Together they will explore the benefits and challenges of severing ties with the Crown, the role of the Commonwealth in Australia's future, and what steps we can take to make this a reality.  

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. Given that pain is something we have all experienced in our lives, isn’t it time to come up with some different solutions? With a better understanding of how pain actually works, thanks to neuroscience, some radical new treatments are in the works that will help us move beyond prescription painkillers. Jack Hamilton shares these developments. For more information, visit unsw.to/JackHamilton. This talk was a part of Fresh Blood, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 harder for ourselves to disrupt a racist status quo. As both individuals and as a society, we have an engrained fear of being labelled racist or even starting conversations about race, but perhaps addressing this fear head on is exactly what we need to do to achieve equality.  For more information, visit unsw.to/CheyenneBardos This talk was a part of Fresh Blood, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 part of the solution.  Time is fast running out. Can we turn our godlike ability to destroy, into an ability to create and restore our oceans?  For more information, visit unsw.to/AaronEger. This talk was a part of Fresh Blood, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 at things from the point of view of our children.   Isn’t it time we stopped framing our rules around ideas of right and wrong, and started thinking in terms of what would really keep more children safe? Won’t someone please think of the children?  For more information, visit unsw.to/IsabelleVolpe. This talk was a part of Fresh Blood, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

If we are going to save the planet, Tema Milstein says we need to start hugging trees. Westernised humans tend to believe they are separate from nature, which shapes thinking and actions toward the environment. But seeing the world with humans at its centre has massive ramifications – from climate crisis to mass extinction. What stands in the way of more of us remembering we are embedded in the natural world and its intricate networks? And how do we override anthropocentrism, and start seeing ourselves as one with the flowers? For more information, visit unsw.to/TemaMilsteinFODI This talk was a part of Unthinkable, an event of short talks in the 2022 Festival of Dangerous Ideas.

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 there really innate differences between male and female emotions? What impact does this idea have, and how has it been used to justify the subjugation of women? Together we'll imagine how to build communities that allow us to feel emotions in their fullness, beyond gender. Presented in partnership with Sydney Opera House. For more information visit unsw.to/Hysterical.

The age-old question, “how did life begin” has plagued scientists for generations. For geologists the answers lie in rocks, for biologists it’s our evolutionary process, while for astrophysicists it’s in the stars but for physical chemists the keys to unlocking the mystery lies in determining how simple chemicals could have assembled into something resembling a cell, four billion years ago. And unfortunately, because physical chemists can’t just hop in a time machine and set the coordinates for the time when our Earth was a hostile planet covered in volcanoes, they need to examine the next best things – really really old meteorites. Meteorites give us clues as to the types of materials that could have been brought to our young uninhabitable Earth from elsewhere in the universe, and what could be made on Earth in the absence of biology.  In just 10 minutes, or roughly the time it takes for a meteorite to burn up in the earth’s atmosphere, Anna Wang will endeavour to answer the question of how life began using some of the oldest cells we have on the planet.  For more information, visit unsw.to/AnnaWang10MG. 

Our fossil fuel consumption is so much larger than fuel for cars and electricity, and it’s our over reliance on these fuels which has seen us hurtling at full speed towards a future of climate catastrophe. While we’ve made some huge technological advances in the space of electric cars, solar panels and wind power, other industries like plastic production and ammonia which is a key component of fertilisers are a different challenge to shift. Over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels and nearly all of the fertiliser produced, used to grow the world’s fruit and vegetables comes from fossil fuel too. These products have been absolutely pivotal in human development and progression, but it’s time for a change.  So how can we rethink the way we produce these fossil fuel intensive products in a way that is better for the planet?  In 10 minutes, or roughly the amount of time it takes to take the recycling out, chemical engineer Emma Lovell will explain how she is creating catalysts to transition us to a more sustainable future.  For more information, visit unsw.to/EmmaLovell.

Getting older is the cause for a lot of anxiety. It’s no surprise – ageing is almost universally stigmatised by advertising, the media and pop culture. We worry about losing our looks, our stamina and fitness. And it’s not just physical, there is also an expectation that getting older means brain function and memory will decline too.  While some of these changes are inevitable, there are some that can be easily prevented. Eating well, socialising with friends, doing puzzles and staying active have all been shown to dramatically reduce the chance of developing dementia – but in order to achieve the full benefit you need to act now. By the time you reach your senior years, the effects of lifestyle will have accumulated over decades which is why it’s important that we make these small but impactful shifts to our lives now to ensure that when we finally do reach old age, can enjoy a healthy and happy lifestyle.  In 10 minutes, or the length of time it takes to finish a sudoku puzzle, Professor Kaarin Anstey will share some easy tips on preventing dementia.  For more information, visit unsw.to/KaarinAnstey.