As natural disasters increase in frequency and severity, we are all at risk of one day having our homes and our lives being in danger from fire or flood. Right now, we are seeing an unprecedented level of people needing rescue in the midst of disaster. But rescue shouldn’t just be after the point of no return, when people must evacuate their homes because hazardous conditions overwhelm communities. 

Listen to Dr Regina Jefferies, a human rights and refugee lawyer, on how recognising the broad scope of who tends to be a first responder in a disaster, and what it means to truly save people, could offer a fairer, kinder chance of rescue.

As natural disasters increase in frequency and severity, we are all at risk of one day having our homes and our lives being in danger from fire or flood. Right now, we are seeing an unprecedented level of people needing rescue in the midst of disaster. But rescue shouldn&rsquo;t just be after the point of no return, when people must evacuate their homes because hazardous conditions overwhelm communities.&nbsp;
Listen to Dr Regina Jefferies, a human rights and refugee lawyer, on how recognising the broad scope of who tends to be a first responder in a disaster, and what it means to truly save people, could offer a fairer, kinder chance of rescue.

One Big Idea program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if? 

Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea&nbsp;program luminaries had no more than ten minutes to share how one concept in their field of expertise could revolutionise life on earth. You might be surprised what this curious, insightful group of experts can do with a spotlit stage and a single prompt; what if?&nbsp;
Get inside the whip-smart minds of the people whose job it is to make the world a better place. From the impact of nanotechnology on cancer treatments to supporting ocean environments with urban engineering to the power of radical acts of kindness. Either watch their talks or listen to the podcast with Benjamin Law as he digs deeper into the lives of the people behind the big ideas.

One Big Idea

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.

UNSW Centre for Ideas

An initiative of UNSW Sydney, the Centre for Idea…

UNSW Centre for Ideas | All Episodes

Reframing Rescue with Communities at the Heart with Dr Regina Jefferies | One Big Idea

Our coastal marine habitats are suffering from the man-made degradation of climate change. From coral reefs to seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and kelp forests, these ecosystems are vital nurseries for marine life and natural coastal buffers against storms and we’re losing them at a rapid pace. But all is not lost. We have the tools and the know-how to restore these environments.  

Tune in to learn from Ann Flemming Nielsen, a PhD student at the Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, on how we can use human engineering to build back the coastal environments in severe decline and give nature a chance to recover.

Our coastal marine habitats are suffering from the man-made degradation of climate change. From coral reefs to seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and kelp forests, these ecosystems are vital nurseries for marine life and natural coastal buffers against storms and we&rsquo;re losing them at a rapid pace. But all is not lost. We have the tools and the know-how to restore these environments. &nbsp;
Tune in to learn from Ann Flemming Nielsen, a PhD student at the Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, on how we can use human engineering to build back the coastal environments in severe decline and give nature a chance to recover.

Grand Designs for our Oceans' Habitats with Ann Flemming Nielsen | One Big Idea

Light has unlocked many technologies over the course of human history. The more we learn about what light is and what it can do, the more applications we find to advance our lives. When we study light at the smallest scale possible, at the atomic level, we can unlock some pretty amazing, pretty weird capabilities. 

Find out from Dr Alison Goldingay, an award-winning Postdoctoral Fellow at UNSW in the School of Physics, about how the study of light is making quantum computing a reality.

Light has unlocked many technologies over the course of human history. The more we learn about what light is and what it can do, the more applications we find to advance our lives. When we study light at the smallest scale possible, at the atomic level, we can unlock some pretty amazing, pretty weird capabilities.&nbsp;
Find out from Dr Alison Goldingay, an award-winning Postdoctoral Fellow at UNSW in the School of Physics, about how the study of light is making quantum computing a reality.

The Power of Light with Dr Alison Goldingay | One Big Idea

Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women. 

So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? As the dawn of the social media ban for young people rapidly approaches, is this a chance to reframe what it means to be a man? 

ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Sydney Swans Chief Executive Officer and newly appointed Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.

Within today's social media landscape, a finely tuned content algorithm is serving up often unhealthy and sometimes extreme views on masculinity. For boys, in particular, the injection of vitriol into playgrounds, classrooms, backyards and wider society has turned the question of what it means to be a man on its head. This is also having far-reaching consequences for young girls and women.&nbsp;
So what do we do when influencers co-opt masculinity for clout? As the dawn of the social media ban for young people rapidly approaches, is this a chance to reframe what it means to be a man?&nbsp;
ABC presenter Siobhan Marin as she explores this topic with award-winning author, human rights advocate and Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo, former Aussie Rules player and Sydney Swans Chief Executive Officer and newly appointed Chief Operating Officer for the AFL, Tom Harley.

Reframing Rescue with Communities at the Heart with Dr Regina Jefferies | One Big Idea

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