Sydney Ideas

Dr Joanne Gray and Dr Rebecca Huntley discuss public discourse, digital platforms and democracy. Hosted by Fenella Kernebone. Is big tech skewing our views and undoing our capacity for tolerance? What actually divides Australians and more importantly, what brings us closer? How do we create – and regulate – spaces for dialogue that encourage open exchange, not outrage; that expand our worldview, not retreat into echo chambers? Held on 22 April 2026 at the University of Sydney, this was the first event in a new public series, 'Conversations for Good', which explores how we find shared understanding, respect for different viewpoints and have conversations that can make a real difference, for good. Visit the Sydney Ideas website for more: https://go.sydney.edu.au/aj9QAR

What stories have taken hold in the public imagination about sharks and marine animals? How does this shape attitudes and policy responses to ocean conservation? Hear political scientist Christopher Pepin-Neff and Australian wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta discuss Australia’s relationship with the ocean. Hosted by Helen Sullivan, Senior Journalist at the BBC. This recording is from a public event held on Wednesday 11 March at the University of Sydney, presented by Sydney Ideas with Sydney Environment Institute during Climate Action Week Sydney.

How, and for what, should life be optimised? Is the growing culture of optimisation leading us towards the homogenisation of culture? These days we're using technology to help us write, make decisions, as well as augment, biohack, sculpt and transform our bodies, inside and out, to look and feel younger and fitter. As we seem to optimise virtually every aspect of our everyday lives, do we somehow end up creating more labour and inefficiencies? The pursuit of human development and self-improvement is a perennial subject of fascination and study, from Aristotle’s eudaemonia to Confucian ethics, Maslow’s theory, and now, in a form familiar to many: self-help. What does it signal though, when the dominant messages of the marketplace today, and the markers of success and progress of experience, are defined by terms like efficiency and maximum engagement? Marking the year-end – and with a new year around the corner – we're examining what it means to optimise life. Hear hot takes from Infinite Scroll 荧屏沉溺 curato

How can we eat well to live longer, feed future populations, and sustain planetary health? What's the science behind creating the world's most resilient hybrid wheat? Food makes us who we are. The ways we eat together change lives and communities. In this Sydney Ideas event, we bring together some of the best brains to cook up new ideas and solutions to shift how we think about food for the better. They serve inspired visions for changing the way we eat, produce and understand why food is so important. - Alice Gibson, researcher exploring emerging hybrid food environments, with expertise in the prevention and dietary management of chronic health diseases; - Peng Zhang, who is using advanced biotechnology and genetic techniques to grow resilient and disease-resistant crops such as wheat; - Sophie Gee (host), English professor, co-host of the popular literary classics podcast The Secret Life of Books, and author of The Barbarous Feast: Writing and Eating in the Eighteenth-Century World (forthcoming, Princeton

How can we eat well to live longer, feed future populations, and sustain planetary health? What's the science behind creating the world's most resilient hybrid wheat? Food makes us who we are. The ways we eat together change lives and communities. In this Sydney Ideas event, we bring together some of the best brains to cook up new ideas and solutions to shift how we think about food for the better. They serve inspired visions for changing the way we eat, produce and understand why food is so important. - Juliet Bennett, a researcher applying critical social theory to systems of food production and consumption; - Rebecca Cross, rural and environment geographer with insight into sustainable, regenerative farming and agricultural practices; - Shadia Djakovic, a dietician bringing extensive experience in nutrition and health promotion; - Sophie Gee (host), English professor, co-host of the popular literary classics podcast The Secret Life of Books, and author of The Barbarous Feast: Writing and Eating in the Ei

Join University of Sydney experts for fresh insights and evidence unlocking our understanding of healthy brain ageing. How might we all live – and stay – well, for longer, at any stage of life? Leading researchers at the Brain and Mind Centre are finding solutions for dementia, the second leading cause of death among all Australians and soon it will be the first, according to Dementia Australia. Neuroscientist Eleanor Drummond recently made some exciting headway in identifying proteins that are altered in the brain in the very first stages of Alzheimer’s disease and discovery of a new potential biomarker, and is currently working on translating this into the development of new drugs and biomarkers. Clinician and researcher Olivier Piguet specialises in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related younger-onset dementias. His successful intervention methods targeting behaviour and language have shown to improve quality of life and independence in patients and their families, reducing burden of care. Gilbe

Is Australia still the Lucky Country? In public opinion polling, more and more Australians believe things are, on the whole, getting worse than better. Various data such as the longstanding Scanlon Social Cohesion Report point to society becoming polarised. A culture of suspicion continues to grow around our most important institutions, and loneliness and social isolation is common across our community. Against such concerning trends, what can be done? In this open discussion led by one of Australia’s foremost social researchers, author and University of Sydney alumna Dr Rebecca Huntley, we address three key, interconnected issues that will have a defining impact on national progress and prosperity, for generations to come. Featuring Dr Marlee Bower (Matilda Centre and Sydney Environment Institute), digital innovation expert Dr Raffaele F. Ciriello, refugee advocate and UN Women Australia MBA scholar ('24) Chantal Mousad, and economist Dr Suneha Seetahul (Australian Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusi

Science has shown us the universe began with a Big Bang but what about its endgame? Will everything burn out and freeze over, or collapse in on itself, or rip into shreds? How far away are we from this happening? Embark on a cosmic journey to the end of the universe with astrophysicist, science communicator, and author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), Katie Mack. In a public talk, Katie takes us through the latest scientific tolls and data, from space telescopes to particle colliders, to explain the big ideas and key theories of the death of the universe. Professor Tara Murphy, Head of the School of Physics, hosts this event. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 10 July 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/40WQfb3

Why are nations around the world racing to secure critical minerals? What’s at stake, and what does it mean for you? In this conversation, our expert panel will break down what you need to know about critical minerals – their role in the net zero transition, the geopolitical issues, and the environmental and community impacts. Hear insights from Professor Marjorie Valix, the Net Zero Institute’s (NZI) critical minerals pillar lead, global governance expert Professor Susan Park, the founder and managing director of Critical Minerals Association Namali Mackay and Andrew Petersen, the CEO of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia. Professor Deanna D’Alessandro, Director of NZI, hosts this discussion. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 20 May 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/4mzZZRS

Is a language owned by its speakers or is it a public good? 'Who' gets to have a say, lay claim to, and wield a language? What does this all mean for navigating power differentials and public discourse? Unpack language, culture and power with linguist John McWhorter in a conversation with host Nick Enfield This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 12 March 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/4iuK0BQ

Hear Simon Schama, acclaimed historian, writer and Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University, in-conversation with Professor Avril Alba. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 5 March 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/4bBKrb7

If we can define the elements of a breakthrough, can we engineer the next great discovery in business, science, policy and civic life? Join a conversation with Sophie Gee, Charlotte Wood, Stephen Simpson and Kate Harrison Brennan. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 26 November 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3CKDPdf

Economist and parliamentarian Andrew Leigh is in conversation with technology entrepreneur and philanthropist Cliff Obrecht about Andrew’s new book, 'Battlers and Billionaires: The Updated Story of Inequality in Australia'. This event was held on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/4fuiDGs

Fake research papers are on the rise. Explore what's fuelling this, why it's concerning, and how we can address this issue with science integrity consultant Elisabeth Bik, computer scientist Judy Kay, linguist Nick Enfield, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Benjamin Eggleton and host Jennifer Byrne. This event was held on Tuesday 22 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/48B2Mnk

Join epidemiologist and complex systems scientist Jo-An Occhipinti, labour market expert John Buchanan and economist Richard Denniss to explore mental wealth as a new measure of national wellbeing. This event was held on Thursday 24 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3YJal84

Can liberalism be the basis of a meaningful and fun way of life? Philosopher Alexandre Lefebvre delves into this idea with Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney and host of The Solutionists podcast. This event was held on Thursday 19 September 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/47FhY2e

Can we fast-track cures for diseases? Hear about exciting discoveries in novel therapeutics, nanomedicines, AI and neuroimaging with leading researchers Michael Bowen, Victoria Cogger and Chenyu Tim Wang. Hosted by Tegan Taylor, ABC health and science journalist. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 22 August 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3XyTUuJ

Psychologist Lee-Fay Low, and music scholars Neal Peres Da Costa and Helen Mitchell and host Angharad Yeo unravel the fascinating links between music and the brain. Can music activity help slow down cognitive decline? This event was held live at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 20 June 2024. For more details and resources, visit the Sydney Ideas page:https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas/2024/music-and-dementia.html

Explore how the arts are transforming health and education to improve care and wellbeing with acclaimed playwright Wesley Enoch, poet Selina Tusitala Marsh, nursing professor Brendan McCormack and host Claire Hooker (CREATE Centre). This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 21 March 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/4a5GeLf

How do we move the needle on mental health outcomes? Alastair Campbell and leading experts discuss what can be done to influence the appropriate social and political responses. Known for his role as communications director for former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell has emerged as a prominent advocate for mental health action around the world. In this Sydney Ideas public talk, Alastair shares brief reflections and then joined on stage by NSW Minister for Mental Health and Youth, The Hon. Minister Rose Jackson MLC; business leader Sam Mostyn AO (Chair of Beyond Blue); and youth mental health leaders Tanya Dearle and Zsofi de Haan. Our esteemed panel explore ways of moving forward and creating action to enhance mental health services and outcomes for all. Professor Ian Hickie AO, Co-director of Health and Policy at Brain and Mind Centre, hosts this event. This event was held on Monday 4 March 2024 at the University of Sydney and was presented with Brain and Mind Centre an