Big Ideas

Justice Mordecai Bromberg, the President of the Australian Law Reform Commission and former Federal Court Judge, delves into the complex balance between religious freedoms and anti-discrimination laws in Australia. He highlights the ongoing conflict between religious schools' rights and the need to protect marginalized individuals from discrimination. Bromberg discusses recent reforms and the historical context of secularism in education, emphasizing the importance of equality and dignity while navigating the intricate landscape of human rights.

Rhonda Magee, a Professor Emerita of Law and mindfulness meditation educator, and Mariam Tokhi, a GP and narrative medicine innovator, delve into the profound impact of empathy in today’s divided society. They discuss how personal experiences shape our understanding of compassion and the barriers we face in expressing it. Mindfulness practices and storytelling emerge as vital tools in both law and healthcare to foster genuine connections. The conversation also touches on the importance of self-care and community empathy in addressing societal injustices.

Dr. Jennifer Gunter, an obstetrician and bestselling author, tackles common myths surrounding menstruation and menopause with humor and facts. She debunks the notion that women's periods sync with the moon and discusses the stigma attached to these natural processes. The conversation dives into brain fog during menopause and emphasizes the positive aspects of this life stage, advocating for more research in women's health. Additionally, she addresses environmental concerns related to menstrual products and stresses the importance of personalized healthcare.

Join Rebel Penfold-Russell, the executive producer who helped put Australian cinema on the global map, Oscar-winning costume designer Tim Chappel, and cinema studies expert Stephen Gaunson. They dive into the cultural impact of 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' after 30 years. Discover behind-the-scenes stories, including unexpected collaborations that brought costumes to life, and laugh along with quirky on-set anecdotes. They also reflect on the film's legacy in shaping identity and acceptance, resonating even more today.

The Australian federal government wants to restrict social media to those aged over 16. Would that work? Adult and teen experts mount their arguments for and against social media and its harms and benefits.The Great Debate  was presented by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia as part of 2024 Social Sciences Week, recorded at the National Library of Australia on 10 September 2024.SpeakersSTUDENT DEBATEFeaturing Year 7 and 8 students at University of Canberra High School KaleenHost Ivy Affirmative team Misha, Sienna and JacobNegative teamUmar, Addy and ShreyaADULT DEBATELisa Given Professor of Information Sciences, RMIT UniversityAnthony Elliott Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of South AustraliaAuthor, Algorithms of Anxiety: Fear in the Digital AgeGinger Gorman (host) Journalist and author of the book Troll Hunting: Inside the World of Online Hate and Its Human FalloutHost of the Seriously Social podcast

Is social media a contagious force harming young minds, a life saver helping people find their neurodiverse tribes and support, or, for better or worse, a bit of both?From the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, join Natasha Mitchell with renowned social psychologist Jean Twenge, neurodiversity advocate Sonny Jane Wise, technology policy campaigner Alice Dawkins, suicide prevention researcher Dr Sandersan Onie. Young people depressed, distressed, and anxious. ADHD and Autism diagnoses on the increase. All at record rates. Is it a renaissance in awareness, enabled by social media, or are people reaching for labels that risk losing meaning?Speakers:Jean TwengeProfessor of psychologySan Diego State UniversityAuthor ofiGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood (2017)Generations: The Real Differences between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future (2023)Alice DawkinsExecutive Director, Reset.Tech. AuDr Sanderson OniePsychologist and suicide prevention researcherBlack Dog InstituteUniversity of NSWSonny Jane WiseNeurodiversity advocateAuthor, We’re All Neurodiverse (2023) and The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills (2022)Thanks to Danielle Harvey, Director of the Festival of Dangerous Ideas, and the festival team.Further information:Not Just Algorithms: Online Safety, Children and Young People, Data Security, Privacy and Data Protection report (24 March, 2024)Festival of Dangerous Ideas on-demand audio and video archive selected from over a decade of provocative events

Mediation in armed conflicts means sitting down with brutal war lords, hiding your true values and in an open dialogue trying to really understand  all sides of the parties involved. In the most pressurised environments, there are nearly always possible pathways to a win-win outcome — but finding the way requires a combination of imagination, goodwill, timing, and street smarts.Reflections on Diplomacy and Peace Mediation was presented at the TheMHS Conference 2024SpeakerPaul DziatkowiecDirector of Mediation and Peace Support, Geneva Centre for Security PolicyListen to Big Ideas - Is making war more humane in fact prolonging the fighting?

Pressing a full-time  workload into four days sounds like simply adding more stress to your job – even if you keep your pay. But many people who have tried this model say that one would need to pay them double their salary to make them go back to a standard work week. And businesses enjoy better staff retention and get a completive edge on the job market.Presented by UQ ChangeMakersSpeakersDebbie BaileyConsultant Partner, 4 Day Week GlobalShannan QuainChief People Officer, Australian Digital Health AgencyAssociate Professor James KirbyClinical Psychologist and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group, University of QueenslandProfessor Tyler Okimoto (host)Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, University of Queensland

She was Andy Warhol's muse, she's been sampled by Notorious BIG, and her music was once voted on the ten best songs to dry-hump to. This is the amazing true story of how Indian-born singer Asha Puthli became a music legend.This event was recorded at Rising Festival on 7 June 2024.SpeakersAsha Puthli SingerAdriana Lazaridis (host) DJ

The leading playwright Joanna Murray-Smith makes a powerful case for the role of the arts in Australian public life, arguing that moral righteousness is stifling artistic expression.The last ever Stephen Murray-Smith Memorial Lecture was recorded at the State Library of Victoria on 8 October 2024.SpeakerJoanna Murray-Smith Playwright, screenwriter and novelist