Sydney Ideas

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 University Press); This Sydney Ideas event was presented on 22–23 October at Riverside Theatres, with the support of City of Parramatta as part of Parramatta Lanes, one of Sydney’s most exciting street festivals, transforming the city's streets, laneways and car parks into a playground of Eats, Beats and Art. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 23 October 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3LRYhNV

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 Eighteenth-Century World (forthcoming, Princeton University Press); This Sydney Ideas event was presented on 22–23 October at Riverside Theatres, with the support of City of Parramatta as part of Parramatta Lanes, one of Sydney’s most exciting street festivals, transforming the city's streets, laneways and car parks into a playground of Eats, Beats and Art. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 22 October 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3LRYhNV

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. Gilbert Knaggs is a researcher in sociology, and brings perspective on the ethics of dementia prevention, as well as concepts of ageing well and healthy ageing in society. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 24 September 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3JLDqv9

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 Inclusion at Work). This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 29 July 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/45pcUhU

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