Sydney Ideas

How we can better understand the conflict between scientific and Indigenous knowledge? For more than 60 years the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC had stolen ancestral remains in its collection. It was only recently that the bones were repatriated. This story kicks off our conversation for this event, which focuses on the roles of film, history and culture in advancing the repatriation debate. 'Etched in Bone' is a film that explores the role of Aboriginal leadership in repatriating ancestral remains, and it places film documentary within the complexity of Indigenous knowledge, its preservation and its precariousness. Hear from the filmmakers and academic experts discuss international repatriation and the ethical complexities of their interaction. This event was held on Wednesday 10 April, 2019 at the University of Sydney. Learn more: https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/etched-in-bone-indigenous-repatriation.html

University of Cambridge Professor Herbert Huppert leads this insightful conversation on how global temperatures in the earth's atmosphere has increased over time and what we can do to stop potential calamity. With climate change being a very real and looming threat, this talk offers insights into the science behind what’s happening and how we can deal with such challenges through individual, collective and political action. This event was held on Wednesday 17 April, 2019 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/herbert-huppert-fluid-mechanics-atmospheric-temperatures.html

Diabetes is arguably one of Australia's greatest health challenges and fastest-growing chronic conditions. But landmark research shows that type 2 diabetes could be preventable at any life stage - whether you are still young, starting a family, or middle-old age. PREVIEW is a landmark study in diabetes prevention and weight loss management. In this talk, leading researchers from the study will draw on the findings and learnings to share new solutions on how to determine risk, avoid developing type 2 diabetes and safely lose a large amount of weight. This event was held on Tuesday 9 April 2019 at the University of Sydney and was co-presented with Charles Perkins Centre. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/diabetes-prevention.html

What is nano 3D printing, and how will it transform our lives? In this talk, world-renowned nanotechnology expert Professor Martin Wegener from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology will give an introduction into one of science's most exciting and rapidly evolving technologies. Professor Wegener was joined by University of Sydney Professor Hala Zreiqat, whose work is focused on using this technology to improve health outcomes, create economic benefits and advance a skilled workforce in nano technology. The podcast was recorded from an event held on Tuesday 9 April, 2019 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/nano-3d-printing.html

From ending poverty to climate action, reducing inequality and ensuring quality education — the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The aim is to set the agenda for 2030 with a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity, now and into the future. Where does Australia sit with this plan now, almost five years since its inception? Hear from leading advocates including John McArthur, Dr Alana Mann, Patricia Garcia AO and Sam Mostyn. Anthony Capon, Professor of Planetary Health at the University of Sydney moderated the conversation. This event was held on Thursday 28 March at the University of Sydney, and was co-presented with the University's Planetary Health Platform and Sydney Environment Institute. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/sustainable-development-goals-john-mcarthur.html

What are the pathways to cultural change? How do we initiate, nurture, but most importantly, entrench cultural change? The University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Michael Spence, gender equality advocate Elizabeth Broderick AO and journalist Sarah Ferguson explored the most important factors in cultural change movements, and the positive impact for individuals, organisations and society. This event was held on Wednesday 27 March at the University of Sydney. Visit the website to access a transcript of the event: http://bit.ly/2K4KCmi

How is hate shaping society? And what must we do about it? Political philosopher Tim Soutphommasane, reflects on race relations and multiculturalism in Australia and beyond, and what it means for democracy worldwide. In his new book, On Hate, Tim Soutphommasane analyses the troubling rise of nationalist populism and the return of race politics. This event was co-presented with Sydney Policy Lab and School of Social and Political Sciences. It was held on Thursday 21 March, 2019 at the University of Sydney: https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/on-hate-and-race-politics-tim-soutphommasane.html

Hear from women’s rights champion, Tina Tchen, who delivered a keynote address as part of the University of Sydney’s celebrations for International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, 2019. Sydney Ideas has partnered with the University’s Diversity and Inclusion team to welcome Tina to our Camperdown campus. She is a leading global voice on issues of gender inequity, sexual harassment, and diversity at work, and co-founder of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund, which connects survivors of workplace sexual harassment with legal and public relations assistance. Tina was joined in conversation with two of the University’s most influential and respected female leaders – Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services) and Professor Annamarie Jagose (Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences). The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Michael Spence, provided closing remarks. Tina Tchen also appeared at the Sydney Opera House’s annual festival ‘All About Women’ on Sunday 10 March, 2019. https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/all-about-women

What is the cost of cashing in on global surveillance? Surveillance has become an unavoidable presence in our everyday lives - it's embedded in our culture. As corporations profit from its rapid growth, inevitable questions about the impact on our society and ethics must be addressed. This Sydney Ideas discussion includes a talk from David Lyon the Director of the Surveillance Studies Centre and Professor of Sociology and Professor of Law at Queen’s University and Dr Benedetta Brevini the Senior Lecturer in Communication and Media at the University of Sydney and Visiting Fellow of the Centre for Law, Justice and Journalism at City University. Held on 7 March 2019: https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/surveillance-capitalism-david-lyon.html

Are brain and mind conditions such as dementia a case of luck of the draw, or are our body clocks and sleep cycle integral for keeping our brains healthy? Hear from Professor Sharon Naismith, whose research explores sleep and dementia prevention. This talk includes a welcome from Dr Michael Spence AC, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Sydney, and a keynote address from Professor Naismith. This event was held on Tuesday 26 February at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2019/how-sleep-improves-brain-health-and-dementia.html