
Sydney Ideas
Sydney Ideas is the University of Sydney's premier public lecture series program, bringing the world's leading thinkers and the latest research to the wider Sydney community.
Latest episodes

Dec 12, 2018 • 50min
Soil security: running down a dream
We commemorate United Nations World Soil Day with a discussion about how we can ensure that our soils provide food, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems well into the future.
This event was held on December 5 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/soil-security.html

Dec 11, 2018 • 1h 14min
From good international citizen to pariah?
On the eve of 70-year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Gillian Triggs reflects on Australia's human rights record in a public lecture, with an introduction by Elizabeth Evatt and a vote of thanks by Tanya Plibersek.
This event was held on Sunday 9 December 2018 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/from-good-international-citizen-to-pariah-.html
TIME STAMPS:
Start - 01:25 | Clara Edwards welcome
01:30 - 12:00 | Elizabeth Evatt introduction
12:05 - 01:01:35 | Gillian Triggs keynote address
01:01:40 - 01:12:00 | Tanya Plibersek vote of thanks
01:12:00 - end | Danielle Celermajer close

Dec 10, 2018 • 1h 27min
Human rights: what lies ahead the next 70 years?
On the 70-year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we bring together a panel of human rights heroes to reflect on the positivity the declaration provided and how it could go forward.
TIME STAMPS:
10’07'' - 19’33’’ Larissa Baldwin, Senior Campaigner, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights at Getup.
19’37’’ - 25’00’’ Dulce Muñoz, the National Convener of Mums4Refugees Sydney, a grassroots network of mothers that provides social, legal and material aid to people seeking asylum and people from refugee backgrounds.
25’15’’ - 31’49’’ Nas Campanella, a journalist and newsreader with the ABC and triple J. In 2013 she earned a newsreading position at triple J, becoming the first blind newsreader in the world to read and operate the studio for herself live to air.
31’53’’ - 40’16’’ Danny Xanadu has been involved in advocacy and education for the Queer community for 25 years.
40’23’’ - 50’25’’ Dinesh Wadiwel is a Senior Lecturer in human rights and socio-legal studies at the University of Sydney. Here he addresses the need for the alliance between human, animal and environmental rights.
50’30'' - Audience Q&A
More info: https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/human-rights-the-next-70-years.html

Dec 4, 2018 • 1h 15min
White Fragilty
Why does race seem to be the hardest word for white people? Dr Robin DiAngelo – a renowned anti-racism educator – argues that the underlying cause is environmental. White people in settler colonial contexts live in a racially insular social bubble. This environment builds an atmosphere of racial comfort but reduces their capacity to tolerate racial stress. Dr DiAngelo – author of What Does it Mean To Be White? Developing White Racial Literacy – describes this lack of racial stamina as 'White Fragility'.

Dec 3, 2018 • 1h 25min
Eddie Woo's Wonderful World of Maths
In a fun and interactive manner, Australian Local Hero of the Year and one of the world's most inspirational mathematics teachers demonstrates why everyone should love mathematics.
His talk is followed by the conversation between Eddie and Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Mark Scott AO, and the questions from the audience.
TIME STAMPS
5:59 - 45:50 – Eddie Woo demonstrates why everyone should love mathematics
48:30 – 60:07 - Eddie Woo in conversation with Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Mark Scott AO
60:07 – 60:25 - Audience Q&A
A Sydney Ideas event held at the Seymour Centre on Monday 3 December 2018.
https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/eddie-woo-wonderful-world-of-maths.html

Nov 22, 2018 • 1h 30min
Do universities need to reinvent themselves?
Sir Eric Thomas, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol and former Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network joins an esteemed panel of university professors, private sector representatives and former politicians for an important debate - what should universities be?
They look at the question from five specific perspectives, those of: a) students, b) tax payers, c) the academy, d) employees, and e) private donors.
TIME STAMPS
5:30 - 19:30 – What should universities be from the perspective of students?
20:00 – 28:00 - What should universities be from the perspective of the Government, representing citizens and tax payers?
28:50 – 37:00 - What should universities be from the perspective of the academy?
37:45 – 49:30 - What should universities be from the perspective of business, as employers, and investors in research and development?
49:30 - 58:40 - What should universities be from the perspective of private donors and philanthropists?
58:45 – Audience Q&A
A Sydney Ideas event held at the University of Sydney on Thursday 22 November 2018.
https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/what-should-universities-be.html

Nov 21, 2018 • 55min
Expanding the circle of regard for truth
Do we need cultural change in our relation to truth?
Celebrate the launch of the Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre (SSSHARC). Our expert panel will discuss the role of humanities in addressing the 'post truth' crisis.

Nov 20, 2018 • 1h 7min
Why are soldiers taking their own lives?
In 2015 more Australian military personnel and veterans took their lives than were killed in Afghanistan during 13 years of war. Our expert panel brings together medical experts and social scientists to discuss the growing problem of military suicide - why is it happening and how should it be addressed politically?
This Sydney Ideas event was held at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 20 November 2018.

Nov 19, 2018 • 1h 8min
Death justice: activism and advocacy following contested death
Deaths in controversial and contested circumstances include deaths in custody, immigration detention, health care, at borders and following disasters.
In Australia and internationally it is evident that institutional responses to contested deaths are inadequate and fail to address families’ and communities’ demands for transparency, public scrutiny and accountability. The Guardian’s Deaths Inside database and the website Deathscapes are excellent digital initiatives dedicated to raising awareness.
Our panel reflect on these important initiatives and discuss how activism and advocacy can increase transparency and obtain justice.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:17 - 04:30 | Introduction by Rebecca Scott-Bray
04:31 - 18:20 | Lorena Allam (Indigenous Affairs Editor, Guardian Australia)explores the Deaths Inside database
18:21 - 36:58 | Suvendrini Perera & Joseph Pugliese discuss the Deathscapes project
36:60 - 01:07:00 | Phil Scraton takes us through case study of 1989 Hillsborough disaster

Nov 6, 2018 • 55min
Screening the World: an inside look at international film festivals in Australia
Join our discussion with Australian film icon David Stratton as we explore the role of international film events in 21st century Australia.
TIME STAMPS
0:00 - 6:00 - Introduction by Michelle Royer
6:11 - 20:14 - Keynote speech by David Stratton
20:19 - 28:13 - Margarett Cortez on the Japanese Film Festival
28:21 - 39:00 - Philippe Platel on the French Film Festival
39:06 - 47:09 - Gina Rubiano on film festivals in Australia
47:18 - 54:07 - Naser Shakhtour on the Palestinian Film Festival
54:10 - end - Concluding remarks
A Sydney Ideas event held at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 6 November 2018.
https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/screening-the-world.html