Sydney Ideas

In this Sydney Policy Lab's inaugural lecture, leading academic, political strategist and its new Director, Marc Stears argues that it is possible for democracy to thrive, even in our very turbulent times, but only if people act to save it. This Sydney Ideas event was held on 4 October 2018 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/how-australia-can-save-democracy-for-the-world.html

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the largest and most complex experiment ever built. It is located at the CERN laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland. What is it, and what does it do? Theoretical physicist Peter Skands will take us on a tour of the experiments performed there, and the laws of nature that they are built to push to the limit. This Sydney Ideas event was held on Tuesday 25 September, 2018 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/why-the-large-hadron-collider-is-a-game-changer.html

Stem cell research is a hot field of medical science but one that’s also prone to scandal and scientific fraud. How should health consumers respond in the face of such promise and uncertainty? Discussing this is an expert panel of speakers including Prof John Rasko AO, Dr Wendy Lipworth and Prof Ian Kerridge, and with Dan Gaffney moderating the discussion. This Sydney Ideas event was held on Thursday 20 September, 2018 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/stem-cell-therapy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.html

What does it mean to “disagree well” within academia? Respect and integrity are accepted and practiced as vital to the life of the University. They are valued for their contribution to research and teaching excellence, to our engagement with the public realm and with each other. This panel session considers different forms of deliberation, communication, and debate within the academy, often along disciplinary lines. How do, can and should academics and professional staff “disagree well”? Why does this matter and what impact, if any, might this have on public debate in the wider community? TIME STAMPS 00:17 - 04:20 - A/Prof Jennifer Barrett (introduction) 04:30 - 09:10 - Prof Joellen Riley 11:10 - 22:00 - Prof Celine Boehm 23:50 - 34:40 - Prof David Schlosberg 36:50 - 49:35 - Kirsten Andrews 49:45 - 59:15 - Facilitated conversation 59:22 - 01:03:40 - Audience Q&A This Sydney Ideas was event held on Tuesday 18 September, 2018 at the University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/differing-views-valuing-disagreement.html

For the 2018 J.M. Ward Memorial Lecture, Professor Bill Schwarz (Queen Mary University of London) discusses the fallout from Brexit and the evolution of a new English nation. A Sydney Ideas event held on Monday 10 September, 2018. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/brexit-ethnic-populism-and-the-end-of-the-british-empire.html

In a world disrupted by technology and global shifts, truth and quality journalism have never been more important. While legacy media brands work to adjust, new models for journalism are emerging. From projects built on collaborations that span borders and media organisations, to newsrooms funded by philanthropy. A common thread of this brave new world is public interest journalism, where the bottom line is less about dollars and more about impact. A Sydney Ideas event held on Thursday 6 September 2018. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/journalisms-new-bottom-line.html

An esteemed panel will discuss how the testimony of Holocaust survivors is used today and the problems, questions and opportunities it presents to people grappling with the legacy of the Holocaust. Hear from Avril Alba, Jonathan Ari Lander, Michael Robertson and Jacqui Wasilewsky (moderator). A Sydney Ideas event held on Thursday 6 September 2018. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/voices-from-the-ashes.html

How can we develop a view of people and place that is inclusive, universally designed and that gives people with disability access, and importantly, how this can be done seamlessly with equity and dignity? Our panel discuss these questions and more. A Sydney Ideas event held on Wednesday 5 September 2018. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/inclusion-by-design-creating-an-inclusive-accessible-environment.html

11th Annual E.L. Wheelwright Memorial Lecture, presented by the Department of Political Economy at University of Sydney Global neoliberalism is in crisis: the deepest economic collapse since the Great Depression has been followed by a ‘Great Stagnation’ with no end in sight. At the same time, democracies around the world are succumbing to a wave of authoritarianism without precedent in the postwar era. This lecture reviews the causes, severity and implications of the twin crises of neoliberalism, examines the prospects for the end of neoliberalism, and suggests strategies to support democracy and progressive economic policies. This lecture was delivered by Alfredo Saad-Filho (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) on Thursday 30 August, 2018.

This expert panel, featuring Emeritus Professor Harriet Ward, will explore the contribution of longitudinal research in understanding the impact on vulnerable children and families. A Sydney Ideas event held on Wednesday 29 August at University of Sydney. https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/sydney-ideas/2018/taking-the-long-view.html