Boyer Lectures
ABC
2025 ABC Boyer Lecture Series: Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy
Curated and hosted by respected journalist, author and broadcaster, Dr Julia Baird, this year's Boyer Lecture Series explores the theme Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy, through five distinct orations examining the strengths and challenges of our democracy as we navigate unprecedented global changes in politics, society and technology.
The speakers—drawn from academia, literature, and policy— reflect on the paradox of Australians' declining trust in politicians alongside their continued faith in the integrity of electoral processes.
This year's keynote is Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and visiting professor at the University of NSW, whose lecture "Australia is Freaking Amazing", is enthusiastic about our strong institutions and asks whether Australia needs a form of conservative radicalism?
The second lecturer is the Hon John Anderson, AO, farmer, grazier and former deputy prime minister, whose talk, 'Our Civilisational Moment' argues that Australia lacks the spirit, not the machinery of democracy.
Our third lecturer is Larissa Behrendt, a Euahleyai/Gamillaroi woman, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and host of the ABC Radio National's Speaking Out program. Her lecture, 'Justice, Ideas and Inclusion' outlines the strengths and pitfalls of our country's legal system, and how our democracy might be enriched by our First Nations' peoples' wisdom of interdependence.
Amelia Lester, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine, our fourth lecturer, examines how Artificial Intelligence could potentially undermine democracy here, in her lecture entitled 'AI, On Australia's Terms'.
And in the final lecture, James Curran, author and professor of modern history at the University of Sydney, will argue that the US Presidency holds advantages for Australia, if we are brave enough to take them, and to confront possible changes in our historic alliance, in his speech, 'Trump's Gift'.
The keynote lecture will be broadcast on October 18 on ABC-TV and on consecutive Sundays starting October 19 on ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra program, at 8.05am.
Sunday 26th October at 8.05am you can hear Hon John Anderson's lecture
Sunday 2nd November at 8.05am tune in to hear Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt
Sunday 9th November at 8.05am on Radio National Amelia Lester will give her lecture
Sunday 16th November at 8.05am on Radio National you can hear Professor James Curran's lecture 'Trump's Gift'
All lectures can also be watched via ABC iview and heard at any time on the ABC ListenApp.
Curated and hosted by respected journalist, author and broadcaster, Dr Julia Baird, this year's Boyer Lecture Series explores the theme Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy, through five distinct orations examining the strengths and challenges of our democracy as we navigate unprecedented global changes in politics, society and technology.
The speakers—drawn from academia, literature, and policy— reflect on the paradox of Australians' declining trust in politicians alongside their continued faith in the integrity of electoral processes.
This year's keynote is Justin Wolfers, Professor of Economics and Public Policy from the University of Michigan and visiting professor at the University of NSW, whose lecture "Australia is Freaking Amazing", is enthusiastic about our strong institutions and asks whether Australia needs a form of conservative radicalism?
The second lecturer is the Hon John Anderson, AO, farmer, grazier and former deputy prime minister, whose talk, 'Our Civilisational Moment' argues that Australia lacks the spirit, not the machinery of democracy.
Our third lecturer is Larissa Behrendt, a Euahleyai/Gamillaroi woman, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Technology, Sydney, and host of the ABC Radio National's Speaking Out program. Her lecture, 'Justice, Ideas and Inclusion' outlines the strengths and pitfalls of our country's legal system, and how our democracy might be enriched by our First Nations' peoples' wisdom of interdependence.
Amelia Lester, a deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine, our fourth lecturer, examines how Artificial Intelligence could potentially undermine democracy here, in her lecture entitled 'AI, On Australia's Terms'.
And in the final lecture, James Curran, author and professor of modern history at the University of Sydney, will argue that the US Presidency holds advantages for Australia, if we are brave enough to take them, and to confront possible changes in our historic alliance, in his speech, 'Trump's Gift'.
The keynote lecture will be broadcast on October 18 on ABC-TV and on consecutive Sundays starting October 19 on ABC Radio National's Sunday Extra program, at 8.05am.
Sunday 26th October at 8.05am you can hear Hon John Anderson's lecture
Sunday 2nd November at 8.05am tune in to hear Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt
Sunday 9th November at 8.05am on Radio National Amelia Lester will give her lecture
Sunday 16th November at 8.05am on Radio National you can hear Professor James Curran's lecture 'Trump's Gift'
All lectures can also be watched via ABC iview and heard at any time on the ABC ListenApp.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 20, 2021 • 26min
03 | Soul of the Age — Shakespeare's Women with John Bell
In this third lecture of the Boyer series, John Bell discusses Shakespeare's Women and how through his female characters he imagined a better world.
Nov 13, 2021 • 29min
02 | Soul of the Age - Order vs Chaos with John Bell
In this second lecture of the Boyer series, John Bell discusses what Shakespeare can teach us about governance, about politics and power.
Nov 6, 2021 • 29min
01 | Soul of the Age — Life lessons from Shakespeare with John Bell
In the first lecture of the 2021 Boyer series, John Bell opens our eyes and our ears to how relevant William Shakespeare is in today's world and what he can teach us through his own observations from four hundred years ago.
Feb 7, 2021 • 31min
03 | The economics of inequality
In the third Boyer lecture, Dr Andrew Forrest discusses how inequality manifests in our modern capitalist system — through intergenerational dependence on welfare, lack of access to finance, a lack of policy focus on early childhood development in vulnerable communities and through modern slavery.
Jan 31, 2021 • 29min
02 | Lighting up our ocean
In the second of his 2020 Boyer Lectures, Andrew Forrest mounts a passionate defence of our oceans. Dr Forrest argues the key issues facing our oceans — deoxygenation, overfishing and plastic pollution — are our fault, and it's us who must fix them. He says it's philanthropic and government interventions, at a scale not yet seen, that will save our seas.
Jan 24, 2021 • 29min
01 | Oil vs Water — Confessions of a carbon emitter
Andrew Forrest, a leading Australian businessman and philanthropist, passionately advocates for the global shift to green hydrogen. He discusses the potential of hydrogen versus battery technology, urging listeners to rethink energy consumption for sustainability. Forrest shares insights on Australia's innovative green energy initiatives, emphasizing the importance of businesses and governments in this transition. He also reflects on personal experiences during the pandemic and highlights the optimism found in collaborating with global leaders to tackle climate change.
Nov 30, 2019 • 25min
03 |The End of Silence: Makarrata
In Rachel Perkins final Boyer lecture she details the dual proposal for a Makarrata Commission and a process of truth telling about our nation.
Nov 23, 2019 • 25min
02 |The End of Silence: With the consent of the natives
From colonial times to the present, Indigenous people have wanted a say about the laws and policies that affect them. Rachel Perkins discusses what needs to be done to guarantee that the Indigenous voice is heard.
Nov 16, 2019 • 25min
01 | The End of Silence: The genesis of the Uluru statement
Rachel Perkins reminds us of the significance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and why it's the most important message Indigenous people have sent to their fellow Australians in over four decades.
Oct 10, 2018 • 0sec
01 | Back to the future of eugenics
How advances in genetics and biomedicine have quietly brought eugenics back from exile.
