Self Improvement Wednesday

What I Learned Watching 1000 Christmas Movies 04.12.2024 13:25 ↓

This week on Self Improvement Wednesday, Dr Lauren Rosewarne, from Melbourne University's School of Social and Political Sciences, teaches us about her very festive special subject: Christmas films. 

Trench Warfare on Sydney's Footpaths 20.11.2024 10:26 ↓

Sydney's first government telephone exchange was established in 1882. By 1891 there was a petition that unleashed hell.

How to party: Ancient Roman style 13.11.2024 11:30 ↓

Latin Lecturer Dr Anne Rogerson shows you how to party like it's 99BC with the history of Roman birthdays, holidays, and military parties. 

What can the ancient Egyptians teach us about good manners? 07.11.2024 7:41 ↓

Egyptologist Dr Camila Di Base-Dyson teaches Richard Glover all about Ancient Egyptian etiquette.

Self Improvement Wednesday: The incredible story of the sawfly fossil 23.10.2024 8:43 ↓

Richard speaks with Eliza Middleton, a senior ecologist at Water Technology about the incredible discovery of a new species of now-extinct sawfly

The Ancient Ferns sitting in your garden 16.10.2024 12:43 ↓

Prof. Brett Summerell shares the incredible prehistoric history of the plants that you can find in any garden around the world.

Why Multitasking is a Myth 09.10.2024 12:34 ↓

Do you ever feel stressed when attempting to multitask?   It might be because you're actually attempting the impossible.    A cognitive scientist explains why. 

Self Improvement Wednesday: How to be a citizen scientist 02.10.2024 8:58 ↓

If you're a conservationist trying to track the population or behaviour of an endangered animal, a photo taken by someone strolling through the bush can be invaluable. 

Self Improvement Wednesday: How to explore deep caves 25.09.2024 11:50 ↓

You might rely on GPS to get around an unfamiliar place, but how do caverneers map and orient themselves in undiscovered cave systems?

Self Improvement Wednesday: Urban rewilding 18.09.2024 9:12 ↓

How can we reintroduce our native species to Sydney without predation from foxes and cats? 

Self Improvement Wednesday: How to Appreciate Poetry 11.09.2024 10:27 ↓

Dr Anne Casey, a poet and writer teaches us the joy of poetry.

Self Improvement Wednesday: Biofluoresence 04.09.2024 10:16 ↓

Australia is full of wonderful colourful animals, but shining a UV light can unlock a whole new spectacle!

Self Improvement Wednesday: The history of Australian drama 28.08.2024 12:00 ↓

Prof. Michelle Arrow explores the dramatic history behind the 1956 classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

Self Improvement Wednesday: Science, the art of failing 21.08.2024 8:52 ↓

Prof. Sebastian Pfautsch explores the history of science and the fundamental question of 'Why?'

Self Improvement Wednesday: How to read a novel 14.08.2024 10:26 ↓

You might think reading a book is a fairly straightforward exercise. But in reality, the way we read has changed radically over the last few hundred years.

Self Improvement Wednesday: What to eat when you've got arthritis 07.08.2024 8:54 ↓

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, but a combination of prescribed medication and the right diet can do a lot to help.

Self Improvement Wednesday: The mystery of the "mutant" tree frog 31.07.2024 7:24 ↓

Scientists have stumbled across a freak of nature. Dr Jodi Rowley explains the rare and beautiful discovery of a green tree frog that's almost completely blue.

Self Improvement Wednesday: Why ants make good doctors 24.07.2024 6:45 ↓

You'd be forgiven for thinking that surgery is a field that was invented by human beings, but ants might have beaten us to it.

Self-Improvement Wednesday: discovering Sydney's backyard bandicoots 10.07.2024 8:50 ↓

What do you know about the bandicoot? Prof Peter Banks shares the true story of these overlooked native marsupials. 

Self Improvement Wednesday: Is your smart phone making you dumb? 26.06.2024 10:55 ↓

Humans have come a long way since we wandered the wilderness and hunted for our food. But now, our IQ scores are getting worse. Neuroscientist Mark Williams says our phones might be to blame. 

Volcanoes in Art and Culture with Associate Professor Heather Handley 19.06.2024 14:07 ↓

How volcanoes have captivated the imagination over time

Self Improvement Wednesday: Big Bad Banksias 05.06.2024 9:40 ↓

Prof. Brett Summerell shares the little-known story of this iconic Australian plant.

Self Improvement Wednesday: Two 'whistling' frogs new to science 13.03.2024 9:16 ↓

A new study has found two species of Australian frogs previously unknown to science, both with distinct whistling calls. 

Self Improvement Wednesday: Climate Change Adaptation 28.02.2024 10:46 ↓

Professor Richard Kingsford explores the millions of individual impacts of climate change. 

How Bugs can harm AND help us 11.10.2023 9:51 ↓

Medical entomology, the study of how insects intersect with medicine.