Sydney Ideas

What happens when Indigenous knowledge systems are elevated? Leading thinkers from the University of Sydney, Professor Reuben Bolt and Associate Professor Michael Mossman, discuss the creative potential and ways this can be realised in practice, from the fields of science and technology to architecture and design. This event was held live at the University of Sydney on 21 May 2026. For more detail...

Does the rise of AI mean the death of the humanities? Hear from University of Sydney star academics Sophie Gee, Sandra Peter and Kai Riemer; with music from Titus Grenyer. For centuries, the humanities and technology have existed alongside and augmented each other. If we dive into their shared story, we can learn valuable lessons about how to both embrace our humanity and engage with new technolog...

Dr Joanne Gray and Dr Rebecca Huntley discuss public discourse, digital platforms and democracy. Hosted by Fenella Kernebone. Is big tech skewing our views and undoing our capacity for tolerance? What actually divides Australians and more importantly, what brings us closer? How do we create – and regulate – spaces for dialogue that encourage open exchange, not outrage; that expand our worldview, n...

What stories have taken hold in the public imagination about sharks and marine animals? How does this shape attitudes and policy responses to ocean conservation? Hear political scientist Christopher Pepin-Neff and Australian wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta discuss Australia’s relationship with the ocean. Hosted by Helen Sullivan, Senior Journalist at the BBC. This recording is from a public eve...

How, and for what, should life be optimised? Is the growing culture of optimisation leading us towards the homogenisation of culture? These days we're using technology to help us write, make decisions, as well as augment, biohack, sculpt and transform our bodies, inside and out, to look and feel younger and fitter. As we seem to optimise virtually every aspect of our everyday lives, do we somehow...

How can we eat well to live longer, feed future populations, and sustain planetary health? What's the science behind creating the world's most resilient hybrid wheat? Food makes us who we are. The ways we eat together change lives and communities. In this Sydney Ideas event, we bring together some of the best brains to cook up new ideas and solutions to shift how we think about food for the better...

How can we eat well to live longer, feed future populations, and sustain planetary health? What's the science behind creating the world's most resilient hybrid wheat? Food makes us who we are. The ways we eat together change lives and communities. In this Sydney Ideas event, we bring together some of the best brains to cook up new ideas and solutions to shift how we think about food for the better...

Join University of Sydney experts for fresh insights and evidence unlocking our understanding of healthy brain ageing. How might we all live – and stay – well, for longer, at any stage of life? Leading researchers at the Brain and Mind Centre are finding solutions for dementia, the second leading cause of death among all Australians and soon it will be the first, according to Dementia Australia. N...

Is Australia still the Lucky Country? In public opinion polling, more and more Australians believe things are, on the whole, getting worse than better. Various data such as the longstanding Scanlon Social Cohesion Report point to society becoming polarised. A culture of suspicion continues to grow around our most important institutions, and loneliness and social isolation is common across our comm...

Science has shown us the universe began with a Big Bang but what about its endgame? Will everything burn out and freeze over, or collapse in on itself, or rip into shreds? How far away are we from this happening? Embark on a cosmic journey to the end of the universe with astrophysicist, science communicator, and author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), Katie Mack. In a public ta...

Why are nations around the world racing to secure critical minerals? What’s at stake, and what does it mean for you? In this conversation, our expert panel will break down what you need to know about critical minerals – their role in the net zero transition, the geopolitical issues, and the environmental and community impacts. Hear insights from Professor Marjorie Valix, the Net Zero Institute’s (...

Is a language owned by its speakers or is it a public good? 'Who' gets to have a say, lay claim to, and wield a language? What does this all mean for navigating power differentials and public discourse? Unpack language, culture and power with linguist John McWhorter in a conversation with host Nick Enfield This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 12 March 2025. For more links and...

Hear Simon Schama, acclaimed historian, writer and Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University, in-conversation with Professor Avril Alba. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 5 March 2025. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://bit.ly/4bBKrb7

If we can define the elements of a breakthrough, can we engineer the next great discovery in business, science, policy and civic life? Join a conversation with Sophie Gee, Charlotte Wood, Stephen Simpson and Kate Harrison Brennan. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 26 November 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3...

Economist and parliamentarian Andrew Leigh is in conversation with technology entrepreneur and philanthropist Cliff Obrecht about Andrew’s new book, 'Battlers and Billionaires: The Updated Story of Inequality in Australia'. This event was held on Wednesday 23 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/4fuiDGs

Fake research papers are on the rise. Explore what's fuelling this, why it's concerning, and how we can address this issue with science integrity consultant Elisabeth Bik, computer scientist Judy Kay, linguist Nick Enfield, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Benjamin Eggleton and host Jennifer Byrne. This event was held on Tuesday 22 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resourc...

Join epidemiologist and complex systems scientist Jo-An Occhipinti, labour market expert John Buchanan and economist Richard Denniss to explore mental wealth as a new measure of national wellbeing. This event was held on Thursday 24 October 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3YJal84

Can liberalism be the basis of a meaningful and fun way of life? Philosopher Alexandre Lefebvre delves into this idea with Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney and host of The Solutionists podcast. This event was held on Thursday 19 September 2024 at the University of Sydney. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/47FhY2e

Can we fast-track cures for diseases? Hear about exciting discoveries in novel therapeutics, nanomedicines, AI and neuroimaging with leading researchers Michael Bowen, Victoria Cogger and Chenyu Tim Wang. Hosted by Tegan Taylor, ABC health and science journalist. This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 22 August 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit...

Psychologist Lee-Fay Low, and music scholars Neal Peres Da Costa and Helen Mitchell and host Angharad Yeo unravel the fascinating links between music and the brain. Can music activity help slow down cognitive decline? This event was held live at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 20 June 2024. For more details and resources, visit the Sydney Ideas page:https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sp...

Explore how the arts are transforming health and education to improve care and wellbeing with acclaimed playwright Wesley Enoch, poet Selina Tusitala Marsh, nursing professor Brendan McCormack and host Claire Hooker (CREATE Centre). This podcast is a recording of a live public event held on 21 March 2024. For more links and resources, including the transcript, visit Sydney Ideas website: https://b...

How do we move the needle on mental health outcomes? Alastair Campbell and leading experts discuss what can be done to influence the appropriate social and political responses. Known for his role as communications director for former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell has emerged as a prominent advocate for mental health action around the world. In this Sydney Ideas...

A public conversation about intergenerational perspectives on allyship for gender equality – its importance, how to activate allies, and what effective and accountable allyship looks like. Featuring gender equality champion Elizabeth Broderick AO; internationally recognised diversity and inclusion scholar Mustafa Ozbilgin; Tom Snow, Chair of Snow Medical and Chair of Equality Australia; and host A...

Yorta Yorta woman, composer and soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon was joined by some of the country’s most creative minds for an expansive conversation that reflects on the role of the arts in a post-referendum Australia. Australia, at this time following the Voice to Parliament referendum and with a new national arts and cultural policy, is going to be profoundly changed. The arts has, and will h...

In today’s show we wanted to introduce to you a new podcast we think you might enjoy. It’s called 'The Solutionists', with Mark Scott. Big challenges need big solutions. Meet the minds making it happen. Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective. From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, T...