The Future Of

Can MS be slowed down or even reversed? In this episode, host Alex Foot is joined by Dr. Virginie Lam to discuss a revolutionary new treatment that aims to slow down or potentially stop the cycles of attack and remission in many MS cases. What is multiple sclerosis (MS) and how does it effect the body? [00:46] • What is relapse-remitting MS and what challenges does it present [02:57] • How new mye...

How do we overcome barriers to education in Australia?  ‘In this episode, Alex Foot is joined by Professor Ian Li, Director of the Research and Policy Program at the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES), to discuss the equity landscape in Australian higher education, and how things are moving towards a more accessible system.  What is equity in education and why’s it important...

How did a simple molecule found in smoke change the way we regenerate native plants? Find out in this episode of #TheFutureOf  In this episode, Professor Kingsley Dixon joins host David Karsten to discuss the critical role smoke plays in seed germination, the evolution of plant conservation and restoration practices, and how these insights are being applied to revitalise Western Australia's unique...

From BTS to Busan's Film Festivals, how has Korea's cultural influence spread across the globe? Find out in this episode of #TheFutureOf. What is the Korean Wave or ‘Hallyu’ [00:50] • How the government encouraged a cultural push of Hallyu [14:14] • Korean Cultures spread to Australia [21:23] • How the spread of Korean culture impacts life in South Korea itself [39:23]   Learn more • Curtin Korean...

In this episode, David Karsten is joined by Professor Fred Wells and Professor Monique Gagnon to discuss the impact of rising sea temperatures and oil spills on aquatic life.  Significant changes in marine fauna along Perth’s coastline (00:01:02:03) Impact of 2011 heatwave on the west end of Rottnest (00:04:12:12) How fish fingerprints are helping identify oil pollutants (00:09:23:04) Recovery of...

With the rapid rise of generative AI, what does this mean for the human side of creativity, art and culture? In this episode, David Karsten is joined by Rachel Robertson and Susanna Castleden explore the intersection between generative AI and human creativity, and discuss the ways in which innovative projects can act to showcase the creative work of our human artists and writers. Learn more Book M...

As our planet grapples with the urgent realities of climate change, the transition to sustainable energy solutions becomes pivotal. But how do we make this transition just, inclusive, and effective? Today, host Alex Foot is joined by two esteemed Curtin University professors, Professor Peta Ashworth OAM and Professor Petra Tschakert. They break down the complex layers of the energy humanities, the...

Mountain biking, an exhilarating outdoor adventure, is taking the world by storm. From conquering rugged trails to exploring diverse terrains, it offers a fantastic cardiovascular workout, enhancing your strength, endurance, and agility. In fact, it's one of the fastest-growing recreational activities globally. In this episode, Host David Kasten sat down with Paul Braybrook, a dedicated paramedic...

As one of the world’s rarest mammals, the iconic echidna has developed surprising ways to adapt to a warming climate. In this episode, David Karsten was joined by Dr Christine Cooper from Curtin’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences to discuss the unique traits of echidnas and what the future holds. What is a monotreme? 01:30 Dr Cooper explains how echidnas use vocalisations to mate [8:05] The d...

Why are experts turning to cryo-preservation to combat plant extinction threats? In this episode, host David Karsten is joined by Professor Ricardo Mancera and Dr Bryn Funnekotter to discuss the role of cryo-preservation for long-term conservation of plant species, asked why this is necessary for industry, and discussed emerging cryo biotechnology that could be a viable alternative to conventional...

Traumatic brain injuries are becoming more widely discussed, with more sports stars revealing their health issues after repeated episodes of concussion. But what about the lesser injuries, which cumulatively may have a profound effect on the brain? In this episode, host Sarah Taillier chatted with Dr Sarah Hellewell, a leading international expert in the area of traumatic brain injury who is based...

Our children today navigate a world where the boundaries between digital and physicals worlds are increasingly blurred. As they tap, swipe, and interact, Australian parents wonder: How does this digital immersion shape a child's growth? How do we differentiate constructive digital engagement from detrimental? And above all, how do we ensure their safety in this vast digital expanse? In this episod...

Is this Australia's pivotal moment? In this episode, host David Karsten is joined by Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker to discuss the upcoming Australian referendum on recognising the First Nations people of Australia in the constitution and the potential establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. What is the proposed Voice to Parliament? [01:10] How Prof. Kickett-Tucker's comm...

In the face of cyber threats, how do nations and organisations safeguard personal data and secure the digital systems we rely on? In this episode, host David Karsten is joined by Dr Nickson Karie, a cybersecurity and forensics expert to discuss the looming threat of cyberattacks, the potential impacts of cyberwarfare on a nation, and what we can all do to keep our information safe in cyberspace. W...

Could Australia legalise recreational cannabis use while avoiding the same profit-driven pitfalls that have occurred with tobacco and alcohol?  In this episode, Sarah is joined by Professor Simon Lenton from the National Drug Research Institute to explore how Australia may go about legalising the recreational use of cannabis, learning from the commercial models seen in North America. Highs and low...

Digital disruption, AI, automation and changing views about work-life balance are going to transform our workplaces. A Deloitte Access Economics report forecasts that four out of five jobs created between now and 2030 will be for ‘knowledge workers’. In this episode, Jess and David are joined by Professor Mark Griffin, Director of the Future of Work Institute at Curtin University, about how our wo...

With rising interest rates, dwindling housing supply and a rental market in crisis, what is happening to Australian housing affordability, and is there any relief in sight? In this episode, David Karsten is joined by researchers Dr Adam Crowe and Ryan Brierty to discuss their new report on housing affordability in Western Australia in 2023 and what we can expect from the housing market in the futu...

What is ‘the manosphere’, what has it got to do with masculinity, and why are high school teachers concerned by teenage boys’ attraction to it? In this episode, our guest presenter Associate Professor Kathryn Shine is joined by Dr Ben Rich and Dr Francis Russell, from the Curtin Extremism Research Network, to discuss the realm of the manosphere. What is the manosphere? [00:09] Why are men feeling...

Whether you love it, hate it, don’t get it or your grandma’s trending on it, TikTok is a cultural phenomenon. But how did it become so popular and should we be worried by its reach? Join our host Sarah Taillier as she chats with Crystal Abidin, Professor of Internet Studies at Curtin University and Founder of the TikTok Cultures Research Network.  They explore why TikTok is so popular, how its alg...

Western Australia's mining sector is the lifeblood of the state, but it's not without scrutiny. Learn how the industry is using research to undergo a cultural revolution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its workers.  In this episode, David is joined by Professor Sharon Parker and Dr Patricia Todd to explore how the government-backed Landmark Study can address serious cultural and safety issue...

It's been half a century since humans travelled to the moon when astronauts explored an area of the moon known as the Taurus-Littrow Valley in 1972. Now, NASA's Artemis space program could resume travel to the moon by 2024 and provide exciting opportunities for the next generation of planetary scientists and space explorers. To explore this topic, Sarah was joined by Professor Phil Bland and Profe...

Is it too late to save our iconic black cockatoos, or is there still time to act and protect these majestic birds?  With their distinctive call and striking feathers, black cockatoos are beloved by many Australians. But some species of black cockatoo will be extinct by 2050 due to major habitat loss. In this episode, Sarah is joined by wildlife biologist Associate Professor Bill Bateman and filmma...

Curtin researchers are trialling a medication that could help preserve the cognitive function of people with Alzheimer’s.  In this episode, Sarah Taillier is joined by Professor John Mamo and Dr Virginie Lam from the Curtin Health and Innovation Research Institute. They discuss how they’re trialling an existing drug that could be a game changer for people with Alzheimer’s by preventing the build-u...

Grief and dying are among the most underdiscussed topics in society. How does this impact our wellbeing, and does our understanding about grief need to change?  To explore this topic, Sarah is joined by Professor Lauren Breen and Ms Shelly Skinner. Lauren is researcher in Curtin University’s School of Population Health, specialising in the psychology of grief and loss. Lauren’s research is interna...

Will Twitter ever be the same since Elon Musk’s takeover? And what impact will his changes have on users, free speech and (dis)information?      Twitter is one of the most influential speech platforms in the world – as of 2022, it had approximately 450million monthly active users. But its takeover by Elon Musk has sparked concerns about social media regulation and Twitter’s ability to remain a ‘pr...