Sydney Ideas
Sydney Ideas is the University of Sydney's premier public lecture series program, bringing the world's leading thinkers and the latest research to the wider Sydney community.
Episodes
July 16, 2025 • 48 mins
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 talk, Katie takes us through the l...
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May 28, 2025 • 55 mins
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 (NZI) critical minerals pillar lead...
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March 19, 2025 • 57 mins
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 resources, including the transcri...
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March 9, 2025 • 47 mins
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
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November 27, 2024 • 50 mins
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/3CKDPdf
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November 4, 2024 • 36 mins
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
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November 3, 2024 • 45 mins
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 resources, including the transcript, visi...
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October 29, 2024 • 46 mins
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
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September 25, 2024 • 50 mins
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
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August 29, 2024 • 39 mins
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 Sydney Ideas website: bit.ly/3XyT...
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June 26, 2024 • 29 mins
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-sponsorships/sydney-ideas/2024/music...
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April 10, 2024 • 45 mins
Delve into the history, science, and beauty of the natural world with Australian author James Bradley, Professor of Marine Biology Maria Byrne, ocean and climate advocate Tishiko King and host Helen Sullivan (Guardian Australia).
This event was held live at the University of Sydney on 8 March 2024. For more details and resources, visit the Sydney Ideas page: https://bit.ly/49wNNtl
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March 25, 2024 • 43 mins
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://bit.ly/4a5GeLf
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March 4, 2024 • 49 mins
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 public talk, Alastair shares brie...
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November 23, 2023 • 38 mins
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 Antoinette Lattouf, author, journal...
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November 12, 2023 • 65 mins
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 have, a role in reflecting our aspi...
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October 19, 2023 • 37 mins
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, The Solutionists dives into the ...
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October 5, 2023 • 37 mins
Hear from two pioneering University of Sydney alumni changing the game in news and media: Zara Seidler, co-founder of Australia's fastest growing social-first news service, The Daily Aus; and Phoebe Saintilan, founder of new media technology company Missing Perspectives.
Zara and Phoebe swap stories about their multifaceted careers from politics to journalism, to finding their footing in a profoundly disrupted landscape.
The rec...
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September 18, 2023 • 35 mins
In this conversation, hear academic experts discuss disinformation – what makes it so influential and problematic, roles and responsibilities of our institutions and platforms, and how to counteract it for better decision-making.
Featuring: philosopher Lee McIntyre, digital platforms researcher Joanne Gray and cognitive scientist Micah Goldwater. Farz Edraki, writer, editor and broadcaster at ABC, hosts this discussion.
The reco...
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August 28, 2023 • 48 mins
Can we save lives and save the planet? Hear how the healthcare sector is tracking, finding solutions and making changes, to be more sustainable and green.
Healthcare is both significantly affected by, and is a contributor to, climate change. If the global health sector were a country, it would be the fifth largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
So, how can Australia work towards a more sustainable healthcare system, wi...
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