Sydney Ideas

Since COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) first emerged in December last year there’s been a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and misinformation. As of Thursday 12th March, the World Health Organisation has officially declared a pandemic. The situation is of course rapidly developing. But it’s useful to get some perspective. What can we do to prepare and respond to this issue? On Wednesday 11 March we hosted an information session with academic experts from the University of Sydney to answer critical questions, from health facts to broader societal implications in Australia. THE PANEL – Associate Professor Adam Kamradt-Scott, expert in global health security and international relations – Professor Julie Leask, who has qualifications in nursing and midwifery. Her research focuses on risk communication – Professor Ramon Shaban, Professor of Infection Prevention and Disease Control, and internationally respected clinician and educator – Professor Tania Sorrell AM is Director of the Marie Bashir Institute for

We're talking about the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak and the social and political responses to it. Has fear of the disease taken on a racial dimension? We bring together an epidemiologist, historian, politician, student leader and the University's Vice-Chancellor to help make sense of this rapidly evolving issue. WHAT WE COVER – Brief timeline by Tim Soutphommasane – Pandemic: what does mean, and how will it impact our daily lives? (Ying Zhang, 6.50) – Insights on the government's response to the outbreak and racism in Australia (Jenny Leong, 12.35) – Getting a historical perspective on this (Sophie Loy-Wilson, 19.30) – Insights on students in China affected by the travel ban: how are they feeling? (Abbey Shi, 22.50) – The University's response and support for students (Michael Spence, 26.00) – The economic impact on University sector, tourism and more (30.00) – Preparedness and panic: how we deal with this issue (38.00) – Final thoughts and key messages from speakers (48.25) THE SPEAKERS – Ass

Nanotechnology is unlocking new ways to understand human biology. Scientists expect discoveries in this field will completely revolutionise medicine, from detecting arterial blockages to neural disorders in the brain. Hear from researchers at the forefront of this space discuss the latest developments and applications. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR – Introduction by Professor Benjamin Eggleton, Director of the University of Sydney Nano Institute. https://sydney.edu.au/nano/ – Keynote address by Paul Weiss discussing nano approaches to medicine and biology, and interdisciplinary collaborations (3.50) – Anna Waterhouse and Shelley Wickham talk about their nanorobotics project, which involves building autonomous programmable nanorobots that can navigate the body to detect and prevent early heart disease (34.50) – Conversation with Paul, Anna and Shelley, moderated by Julie Cairney (44.10) THE SPEAKERS - Professor Paul S. Weiss, nanoscientist and Professor at UCLA - Dr Anna Waterhouse, cardiovascular researcher at the

Do the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) outweigh the potential negative effects, in the context of social responsibilities for the entire human race? Will intelligent machines soon take over, turning us into their slaves or raw materials? In his talk, Professor Mark Coeckelbergh shifts the conversation away from science fiction fantasies about AI and into the realms of real ethical issues and urgent policy challenges for development and use of artificial intelligence and robotics in society. Mark is a Belgian philosopher of technology. He is Professor of Philosophy of Media and Technology at the Department of Philosophy of the University of Vienna and President of the Society for Philosophy and Technology. Associate Professor Julia Horne, University Historian and Director of Sydney Social Sciences Advanced Research Centre (SSSHARC), chaired this event. This event was held on Wednesday 27 November, 2019. For more details, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2Dp0f1M

Australia and India have much to learn from each other, because while our economies are quite different, we face similar problems, particularly around energy and the future direction of our cities. Hear from three of the University of Sydney’s leading researchers from Business, Urban Studies and Chemistry. Professor John Shields from the Business School suggests a need to rethink the nature of leadership and asks, what can we learn from Mahatma Gandhi in this regard? Dr Tooran Alizadeh, whose research around smart cities is based in India, asks what is that we want from our cities, in an age of rapidly evolving technology? Dr Girish Lakhwani will draw on his research in energy to explore the parallels and complementary differences between the Indian and Australian experience. Tania Rhodes-Taylor, Vice-Principal (External Relations)at the University, chaired this event, with closing remarks by Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence AC. This event was recorded on Friday 22 November, 2019 in New Delhi.

Award-winning filmmaker Genevieve Clay-Smith has channelled her passion for social justice and desire to equitise the film industry into the practice of inclusive filmmaking. Hear about Genevieve's passion for inclusivity and creative approaches to making innovative work with Bus Stop Films. Joining Genevieve is emerging filmmaker Ricky Kremer, who is currently studying the accessible films studies program at Bus Stop Films.

Bushfires, hurricanes, life-threatening heatwaves and floods have ravaged our planet in recent years. There is a mounting pool of evidence that climate change, including global warming, is a major cause of these extreme weather events. What we need to do to govern such disasters effectively? Who should govern environmental disasters and how? Hear from scholars working on environmental disasters from a range of disciplines, issue areas, and countries, including: - Professor Linda Hancock, Deakin University - Dr Francisco Molina Camacho, CIGIDEN - Professor Susan Park, University of Sydney - Chair: Professor Abbas El-Zein, University of Sydney This conversation was recorded on Thursday 21 November, 2019 at the University of Sydney. For more details or to check out a reading list, visit our website: http://bit.ly/2OkPKTq

Indigenous children are still being removed from their families at increasing rates, despite the clear links to negative child health and education outcomes. Why and how is this still happening? The University of Sydney’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver AM, moderated a conversation with Boe Rambaldini, Director of the University’s Poche Centre for Indigenous Heath; and filmmaker and lawyer, Professor Larissa Behrendt from the University of Technology Sydney. This event was held on Tuesday 19 November, 2019 at University of Sydney. For more details about the speakers and this event, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2oOThQ8

In her talk, Professor Helen Byrne (Oxford University) explains how mathematical models are being used to understand how tumours grow and to predict how they will respond to treatments involving, for example, novel combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Helen was joined by Professor Jennifer Byrne (University of Sydney) in a conversation to explore how maths and medicine can come together to improve research and outcomes. This event was held on Tuesday 12 November, 2019 at the University of Sydney. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2MJYMHF

What does it mean to call a climate emergency? Military and security experts have warned that as temperatures continue to rise, so too will security risks, including in extreme cases, the risk of armed conflict. Speakers: - Professor Ole Wæver, University of Copenhagen - Councillor Jess Miller, City of Sydney Council - Associate Professor Charlotte Epstein, University of Sydney - Olivia Arkell, University of Sydney This conversation was recorded on Monday 11 November, 2019 at the University of Sydney. Visit the website for more details: bit.ly/33FWVuv

Andrew Denton and Dasho Kinley Dorji studied journalism together at Bathurst in NSW in the 1980s and have since made enormous contributions to the media landscapes in Australia and Dorji's home country of Bhutan. Hear the two old classmates discuss Bhutan, the role of journalism in democracy, social media, Gross National Happiness, Crazy Wisdom, and more. Dr Bunty Avieson, Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Sydney, introduced this event. This conversation was recorded on Thursday 7 November, 2019 at the University of Sydney. Visit the website for more details: http://bit.ly/320xweg

The world has gotten used to hearing 'America First', but is it ready for 'Asia First'? Leading global strategy adviser and international bestselling author Dr Parag Khanna makes a case for why we need to start looking at the world, and future, from the Asian point of view. This event also featured: - Welcome by Professor Duncan Ivison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at the University of Sydney - Introduction by Professor James Der Derian, Director of the Centre for International Security Studies - Siobhán Moran-McFarlane led the conversation with Dr Khanna. Siobhán is a broadcast journalist and producer, and host of 'Another World' on Eastside Radio 89.7FM. Dr Khanna is the keynote speaker for the 2019 Michael Hintze Lecture, co-presented with the Centre for International Security Studies. This conversation was recorded on Tuesday 5 November, 2019 at the University of Sydney. For full details, visit the website: http://bit.ly/32bpqzq

Labour expert Professor Shae McCrystal, and Walkley Award-winning journalists Pamela Williams and Quentin Dempster, reflect on the shifting and precarious nature of work in Australia, since the watershed waterfront dispute in 1998. This conversation was recorded on Monday 28 October, 2019 at the University of Sydney and presented in partnership with The Walkley Foundation. Visit the website for more details: http://bit.ly/2ZkKGVh

Why are the arts critical to public health? How can we embed creative practice into healthcare to improve outcomes for all? Hear internationally renowned artists and researchers share their insights and case studies of exemplary practice: - Vic McEwan, The Cad Factory - Dr Clive Parkinson, Manchester School of Art - Dr Nicole Reilly, University of Newcastle (UON) - Akeshia Dart, mental health clinician and PhD candidate at UON - Dr Claire Hooker, University of Sydney and event chair This conversation was recorded on Monday 21 October, 2019 at the University of Sydney. The event marked the launch of the Arts Health Network (NSW/ACT). Connect with this new platform: https://www.artshealthnetwork.com.au/

What musical traditions do copyright laws protect and threaten? Do all musical cultures hold equal status in the eyes of the law? Over the last decade a spate of legal action related to unauthorised musical borrowing has made international headlines and thrust music copyright into the global spotlight. From 'Down Under' to 'Blurred Lines', court rooms around the world have been transformed into music lecture theatres in which the parameters of original musical thought have been charted, challenged and dissected. To unpack this topic, hear from: - Professor Ingrid Monson, Harvard University - Robert Yezerski, barrister - Dr Christopher Coady (Moderator), University of Sydney This conversation was recorded on Tuesday 8 October at the University of Sydney. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2mla9w9

Hear experts, including the Brain and Mind Centre's Professor Adam Guastella, explore how we might create cultures and environments that support neurodiversity, and recognise the varying levels of communication and experiences for people with autism. Featuring: - Professor Adam Guastella, Michael Crouch Chair in Child and Youth Mental Health and University of Sydney - Max Prineas, Bachelor of Music student at University of Sydney - Susannah Gregory, Disability Services Officer at University of Sydney - MC: Chloe Maxwell, TV presenter, model and founder of 4 ASD Kids This event was held on Wednesday 25 September, 2019 as part of Disability Inclusion Week. For more details, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2krEDMm

Professor Chris Monroe is one of the world's foremost quantum technologists and he explains the rise of what promises to be a revolutionary technology of the 21st century. In his talk 'Quantum computing with atoms', Chris shares how he and IonQ use high-precision laser light to control networks of entangled trapped atomic ions to build machines that will have the ability to solve problems beyond the most powerful supercomputers. Chris was joined by Associate Professor Maryanne Large to explore how quantum computing will impact our lives, from disruption to cryptography, finance and shopping to personalised medicine, redesigned industrial chemistry and a revolution in materials science. This event was held on Wednesday 2 October, 2019 at the University of Sydney. For more details, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2Ma5veS

The promise of precision medicine is that it could offer better health outcomes by targeting patients’ genetic and biochemical make-up to pinpoint, predict, prevent and treat diseases. Can it deliver on this? Hear world-renowned thinkers explore some of the key issues around precision medicine. They analyse the realities of disease prediction, economics, ethics, clinical applications and the balance between the personal and the public benefit. Featuring: - Professor Sandro Galea, Boston University - Professor Sarah Wordsworth, University of Oxford - Professor Christopher Semsarian, University of Sydney - Associate Professor Ainsley Newson, University of Sydney - (Chair) Professor Robyn Ward, University of Sydney This conversation was recorded on Wednesday 2 October, 2019 at the University of Sydney. For details about the event, speaker lineup and more, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2m7Ja6Y

How do the harmful effects of chemicals go undetected, and what can we do to better protect against this? Public health expert Professor Tim Driscoll and Walkley Award-winning journalists Kerry O'Brien and Carrie Fellner discuss. This conversation was recorded on Thursday 19 September, 2019 at the University of Sydney and presented in partnership with The Walkley Foundation. Visit the website for more details: http://bit.ly/33SuTNa

How might understanding childhood development lead to genuinely intelligent machines? Young children are actually better at learning unusual or unlikely principles than adults. Professor Alison Gopnik's research relates this pattern to computational ideas about search and sampling, evolutionary ideas about human life history, and neuroscience findings about plasticity. This talk was recorded on Wednesday 11 September at the University of Sydney. For more details, visit the website: http://bit.ly/2kN7CdH