Raising the Bar Melbourne

raisingthebarmelbourne

In May 2026, the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne hosted a special health edition of Raising the Bar Melbourne, featuring 20 free talks by some of Melbourne’s leading healthcare experts across 10 pubs and bars all in one night. Positioned as part of the Faculty’s 150th anniversary celebrations, the talks – and this podcast series - feature topics ranging from AI and cancer research to health disinformation, ADHD, helping kids sleep, the future of robotic surgery and much more.

  1. Episode 1. ADHD and neurodivergence: beyond the buzzwords – by Professor Dave Coghill

    Episode 1

    Episode 1. ADHD and neurodivergence: beyond the buzzwords – by Professor Dave Coghill

    In this talk, Professor Dave Coghill, explores the science behind ADHD and neurodivergence and moves beyond the buzzwords to offer deeper understanding around why nuance is important.

    56 min

  2. Episode 2

    Episode 2. Beyond Ozempic: the next decade of weight loss medicine – by Professor Garron Dodd

    In this talk, Professor Garron Dodd discusses how drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro reshaped weight-loss medicine, and shares what the next decade of smarter therapies and treatment options might look like.

    53 min

  3. Episode 3

    Episode 3. Brain network therapies: targeting circuits, transforming outcomes – by Associate Professor Leo Chen

    In this talk, A/Prof Leo Chen, a psychiatrist and researcher, explores how breakthroughs in brain‑network therapies offer safer, targeted and personalised treatments for depression and chronic pain.

    52 min

  4. Episode 4

    Episode 4. Can AI beat cancer? – by Professor Justin Yeung and Rebecca Eastwood

    In this talk, Professor Justin Yeung was joined by patient, Rebecca Eastwood, to share how AI is reshaping cancer care through smarter technology, personalised treatment, and better patient experiences and outcomes.

    54 min

  5. Episode 5

    Episode 6. Chew on this: how childhood dental health shapes your future – by Associate Professor Mihiri Silva

    In this talk, Associate Professor Mihiri Silva discusses how healthy oral habits in children set them up for life, and why common conditions like tooth decay are entirely preventable.

    46 min

  6. Episode 6

    Episode 7. Is social media helping or hurting youth mental health? – by Dr Shaminka Mangelsdorf and Rory Sorenson

    In this talk, Dr Shaminka Mangelsdorf and Rory Sorenson explore how social media shapes youth wellbeing, from online risks to positive digital spaces and healthier, more balanced habits.

    54 min

  7. Episode 7

    Episode 8. Health in the age of disinformation: trust, tech and truth – by Professor Andy Perfors

    In this talk, Professor Andy Perfors explains how disinformation exploits human psychology, and what we can do to resist manipulation in an increasingly complex digital world.

    53 min

  8. Episode 8

    Episode 9. Menopause information overload: how to make sense of it – by Associate Professor Michelle Peate

    In this talk, Associate Professor Michelle Peate explores how to navigate menopause information in an era of overload. Drawing on research in decision science and women’s health, Michelle unpacks why conflicting advice can feel overwhelming, how marketing and algorithms shape what we see, and what “evidence-based” really means.

    38 min
See All (19)

About

In May 2026, the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne hosted a special health edition of Raising the Bar Melbourne, featuring 20 free talks by some of Melbourne’s leading healthcare experts across 10 pubs and bars all in one night. Positioned as part of the Faculty’s 150th anniversary celebrations, the talks – and this podcast series - feature topics ranging from AI and cancer research to health disinformation, ADHD, helping kids sleep, the future of robotic surgery and much more.

Information

  • Creator
    raisingthebarmelbourne
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Raising the Bar Melbourne