The Solutionists, with Mark Scott

University of Sydney
  • 4.6 (34)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY
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 most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions. You'll discover a world of progress and possibility. +++ The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

  1. 29 OCT

    Trust Breakdown - Lenore Taylor on why faith in public institutions is eroding

    Why doesn’t anyone seem to trust journalists anymore? Or politicians? Or anyone, really? Are we all becoming paranoid, or has our trust been broken by those we lent it to?   Lenore Taylor’s the editor-in-chief of The Guardian Australia and the host of the Guardian’s Full Story podcast. Lenore jokes that journos have always been about as trusted as used car salesmen, but she’s worried facts don’t mean what they used to anymore.   Lenore takes you back to the moment she noticed facts were losing their power, explains how political figures have leveraged mistrust to stoke fear, and breaks down what needs to change if we want to rebuild trust in Australia.  +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot. Executive producer is Madeleine Hawcroft. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Strategist is Ann Chesterman. Thanks to the technical staff at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  2. 15 OCT

    In your DNA - the future of medicine

    There’s no one else on the planet just like you. So why do you take the same medicine as everyone else when you get sick?   Professor David James is an expert is obesity and diabetes, and he says the current medical system isn’t good enough. But as researchers and clinicians learn more about how our genetics work, a better path is beginning to clear.   David explains how your genetics and environment interact with one another and influence your health, and what this means for the future of medicine. You’ll also meet Harry and Stewart from David’s lab, who share how this groundbreaking research gets done.   +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot and field sound recording by Gia Moylan. Executive producer is Madeleine Hawcroft. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Strategist is Ann Chesterman. Thanks to the technical staff at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  3. 1 OCT

    Net Zero check-up – Will Australia make it?

    Deanna D’Alessandro is the director of the University of Sydney’s Net Zero Institute... So why does she want it dissolved?   “In 2051, my goodness, I hope we do not need the Net Zero Institute,” she says. “We should have solved this problem by then.”  So what needs to happen in the meantime? Deanna shares the personal connection to the planet that sparked her passion for climate science, and explains how and why the Net Zero Institute pulls together the work of physicists, chemists, lawyers, business experts and policy makers in the fight to save the planet.   You’ll also visit one of Deanna’s colleagues, Associate Professor Alejandro Montoya, who's invented a novel way of recycling minerals from electronic waste.   +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot and field sound recording by Gia Moylan. Executive producer is Madeleine Hawcroft. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Strategist is Ann Chesterman. Thanks to the technical staff at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  4. 17 SEPT

    Work it out – Australia's gender inequality in the workplace

    “When I say what I do for a living, most women have a story,” says Rae Cooper. “Women have a way of being able to understand what it is pretty easily. I think men find it a little bit more... academic.”   Rae Cooper is Professor of Gender, Work and Employment Relations at the University of Sydney. She says Australia hasn’t come nearly far enough in the fight for gender equality at work, and there’s a few reasons why.   You’ll also hear how professionals Penny and Glen juggle their careers and families, and how they’ve accessed greater flexibility at work.   +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot and field sound recording by Harry Hughes. Executive producer is Madeleine Hawcroft. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Strategist is Ann Chesterman. Thanks to the technical staff at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min

  5. 3 SEPT

    Save the cities, fix the planet – Ian Goldin on the power and plight of our cities

    Why do you live where you live?   If you’re lucky, it’s by choice. Maybe you love the solitude and sprawling nature of the bush. Maybe you can’t get enough of the coffee, cuisine and culture that makes your dense inner-city neighbourhood special.   Many of us don’t get to choose, though. People are forced into tiny living spaces as their cities grow in population, while others are pushed to the outskirts when gentrification prices them out of their homes. As our global population grows and the climate crisis worsens, how we live – and how we live together – needs to change.   Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford, says cities are the greatest engines of innovation. They’re melting pots, bringing together the top performers and brightest minds from all over the world. But they’re hotbeds of inequality, and that inequality is only growing. At the same time, some of the world’s greatest cities are in great physical danger thanks to rising sea levels.  That’s the big picture, but what does a great city feel like? To give you a sense of what makes a city livable and loveable, Dr Jennifer Kent, a Senior Research Fellow in Urbanism at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, takes you on a walking tour of the Sydney suburb of Abbotsford.  +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot and field sound recording by Harry Hughes. Executive producer is Madeleine Hawcroft. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Strategist is Ann Chesterman. Thanks to the technical staff at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  6. 28 MAY

    Eating disorders are Australia’s deadliest mental illness. This is what you should know

    If you’re concerned about eating disorders or body image issues, whether you need support for yourself or someone you care about, you can call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673.  Picture something that absolutely terrifies you. Now, imagine you’re forced to confront it multiple times a day – and nobody understands why it makes you feel distressed.  Dr Sarah Maguire, the director of the InsideOut Institute, says this is the reality many people with an eating disorder face at meal times. “You might as well be putting a plate of spiders in front of that person and asking them to eat it,” she says.  More than one million Australians are living with an eating disorder (such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating) and anorexia is the nation’s deadliest mental illness. Dr Maguire teaches you the signs to look out for, the risks around social media, and how to help someone recover from a “completely curable” illness.   She also sheds light on the “vicious cycle” she says is holding back research and treatments.  And you’ll hear from 16-year-old Isla and her mother Sara, who reflect on what they’ve learned navigating Isla’s path to recovery. It’s essential listening for any parent.  The InsideOut Institute is at the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney, where Dr Maguire is also a professor.  +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  This episode was produced by Monique Ross with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Thanks to the technical staff at the at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  7. 14 MAY

    The sewage solution – The promise of recycled water and why it’s so hard to swallow

    As the climate changes and populations boom, water supplies are under increasing pressure.  The idea of drinking water that was once swirling down your toilet bowl or kitchen sink may make you feel squeamish, but it could hold the key to future water security.  University of Sydney Professor Stuart Khan explains the promise of purified recycled water, and how it can future-proof water supplies in a thirsty nation prone to drought.  “There is the opportunity to start thinking more about a circular economy and how we might reuse the water that we’re currently discharging.”  Professor Khan points out that all water on Earth is recycled – the water you’re drinking “has quite likely been drunk by dinosaurs in the past” and could be described as “purified dinosaur pee”.   But there’s a huge psychological hurdle involved in drinking water that’s gone from ‘toilet to tap’. So how do you sell the idea to a skeptical public? You’ll hear from Dee Madigan, creative director of advertising agency Campaign Edge and a regular on ABC TV show Gruen.   You’ll also get a taste of how the technology works as you go inside Sydney Water’s Purified Recycled Water Demo Plant, with plant manager James Harrington.  +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Sourcing/credit: Archival media clip from ABC News.  This episode was produced by Monique Ross, with field recordings by Harry Hughes. Sound design by Jeremy Wilmot. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Thanks to the technical staff at the at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  8. 30 APR

    Turning pages, changing lives – How the humanities teach us to live in uncertain times

    When Sophie Gee’s husband was suddenly rushed to hospital, her life was plunged into uncertainty.   Amid the chaos, she discovered a surprising source of strength: her study of classic literature, and in particular, the works of Jane Austen.  Sophie, who was Associate Chair of the English Department at Princeton until she came to the University of Sydney as a Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, says stories have made her more resilient. “Literature teaches us how to be uncertain, how to tolerate discomfort, how to tolerate difficulty,” she says.  Arts and humanities degrees sometimes get a bad rap, but Sophie argues they are more valuable than ever in the age of AI.   She says stories cut through in a way science cannot – just look at the documentary My Octopus Teacher – and equip you with the skills you need to have “truly transformational ideas”.   “Storytelling is one of the most important ways to have access and equity to new pathways. If you’re able to tell your story, you’re able to change your life.”   She also makes the case for returning to old favourites, whether it’s Shakespeare or Harry Potter. And she weighs in on the value of Book Tok.  Sophie Gee is an alumna and a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Sydney.  +++  The Solutionists is podcast from the University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. Keep up to date with The Solutionists by following @sydney_uni on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Sourcing/credit: My Octopus Teacher is a Netflix series and we thank Kaylie for her Book Tok example. Find her on Tik Tok @under_thebelljar   This episode was produced by Monique Ross with sound design by Jeremy Wilmot. The executive producer is Kellie Riordan. Executive editors are Kellie Riordan, Jen Peterson-Ward, and Mark Scott. Thanks to the technical staff at the at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Media Room.  This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
See All (18)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

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 most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions. You'll discover a world of progress and possibility. +++ The Solutionists is a podcast from The University of Sydney, produced by Deadset Studios. This podcast was recorded on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. For thousands of years, across innumerable generations, knowledge has been taught, shared and exchanged here. We pay respect to elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign-in or sign-up to follow shows, save episodes and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada