Wide Open Air Exchange CHRISTINE GALLAGHER

Dr Sonika Singh shares insights about the kinds of research and projects she works on as an academic specialising in digital marketing and data analysis.  Sonika is a Marketing lecturer and Marketing Post Graduate Program Director at the UTS Business School. She has a PhD in Management Science from the University of Texas and an MBA from SIMS Pune.

Darren Fittler is a senior lawyer who runs a Charities and Social Sector practice. He shares his vocational story and life philosophy. Darren is a person who is blind and he explains the difference between the social model of disability as distinct from the medical model. We also hear about Darren's approach to community service, his prior advocacy at the United Nations, his turn to stand-up comedy, and his positive attitude to emerging AI technology.

Roller Derby skater Paula “Shreddy” Kruger gives us an introduction to what is roller derby and provides insights to the subculture and philosophy of roller derby as an inclusive sport and community.

Community radio station manager Paula Kruger shares the origins of her interests in radio and storytelling and in doing so tells some of her own personal story. This episode features a discussion of Paula's approach to overcoming a fear of public speaking (in high school) before finding a home in Thailand (in early adult years) and carving out a media career (including many years at the ABC). 

We hear about the vocational pathway of futurist Ross Dawson and his interests in systems thinking and feedback loops. Ross is an author and his most recent book Thriving on Overload contains practical strategies and tools for managing in a world of information overwhelm.

Scientist Tien Huynh is involved in research projects as diverse as developing fire retardant building materials from fungi and exploring the possibilities for planting seedlings on the Moon.

Tien has an inspiring personal story of growing up in wartime Vietnam and overcoming childhood illness to becoming a senior academic doing inspiring outreach work and inclusive workplace mentoring.