UNSW Centre for Ideas UNSW Centre for Ideas

As we observe National Sorry Day and another great year of Sydney Writers' Festival comes to a close, we revisit one of the highlights of last year's program. Leading journalist Stan Grant shared insights from his new book, The Queen is Dead – building an impassioned argument on the necessity for an end to monarchy in Australia, the need for a republic, and what can be done to reckon with our past and negotiate a just settlement with First Nations people. Stan appeared in conversation with George Williams.

This event was presented by the Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Sydney. 
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In today’s scientific landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising research methodologies and scientific writing, reshaping how we conduct and disseminate research. As AI’s presence grows, so do questions surrounding ethics, authenticity and the integrity of scientific publications. While AI brings benefits like efficiency and new ideas, it also brings challenges like bias and fake information.Now, we wonder: what should, and shouldn’t we publish?

Hear Dr Eric Rubin, Editor-in-Chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, and Professor Nick Fisk, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research & Enterprise at UNSW Sydney, as they offer invaluable insights into ethical considerations in AI-integrated research, explain what should not be published considering technological advancements, and pinpoint red flags to steer clear of in scientific literature.

Presented by UNSW Medicine & Health
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Recently listed among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in AI, Marek Kowalkieviczas introduces his latest book, The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions.

Hear a thought-provoking conversation between Marek and UNSW AI Institute’s Chief Scientist, Scientia Professor Toby Walsh, as they discuss the book's insights, current AI trends, challenges, and future prospects.

Presented by UNSW AI Institute.
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Is it possible to come from privilege whilst striving for a fierce socialist agenda? Polly Toynbee believes so. The prolific British Guardian journalist, commentator and broadcaster unpacks what it means to be privileged in Britain and Australia, and whether the deepening class divide can ever be transcended.  

In an evening of conversation with journalist Nick Bryant, Polly opens up about her latest book, An Uneasy Inheritance, detailing how she still grapples with her charmed family history, and how she endeavours to dismantle the rigid class systems of Britain with her prolific writing.Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 
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In a world where female sexuality has been hijacked by forces such as porn, patriarchy, and male entitlement – how can we make sexual consent a priority for everyone? 

Whether it’s on campus, at the workplace or in their homes, Australians are shocked week after week at the violence visited upon women who are simply living their lives.  

In 2023, the Universities Accord review found that sexual assault and harassment on university campuses doesn’t just affect the wellbeing of students and staff, it can hold survivors back from success. As a result, campus safety has been deemed a top priority for universities, so what steps are those in positions of power taking to ensure the safety of women within university spaces and beyond?  

Hear author and activist Chanel Contos, UNSW student activist and gendered violence researcher Angela Griffin, First Nations lead of the First National LGBT+ Sistergirls and Brotherboys experiences with sexual violence survey Vanessa Lee-Ah Mat, and Chair of national violence prevention foundation Our Watch, Moo Baulch, as they explore how we can utilise holistic approaches to community care when it comes to gendered violence. 

UNSW is committed to creating a safe environment for all. To learn more head here. 

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week, The Wheeler Centre and the Sydney Opera House. 
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Acclaimed Tamil-language author Perumal Murugan’s books were once burned by far-right groups, and now he’s longlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in literature.  

Explore Murugan’s profound literary odyssey, from the challenges of being a Tamil writer in rural India, to the turmoil of book burning and societal backlash. This exclusive event explores Murugan’s latest work, Pyre, as he navigates societal complexities of villages “full of quiet menace”, so tense it leaves readers “gasping for air” (The New York Times). In an evening of conversation, chaired by award-winning author and UNSW lecturer Roanna Gonsalves, explore Murugan’s extraordinary literary resilience, his literary legacy and the cultural tapestry he weaves. 

Perumal Murugan, a Tamil speaker, and Roanna Gonsalves, an English speaker, will be in conversation in their respective languages. A live interpreter will provide consecutive interpretation throughout the event.Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week. 
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