UNSW Centre for Ideas

UNSW Centre for Ideas Talks and ideas to challenge your mind and shake up your thinking.

Off the cuff and unfiltered, live talks and digital content, where you hear the content you can’t Google. The UNSW Centre for Ideas presents a thought-provoking program of events and digital content from the globe's leading thinkers. As we grapple with questions surrounding climate change, technological disruption and global politics, a program which provides a platform for public debate and the s

haring of knowledge, that is also open to everyone, is crucial. SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES: We believe in academic freedom, so posts don’t necessarily represent official UNSW views. Our Social Media Terms of Use (www.unsw.to/sm) explain more about what academic freedom means for our content, and outlines the house rules for engaging with our social media pages and content. Most of all, be respectful and kind to each other - these pages are for our broad community to come together, contribute to academic discussions and talk all things UNSW. You can trust you’re engaging with an endorsed UNSW social media page by checking the Social Media Directory (www.unsw.edu.au/socialmedia), or in most cases simply look for the blue verified tick on major social platforms.

Janet Salem wouldn’t describe herself as a stereotypical tech-bro entrepreneur. She’s a founder in her 40s, she spent 17...
13/08/2026

Janet Salem wouldn’t describe herself as a stereotypical tech-bro entrepreneur. She’s a founder in her 40s, she spent 17 years at the United Nations, and her degree is in environmental engineering.

But it’s this blend of experience that is giving her the competitive edge. Tune in to the latest episode of We Built This Thing to hear how she’s persuading CFOs to invest in sustainability.

Listen on unsw.to/wbtt

AI-proof your job, turn your personal mission into an organisation, escape from the rat race and be your own boss. Tune ...
06/08/2026

AI-proof your job, turn your personal mission into an organisation, escape from the rat race and be your own boss. Tune in to hear our new Podcast series – We Built This Thing, and find out how these entrepreneurs and creatives are building fulfilling lives on their own terms.

🎧Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or watch the interviews on YouTube.

In the first episode, UNSW alumnus Shannon Lemanski talks about how a big pivot led him to pitch his business to the King of England and revolutionise access to clean drinking water in the process.

Sometimes the secret sauce to start-up success isn’t the invention but the business plan.

Start listening at unsw.to/wbtt

From a family story rooted in Yarrabah to the lawns of the White House in Washington DC, hear the incredible story of Da...
19/07/2026

From a family story rooted in Yarrabah to the lawns of the White House in Washington DC, hear the incredible story of Daniel Joinbee a proud Gunggandji man, Royal Australian Air Force veteran, and founder of Australia’s first and only 100% Aboriginal-owned aerospace consultancy and Indigenous youth program.

🎙️Hosted by Jonathan Webb, Science Editor at ABC Radio National ()
🎟️Tickets at the link in bio!

With the signing of the Global Ocean Treaty, there's now an ocean of hope to make change. Join Greenpeace CEO David Ritt...
13/07/2026

With the signing of the Global Ocean Treaty, there's now an ocean of hope to make change. Join Greenpeace CEO David Ritter and Torres Strait Islander actor, screenwriter and producer Aaron Fa’Aoso with author and social researcher, Rebecca Huntley as they discuss saving our big blue backyard.

🎟️Get your tickets and explore more events from the UNSW Centre for Ideas 👉 unsw.to/cfi

A rare look behind the curtain of a powerful storyteller whose work has shaped the Australian and international creative...
02/07/2026

A rare look behind the curtain of a powerful storyteller whose work has shaped the Australian and international creative landscape. Join renowned director Andrew Upton in conversation with Michaela Kalowski as they discuss his debut novel, Krank Fuss, and all things film, theatre, television and the arts.

🎟️ Tickets: unsw.to/AndrewUpton

30/06/2026

Why does the World Cup attract diehard and fair-weather fans alike? UNSW’s Lisa Williams explains why being a sports fan is a great opportunity to connect to our community and the surprising things we can learn about social participation.

22/06/2026

Award-winning author. Fearless storyteller. Unforgettable voice.

From exposing life inside East Germany's secret police state in Stasiland to uncovering the hidden story of George Orwell's wife in Wifedom, Anna Funder has spent her career bringing overlooked stories into the light.

This August, join her live at Sydney Town Hall for an evening of ideas, conversation, and the stories that shape how we see the world.

📍 Sydney Town Hall
📅 4 August

🎟️ Tickets available at thinkable.events

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night alongside Kieran Pender and Gabriel Shipton. In conversation with Lenore Tay...
17/06/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night alongside Kieran Pender and Gabriel Shipton. In conversation with Lenore Taylor, they discussed shifting how we think about whistleblowers, the enormous personal cost of speaking out and a growing momentum for stronger protections.

📸 Ken Leanfore

Last week with Jane Caro and Hannah Ferguson! Jane and Hannah sat down with UNSW's Farhana Dawood for a candid conversat...
15/06/2026

Last week with Jane Caro and Hannah Ferguson!

Jane and Hannah sat down with UNSW's Farhana Dawood for a candid conversation exploring what it means to be a feminist and the real and perceived gains and losses of gender equality in Australia and globally.

📸 Maria Boyadgis

Some stories change the way we see the world.Join acclaimed author Anna Funder for an evening of powerful storytelling, ...
11/06/2026

Some stories change the way we see the world.

Join acclaimed author Anna Funder for an evening of powerful storytelling, thought-provoking ideas, and conversations that matter.

From untold histories to the questions shaping our future, this is a rare opportunity to hear from one of Australia's most compelling voices live on stage.

📍 Sydney Town Hall
🗓️ 4 August 2026

Swipe through to discover why this is an event you won't want to miss.

🎟️ Tickets available now at thinkable.events

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Sydney, NSW

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