UNSW Centre for Ideas

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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 sharing 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.

From malingering political leaders and magic mushrooms to quantum computing, AI warfare and saving the oceans. In just o...
22/09/2026

From malingering political leaders and magic mushrooms to quantum computing, AI warfare and saving the oceans. In just one evening, One Big Idea will cover the corners of humanity.

📆 6.30pm | Tuesday, 3 November
📍 Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
🎟️ Register for your tickets at unsw.to/one-big-idea-2026

What does looks-maxxing, social media and education have to do with consent? Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent,...
18/09/2026

What does looks-maxxing, social media and education have to do with consent? Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent, sat down with host Justine Rogers to discuss tackling sexual violence in Australia.
🎧Listen now: unsw.to/wbtt

*Please be aware this episode discusses sexual abuse and trauma. Resources and support can be found at 1-800-RESPECT (1800 737 732).

Raji Ambikairajah has had a very successful career. She was 2018 NSW Woman of the Year for her work with Room to Read, s...
11/09/2026

Raji Ambikairajah has had a very successful career. She was 2018 NSW Woman of the Year for her work with Room to Read, she has a PhD in electrical engineering from UNSW, she’s been the CEO of several start-ups, and she’s been on boards since she was in her 20s.

But what makes Raji stand out has been a clear moral compass that has guided her across careers, companies and boardrooms.

In the latest episode of 'We built this thing', tune in for Raji's take on building a career out of your principles and her advice for deciding what you want to do when the future feels uncertain.

Start listening at unsw.to/wbtt

This year the David Cooper Lecture will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Kirby Institute by hosting Australian immu...
08/09/2026

This year the David Cooper Lecture will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Kirby Institute by hosting Australian immunologist and Nobel laureate Peter Doherty in conversation with journalist and presenter, Natasha Mitchell (). He’ll share his journey from rural veterinary officer to Nobel laureate and Australian of the Year.

📆 6.30pm | Tuesday, 27 October
📍UPDATED VENUE: Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Kensington
🎟️ Tickets at https://bit.ly/4xL5Cls

The David Cooper Lecture is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, the Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health

Australians pride themselves on living in a country where anyone can have a fair go. But is that the reality for those w...
25/08/2026

Australians pride themselves on living in a country where anyone can have a fair go. But is that the reality for those who have to start from scratch with a new language, new culture and new home?

Join Mariam Veiszadeh DEI in a keynote talk and conversation with host Nicole Abadee on her journey from fleeing Afghanistan as a young girl, to building a life in Australia as a lawyer, advocate and human rights champion.

📆 6.30pm | Tuesday, 20 October
📍 UPDATED VENUE: Science Theatre, UNSW Kensington
🎟️ https://bit.ly/4quBzvm

This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and the UNSW Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law at UNSW Law & Justice

What would you do if you were incarcerated at just 16? Michael Kwan shares his journey from his first night in prison to...
21/08/2026

What would you do if you were incarcerated at just 16? Michael Kwan shares his journey from his first night in prison to becoming CEO of Praxis Youth and helping change the game for others in youth justice.

Tune in to the latest episode of We built this thing to find out what drove him to complete an education from behind bars and pursue engineering at UNSW, and how he’s turned his life’s mission into an award-winning organisation.

🎧Listen now: unsw.to/wbtt

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

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