Sydney Ideas

@sydneyideas.bsky.social

@sydney.edu.au's flagship public talks program, bringing the world's leading thinkers to the wider Sydney community. https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas.html

Why do we need to learn to disagree well? In our latest Conversations for Good event, USYD philosophers Luara Ferracioli and Alexandre Lefebvre explored how intellectual humility, generosity, and curiosity can help us navigate political differences. Catch up: srkr.io/63323BKEf

L-R Alexandre Lefebvre, Luara Ferracioli, Lucy Marshall, Fenella KerneboneL-R Luara Ferracioli, Alexandre Lefebvre, Fenella KerneboneAlexandre LefebvreLuara Ferracioli

A brilliant discussion at the Sydney Opera House with Sophie Gee, Sandra Peter & Kai Riemer + music from Titus Grenyer. From Frankenstein to Commander Data, explore what AI means for empathy, creativity, writing and human thought in the age of artificial intelligence. 🎧 srkr.io/63322B1XA

(L-R) Sandra Peter, Sophie Gee, Kai RiemerKai RiemerSandra Peter

Indigenous knowledge systems continue to shape how we understand land, community and the world around us. Reuben Bolt and Michael Mossman discuss how Indigenous knowledge and western systems can come together to inform the way we live, learn & work. Join us at Sydney Ideas: srkr.io/63329B8mH

Sydney Ideas event on Thursday 21 May at the University of Sydney.

Last week we kicked off the first event in our Conversations for Good series, talking 'Across Platforms'. We explore how platforms shape public discourse, what a good conversation looks like today - and how can we create more of them? Podcast & video 📹 srkr.io/63322BBi8

L-R: Lucy Marshall, Joanne Gray, Rebecca Huntley, Fenella KerneboneConversations for Good, 'Across platforms'Dr Rebecca HuntleyDr Joanne Gray

Technology shapes so much of how we communicate, connect and engage with the world around us - so what influence is it having on democracy and social cohesion in Australia? Join researchers Joanne Gray and Rebecca Huntley to discuss on April 22. Register: srkr.io/63326CrI

Dr Joanne GrayDr Rebecca Huntley

This evening, join The Power Institute and US artist & activist Dread Scott for a lecture on 'Lockdown', a photography and interview project that tells the story of the US prison system through the words and images of the people it imprisons. Register: srkr.io/6332545W

US artist & activist Dread Scott

A conversation between artist Kirtika Kain and art historian Kajri Jain (the 2026 Sydney Asian Art Series Scholar in Residence), on the occasion of Kirtika's new exhibition at the University of Sydney's Chau Chak Wing Museum, "Unkept". Register to attend: srkr.io/63328NIm

Kajri Jain and Kirtika Kain, at the Chau Chak Wing Museum

Join Dr Eva Amanda Calomino to explore stories of the excavations at Tell el-Ghaba and discover how frontier communities in ancient Egypt’s eastern Delta lived, worked, and pushed boundaries. Held next Tuesday evening at the Chau Chak Wing Museum. Register: srkr.io/63320NIo

Dr Eva Amanda Calomino with the Pyramids

The ocean is a dynamic ecosystem - it's evolving every 10 minutes! Our event with A/Prof Chris Pepin-Neff & Dr Vanessa Pirotta brought together science, storytelling and captivating questions from the audience on sharks, risks + how we understand the ocean. Catch the video: srkr.io/63322N4C

(L-R) Chris Pepin-Neff, Helen Sullivan, Vanessa Pirotta at Ocean imaginaries event by Sydney Ideas, held at the University of Sydney

Join Kajri Jain at the Art Gallery of NSW tomorrow evening, as part of the Sydney Asian Art Series 2026. This public lecture explores the sensory infrastructures of collage in a religious souvenir from Nathdwara & a work by modernist Bhupen Khakhar. Register: srkr.io/63329NIJ

Kajri Jain at the Art Gallery of NSW

Explore Australia’s complex relationship with the ocean, timely after recent shark bite incidents that have reignited debate around public safety in our waters. With political scientist Christopher Pepin-Neff & Australian wildlife scientist Vanessa Pirotta. 🎟️ srkr.io/63325F7Z

Ocean imaginaries for Sydney IdeasA/Prof Chris Pepin-NeffDr Vanessa Pirotta

Visit Chau Chak Wing Museum this Thursday to join internationally renowned Head of Antiquities Trafficking Unit, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, as he speaks on current issues in antiquities looting and the global struggle to expose, recover and repatriate. Register: srkr.io/63328294

Colonel Matthew Bogdanos