Big Ideas

Sue Chrysanthou, a senior defamation barrister and King's Counsel, tackles the pressing issue of cancel culture. She defines it as a form of public shaming that stifles debate and imposes permanent stigmas through repetitive labeling. Drawing parallels to historical ostracism and the Salem witch trials, she emphasizes the importance of structured debate over mob rule. Chrysanthou advocates for civil discourse, protection of free speech at universities, and legal remedies against unjust public humiliation. Her insights challenge the moral fabric of modern accountability.

For all of human history, space has been a place of mystery, awe and fascination. But unless you're an astronaut, a billionaire, or a pop star, most of us will never have the opportunity to travel there — except in our minds. This conversation features two writers who've used the perspective of space to explore our humanity, Earth's place in the universe, and the meaning of it all.The conversation, Out of this World was recorded live at the 2025 Sydney Writers' Festival.SpeakersSamantha Harvey Author, Orbital (2024 Booker Prize winner) and many moreCeridwen Dovey Writer of fiction, creative non-fiction and science, filmmaker, author of Only the Astronauts and many moreAshley Hay (host) Writer, editor, facilitator, mentor, author of A Hundred Small Lessons, and many more

Join award-winning arts writer Quentin Sprague, known for his insightful essays and the 2021 Prime Minister's Literary Award, as he dives into the heart of contemporary Australian art. He discusses his childhood influences and the transformative power of Philip Guston’s work. Sprague argues for a more intuitive approach to art criticism, prioritizing personal stories over judgment. Examining artists like Sally Gabori and Stuart Ringholt, he highlights the interplay between obsession, recovery, and the complex narratives shaping today's art.

In this insightful conversation, British science journalist Lucy Jones, author of *Matrescence*, explores the transformative journey of motherhood. She delves into the neuroscience behind the parental brain and discusses the phenomenon of microchimerism, where cells exchange between mother and child. Lucy also critiques societal expectations of intensive motherhood, linking them to broader themes of patriarchy and capitalism. Through personal anecdotes, she highlights the importance of community, self-discovery, and addressing maternal mental health.

Stephen Harrison, a Lecturer in Ancient History and author, dives deep into the intriguing complexities of Alexander the Great's life. They discuss the various conflicting portrayals of Alexander, examining tensions with his father, Philip II, and the historical motives behind significant events, like the burning of Persepolis. Harrison highlights the importance of local politics in Alexander's campaigns and reflects on his wide cultural legacy, challenging romanticized narratives with a fresh perspective on the man behind the legend.

She became the third ever woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, and the first in 50 years. This is the story of how Donna Strickland became a "Laser Jock", and why she's now on a mission to restore trust in science.This event was recorded at the Centre for Ideas at the University of New South Wales.SpeakersDonna StricklandProfessor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, Canada2018 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics (with Gérard Mourou)Tegan Taylor (host) Presenter, Life Matters and What's that Rash? ABC Radio NationalFurther information:About Donna Strickland, 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics

Ziggy Ramo is an award-winning musician and author whose latest book titled Human?: A lie that has been killing us since 1788 weaves song, visual art and personal history to present a new way of looking at this country’s past.  Led by Mparntwe and Alice Springs-based poet Laurie May, Ziggy reflects on the project and where it took him at the Byron Writers Festival.Each chapter of Human? is a multi-media journey, the richness of the art forms matches the depth of the topics covered – both personal and political to Ziggy. SpeakersZiggy Ramo Wik and Solomon Islander artist and author of Human?: A lie that has been killing us since 1788Laurie May Mparntwe and Alice Springs-based poet and spoken word performer 

2025 is a landmark year for Australian privacy law. The new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy came into effect in June this year. This could be a breakthrough providing you with a better way to protect your privacy interests through the court system. Big Ideas digs deep into its origins, its inspirations, and its potential future.Presented at the Queensland University of Technology.SpeakersEmeritus Professor Barbara McDonaldProfessor of Law, University of Sydney Law School; led the 2014 Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry on Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era.The Hon Justice Peter Applegarth AM KCFormer barrister and Judge of the Supreme Court of QueenslandMark Burdon (host)Professor of Law, Queensland University of Technology, QUT's Digital Media Research CentreFurther informationNew statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy

Philip Roscoe, a Professor of Management at the University of St Andrews and author of How to Build a Stock Exchange, dives into the complex history of financial markets. He reveals how finance has shaped societies, from the slave trade to today's speculative bubbles. Roscoe discusses the impact of the London Stock Exchange's origins, the cultural shifts during the 1980s Big Bang, and how automation has transformed trading. He also examines the rise of the dot-com boom and the fragility of modern financial spectacles, concluding with thoughts on the future of cryptocurrencies.

She's on a bank note (British 10 pounds), and a bath soap (Suds and Sensibility), and she also wrote some of the most beloved novels in English literature. Why has Jane Austen become such an enduring cultural force, and what makes us return to her works time and time again?This event, celebrating 250 years since Jane Austen's birth, was recorded at the National Library of Australia on 20 August 2025.SpeakerSusannah Fullerton President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, guide, ASA Cultural Tours