Weather patterns aren’t following historical trends and we’re seeing record floods and bushfires. A weather forecaster and a storm chaser talk about the science of forecasting and intense weather systems. And making the transition to renewables while protecting the electricity grid and protecting the workers mining lithium for batteries.
Ten years have passed since the landmark Gonski Review found the performance of Australian students had declined, across the board, compared to international benchmarks. What has happened since Gonski? What makes for a good & equitable education system? Why are so many teachers demoralised and leaving the profession? Paul Barclay …
"A battle for Hong Kong's very soul" - what led to the explosion of protest, what events proved to be the tipping point? More importantly, what's next?
The Lismore community is rebuilding physically and psychologically since the catastrophic floods and the prospect of these events happening with greater frequency due to climate change. We also hear from a former refugee about rebuilding her life after a childhood scarred by war and the opportunity of Covid lockdowns to …
Hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from their addiction to opioid drugs. The epidemic has being driven by both illegal and prescribed drugs. Investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe traces the history of one of the prescription drugs which got America hooked. And are we in the age of political …
If you’ve snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef you’ll be amazed at the colour of the corals and fish of all kinds. Unless of course you’re snorkelling where climate change is causing coral bleaching. Scientists are racing to classify species and breed climate resilient corals. And how weeds can inspire …
Ex CIA spy Glenn Carle—'the interrogator'—talks to Paul Barclay about a top secret operation that went dreadfully wrong. An alleged al Qaeda kingpin terrorist was incarcerated for eight years, and subjected to what most of us would call torture, then released without charge, without apology, his life in ruins. All …
The Glasgow Gifford Lectures 4: 'The end of anthropology? What does the future
hold for the world languages and culture?'
April 25, 2022
With over 50% of the world's population living in cities, are we still evolving or are we homogenising? What will our cities, languages and cultures look like 100 years from now?
Being shot at, going to prison, have your family threatened — that's the experience of female judges in many countries. Shakila Abawi Shigarf was forced to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban retook power in August 2021. The Australian chapter of the International Association of Women Judges was instrumental in helping …
Global brands are under pressure to eliminate products produced by the forced labour of China’s Uyghurs .Human rights groups say they're working in factories which manufacture goods for the technology, clothing and automotive sectors. China denies that the Uyghurs are living in detention centres and working under forced labour conditions …
What are the lessons from one of the most terrible battles of WW1?
Do you get phone calls warning you that your home computer has a security problem or a text message about a parcel you can’t recall having ordered? Scammers and hackers are using every trick in the book to make the most of digital technology and cyber security is now a …
The Glasgow Gifford Lectures 3: 'Human tribalism - a curse of our evolutionary
past?'
April 18, 2022
When we've spent 95% of our evolutionary past living in small tribal groups, what's prepared us to live and work in vast metropolises with millions of others?
As Australia’s population expands wild places shrink. To protect the remaining patches we want to lock it up and keep people out. But what exactly is wilderness? Is it a place untouched by human hands? An indigenous geographer says that what we call wilderness is not nature left to its …
We are aware of the impact racism can have on black, Indigenous, and other racialized people. We condemn white supremacy and hate crimes. But what if the most harm to people of colour is caused by white 'progressives'? What if they are the problem, but they are in denial?
How do you feel about insects? You might love bees because they pollinate food crops but not be a fan of mosquitos or the aphids munching their way through your garden. Love them or hate them insects are a vital part of the ecosystem. They outnumber us on the planet …
The Glasgow Gifford Lectures 2: 'The evolution of creativity: you're not as
clever as you think'
April 11, 2022
Why are human societies unique among animals for their ability to accumulate knowledge and technologies? Most of us invent nothing, so how have we achieved this while no other species has?
Satellites orbiting the earth are put to many uses helping us to navigate, predict the weather and connect to the internet. Not to mention spying on other countries. But it’s getting crowded up there with more rockets , satellites and pieces of space junk and no-one is directing traffic. So …
The legal system is far from perfect. How can laws be used, or reformed, to help bring about social change? Can they assist indigenous Australians to protect their cultural and intellectual property, or deliver justice to survivors of sexual violence? What are the limits of class action litigation in contributing …
After the moon, Mars is the next big thing . So what do we know about Mars and who’s likely to get there first? Spacecraft flying through the atmosphere collect data on Mars chemistry and geography while rovers on the Martian surface act as forward scouts for a human mission. …