Big Ideas

Anne Summers revisits her classic feminist text Damned Whores and God's police and examines the status of women - then and now.

The rise of China puts Australia in a particular bind: do we tilt to a near neighbour, or stay close to the United States?

What more can be done to help elite athletes manage their mental health and their transition to life after sport.

The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, before the onset of obvious symptoms and damage to the brain, remain difficult to detect. Yet obtaining an early diagnosis could help stall the progress of the disease and may assist in finding a cure. The aim is to develop a simple and accurate diagnostic tool. A forum at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health examines some of the promising new research into dementia diagnosis.

What happens when a factory in a regional area closes? Can the social enterprise or co-operative model offer local workers, suppliers and producers a chance to restart the business?

In this first lecture, delivered at Peking University in Beijing, Dr Michael Fullilove explains the crumbling of world order. As wealth and power shifts to the East,  Australia finds itself in a new and precarious position.

Retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston had a leading role in both the investigation into the disappearance of Malaysian Airline flight MH370 as well as the recovery efforts after the downing of MH17. Hear about his insights into Australia’s response to these disasters.

What are the 'defining moments' in Australian history?

Third way technologies, deliberative democracy, geo engineering, Paris - Tim Flannery explores and evaluates the possibilities for action on climate change.

Is the Westminster tradition of frank and fearless advice under threat? It’s a principle laid down in the public service commission guidelines. But are public servants these days feeling less able to give unpalatable advice to a minister – maybe due to the loss of security in tenure? Are briefs procured to support a particular perceived outcome that’s already favoured by the minister?