Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series, we search for the source of the mythical fountain of youth.

Medical and technological advances mean more of us are living fulfilling lives to 100 years of age and beyond. But in a world obsessed with celebrity and youth, how do we challenge perceptions of getting old and champion positive ageing? How do we age without getting old?

Our panel discussion, hosted by La Trobe’s Albury-Wodonga campus, explores what it means to grow old in rural and regional Australia. It features:

- Renata Singer, an internationally acclaimed author of ‘Older and Bolder: Life beyond 60’.

- Professor Irene Blackberry, Director of John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research at La Trobe University.

- Dr Rachel Winterton, also from the centre and an international expert on rural ageing and volunteering.

The conversation is hosted by Bold Thinking Series MC Francis Leach.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series, we meet some of Australia’s lead digital defenders and ask just how private and secure our hi-tech devices really are.

You'll hear from some of the people guarding our homes, public institutions and businesses from an ever-growing hoard of global attackers at the door. The panel includes:

- Professor Jill Slay, a leader in cyber-crime and detection, and the Optus La Trobe Chair of Cyber Security.

- Professor David Watts, one of Australia’s leading data protection experts with experience as a regulator, policy maker, consultant and public and private sector lawyer.

- Simon Ractliff, Head of Cyber Security at telecommunication giant Optus.

- Meegan Haas, a Cyber and Forensic Services Partner at Price Water House Coopers.

Award-winning ABC journalist Elysse Morgan will ask if the pace of technology is keeping up with the need to safeguard our businesses, governments and private lives from intrusion.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series hear - for the first time - the full story of the university student protestors dubbed the La Trobe Three.

Brian Pola, Fergus Robinson and Barry York were in their 20s in the early 1970’s when they were locked up in Melbourne’s notorious Pentridge Prison for defying a University trespass order.

Hear what happened in the lead up to their arrests, their experience in prison and how it’s impacted them ever since.

They are joined by respected La Trobe historian, Professor Katie Holmes, who will explore the social and political context of the time and the broader cultural repercussions of the ‘70s student movement.

The discussion is hosted by writer and journalist Francis Leach in a passionate and insightful conversation recorded 45 years to the month since they were released.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series, you will hear an in-depth discussion of the Australian government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme, and what it means for Australians and their families living with disabilities.

Journalist, writer and presenter Frances Leach leads a discussion that features:

- Professor Christine Bigby, Director of the Living with Disability Research Centre at La Trobe, a professor of social work, and the founding editor of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

- Rick Morton, the social affairs reporter at The Australian newspaper.

- Dr Jane Tracey, a medical practitioner who has spent 30 years working with people with disabilities and their families. She is Director for the Centre of Developmental Disability Health Victoria at Monash Health.

- Dr Lisa Chaffey, who brings a unique mix of experience as an elite athlete, academic and occupational therapist.

Together they will discuss the first five years of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series, our panellists speak about the rise of plant-based diets. With more and more people identifying as vegan we ask what’s behind this choice and how does it relate to our sense of identity?

Journalist, writer and presenter Frances Leach hosts a discussion that featuring:

- Dr Joanna McMillan, Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe, dietician, author and TV science presenter.

- Dr Matthew Ruby, La Trobe psychology lecturer and practicing vegan.

- Mo Wyse, author and co-founder of popular vegan Melbourne restaurant Smith and Daughters.

- Richard Cornish, food writer and author.

Together, they will discuss what the rise of veganism means for food, society and culture today.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode, a discussion on health, law and sexuality in Australia. Hear from the Honourable Michael Kirby – an international jurist, educator and former judge who has sat on the Federal and High Court of Australia.

Michael Kirby’s speech is followed by Professor Gary Dowsett – a Deputy Director of the Australian Research Centre for Sex Health and Society at La Trobe. He is a sociologist who has worked mainly in HIV aids and sexuality research.

You’ll also hear from Professor Anne-Maree Farrell – a Director for the Centre for Health Law and Society and an Australia Research Council Future Fellow. Professor Farrell has worked as lawyer for over 12 years in Australia and overseas.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series, our expert panel will consider the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and how the food we eat affects our mood. We’ll also look at fad diets and understand how diet can help us lead healthier and longer lives.

Journalist, writer and radio presenter Frances Leach leads a panel featuring:

- Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Head of the Allied Health School at La Trobe, an accredited practicing dietician, author and an international expert in the Mediterranean diet.

- Dr Antigone Kouris, Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport at La Trobe. Her research team was the first to develop a validated Mediterranean diet score, which is now used globally.

- Shane Delia, SBS television host, successful chef and Melbourne restaurant owner.

- Dr Norman Swan, a GP and broadcaster who hosts the Health Report on ABC Radio National and Tonic on ABC News 24.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Bold Thinking series we will discuss and debate the past and future of the thriving city of Bendigo in regional Victoria. What influences are political, economic and structural changes having on regional cities like Bendigo?

Journalist, writer and presenter Frances Leach leads a panel that features:

- Dr Julie Rudner, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Inquiry, who aims to shift the way we think about risk and uncertainty.

- Rob Hunt, Managing Director of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank for over 20 years who awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University in 1998.

- Margot Spalding, a former Telstra businesswoman of the year and spokesperson for the ‘Believe in Bendigo’ campaign.

- Tasneem Chopra, a La Trobe graduate, curator, consultant author and activist. She grew up in Bendigo and now deliveries workshops on diversity, identity and racism.

Welcome to the La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Ideas and Society program, a discussion on why Australia has been failing to fulfill its regional and global humanitarian obligations; part of the 2018 'A Better Australia' series.

We feature Tim Costello, Head of World Vision Australia, as he discusses the aid sector in 2018 and explores some of the humanitarian challenges facing the Asia pacific region.

Mr Costello is joined by Executive Director of the Brotherhood of Saint Lawrence, Conny Lenneberg.

The discussion is facilitated by respected ABC radio broadcaster Jon Faine.

Welcome to La Trobe University's Clever Conversations.

In this episode from our Ideas and Society program:

Noel Pearson, who some regard as our nation’s most original thinker, and Megan Davis, a distinguished younger Indigenous leader who will outline prospects for long-delayed Indigenous constitutional recognition.

Noel Pearson is a lawyer, Indigenous leader, public intellectual and a 30 year advocate of the benefits of education, self-help and the engagement of Indigenous Australians in a global economy.

Professor Megan Davis is an academic, constitutional lawyer and author. She is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) at the University of New South Wales and an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This conversation took place close to the one year anniversary of the 2017 First Nations National Constitutional Convention, which led to the creation of the 'Uluru Statement From the Heart'.